I realize as I start to think more and more about these upcoming book reviews that maybe I should give a little more information about myself before I start.I live in northwestern New Jersey near Pennsylvania where I also own a small handcrafted jewelry shop. I grew up in central NJ, but have lived in many NJ towns as well as in PA and Florida. For nearly ten years I worked as a high school English teacher in both NJ and FL teaching all sorts of English curriculum subjects - World Lit, American Lit, Creative Writing, Expository Writing, and Journalism to name a few. I have spent most of my life as an aspiring author who has written many short stories and a couple books - all unpublished - in addition to an article for The English Journal. I read all the time and set myself a yearly challenge to read 50+ books and then increase that total by at least two each year. I mainly read fiction and do not limit myself to certain subjects in my reading. I'm not too big on non-fiction; however, I have been known to pick up the random biography or factual account and enjoy it fully. I carry a book list with me at all times and add to it constantly. Right now that list includes 28 titles and is sure to increase again by the end of the week.Mainly, what gives me any right to review books? I love them and have learned to look at books objectively through teaching. I know that my tastes might not suit everyone, but I will try to do my best with the books I talk about.

This week I agreed to start working on some book reviews to add to Americymru.I have yet to start those reviews, but have decided first to compile my personal book list of books I've read recently which in some way refer to, include, or are set in Wales, factual or fictional. I wanted to mention that I have not gone looking for books relating to Wales, but instead that the books I am listing and will eventually write about have just happened to be about Wales in some way when I've read them. This means that at times, the mention of Wales or the use of Wales is very small or subtle, but it is still there. These are also books that are mainstream and which are available for sale in the majority of bookstores.So my list so far (and this is definitely not complete, but is what I can think of off the top of my head here at the shop):The Bridei Chronicles by Juliet Marillier (fictional Wales) 3 booksKing Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead (retold story of Robin Hood in Wales) 3 booksLady MacBeth by Susan Fraser King (gives a mention of Wales)The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies (WWII Wales)Added 8/15Tyrant of the Mind by Priscilla Royal (fictional Wales)The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte (Arthurian Tale) 9 booksAdded 8/16Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde (extremely fictional depiction of Wales) 5 book