Monday, November 11, 2019

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #5


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Hosted by The Book Date.
Also kid lit version hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
Since I read both I join both :)


Not a very big reading week but I got some in.  I have been doing some deep cleaning on my house.  Life gets insanely hectic for me starting the week of Thanksgiving and stays that way until the second week of January.  So focusing on getting as much done now as I can before the chaos hits.
Currently Reading:
  
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #2)
 
"Facing annihilation at the hands of the warlike Vogons is a curious time to have a cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his curious comrades in arms as they hurtle through space powered by pure improbability - and desperately in search of a place to eat. Among Arthur's motley shipmates are Ford Prefect, a long-time friend and contributor to the The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Zaphod Beeblebrox, the three-armed, two-headed ex-president of the galaxy; Tricia McMilan, a fellow Earth refuge who's gone native (her name is Trillian now); and Marvin, who suffers nothing and no one gladly."




 


My Sister Rosa"What if the most terrifying person you know is your ten-year-old sister?

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he's also certain that she's a psychopath--clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he's the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she's capable of.

Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa's -acting out.- Now that they have moved again--from Bangkok to New York City--their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che's always been Rosa's rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her."

Yes, still reading this one.  Only read a few pages in fact.


Finished Reading:
 
Quests for Glory (The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years #1) I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 3: Good Girl I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 4: Sadly Never After


Up Next on my TBR:
 
A Crystal of Time (The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years, #2)The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3)Supernova (Renegades, #3)

 

Saturday, November 9, 2019

I am participating in #COYER Winter with Friends


COYER Winter2019SignUp 
I have loved doing #COYER in the past couple years.  It has been fun and I've made some great friends.  Which is perfect for the twist they are giving us for this one.
2 reading challenge options and giveaways. 4 readathons, 1 twitter party, facebook games and lots of books!!!
Check out the details here.

For my recommendation based on my reading this year I think I will go with
Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1) 
I loved this went straight to book two and then immediately preordered book three (just released this week) and I hardly ever preorder.  So check out this series.

It is also an awesome book to buddy and discuss! 

So everyone next month
 

Monday, November 4, 2019

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #4


badge 
Hosted by The Book Date.
Also kid lit version hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
Since I read both I join both :)

It has been a few weeks since I did this. And I read a lot since.  I did two manga- readathons plus Dewey's 24 readathon.  So I am not going to post all those books.  If you want to see what I read the past few weeks, check out my goodreads profile.
So starting fresh this month and hope to keep up better!

Currently Reading:

My Sister Rosa "What if the most terrifying person you know is your ten-year-old sister?

Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he's also certain that she's a psychopath--clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he's the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she's capable of.

Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa's -acting out.- Now that they have moved again--from Bangkok to New York City--their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che's always been Rosa's rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her."






Quests for Glory (The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years #1) 

"Join your favourite students from the School for Good and Evil as they begin a new era and set off on their quests in the Endless Woods The first book in a second School for Good and Evil trilogy…
The students at the School for Good and Evil thought they had found their final Ever After when they vanquished the malevolent School Master, but with every end comes a new beginning…. Now, on their required fourth-year quests, where Evers and Nevers alike must move beyond the bounds of school and into the biggest, boldest adventures of their lives.
For their quests, Agatha and Tedros are trying to return Camelot to its former splendour as queen and king. For her quest, Dean Sophie seeks to mould Evil in her own image. But soon they all feel themselves growing more isolated and alone. When their classmates’ quests plunge into chaos, however, someone must lead the charge to save them…"


Up Next on my TBR: 

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #2) "Facing annihilation at the hands of the warlike Vogons is a curious time to have a cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his curious comrades in arms as they hurtle through space powered by pure improbability - and desperately in search of a place to eat. Among Arthur's motley shipmates are Ford Prefect, a long-time friend and contributor to the The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Zaphod Beeblebrox, the three-armed, two-headed ex-president of the galaxy; Tricia McMilan, a fellow Earth refuge who's gone native (her name is Trillian now); and Marvin, who suffers nothing and no one gladly."

Friday, October 25, 2019

Dewey's 24 Readathon-Oct 2019

readrat 

My all time favorite readathon is about to start. 20 hours to go!!
I am taking about Dewey's 24 Readathon

A world-wide readathon where we all read, talk about books and cheer each other on for a full 24 hours.  And don't forget the yummy snacks!  Many of us treat this much like a holiday.  A holiday for reading! 

Normally I try to to a better prep and tip post but this year-sorry.  Just a few quick last minute tips.
These are especially handy if you want to participate all or most of the 24 hours.  BUt remember, even an hour counts!!

1.Get good sleep before this starts.  I will be TRYING to get to bed early.  This starts at 5am for me and I am not a morning person so it is either a rough start or an early long nap that I will take once this starts.  Any extra sleep helps.
2.  Refresh and rest your eyes.  If you do a lot of audiobook this is less of an issue but if you are reading 12+ in a day this can be a strain.  Close them with a damp cloth, use eyedrops, reading glasses, etc. 
3.  Get the family involved.  Get your kids to read.  Buy them their favorite snack and drink and have them join you for a couple hours.  For the younger ones, read to them.  It all counts!  My friend asks her kids to read for 2 hours and then they have to behave the rest of the day (no interuptions!) and if they do she gives them a fun day the day after.
4. Food- Have a variety on hand.  Try to prep meal now to save time on the big day.  I will be making a pasta salad with ham, cheese, noodles and lots of veggies.  Plus a Orzo cucumber salad.  I have a veggie tray too plus grapes, trail mix (nuts and dried fruits) and jerky.  And for the junk food we will have cookies, brownies, sourdough pretzels, gummy worms, sour bears, chocolate covered raisins, frosted wheat bites, skittles, reeses, toffee peanuts, cheese and crackers and M&Ms.  A good mix for all of our likes in this house!
For drinks-hydrate!!  Water is your friend!! I go heavy on the tea (both iced and hot) as I don't drink coffee.  I also have some soda, lots of juice options and even Snapple and Sobe as a special treat!

Most important-have FUN- some people read the entire time, some don't.  Some have more fun on social media, cheering others and seeing what they read (thereby often adding to their own TBR).  YOu do you and just enjoy it!


So here are my physical TBR options.  I also have 2 audiobook options (although that I hope to do the least) and a few ebooks lined up.  Another tip:  Have book options.  You don't need this many.  I won't get through half these but I also have another challenge that requires certain letters and those letters change so my reading might too.  But I do advise shorter books.  Some middle grade/childrens or graphic novels.  These make great quick breaks and can give you that feeling of accomplishment for finishing a book.   Also, genre variety, especially if you are a mood reader like me.
Image



Happy Reading!

Friday, October 11, 2019

Fall Into manga Love Readathon

Image 
Hosted by ShaeGeeksOut

 
Oct 13-14
48 Hour  Manga Readathon.


Objective: To read as much manga as you can during those 2 days. Shae does ask us to read one of her recommendations. Be sure to check out her video for this and her links.  It is a very flexible, low pressure readathon.  Read as much or as little as you want and join the fun.  #Fallintomangalove

Here are some of the series I think I might tackle:
 A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori is what I am reading based my Shae's recommendations.  Tail of the Moon will be my priority focus.  And After those I will read others.  Most likely from this stack.  I might read just the first volume of something, or delve further into the series, depending how hooked I am.  
Mostly romance/shojo manga this time it seems.  Saving my few creepy/horror manga for another readathon (Hint: #mangafreakathon). And I am focusing on books that work for another challenge (on goodreads) also and I need title words to start with certain letters for that. 

And look what I got in just in time!  I think these will be perfect for this!  
 If you like manga or are doing this readathon, let me know?  Also, what is one of your favorites to recommend?

Monday, October 7, 2019

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #3

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Hosted by The Book Date.
Also kid lit version hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
Since I read both I join both :)
 
 
So I took a few weeks off to deal with some personal stuff. My dog had to step up his surgery by several weeks and dealing with that, his recovery (surgery was on his throat), and training a new puppy and work my free time was very limited.  So I will catch you up from my last post. 
I am currently reading:
 
 
 
Windfall "Let luck find you.

Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined…and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect."
 
 
 

 
https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334416842l/830502.jpg 
"Welcome to Derry, Maine ...

It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real ...

They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But none of them can withstand the force that has drawn them back to Derry to face the nightmare without an end, and the evil without a name." 

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Delays in the plans

Hi everyone, 

   Just wanted to apologize for the lack of content.  I had hoped to have a bit more up by now.  But a recent event is pushing things behind.  My dog had to go in for surgery this week unexpectedly.  Well, we expected the surgery but in another month or so but the situation worsened.



   He is home and healing but he does have a 7-8 inch surgical cut along the length of his his throat.  So careful healing. This was taken before we took him in but I thought I'd share him with you.  We also have a 8-10 month puppy with us now that wants to constantly play with him and cant so that is hard on them both.  So things have been stressful.  


   So there might be a post or two in the next week or so and most likely they will be my regular Monday and Tuesday meme posts.  Maybe more or something different but all my focus is on these pups right now.  Between them and work, I don't have time for much else.  Hard to talk games, movies and books when you don't have time for them. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Wishful Wednesday


So this is where I will share a 2-3 things that I wish I could watch, play,
visit, or in general do. 
Keeping it simple this week.



I wish to see Audition. I have been wanting to watch this for years.  I had a
friend that supposedly had it but was never able to pull it out to watch a
couple years ago.  Might have to break down and buy it.


Image result for audition miike
 "Director Takashi Miike fashions an explosive drama in Audition. Shigeharu 
Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) has lived as a widower for too long and decides it's
time to marry again. But how will he find a wife? When a friend suggests he
hold a fake audition to pick the right woman, he takes him up on it -- only to
realize that his choice may be a better actress than he bargained for."




 And I want to play the Secret of Mana. I never got the chance on the 
SNES so I hope to collect in eventually on the PS4 or on Steam. I think it is the original
game, just remastered...

Image result for Secret of Mana game
"Originally released in 1993 and widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, Secret of Mana invites players on an action-packed adventure taking on the role Randi, along with his two companions, Primm and Popoi, as they battle a treacherous empire to reclaim the magical power of Mana and bring the world back to order.Embark on an action-packed, worldwide adventure in the 3D remastered version of Secret of Mana. Take on the role of Randi, a young boy tasked with reviving the magical power of Mana. In order to defeat the forces of evil, Randi, Primm and Popoi must befriend the eight elementals who hold the power that comprises Mana. The legacy of Mana returns as the brave warriors set forth to bring balance back to the world."


What are some things you are wishing you could get your hands on?

Can't Wait Wednesday #2


 


I have loved this author since I first read The Testing.  Very engaging dystopian writer.  And it's out next week!  YAY!



Verify (Verify #1)"Meri Beckley lives in a world without lies. When she turns on the news, she hears only the facts. When she swipes the pages of her online textbooks, she reads only the truth. When she looks at the peaceful Chicago streets, she feels the pride everyone in the country feels about the era of unprecedented hope and prosperity over which the government presides.

But when Meri’s mother is killed, Meri suddenly has questions that no one else seems to be asking. And when she tries to uncover her mother’s state of mind in her last weeks, she finds herself drawn into a secret world full of facts she’s never heard and a history she didn’t know existed.

Suddenly, Meri is faced with a choice between accepting the “truth” she has been taught or embracing a world the government doesn’t want anyone to see—a world where words have the power to change the course of a country, and the wrong word can get Meri killed.
"


There are several books coming out of the 24th I am happy about but this is by far the one I am most excited for.  What are YOU looking forward to coming out in the next few weeks?


 

Monday, September 16, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday- Favorite Things to Eat/Drink While Reading





Favorite Things to Eat/Drink While Reading


1.  
Image result for teaRelated image 
Tea!  My all-time favorite drink while reading.  Hot tea, cold tea, herbal, green, black, fruity, I love it all!

2.
Image result for veggie platter 
Veggies!  I love chopped/sliced veggies to munch on.  Sometimes with dip, other times plain.  Sometimes it is a mixed platter, othertimes it just might be a specific vegetable.  I find them refreshing and invigorating.  

3.
Image result for grapes Image result for frozen fruit mix bowl

Fruit!   Especially grapes, apples, and berrie.  Frozen fruit or berry mixes are great too!  

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #2

badge 
Hosted by The Book Date.
Also kid lit version hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
Since I read both I join both :)


The past few days have been quite hectic!  I had hoped to both post more on this blog, get a new D&D character created, read more and clean a few spaces in my home but nope.  Unexpected thigns happened. 

I am currently reading:
 

It"Welcome to Derry, Maine ...

It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real ...

They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But none of them can withstand the force that has drawn them back to Derry to face the nightmare without an end, and the evil without a name."




**I am still slowly chipping away at this.  Doubt I will finish anytime soon.  My goal has been 20 pages a day of this.  I am a bit behind.**








The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1)


"The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?"




**I am just over 1/2 finished finally.  This is my audiobook  and I hope to finish in over the next few days while I clean and continue cataloging my books.**


Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Can't Wait Wednesday

 

So this is supposed to come out very soon. Less than 2 days!  
Still I am eager for it to come out.  It has a gorgeous cover and the genre 
mix sounds perfect for me! 


The Ten Thousand Doors of January "In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

 
Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Lush and richly imagined, a tale of impossible journeys, unforgettable love, and the enduring power of stories awaits in Alix E. Harrow’s spellbinding debut–step inside and discover its magic."


Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday- Books On My To-Read List That I’m Avoiding











Rarely do I AVOID a book on my TBR.  Usually I am often just sidetracked by other books that seem to better catch my attention in the moment.  However I have one big weakness.  Emphasis on BIG.  The size of a book, especially when it is a series.
I cannot promise all these are my 'top' but these are the ones that came to mind first.

The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time, #1)






I technically read this book years ago (and part of the second book until I found it was missing pages) but I don't remember much and never finished the series.  At over 15 books each over 800 pages I am very intimidated to get into this series but I an determined to try soon.








 
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)






I have seen most of the series (still haven't seen the last season). And liked it quite a bit.  But there are an insane amound of details and I hear there book is even more intricate if the characters, places and connections.  I think I might need to journalt things as I do this series and will need to give it most of my focus to do it justice.  So I keep postponing it.








Under the Dome




This book is HUGE!  And has multple POVs I hear which I can struggle with.  As is I am reading IT by Stephen King which is another massive tome.  Maybe next year.... I really want to read it (wish they continued the tv show...) but the concept really intrigues me.











Monday, September 9, 2019

See it or Skip it? Now in Theaters

So in the past two weeks I have gone to see two movies in theaters.  Ready or Not and It.  My thoughts in a nutshell:




Image result for Ready or Not 

Very entertaining.  A bit predictable.  The trailer doesn't hide much of what to expect.  It is funny, it is horrific and violent too (you will likely flinch at least once).  This was a highly reactive movie by the audience.  And boy does Samara Weaving have a set of lungs.  The ending scene probably got the best chuckle from the audience.

Should you see it?  I think so!  But not advised for kids.  It's rated R for a reason.


Image result for it part 2 official poster  

It is a long movie but you really don't notice the time past.  This movie utilizes every moment.  It is unsettling and creepy.  So there are two things I don't like.  Clowns and spiders.  This gave me both in a way.   Most disturbing.  A few EEW factors for those that are squimish.  

Worth seeing?  Yes!  Go now!  And be sure to look for the cameo scene of Stephen King himself!!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?


badge 
Hosted by The Book Date.
Also kid lit version hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
Since I read both I join both :)


What a way to kick start this blog!  Books!  Of all my interests this one is dominant so I love being able to start with this.

So I am currently reading the following 4 books:
ItThe Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of… 
A Mad Zombie Party (White Rabbit Chroni…The School for Good and Evil (The Schoo… 

Finally reading It now that I have seen both parts of the movie.  Hoping to finish it this month but might go into next month.  Reading this with a couple others and not sure how quick we will get through it.  It is a huge book!

The Fellowship of the Ring is a re-read but I never finished the series so back to here we go!

A Mad Zombie Party- The last in this series by Gena Showalter and so very different from the previous books with a complete MC and POV change.

The School of Good and Evil is another re-read but is a great audiobook as I organize my bookshelves this week.



UP NEXT:

 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two (Harry Potter, #8)Tail of the Moon, Volume 1  


So what are you reading?