Best Audiobooks of 2013 Blog Hop & Giveaway

Hi Everyone and Welcome to the first giveaway of 2014! 

It is time for the Best of 2013 Audiobook Blog Hop where we highlight our favorite 5 audiobooks from 2013. This hop is hosted by The Book Nympho, Hot Listens, and Geeky Bloggers Book Blog.  It runs from Jan 1 2014 to Jan 15 2014.

I had the hardest time narrowing down my choices to just three because I have listened to a lot of  audiobooks this year.  So these 5 are more of the “my stand outs” from the year….

Happy 2014!

Quicky Review #13: Santa is Coming to California, Tallulah's Nutcracker and Hello Ninja

The final and last Quicky Review for 2013 is dedicated to the kids.

Two of these books I read at a LAX bookstore while waiting on my flight.  Yes, I was just standing there in the kids section looking at books and I completed two of them.  The others didn't hold my interest or were to long for my wait.  LOL!

The last one was free from Starbucks. 

Here are just a few sentences on these short (about 2 hours or less) stories.

There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come. I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Below are the links to the other Quicky Reviews this year. 

Quicky Reviews #10: The First, The Choice and The Sparrow  

Quicky Review #11: Riding the Bullet and Vampire Short Stories
Quicky Review #12: My Soul to Lose and The Booktaker

The 2013 DNF List

Every once in awhile I put a book down and never ever pick it up again.  Sometimes I have really good intentions of completing it.  In December I try and make a real good effort to read books I Did Not Finish reading during the year.  Sometimes Most of the time it is just one book.  but I am sad to say this year I have 2 books on the DNF list.  Both of them I will get back to one day, just not before 2013 ends.
Last year I had just one.  I never finished reading Love in the Time of Cholera but I did see the movie.  So that kinda counts?  Right?

Quicky Review #12: My Soul to Lose and The Booktaker

It's time for another Quicky Reviews.

As you know it's the end of the year and I don't like having dangling reviews starting my new year and staring me in the face. There is just something about starting the new year with zero book on your "To Review" pile. So here are two more and after these two I just have 1 book review (for next year) and 3 mini reviews to go. (Must do now!)

These two audiobooks were also read for the  R.I.P. Reading Challenge (October) and they were both free short audiobooks from Audible.com.  These are the last for that challenge.

Here are just a few sentences on these short (about 2 hours or less) stories.

There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come. I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Below are the links to the other Quicky Reviews this year. 

Quicky Review #9: Letter from Birmingham Jail  

Quicky Reviews #10: The First, The Choice and The Sparrow  

Quicky Review #11: Riding the Bullet and Vampire Short Stories

Book Blogging Goals and Resolutions

I love making resolutions and goals for myself. Big ones and little ones. Like having a no spending day once a week.  Book Blogging is hosting a linky for your 2014 book blogging goals.

We’re closing in on 2014! It’s time to start looking forward to the new year and making book blogging plans! Let’s make 2014 a productive and amazing year for book bloggers by setting goals and resolutions. Everyone has things they want to achieve, or resolutions they want to make. So let’s each make a list and share it with the blogosphere!

Quicky Review #11: Riding the Bullet and Vampire Short Stories

Welcome back to Quicky Reviews.

Now that it is the end of the year I am desperately trying to wrap up all my mini reviews as well.  There is just something about starting the new year with zero book on your "To Review" pile.  After these two I just have 1 book review and  4 mini reviews to go. 

These two audiobooks were read for the R.I.P. Reading Challenge (October) and they were both short audiobooks from the library. 

Here are just a few sentences on these short (about 2 hours or less) stories. 

There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't worry there will be more to come.  I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Below are the links to the other Quicky Reviews this year.

Quicky Review#8: New World and Spy Killer

Quicky Review #9: Letter from Birmingham Jail
Quicky Reviews #10: The First, The Choice and The Sparrow 

Diversity on the Shelf: Links and Resources

Inspired by the POC Reading Challenge

The Diversity on the Shelf 2014 Reading Challenge starts in 3 days and counting!! (Sign up here for 2015)
If you are new to making a conscious effort towards diversifying your bookshelf and need a few suggestions check out these links I have collected.  By the way they are not in any particular order and some of them are not very recent but still useful.
 This list will grow and change as I find more resources, so check back every once in awhile.

~ Former Reading Challenge~

POC Reading Challenge
The bloggers who hosted the reading challenge linked a ton of great resources and you can also read the reviews they linked up each month.

~Diversity Promoting Blogs~

Color Online
White Readers Meet Black Authors
Writers of Color Blog Tour
The Brown Bookshelf
Linus's Blanket
Kinna Reads
Reads for Pleasure
Literary Marie's Precision Reviews
Global Women of Color
SORMAG's Blog
 Reading Has Purpose
Girlxoxo
The Write to Make A Living
Sew Transformed
The Reader's Suite
Reading in Color
Gathering of Books
Nita Bee's Buzzin' Books & Poetry WebBlog
Joy's Book Blog
Diversity in YA
The Open Book
Rich in Color 
S Krishna's Books

New Reading Challenges for 2014

As I am getting my New Years Resolutions for 2014 together I want to pick a few reading challenges to help with my bookish goals.  There are just so many reading challenges out there, it makes it impossibly hard to pick which ones to sign up for.  I just keep telling myself to be realistic and not to get too carried away.  Like I did last year. So this year I am going to try a few new ones and keep up with a few old ones. 

~ New to Me Reading Challenges ~

 Host:  My Little Pocketbooks (me)

Purpose:  Read books by authors of color and/or with a main character of color

Level:  4th Shelf (19 - 24 books)

Some of the books I plan to read that will cross challenges:

1.  Legend by Marie Lu

2.  The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar

 3.  Strategic Planning for Love and War by Johnson

4.  Fire Baptized by Kenya Wright

5.  7:33am by Monda Raquel Webb

6.  Illusions by Chantilly Chanel Austin 

Book Blogger Hop: 2014 Wish List and Ice

Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer 

Welcome everyone to another post of Book Blogger Hop (hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer).  Each week there will be a new topic submit by a blogger and everyone can join in with their answers. You should join us!  It's quite fun!

 

This weeks Topic/Question 

December 27th - January 2nd: What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

My Bookish Resolution for 2014

So last year I made a Bookish Resolution to not buy any books in 2013 unless it was a Mocha Girls Read book of the month.  Since there are 12 months that means 12 books in one year and nothing else. I am happy to say .... I DID IT!  But I did purchase a few books for giveaways.  Just a few. But overall I am happy about getting my book buying habits under control.

But there was a part of my 2013 resolution that I didn't really nail. I have a ton of books at home that I need to read.  A ton!  And I really want to read more than half of them.  I really want to finish this list and move on.  Call me OCD but I have 100 new books (that I didn't buy) in my house from BEA13 and I am still hooked on this list. 

Here is my 2103 list with the books I did read crossed out.

2013 Wrap Up!

 

Can you believe 2013 is over?  Wow!
Last year I did my first ever end of the year wrap up post and I thought I would do another one this year. This year was a bit of a challenge trying to keep this blog up and running.  Yes!  Blogging is a learning process and I have to learn how to budget, schedule and manage my time a little bit more.  For one, much more organized and focus about my blog than I was at the beginning of this journey but I still need to work on the time management. 

So here are the stats for my second year with My Little Pocketbooks

Well here is a few of the great highlights from my first year with My Little Pocketbooks.

First Blog Post of the Year 

This Blog is Cleaning House in 2013

 

First Comment From

 Alexis @ Refelctions of a Bookaholic 

Same person as last year.  

New Years Pocketbooks

It's time to get your party dress and heels ready ladies.  New Year's Eve parties are so sparkly and bright.  They all have a hint of Christmas with a dash of night club, so you won't need that big ol' bag just a simple little clutch will do.  I have been on a sparkly kick lately, so here are 8 clutches that will be the hit of the night with your new New Year's party dress.

Love It! 2013

After 55+ books (it's December 26 and I am still reading) I have to let you all know about the books that received top honors from me here at My Little Pocketbooks.  I know everyone has a list of books titled "The Best of 2013" so I am just jumping in to add my to cents.  

As of today (I have one more book to read this month) I have 6 books that are labeled "LOVE IT!".  (Same as last year) The 6 have a few things in common.  Unique plots, amazing characters, and of course captivating writing.  These books are what I consider a 100% page turners.  I think all of them had me up way pass my bedtime and all of them made me sad when I finished it.  

So, if you ask me for a book recommendation I will tell you to start with this list.

What Am I Listening To...

Dashing Through the Snow

Merry Christmas

2013 Reading Challenges: Wrap Up

 

Yep!  Another year is gone and another group of reading challenges are done.  Well all of them except one, or two.  Despite my crazy work schedule I am shocked I completed most of the reading challenges I signed up for this year.  No really!  I'm shocked.  I had no idea around September if I would complete any of them.  But low and behold I did!  YEAH!!

Review: A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair Author: Isabel Wolff Genre: Contemporary Fiction Publisher:  Bantam Release Date: April 5, 2011 Audiobook: 12 hours and 11 minutes Narrator: Violet Mathieson Paperback: 384 pages Source: Purchased from Border's Bookstore in 2011 at their closing sale Buy the Book: Amazon

Books For Kwannza 2013

Christmas Day is also the first day of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa starts on December 25 and ends 7 days later.

Review: Parable of the Talents

Parable of the Talents Author: Octavia E Butler Genre: Dystopian  Publisher:  Recorded Books Release Date: September 12, 2007 Audiobook: 15 hours and 26 minutes Narrator:  Patricia R. Floyd, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sisi Aisha Johnson Series: Parable Series Book #2  Source: Purchased from Audible.com Buy the Book: Amazon

Sunday Best #54

Hosted by Tanya at Girlxoxo.com

2 more shopping days until Christmas 
and I have a ton of gift to go.  ARGH!
 
  So what is Sunday Best?
Every Sunday, we are going to share the best post on our blogs and other blogs we visited from the past week and link them up. Join us in showing off your Sunday Best and leave a comment or two.

Happy Dance Time!

There are so many reasons to do a happy dance! 
No really there are!

1.  I hit my Goodreads goal.  It was not a ton of books but I am done and I even went a bit over.  I have one more book planned for this month which I'll start tomorrow.  So happy dance another reading challenge is done.  2 more books read than last year.  Yeah!

Visa $200 Gift Card Giveaway

Hosted by:  NYSavingSpecials

Co-Hosted by:
Barbara's Beat, Quick Tattletails, Romania and Missions, Rainy Day Pennies, Thriftymommastips.com and Simply Sherryl

One lucky winner will win 

$200 Visa GC

Book Blogger Hop: Christmas Time Stories and Green

Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer 

It's Christmas Time!  Present shopping is under way.  Yes I am a last minute shopper.  I even have friends that I shop for after Christmas.  Don't worry they already know.  So how is your Christmas shopping going?

Welcome everyone to another post of Book Blogger Hop (hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer).  Each week there will be a new topic submit by a blogger and everyone can join in with their answers. You should join us!  It's quite fun!

 

This weeks Topic/Question 

December 20th - 26th: Holiday Edition- What is your favorite book set around Christmastime?

2013 Genre Varitey Reading Challenge: Wrap Up

 

Hosted by A Daydreamer's Thoughts

Level 6 books in 6 different genres then moved up to 12 books in 12 different genres.  

Completed on  8/28/2013

Yep another reading challenge completed.  When I first signed up for this challenge I didn't think I could come up with 6 completely different genres.  I had a hard time just thinking of 6 but when I completed the 6th one I decided to step it up and try to do 6 more.

I am proud to say that I do read a wide variety of genres naturally.  Nothing on this list was forced.  I just read them and then realized I completed the challenge.  There are a few genres I read this year that are not reflected on this list such as Slave Narrative, Christian Fiction, Short Stories Collection, and Picture Book.  Here are the three books I read and the links to my reviews along with a few fun facts about this reading challenge.

 

YA: *Daughter of Smoke and Bone 

Contemporary: The Hairdresser of Harare 

Essay: Even the Stars Look Lonesome 

Dystopian: *Parable of the Sower 

 Paranormal: *Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter 

Historical Fiction: *The Shoemaker's Wife 

Children's Book: Sway 

Memoir: *My Beloved World 

Poetry/Short Stories: Red Clay Dirt and Mountain  

Chick Lit: Can You Keep A Secret? 

Humor: (ARC) Here I Go Again  

Business: *Free! The Future of a Radical Price 

Thriller: Gone Girl 

Urban Fiction: The Man In 3B  

Murder Mystery: *Whodunnit? Mystery in Murder Manor

Anne Rice Reading Challenge 2013: Wrap Up

Hosted by The Towering Pile

Level: Louis de Pointe du Lac (1 to 5 books) I signed up for 3 books.

Completed on

Another Reading Challenge completed.  This one was easy peezey because I had two of the books before I signed up and I knew I was going to read them this year.  I have to say that I was not thrilled with any of these books like I thought I would be.

Here are the three books I read and the links to my reviews along with a few fun facts about this reading challenge.

Angel Time  (audiobook)

Of Love and Evil (audiobook)

The Wolf Gift (hardcover) 

Historical Fiction 2013: Wrap Up

Hosted by Historical Tapestry

Level: Renaissance Reader - 10 books

Completed on 10/10/13!

  Yep.  I completed this challenge and I thought it was a bit easier than I thought it would be.  I had ten books here that I knew would fit the challenge but I was not sure if I would get to them.  So here are the books I completed for this challenge.  They are all linked to my reviews.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (audiobook)

The Shoemaker's Wife  (audiobook)

The Madman's Daughter  (audiobook)

The Kitchen House (audiobook)

Angel Time  (audiobook)

The Mysterious Howling (audiobook)

 Soulless  (audiobook)

Of Love and Evil  (audiobook)

Cleopatra Moon (audiobook)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Review: Whodunnit? Murder on Mystery Island

Murder on Mystery Island Author: Anthony E. Zuiker Genre: Murder Mystery Publisher: Audible, Inc. Release Date: August 27, 2013 Audiobook: 5 hours and 56 minutes Narrator:  Gildart Jackson Source: Free from Audible.com Buy the Book: Amazon

Review: (ARC) The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

(ARC) The Tweleve Tribes of Hattie Author: Ayana Mathis Genre: Fiction Publisher:  Vintage Release Date: October 8, 2013 Paperback: 320 pages Source: Free from publisher Buy the Book: Amazon

Sunday Best #53

Hosted by Tanya at Girlxoxo.com

Happy Sunday everyone.  
I am so excited to start the process of pick reading challenges for 2014.  I know it's nerdy but I am over the moon thrilled to be hosting my first reading challenge.  *big grin*.  I am trying my best to get as many reviews done this week too so I can walk into 2014 without a ton of reviews on back log.  LOL!
 
So what is Sunday Best?
Every Sunday, we are going to share the best post on our blogs and other blogs we visited from the past week and link them up. Join us in showing off your Sunday Best and leave a comment or two.

My Favorite Post from Me 

My Incomplete Series List

As I was looking over all of the books I have at home, I realized I have so many series book #1 sitting here collecting dust.  I have to tell you, I am not looking forward to starting a series anytime soon because I have not finished a ton of the ones I have already started.  Is it just me or do you feel like you need to complete a series or two before you can start a new one?  Ok!  It's just me.  It's just that feeling of too many loose ends hanging out there, to many unanswered questions and most of all I just don't feel like I finished the book if there is more to the story. 

Just to put my mind at easy and to help me get myself together, I thought I would share the enormous list of series I have NOT completed yet.  I plan on finishing them.  Really!  I do!  Ok some of them.  One day.  By the way I am to lazy tonight to add links to each and every single book here.  Sorry!

Maybe once I finish my goal of reading most of the books in my house I will take up the personal challenge of completing these series. 

Quicky Reviews #10: The First, The Choice and The Sparrow

Welcome back to Quicky Reviews.  I know it has been a long time since I did one of these mini reviews.  But like I've been saying all month long...Better late than never.
This is were I review short stories and audiobooks less than 2 hours long or children books.  The quick stuff!

I have three new audiobooks I want to review that aren't really going to count toward any of my reading challenges since they are really short. Here are just a few sentences on these short (about 2 hours or less) stories. 

There are other Quicky Reviews for you to check out too and don't fret there will be more to come.  (I hope) I like short stories because most of them are FREE and I can get in and out of one in no time.

Below are the links to the other Quicky Reviews this year.

Quicky Review #7: Swim

Quicky Review#8: New World and Spy Killer

Quicky Review #9: Letter from Birmingham Jail 

Book Blogger Hop: Christmas Wish List and Gems

Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer 

I am still in shock (kinda) that we are taking about Christmas and the end of 2013.  

I love having my tree up and all the Christmas decor everywhere but...man...when did this happen?  LOL!

Welcome everyone to another post of Book Blogger Hop (hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer).  Each week there will be a new topic submit by a blogger and everyone can join in with their answers. You should join us!  It's quite fun!

This weeks Topic/Question 

December 13th - 19th: Holiday Edition ~ What books do you want for Christmas?

Review: Naomi's Gift

Naomi's Gift: An Amish Christmas Story Author:  Amy Clipston Genre:  Amish Christian Fiction Publisher: Zondervan Release Date: September 11, 2011 Hardcover: 192 pages Source: Won from a book blogger hop in 2011 Buy the Book: Amazon

What I Am Reading...

The Vintage Affair

Review: The Raven Boys

The Raven Boys Author: Maggie Stiefvater Genre:  YA Paranormal Publisher: Scholastic Audio Release Date: September 18, 2012 Audiobook: 11 hours and 8 minutes Narrator: Will Patton Source:  Free from Audiobooksync.com Buy the Book:  Amazon

Review: 12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave Author: Solomon Northup Genre:  Slave Narrative, Non-Fiction Publisher: Penguin Books Release Date: September 4, 2013 Paperback: 288 pages Source: Purchased from Mysterious Galaxy Buy the Book: Amazon

Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Bookhounds and I Am A Reader, Not a Writer

In case you haven't noticed it is that time of the year where everyone does their Top Ten List.  I on the hand have a hard time call it when I am still reading, listening and enjoy 2013.  There are still 2 weeks left. What if I read the BEST BOOK EVER! this Saturday.  Then I would have to do my list all over. There would be no way I could close out the year without mentioning that book.

So for this giveaway I am not going to list my favorite books from 2013 at all. I am just going to giveaway one of the 5 star books I read this year.

Review: The Good House

The Good House Author: Tananarive Due Genre:  Horror Publisher: Recorded Books Release Date: July 9, 2004 Audiobook: 21 hours and 37 minutes Narrator: Robin Miles Source:  Purchased from Audible.com Buy the Book: Amazon

Diversity on the Shelf 2014

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Inspired by the POC Reading Challenge

Welcome to the 1st year of the Diversity on the Shelf reading challenge. The aim of Diversity on the Shelf 2014 Challenge is add diversity to you bookshelf by reading books by authors of color and/or about a main character of color.

Challenge Details

1. Any book (by any author) with a main character that is a person of color qualifies for this reading challenge, as well as any book written by an author of color. The goal is to encourage readers have a more diverse reading experience and to support diversity in the publishing industry by reading and reviewing books by or about person of color.

2. The challenge will run from January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 (books read prior to 1/1/2014 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime before 12/1/2014. Sign up at My Little Pocketbooks

3. Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).

4. Novellas, Short story collections, Poetry, Graphic novels/manga, Children Books, and all genres are allowed.

5. Books can be of any publication date.

6. You can choose your books as you go or create a list in advance. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

Review: The Wolf Gift

The Wolf Gift Author: Anne Rice Genre: Paranormal Publisher: Alfred Knopf Publishing Inc. Release Date: February 14, 2012 Hardcover: 416 pages Source:  Purchased at the LA Book Fair 2012 (and signed by the author) Buy the Book: Amazon

Sunday Best #52

Hosted by Tanya at Girlxoxo.com

Happy Sunday everyone.  I am still in shock it's December and everyone is doing their Best of 2013 already.  Man the year just zoomed past.  Personally, I am having a hard time picking my favorites for the year when I am still reading a few books off my shelf.  For me December is the time to try and finish my DNF and complete the last books for all the reading challenges I signed up for. 

So what is Sunday Best?
Every Sunday, we are going to share the best post on our blogs and other blogs we visited from the past week and link them up. Join us in showing off your Sunday Best and leave a comment or two.

My Favorite Post from Me 

Free Listens for December 2013I Need Your Opinions 
 Thank you ladies for stopping by and helping me sort somethings out and for giving me a better perceptive.  Thank you!!
Remembering Nelson Mandela

Book Blogger Hop: Christmas Recommendations and Clouds

Hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer
I know I usually posted this on Friday but I am still trying my best to take a minute and get a few post caught up.  So happy Saturday!

Welcome everyone to another post of Book Blogger Hop (hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer).  Each week there will be a new topic submit by a blogger and everyone can join in with their answers. You should join us!  It's fun!

This weeks Topic/Question

Holiday Edition: What book would you recommend for a Christmas present?

Remembering Nelson Mandela

As most of you have heard by now Nelson Mandela has passed away at the age of 95 years old.  There are so many reports and so much coverage with his death and the new movie on his life coming out, I thought I would pay tribute as well to a man I have always admired.  There is something to be said about a man who was born in a oppressed apartheid South Africa, jailed for 27 years and smiles with his whole soul.  

December Reading Queue

 

Reading Queue is hosted by Book Tasty and Books: A true story

This month there I will be working and traveling for the holidays along with my other stuff going on, so this will be a shorter queue of books. 
What is the reading queue? Reading Queue is a monthly meme where you share what books you plan to read for the month.  You can hop to other blogs and see what others are reading and maybe find someone reading the same thing as you! Or you can ask for people to vote on what you should read next if you can’t decide.

What I Am Reading...

Twelve Tribes of Hattie

November 2013: Wrap Up

This is probably the shortest monthly wrap up I will ever do.  (And the saddest)

  There were just sooo many things going on in November.  Work, Dance Class (I'll tell you more about that later) and family of course.  There never seemed to be enough hours in the days, weeks and overall month.  One minute I am thinking about what Halloween costume I am going to wear this year and the next minute I am helping my mom set the Thanksgiving table.  Say What!?!?

So here are the worst monthly wrap up stats EVER!

I posted *small inside voice* 10 post.  The lowest number this year. 

And one less than this time last year.  I know!  I know! I knooooowwww!

But...What is up with November?

November Winners

As you can see I am still trying to get caught up on my November blogging stuff.  So here are the winners from my November giveaways.

  Oh but first, a BIG thank you goes out to all of you for stopping by, entering and leaving comments.  I really, really appreciate it!  There was only one giveaway last month.

Now on to the winner of the Dystopian Giveaway Hop..