Mel's Random January

My local park in January

So, the first month of 2011 is over and how many New Resolutions have you stuck with? Still going to the gym and eating healthily? Or did the temptation of a take-away in front of the TV prove too much? :)

I know I still find myself writing 2010 on the date occasionally...

It's been a bit an experimental month here, with the trialing of audiobook reviews, the introduction of my first ever guest review by Sarah, and my own guest review with Jackie from Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Tales (You can read my confession about book envy there if you missed it!).

So how has January hit the the reading situation?

Reviews -

Books
Vampire Academy: Frostbite - Richelle Mead
Haint Misbehavin - Maureen Hardegree
The Spirit Thief - Rachel Aaron (Speculative Fiction Challenge)
Nightmare Hall: The Scream Team - Diane Hoh (YA of 80s and 90s Challenge)
The Five Greatest Warriors - Matthew Reilly (Mystery and Suspense Challenge)
Foundation - Isaac Asimov (Personal Classics Challenge & Speculative Fiction Challenge)
The Magician's Assistant - Trudi Canavan (Speculative Fiction Challenge)
Deepwater Black - Ken Catran (YA of 80s and 90s Challenge)

EBooks
Darkness Under The Sun - Dean Koontz
Angelic - Kelley Armstrong
Embers - Laura Bickle
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages - Tom Holt

Audiobook -
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams
I'm a little undecided about audiobooks reviews still - I find the reviews a little hard to write as the reader's voice and the abridgement of most books impacts the story and the writing so much. I'll continue with another review next month but I'm not sure how long I'll continue with it.

Guest review
Sarah reviewed Betrayal: Strange Angels - Lili St Crow

So taking all that into account, my 2011 challenges status currently stands:
BCC's Mystery & Suspense Challenge - 1 Read , 11 Left to read
FTC Speculative Fiction Challenge - 3 Read, 9 Left to read
BV's YA of 80s and 90s Challenge - 2 Read , 10 Left to read
Personal Classic Challenge -  1 Read

Highlight of the month - Embers by Laura Bickle

Honourable Mentions: Vampire Academy Frostbite - Richelle Mead and Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sausages by Tim Holt

Phew - looking at it like this, it seems like a busy month! What did you like most? Any ideas for next month?

Expect similar randomness in February plus I'm re-introducing my Books Remembered feature and introducing a new feature called Book Confessions. I also have a cool giveaway planned and possibly a bonus giveaway if I can get up to 100 followers. :)

What have you got up to this month?