On the Bookshelf

https://amzn.to/2SCSlXD

 

February was pretty slow for me reading-wise.  I worked a LOT in February, which made fitting in reading less of a priority.  I have a BUNCH on the docket for March, though…so hold onto your hats for next months post.

Anyhoozles…here’s my (light) list for February.

Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!

Onto the post:

What I Read

 Camp So-and-So

One day a few weeks ago I saw this book somewhere…I don’t remember where or what made me think I would like it, or even what compelled me to put it on hold at the library. When it arrived, I almost sent it back without reading it because it didn’t seem like my kind of book. I’m not a horror reader…but instead I began reading.

The first chapter had me hooked in a “I have no idea what I’m reading, but I can’t stop” sort of way.  This book had me guessing, and second guessing, every step of the way.  You might be able to classify it as a campy sort of horror. People do die now and then…and the kids are trapped in a camp in the middle of nowhere…and there is magic…and beasts…and…so much more.

I gobbled this one up like there was no tomorrow, reading about 300 of the pages in one fell swoop at work one day.  In some ways I’m still questioning what happened…in others, I’m just glad I read it.

This one reminded me that it’s good to take risks and step outside my comfort zone sometimes. It doesn’t always pay off…but when it does…it really does.

 

Betrothed

*I received a copy of this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

This was a quick, fun…if slightly predictable graphic novel.

The action was good…the scene in the lab was…well, it was what made it predictable and cheesy…and the side effect of that event was.  The more I think about it, the less I actually think I liked this.

It was predictable. The fact that them having sex made this electric shield of sorts form was just *yawn*.

I think I liked the side characters a lot more than the main ones.  Their friends, while also pretty cookie-cutter, were cute and added some fun life to the story.

 

Timo the Adventurer

*I received a copy of this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

How adorable was this? A boy who grows up in a small valley town with no in or out, lives his life through the adventure of reading. He lives many lives in his short life…but then one day, his greatest fear that he’s anticipated eagerly comes true…he finishes the LAST book in the entire town! There’s no more for him to read. He’s all set to go out on his own adventure, but his parents stop him…reminding him he is young and should wait.  He acquiesces…of course, as most great adventurer’s do, he does so only to set off anyway.

The adventure leads him beyond the land he’s always known, and he meets all sorts of creatures.  This graphic novel has the added bonus of ‘journal entries’ made by Timo about the creatures he meets and adventures he has.

It ends on a cliffhanger…which is so much fun until I realize that I have no idea when I can get my hands on the next one!

 

 

 

What I’m Reading Now

  Conspiracy of Ravens

Okay, this has been on this list for a while.  I actually returned it to the library recently, only to take it out again last week at the same time as Camp So-and-So.  I’ve since devoured the other…and hope to do the same to this during my time off these next few weeks.

Fingers crossed I do, because this has been on my list WAY too long.

Like, seriously. Books 3 and 4 have BOTH already been released.

Seriously.

 

   Second Grave on the Left

I’m halfway through this now.  I don’t know why I’m reading it so much slower than book 1…but I’m trying.

So yeah…still on the list (sorry).

I promise, I’ll be adding something new here in a minute…really…

Maybe…

I think? 😉

 

  The Wedding Guest

I’ve gotten a start on this at least.  Not super far in yet…but hopefully it turns out to be as quick a read as I remember the Alex Deleware books being.

I’ve always liked him in the past, but stopped reading for a while.

So, I’m gonna give it the old college try again.

Who knows? I may find myself hooked on them again.

Maybe.

Perhaps.

 

Assorted Graphic novels

No pictures for these.  I have about 20 graphic novels from about 3 different series on hold at the library.  I’ll fill you in as I get to and through them.  Shouldn’t take long. 😀

*~*

I’m so glad I’m on a reading kick again. I have a LOT to catch up on.  So stick around…more updates coming soon!

 

On the Bookshelf

I didn’t read as much as I’d expected this month, but I did get some finished and some new books started.

Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!

Onto the post:

What I Read

[easyazon_link identifier=”0778324338″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Poison Study[/easyazon_link]

This was a re-read for me. I initially read it in 2012, and have seen the entire series come up in my feed a fair number of times during the past year, so I thought I’d give it a re-read to see if I wanted to dive into the rest of the series (finally).

My biggest concern is that I’d remember what happened and drop the book as quick as I’d started. Lucky for me, the 7 year span apparently did wonders for me forgetting what happened…and I was able to enjoy the book as if it was the first time all over again…although I’m not sure I enjoyed it AS much this time…my first review was sickeningly glowing.

I do enjoy the depth of the characters and the surprises the author managed to throw in along the way. I do plan to read the rest of the series, if I can find the time.

 

Llewellyn’s Netgalley Reads

*I received a copies of these books via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

Llewellyn is a publisher I request probably 95% of their books and so far have always been approved. I’ve got quite a few on my Kindle that I’ve neglected so I went on a mad dash to read through as many as I could in recent weeks. Some of them were, unfortunately, unreadable beyond standard acceptable ARC issues ~womp-womp~ I have contacted them to let them know, but I did manage to find 3 that I could read.

[easyazon_link identifier=”073875997X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Llewellyn’s Little Book of Tarot[/easyazon_link] continues their ‘little book’ theme…although “little” could be subjective. According to Goodreads the hardcover of this book spans 248 pages…sooo…anyhoo. I liked this take on tarot for the most part.  Each card had an image of the tarot card – and there was a wide variety of tarot decks represented so you could get a feel for many different decks and maybe even find one that spoke to you.  The “quick read” description was a handy tool.  For me, I wish it had been set up differently, with the journal challenges and such separate from each card, but overall it was a good tool.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B07HKZWF54″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Your Tarot Court[/easyazon_link] by Ethony Dawn is for people like me who struggle with the meaning of the court cards.  Packed with information that can be, at times, overwhelming, this is a book I’m going to have to read a few times to get the full depth of.  However, Ethony’s voice is easy to read and I did learn a lot just on my first read through.  The individual tasks set to help you learn really are handy and if you learn better by doing, are a godsend.

[easyazon_link identifier=”0738757896″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Hearth Witch’s Kitchen Herbal[/easyazon_link]is one of those that I’ve been holding onto for a while and now I wish I hadn’t.  This would be a lovely reference piece to keep in the kitchen.  I really like that it focuses on common herbs that we are likely to already have on hand or gather easily and inexpensively.  Where I live there aren’t a lot of exotic spice stores on hand to gather unusual ingredients. I feel like this book gave me easy to follow recipes using every day ingredients.  I felt like the history of the herbs was a little drawn out for my taste, but I understand why it’s all in there. I just wish that part had been separated from the recipes instead of having it all combined.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B07M5PZJF4″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Bleed Like Me[/easyazon_link]

I got this via netgalley, all opinions are, as always, my own.

Eh. I felt like this came from a super-emo middle school me.

Oddly enough, I didn’t connect with it at all.

The concept intrigued me enough that I eagerly grabbed for it. I like a dark story, a dark poem, a dark anything…I’m pretty dark and twisty when I want to be myself…but this was just…like I said. It came off more emo than dark and twisty. Like they were throwing in blood and dark themes gratuitously. No real emotions were brought up for me reading it. Disappointed.

*~*

Honestly, there were a couple more I read from Netgalley and other sources, but I don’t feel they warrant mention. Okay but not great.

*~*

What I’m Reading Now

[easyazon_link identifier=”052561849X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Wedding Guest[/easyazon_link]

It has been a LONG time since I’ve read an Alex Delaware Novel, honestly.  My husband and I used to read these a lot, and they were always super easy reads, but then we got off of the kick or moved on or got in non-reading modes and forgot about them.

When I saw this on Netgalley, even though I haven’t read one of these in ages I thought “Why not? They were always quick reads.”

Well, we’ll see if that still holds true.

We’ll also see if I missed anything by not reading the last 10-20 of them….

 

The Wendy

I never really saw myself as a Peter Pan story reader…but I have two of these on my list as next to read, and I read one back in 2017 that I really enjoyed.

This one looks interesting enough with Wendy in the lead role and a bit of a kick ass character if the cover holds true.

Here’s hoping. 😉

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”1250005914″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Second Grave on the Left[/easyazon_link]

Yuppers. I enjoyed book 1 so much, I’m ready to dive into book 2. I can’t wait to see what sort of trouble Charley gets herself into this time.

Also, more Reyes?

Um…YES.

Oh, to have more time to read all the time.

(Yup, still on here. I’m actually 90 pages in…but not done so it doesn’t go on the finished side yet, unfortunately)

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”B07C96XW1D” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Smoke & Summons[/easyazon_link]

You know those “must read” authors you find? The ones that…you don’t even read the blurb…you see the book and buy it?

Well, that’s Charlie Holmberg for me.  Her Paper Magician series captivated me, so when this came up as a January Kindle First Read, I grabbed it without another thought.

So it’s a new add…but one I must read for sure.

Along with the rest of her books that I’ve stashed away to read.

(Yup, still on here. Haven’t even cracked it open yet…soon. Soon.)

 

Second Star

Another Peter Pan retelling.

Once again focusing on Wendy.

This time literally set in the stars.

We’ll see if Spaceship Peter Pan is worth the read!

 

*~*

I’m so glad I’m on a reading kick again. I have a LOT to catch up on.  So stick around…more updates coming soon!

 

On the Bookshelf

2018 was a pretty slow reading time for me. I only read 27 books, and most of them in the last few months.  To keep from listing them all, since I’ve not done a list in a while, I’m going to highlight a few top reads for me.

Some may interest you, some may not. I hope it gives you at least a few ideas!!

Onto the post:

What I Read

[easyazon_link identifier=”0062797611″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Kill the Queen[/easyazon_link]

I have had one of Estep’s books on my TBR for AGES…and it wasn’t this book. I should have read the other b/c that series has about 17 books in it already. This one? Well, only the first book is out and I’ll have to wait for the next…I’m not good at waiting…

But it was SO GOOD. The world building was spectacular.  The heroine was awesome…a little broken, but learns to fight for herself…not because of a man in her life, but in spite of his presence.  Some of it was predictable (hello, loverboy)…but much of it kept me not only guessing, but on the edge of my seat.

It’s not pretty…I mean, they are gladiators and there is death…at the hands of the heroine. She builds her own strength and with the help of others and her own grit, learns to use a power she’s long kept hidden.

I cannot wait for the second in the series and what it means for this intrepid band of gladiators and their new queen.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”073875840X” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Tarot Elements[/easyazon_link]

*I received a copy of this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

Still available only as a pre-order (Release of March, 2019)…I suggest getting this one in print as soon as humanly possible.  If you’re interested in tarot at all, if you’re interested in SELF HELP at all…this book is amazing at both.

Probably the first book I’d ever tag as “self-help for pagans”…it’s a great tool to, as the cover says, reset your life.  The readings focus on you and your life and aren’t meant to be quickly breezed through. Some of the stuff that comes up will be ROUGH, and deep, and you’ll have to dig through the depths to face what you need to…but isn’t that what all good self-help books do?

I recommend it if you’re new to tarot (and if you are, add in Cynova’s other book, [easyazon_link identifier=”0738750778″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Kitchen Table Tarot[/easyazon_link], which is so easy to read and so beautifully explains the cards you will carry it with you everywhere)…or if you’re experienced…or if you just need a good kick in the ass to get yourself out of your slump.

Written with Cynova’s brilliant ease with words, that come across like an old friend across the kitchen table (see what I did there?)…it’s an excellent read that really makes you think.

[easyazon_link identifier=”B01LW3WQ6K” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]A Glimmer of Hope[/easyazon_link]

I got this as an Amazon First Read about 3 days before my netgalley approval. So technically, I should disclaimer that I got this via netgalley, but I started reading it before I got approved…so…anyway, all opinions are, as always, my own.

I’d never read any of the series this is a spinoff of, so I had no idea what I was getting into.  I really bought it based on the cover.

I really ended up enjoying it. In fact, it makes me want to read the series this stemmed off of, as well as the rest of this series itself…and hope it lives up to this one.

The heroine was likable – although at a few points I did want to smack her…she did go through a huge, traumatic event so some of her wariness and unease was to be expected for sure.

The accompanying cast is fun, dangerous, and intriguing. I look forward to learning about them some more.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”1250147905″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Hazel Wood[/easyazon_link]

Look at the gorgeous cover…it’s even more gorgeous in person as it shimmers and shines in the light.  This is the reason I picked up the book…and I bought it because the blurb intrigued me.

This is the book that got me reading again.  Not at first, as I started reading it in March of last year…and then promptly put it down for six months. Not because I wasn’t intrigued by it…but because life.  Once I picked it up again, I finished it in a couple of days…devoured it is probably more apt.

The dark and twisted fairy tales played such a mind-bending part in the story it was amazing.  The fairy tales that were spoken of reminded me of how dark the grimm fairy tales originally were before they were prettied up for film.

The MC was intriguing and I’m so glad that this book took a played out trope and turned it WAY on it’s head…something completely unexpected in a YA novel (not telling you what, for it’ll give it away).

This book is spine-tingling, nerve-wracking, exciting, and page-turning excitement.  It’s a must read in my book.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”0312360800″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]First Grave On The Right[/easyazon_link]

*I received this book via netgalley. All opinions are my own*

Confession – I first picked up this book to read quite a few years ago. Everything I’d heard about it made it seem like it was right up my alley. Here’s the thing…this cover I’m using? It’s not the normal cover. I use this cover because I cannot stand to look at the original for the mere fact that there is a bare foot on it. Yup. I had to take the book back to the library pretty quickly after taking it out that first time because I couldn’t stand to touch the cover that had a bare foot on it (podophobia is real, folks…it’s so real).

Soooo…fast forward to several weeks ago when Netgalley put the entire series up as a “read now” option – with the exception of book 13, which is soon to be released. I thought, maybe if it’s on my kindle and I don’t have to see the foot I can read it…and jumped on them. I’m so glad I did and took the chance.

As I’d suspected all along, these books were right up my alley. Charley is an amazing heroine. The book was clever, tension-filled, hilarious, and smart.  I can’t wait to continue on the series (I do have all 13 now…woohoo!)

[easyazon_link identifier=”0399185798″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]The Princess Diarist (Audiobook)[/easyazon_link]

Whoosh…this was a rough one.  Mostly in it Carrie Fisher makes several references to her, and her mothers, eventual demises…which happened a scant two years ago.  Hearing such words in her own voice gave them a bittersweet pang that hit me in the heart strings hard.

All debate over the validity of her relationship with “Mr. Ford” can be had elsewhere, for I don’t care whether this was the recollections of a woman on a time that changed her life…or stories taken from the musings of a girl on the cusp of womanhood with a crush she dealt with through flowery, rhyming prose in diaries between takes on a movie she had no idea would one day very soon rocket her to stardom.

What I do care about is that the book was a lovely read, and a compelling look at what happened in a more innocent time before stardom…and the lap dances it led her to in the future long after her youthful days and dreams were gone.

It was a beautiful look inside a soul gone too soon.

 

What I’m Reading Now

[easyazon_link identifier=”0778324338″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Poison Study[/easyazon_link]

This is a re-read for me. I initially read this book in 2012(!!) and loved it. I never continued on with the series, though. Either lack of interest in reading, or forgetting about it when I am reading, I can’t say.

What I can say is that this series, and the subsequent series after, keep showing up in my feeds on Goodreads, Facebook, Netgalley, you name it. Making subtle hints that I need to revisit it again.

So, I’ve picked the book back from the library and have already begun to re-read it. Odds are that I’ll get halfway through and remember the whole thing and have to put it down to skip to the next one, but maybe I won’t. Either way, I’m looking forward to getting back into this fascinating world.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”0316264350″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Conspiracy of Ravens[/easyazon_link]

Oh my, oh my…this is the sequel to a story I first read several years ago, and re-read in 2017 with the goal of continuing and never really have.  It’s a fun series and I have not one excuse as to why I’ve never finished.

Well, on a recent library run I spotted the third book of the series on the shelf…and rushed to get this one. I have it on my kindle (thanks to netgalley)…but I’m hoping having the physical book, and a deadline, will get me moving on reading it past the first 10 pages.

Wish me luck.

I’m gonna need it. Time’s already running out and I haven’t started, too busy reading the book up there ^^.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”1250005914″ locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Second Grave on the Left[/easyazon_link]

Yuppers. I enjoyed book 1 so much, I’m ready to dive into book 2. I can’t wait to see what sort of trouble Charley gets herself into this time.

Also, more Reyes?

Um…YES.

Oh, to have more time to read all the time.

 

[easyazon_link identifier=”B07C96XW1D” locale=”US” tag=”redefiperfec-20″]Smoke & Summons[/easyazon_link]

You know those “must read” authors you find? The ones that…you don’t even read the blurb…you see the book and buy it?

Well, that’s Charlie Holmberg for me.  Her Paper Magician series captivated me, so when this came up as a January Kindle First Read, I grabbed it without another thought.

So it’s a new add…but one I must read for sure.

Along with the rest of her books that I’ve stashed away to read.

 

*~*

I’m so glad I’m on a reading kick again. I have a LOT to catch up on.  So stick around…more updates coming soon!

 

What I’m Reading – July 2017

Happy Independence Day to my American friends!  To everyone else…HIHI! 🙂

I was going to initially say June was a slow month for me…until I started gathering all of the images for the post and realized that…nope…I actually read quite a bit…so bear with me while I try to be concise!!

What I Read

Born with Teeth – A Memoir (audiobook)

Autobiography of Kate Mulgrew read by the author.

Deeply fascinating and moving…I learned so much about Kate Mulgrew that I never knew before. I’ve only ever known her as Captain Janeway, but now there’s so much more to her than I ever realized before.

Definitely worth a read…

Definitely worth listening to the audiobook even more. There is nothing like hearing an actress tell her story in her own words.  I’ve heard a rumor that she’s planning to continue on with her memoir (this one concludes around season 5 of Voyager)…if she does, I’m all in.


Star Wars: Rogue One (A junior novelization audiobook)

Grabbed this on impulse at the library because…it was there. I really enjoyed the movie and thought I’d enjoy this one. I was right.  The narrator was good and easy to listen to.

Despite being a “Junior” novelization, the story didn’t feel lacking in any way, shape, or form. It covered all the key points of the movie, left nothing out, and added to the depth of the story in just the right places. I liked getting into the mind of some characters more than you do just seeing them on the screen.

Great movie, and a great book.

 

We Come Apart

Ooof.

As soon as I saw Sarah Crossan’s name on this one, I knew I had to try to get it…and I started reading it within hours of being approved. After all, I’d truly loved (despite all the wild feels) her book, One…and though I knew nothing about Brian Conaghan…I was more than happy to read another of Crossan’s stories in poetry form.

I’m not sure what I expected out of this…but I didn’t get it…I got something better. You’re immediately thrown into the sort of mindset these two teenagers are in. Nicu is clearly foreign as his verses are all broken English and strange phrases.

The connection between the two starts slow, and builds into a snowball.

I couldn’t put it down.

*Copy attained via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

While at the library looking for something else to read…I did a search for quick reads. This one came up, the library had it, and I’d been wanting to try some Gaiman.

So glad I did. This was quite startlingly engrossing. I stayed up until almost 3AM to finish it once I sat down with it.  A strange mix of fairy tale and reality, the flashback of a story.

Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin to describe it. It’s just a book you need to read.

*

Wake of Vultures (The Shadow #1)

This was a re-read for me. I read it a couple of years ago, but wanted to reread it so I could read the second because the third book in the series will be out this year. A couple years ago I picked it up on a blind read from the library because of the cover and loved it.

I think I forgot in the interim how much I enjoyed it.  This is such a fascinating blend of paranormal and historical. It’s not a romance, but there’s definitely romantic elements, there’s a resolution, but there’s no complete ending…and the…

Okay, all I have to say this is the most literal of cliffhangers ever.

Onto the next. ASAP.

*

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Audiobook)

What can I say? I’m addicted to audiobooks.  The silly thing is, I could just go into the library and take out the CD’s of this series..but I just put them on hold through Overdrive and wait with anticipation…getting the next one is like a little (free) Christmas present every couple of months. 🙂

As usual, the audiobook did not disappoint. I even enjoyed hearing the story over either watching or reading it directly. I’m not sure how or why the narrator made it so much more enjoyable, but he did…and I looked forward to turning on my app every day.

Locke & Key vol’s 1-3

My friend, JoAnne, from book club recommended these graphic novels. At first, I wasn’t sure…but volume one, Welcome to Lovecraft, sucked me in quickly, and leaving things as it did, I couldn’t wait to pick up book 2.  I’m on volume 4 as we speak, but have slowed down this first week of July.  However, they’re all due next week so I expect to have them done soon.

Onto the stories themselves….creepy and dark, plenty of weird twists. The kids are in on it all, the adults mildly oblivious. Tragedy, terror, and complete utter weirdness is on every page of these GN’s and it’s fabulous.

A Year & a Day of Everyday Witchcraft and Supermarket Sabbats

I might have threatened to scratch out netgalley’s eyes if I didn’t get Deborah Blake’s book here. I’m a huge fan, she’s my friend on Facebook…and I just wanted it.  Thankfully, Netgalley complied, and I gobbled this book up FAST. As usual, Deborah’s voice, even in non-fiction like this, was warm and welcoming, easy to read when you’re reading a sort of devotional (but so not a devotional at the same time).  The daily tasks suggested were completely doable in a day, and the lessons wonderful. I have full designs on getting this in print so I can use it every day.

Supermarket Sabbats also had an easy voice to read, and some great tips on at-home rituals. Another great reference book that I’d like to get for my overflowing shelf.

*Both these books were received free via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

A Few Graphic Novels from an A to an “eh”-worthy D

Spill Zone – I’ve wanted this one for a while now…I don’t know, the cover appealed to me, the familiar author (though I’ve only read Uglies)…either way, this was a great, different post-apocalyptic world to explore. The characters were great, the artwork was wonderful, edgy and slightly abstract in all the right ways. I’m anxious to read book two to see where this goes.
Poe – A graphic novel depiction of some of Poe’s stories and poems. They were stunningly dark, appropriately dreary, and I’m a sucker for anything Poe-related. Definitely worth a read if you like Poe. *received via netgalley. Opinions are my own.
Artful – A weird vampire-filled take on the Artful Dodger story.  The artwork was…choppy to me. Perhaps it was intentional, but I didn’t enjoy it or the vampire storyline. I know that’s a “thing” now to do classics with monsters…but it’s not my thing. *received via netgalley. Opinions are my own.

What I’m Reading Now

Star Wars – Aftermath

Set after the events of Return of the Jedi.

The narrator on this is awesome…he’s the same that did the Junior novelizations of the original trilogy and his voice acting is AMAZING.

Anyhoo…I’m only about 20% in so I can’t say much about where the story is at…but I am highly intrigued. I love that it starts with a “known” character in Wedge before bringing in unfamiliar characters. Nice touch. Now I just have to finish before it’s due in 10 days.


Locke & Key vol’s 4-6

I’ve already started on 4…but need to get on the ball. These books are due in about 5 days and I’m out of renewals.

Really, really enjoy this dark and twisty series, I just fell out of my reading zone for a couple of weeks. I think I needed a breather. Anyhoo, back at it today. Watch me burn through those pages.

 

Zeroes

Hey, look at that…I seem to be on a Westerfield kick these days (I have Pretties on my bookshelf waiting for me).

So far Zeroes is decent. I’m really  not far in…this is a LONG book. Hopefully I get it done before it’s due back at the library.

Teens with magical powers that don’t make sense and aren’t exactly what you’d call “awesome” as they often hurt more than they help…but they banded together…then fell apart. This is apparently about how they end up beginning to pick the pieces back up.

 

Growing Wings

I read and reviewed book 1 sometime back…I was super excited to get on the review team for book 2…when it was supposed to be out on July 19th.  Yeah, it released yesterday and I’ve read like half a chapter because I wasn’t in the zone.

Still, I have started it and am super excited to see where the story goes. I’ll definitely let you know when I do. 😉

*copy received free via the author. all opinions are my own.

*

The Book of Broadway

I love all things Broadway. So this is a no-brainer.

It is HUGE and not at all in chronological order…so I’m trying to get used to that. Should be a quick read, though…even if it is on my computer only (hate books like that unless they’re graphic novels).

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I’m going to spare you the what I’m reading next list since this is already huge, I’m running behind for work, and all of that jazz. See you next month!

 

What I’m Reading – June 2017 (Part 2)

And I’m back with the books I read in May!!

Once again there’ll be none of the what i’m currently reading or reading next…because that would make this crazy long….so onto Part 2…

What I Read In May

Beauty in Summer, Beauty in Autumn, & Beauty in Winter (Beauty #’s 2,3, & 4)

As I mentioned last week, I picked these up on a whim on my way out of town.

As a whole I enjoyed the series. I enjoyed 1 & 3 most (Spring & Autumn).  Those two had backstory, something…more…to them.

For me, Summer and Winter were more sex for sex’s sake. It was “mates meet and that’s all she wrote.” They know nothing about each other, but sure, let’s bond for life. While they were short reads, I still want more substance to my smut.  Beauty in Autumn delivered that for me, Summer and Winter did not. Overall, I enjoyed the series, though. Fun, quick reads.


Joyride vol. 1

I had no idea what I was getting into when I requested this one from netgalley. I paid pretty much no attention to the blurb, and only noticed the top half of the cover. Let’s just say I was on a graphic novel requesting spree, and this fell into the pile.

I’m glad it did, though. It was fun, unexpected, and different. The fact that the Joyride is in a spaceship, and that the heroine is a ‘devil may care’ person bursting through life, and into the hearts of her both willing, and unwilling, compatriots, were unusual enough to keep my attention. Danger peered around every corner, and the resolution of each situation was swift, but not so swift that I found it inane.

I’m definitely interested enough to want to get the next in the series.

*Copy attained via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

The Wendy Project

A surprising take on the Peter Pan story, in graphic novel form, in a contemporary setting. I realized none of this when I requested it, but quickly realized what it was as I got into the heart of the story.

The artwork in this graphic novel is lovely. The mix of black and white and color to maintain the essence of what the story is really brings things into perspective.

About love and loss, grief and acceptance. The story, its message, and its artwork all combine into a lovely graphic novel well worth the time.

*Copy attained via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

 

Wires and Nerve vol. 1

A graphic novel that is, I didn’t realize, a continuation of The Lunar Chronicles (which I have not read). I only knew it was by Marissa Meyer, and that the cover looked cool, and I was seeing it EVERYWHERE. So when I spotted it at the local library, I picked it up.

Unfortunately, like most super-popular things, I have never been one to go crazy over the Lunar Chronicles (as is evidence by my partially read copy of Cinder that has been sitting on my shelf for years, as I found it “meh” and never finished).  The graphic novel itself isn’t so much a standalone as it referenced the series ALL.THE.TIME. That is to be expected as an extension of the original series, but I felt like I should have seen the massive spoiler alert on the cover (my fault for blind-grabbing).

Either way, I didn’t find this overly exciting, even with the inclusionof creatures and ships and such. The artwork was stunning, but the story itself fell flat for me, I’m afraid.  I think this would be PERFECT for fans of Meyer. Unfortunately, I am not yet one.

Gretchen (Zombillenium 1)

Just look at that stunning cover. How could you go wrong?

Add in a creature-filled zombie theme park, some clueless normal’s, a witch, a secret mission, and the ultimate creature being created…

Well, it was a fun little romp in the graphic novel realm for sure.  Short but sweet, fun and slightly weird, all in all just how i like them.

The artwork is gorgeous, the characters are interesting and fleshed out. Glad I picked this up on a whim at the library.

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The Descendants vol 1 (Manga style)

Anyone that’s a fan of the movie will easily enjoy this version of the story.  The artwork is fun, and the story is true to the movie. A new way to see it all over again. It was fun, and cutoff with a little of a cliffhanger.

Would definitely grab it for my GN & Disney loving middle one.

*copy received free via netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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That’s it for what I read in May. Even fewer than in April (although I may have accidentally put a few May reads in my April post by mistake. It’s a lot of books and I get confused, even with GR helping tell me when I finished something. lol.

Anyway, it’s back to regularly scheduled programming next month, and I have hit a milestone number in my books read for the year. 🙂