The Walking Dead: Book 5 and 6

Title: The Walking Dead: Book 5 and 6

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Zombies

Pages: 304/304

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Library Loan; Bingo -- 5 from everyone but me

This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects The Walking Dead #49-60. This hardcover features another 12 issues of the hit series, all in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers, and anyone interested in reading a zombie movie on paper that never ends. Collects The Walking Dead #61-72.

I'm coming these two books as I read them back-to-back. I do love my zombies. And these two volumes did not disappoint. I didn't know where the story would go after the events from the prison. Thankfully new adventures await our survivors. I love the addition of new acquaintances. My favorite by far is Abraham. He fills a void; I like that. I sped through these books and I'm sure I will speed through the next two books. I have those in my ottoman just waiting to be opened.

Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Title: Sixteen Brides

Author: Stephanie Grace Whitson

Publisher: Bethany House 2010

Genre: Romance, Christian

Pages: 350

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub-Genre -- Romance, Historical; Women Authors; Library Loan; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- W20

How I Got It: Library loan

Sixteen Civil War widows living in St. Louis respond to a series of meetings conducted by a land speculator who lures them west by promising "prime homesteads" in a "booming community." Unbeknownst to them, the speculator's true motive is to find an excuse to bring women to the fledging community of Plum Grove, Nebraska, in hopes they will accept marriage proposals shortly after their arrival!
Sparks fly when these unsuspecting widows meet the men who are waiting for them. These women are going to need all the courage and faith they can muster to survive these unwanted circumstances--especially when they begin to discover that none of them is exactly who she appears to be.

After reading the war survival story, I needed something light and fluffy. Sixteen Brides stepped in and fulfilled my need. It's a typical Christian historical romance. There's nothing too surprising here and yet I enjoyed reading it. Whitson crafts a nice interweaving story of five women finding their places in this new world. At times the switch from character to character became a bit tiresome. But overall, I liked hearing from each of the women. We get a nice diverse collection of women. The men are fairly standard stereotypes, but still pretty good. As the ending was predictable, I wasn't surprised. And yet, this was just what I needed to have a change of mood.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Title: Unbroken

Author: Laura Hillenbrand

Publisher: Random House 2010

Genre: Nonfiction -- War Memoir

Pages: 473

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Library Loan; 52 Books 52 Weeks -- W19

How I Got It: Library Loan

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

This month's book club selection was a heavy one. I've never been partial to war memoirs, but this one was very engaging. After the initially slow start, I was hooked into Louie's life. I knew there would be a relatively happy ending, but getting there tore my heart out. Hillenbrand definitely did her research. We get a beautifully crafted story piecing together a horrendous war experience. I'm sure we'll have an interesting discussion in a few weeks for this book. I am only hoping that our next selection isn't quite so serious.

The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper

Title: The Impossible Cube (Clockwork Empire #2)

Author: Steven Harper

Publisher: ROC 2012

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 380

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk; New Authors; Library Loan; Bingo - 5 from series

How I Got It: Library loan

Once, Gavin Ennock sailed the skies on airships and enchanted listeners with his fiddle music. Now, the clockwork plague consumes his intellect, enabling him to conceive and construct scientific wonders—while driving him quite mad. Distressed by her beloved’s unfortunate condition, Alice Michaels sought a cure rumored to be inside the Doomsday Vault—and brought the wrath of the British Empire down on them.

Declared enemies of the Crown, Alice and Gavin have little choice but to flee to China in search of a cure. Accompanying them is Dr. Clef, a mad genius driven to find the greatest and most destructive force the world has ever seen: The Impossible Cube. If Dr. Clef gets his hands on it, the entire universe will face extinction.

And Gavin holds the key to its recreation…

Fun fun! I am really loving these quick action adventure reads. I am extra excited that this series is all steampunky goodness. Harper has the right mix of character and action to make me keep reading. The characters are intriguing. I especially loved the addition of Feng and Dodd to this volume. Harper's characters expand and grow, but they still retain their core of being. I loved continuing to follow Alice and Gavin (with Dr. Clef, Click, and Kemp) on their journey to China to bring about the end of the Clockwork Plague and a cure for Gavin. Plus, we get great stopovers in Luxembourg, Berlin, and Kiev. The encounter with the Gontas and Zalzinaks was fabulous. I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume.

Clockwork Empire

The Doomsday Vault
The Impossible Cube
The Dragon Men
The Havoc Machine

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Title: The Secret Garden

Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett

Published: 1911

Genre: Children's Classics

Pages: 220

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics - Children's; Monthly Key Word - April, Garden; Book to Movie; Book Bingo - 3 Rereads

How I Got It: I own it

Mistress Mary is quite contrary until she helps her garden grow. Along the way, she manages to cure her sickly cousin Colin, who is every bit as imperious as she. These two are sullen little peas in a pod, closed up in a gloomy old manor on the Yorkshire moors of England, until a locked-up garden captures their imaginations and puts the blush of a wild rose in their cheeks; "It was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine. The high walls which shut it in were covered with the leafless stems of roses which were so thick, that they matted together.... 'No wonder it is still,' Mary whispered. 'I am the first person who has spoken here for ten years.'" As new life sprouts from the earth, Mary and Colin's sour natures begin to sweeten.

My childhood favorite. I actually still have my original copy with any inscription from my Grandma "Christmas 1991." So I got my copy for Christmas at 9 years old. I don't remember reading this book before then, but it could have happened. I just remember coming back to this book through the years and somehow I held on to that particular copy all these years. I think I related to Mary as a child. I was an only child. I was often left to my own devices. I would have loved a huge manor house to explore and gardens to frolic in. The entire story has an element of Magic that I gravitated toward as a child. Unlike many childhood books, this volume lives up to my memories of it. Reading it was a nice reminder of my childhood pursuits. I could get a nicer copy of the book, but mine holds such memories, I think I will keep it.

Movie: 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame

This is the movie from my childhood. I remember going to my Grandma's and watching and rewatching the VHS tape until it was worn out. Since that time, I have watched other versions, but they never seem to capture my attention. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor. Whatever the reason, I love the scenery in this one. The moors are just gorgeous. I loved how the secret garden slowly comes alive throughout the film. While I know they changed the ages of Colin and Dickon and tacked on the ending, I still like how the actors portrayed the characters, especially Mary. Mary is a spoiled brat, she should be like that at the beginning and only slowly does she change. The change is evident in this version. Overall, I really love this movie.

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Clash of Kings (Song of Fire and Ice #2)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam 1999

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Pages: 1009

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre -- Epic Fantasy; TBR Pile; 52 Books -- W18; Bingo -- 5 from Everyone But Me

How I Got It: I own it

A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.
It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

I am devastated by this book. After taking my time, I finally finished it this morning and I am speechless. I did not see all the twists and turns coming. I did not see all the deaths coming, and there were a lot. Martin has created a world full of interesting people and places. I loved reading more about his world. I loved the sweeping scenery. I even loved the battle scenes. They were written beautifully. Overall, I am just in awe of this series. After finishing, I rushed onto Amazon and bought the next book. Can't wait to continue the series and find out what happens to some of my favorite characters...

A Song of Fire and Ice:

A Game of Thrones
A Clash of Kings
A Storm of Swords
A Feast for Crows
A Dance with Dragons
The Winds of Winter

Birth by Tina Cassidy

Title: Birth: The Surprising History of How We are Born

Author: Tina Cassidy

Publisher: Atlantic 2006

Genre: Nonfiction, Medical

Pages: 312

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction - Health, Medicine; Women Authors; Library Loan; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- W17

How I Got It: Library loan

Published to widespread acclaim, Tina Cassidy’s smart, engaging book is the first world history of childbirth in fifty years. From evolution to the epidural and beyond, Tina Cassidy presents an intelligent, enlightening, and impeccably researched cultural history of how and why we’re born the way we are. Women have been giving birth for millennia but that’s about the only constant in the final stage of the great process that is human reproduction. Why is it that every culture and generation seems to have its own ideas about the best way to give birth? Cassidy explores the physical, anthropological, political, and religious factors that have and will continue to influence how women bring new life into the world.

Another book that's been on my TBR list for a while now. I finally grabbed it at the library and dove in. Cassidy's writing reminds of Mary Roach. Cassidy's not as funny, but definitely crafts a story out of a tons of medical knowledge. I was entertaining, and at times, disgusted by the ignorance and misinformation in childbirth history. Overall, the story makes me feel very lucky at giving birth in the 21st century. I'm sure it will continue to improve, but my options are very good right now. Just a warning: don't read if you're squeamish...

Zom-B by Darren Shan

Title: Zom-B (Zom-B #1)

Author: Darren Shan

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company 2012

Genre: Horror, Zombies

Pages: 174

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; New Author; Library; 52 Books -- Week 16

How I Got It: Library loan

When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.

B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks.

That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.

Wasn't the fast paced zombie thriller I thought it was going to be. Granted, the last 25 pages are fast paced and terrifying, it's just that the first 150 pages are pretty slow. I was fairly disgusted by B's behavior throughout most of the book. B's constant swings from racist to nonracist get old really fast. I was intrigued by the zombie angle with the owl man and the mutant henchman. I would like to read more about what they are all about. And the final encounter with Mrs. Reed, the not quite-normal zombie sparks my interest. Unfortunately, I wasn't enamored with the rest of the book. I probably won't be picking up the others in this series.

Zom-B (DNFed series)

#1 Zom-B
#2 Underground
#3 City
#4 Angels
#5 Baby
#6 Gladiator
#7 Mission
#7.5 Circus
#8 Clans
#9 Family
#10 Bride
#11 Fugitive
#12 Goddess

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Title: P.S. I Love You

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Publisher: Hyperion 2004

Genre: Romance

Pages: 470

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: SubGenre - Romance, Contemporary; New Author; Eclectic - Movie; 52 Books - W15

How I Got It: I own it!

Holly couldn't live without her husband Gerry, until the day she had to. They were the kind of young couple who could finish each other's sentences. When Gerry succumbs to a terminal illness and dies, 30-year-old Holly is set adrift, unable to pick up the pieces. But with the help of a series of letters her husband left her before he died and a little nudging from an eccentric assortment of family and friends, she learns to laugh, overcome her fears, and discover a world she never knew existed.

This is a typical chick lit type of book, but it has the advantage of including a not annoying protagonist. I really like Holly. She felt real to me. She's not some stereotype. She has her faults, but shows great growth throughout the book. The side characters are interesting as well. I loved Ciara and Declan as the "crazy siblings." There's a great rounding out of people in this novel. Overall, I really enjoyed Holly's journey back to life. I am also glad that it didn't have the fairy tale ending.

Movie:

The movies keeps fairly faithful to the book. We still see Holly's journey back to life. The details sometime get changed, but I'm okay with that. The changes make sense for a movie version of the story. I usually don't like Hillary Swank, but in this movie she's okay. I really liked the rest of the actors. They fit the parts fairly well. I enjoyed the movie, it just wasn't absolutely amazing. Overall, a good adaptation of the novel.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Title: Stardust

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: HarperCollins 1997

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 250

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; ebook; Blogger Recommendations; Book to Movie

How I Got It: iPad read

Among the wondrous, beautiful, and strange literary offspring conceived by Sandman creator, multi-award winner, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, his magical 1997 fantasy novel, Stardust, remains a top favorite. An enchanting adult fairy tale about a young man who travels beyond the boundaries of his small village to find a fallen star and win the heart of the woman he loves—the basis for the hit motion picture starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Claire Danes, and Robert DeNiro.

One of those "I saw the movie before reading the book" books... Even with loving the movie, I really enjoyed the book. I don't think it's Gaiman's best offering, but it's a nice little action adventure love story. At many times, I wanted to slap Tristran, but maybe that's just me. The book has a great fantastical world in Faerie. Loved the setting, even if some of the characters annoyed me.

Movie Review:

Don't get me wrong, I love Gaiman's writing, but the movie version is just amazing and gorgeous. The sets are to die for. The actors are way too gorgeous. I even liked the changes they made to the storyline. Somehow the changes don't make me cringe. They make the story different, but a good different. I am such a fan of this movie.

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Title: Kitchen Confidential

Author: Anthony Bourdain

Publisher: HarperCollins 2007

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 486

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction -- Food; ebook; Blogger Recommendations; 52 Books -- W14

How I Got It: iPad read

A New York City chef who is also a novelist recounts his experiences in the restaurant business, and exposes abuses of power, sexual promiscuity, drug use, and other secrets of life behind kitchen doors.

This is one of those "I've been meaning to read this forever" books. I enjoy watching No Reservations. I love Bourdain's style. I even saw a few of the episodes of the television series based on the book (starring Bradley Cooper pre-super stardom). And yet I never read the book. A long plane ride to Indiana was the perfect time to correct that oversight.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's part memoir, part tell-all, part guidebook. We see the world of restaurants from the inside, but often with a very particular perspective. I loved meeting the crazy characters in each restaurant and kitchen. I loved hearing about his journey from royal screw-up to famous and respected chef. The book is loud and crude, just like Bourdain himself. But to clean up his writing would destroy the essence of the story. While I may not have known all the food words, I loved hearing about the creation of good food. I love good food, and am willing to try just about anything. I love Bourdain's philosophy of quality ingredients instead of fancy presentation. I have a feeling I would love eating at any restaurant he cheffed at. My only issue with the book: it made me hungry! Reading about all this amazing food, I was constantly craving something!

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Title: Neverwhere

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow 2003

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 503

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; ebook; 52 Books -- W13; Book Bingo -- 4 from TBR

Richard Mayhew is a young man with a good heart and an ordinarylife, which is changed forever when he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. His small act of kindness propels him into a world he never dreamed existed. There are people who fall through the cracks, and Richard has become one of them. And he must learn to survive in this city of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels, if he is ever to return to the London that he knew.

The book takes the reader down a dark path (literally) and through the twisting corridors of the London Below. I loved following Richard Mayhew, an average ordinary guy, along his journey. I loved his ordinary-ness. He's like so many people: living day to day, working at an average job, going through the motions. Until that is he helps a young women on the sidewalk. From there, Gaiman pulls the reader through a familiar but not quite right world. The side characters we encounter liven up the dark world under. The Marquis reminds me of the Cheshire Cat. Door is a great damsel-not-so-in-distress. Old Bailey shines as a helpful guide. Vandemer and Croup are certainly villainous. This book was amazing. A must read and a another great twisted adventure from Gaiman.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Title: Coraline

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: HarperCollins 2003

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Pages: 211

Rating: 5/5 stars Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Ebook; Books to Movie; Book Bingo -- 2 Rereads

How I Got It: I own it

"Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house. . . ."
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous.
But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

I love this book so much. We have a great heroine, a scary villan, quirky side characters, and a great plot. I love how grounded Coraline is. Sure, she has dreams and fantasies, but when it counts, Coraline fights for her family. She doesn't have an annoying bit to her. I want to be Coraline... And the Other Mother is downright scary, even on the page. I shudder every time she talks. But the best character of the entire book has to be the cat (he doesn't have a name because cat's know who they are). He reminds me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. We never know if he's trying to help Coraline or just helping himself. There's this ambiguous quality to him. I look at him as a survivalist who happens to give Coraline some good advice about the other world. Such a great character! The world and storyline are both fantastic. I could clearly see the house and the grounds. I could see and feel the dark tunnel between the house and the world of the Other Mother. I could hear the rat's singing. Awesome little bedtime story, if you like them kinda scary and definitely quirky.

Movie:

Overall, I think the movie did a good job translating Gaiman's story. The visuals are stunning. I loved seeing the contrast between the slightly drab real world and the bright and colorful world of the Other Mother. The voices match exactly what I heard in my head. My only issue: the inclusion of Wybie. I didn't need him. He didn't add anything to the story. I would have preferred to stay focused on Coraline vs. the Other Mother.

The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper

Title: The Doomsday Vault (Clockwork Empire #1)

Author: Steven Harper

Publisher: ROC 2011

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 391

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk; Library; Eclectic -- Action Adventure; 52 Weeks -- W12

How I Got It: Library loan

In a clockwork Brittania, Alice's prospects are slim. At 22, her age and her unladylike interest in automatons have sealed her fate as an undesirable marriage prospect. But a devastating plague sends Alice off in a direction beyond the pale-towards a clandestine organization, mad inventors, life-altering secrets, and into the arms of an intrepid fiddle-playing airship pilot.

I picked this up on a whim at the library. It looked interesting. And it was amazing! I loved it! Cross the Gail Carriger Parasol Protectorate series with George Mann's The Affinity Bridge. I loved the twists and turns. The action never stops... And the characters are too much fun. Alice has such spunk and life! Gavin is the perfect hero. I couldn't wait to see these two get together. Of course, it had to be difficult and fraught with other complications. The side characters round out the whole story. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Clockwork Empire

The Doomsday Vault
The Impossible Cube
The Dragon Men
The Havoc Machine

Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts

Title: Valley of Silence (The Circle Trilogy #3)

Author: Nora Roberts

Publisher: Jove 2006

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal - Witches; Monthly Key Word - Valley; Mount TBR; Seriously Series

How I Got It: I own it!

The battleground has been chosen for the final showdown between those selected by the gods and the minions of the vampire Lilith. But there is one vampire who dares stand against her. And his love for the scholarly queen of Geall will complete the circle of six-and change the face of eternity.

What an end to the trilogy! I must say that I was sad that it ended. I wanted to continue the journey with the Circle. I wanted to see how they adjusted to their new lives and adventures. But I must be content with what we do get. I loved the suspense and payoff of the final battle. I loved seeing the story from Moira and Cian's points of view. I definitely liked Moira the best of all the six. She had such quiet strength. I am still stuck in the world, hours after finishing. The series was just great. I loved it!

The Circle Trilogy:

London Eye by Tim Lebbon

Title: London Eye (Toxic City #1)

Author: Tim Lebbon

Publisher: Pyr 2012

Genre: SciFi - Dystopian

Pages: 228

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: SubGenre - Horror, Scifi; New Author; Library; Eclectic - Urban Fantasy

How I Got It: Library Loan

Two years after London is struck by a devastating terrorist attack, it is cut off from the world, protected by a military force known as Choppers. The rest of Britain believes that the city is now a toxic, uninhabited wasteland.
But Jack and his friends—some of whom lost family on what has become known as Doomsday—know that the reality is very different. At great risk, they have been gathering evidence about what is really happening in London—and it is incredible.
Because the handful of London's survivors are changing. Developing strange, fantastic powers. Evolving.
Upon discovering that his mother is still alive inside London, Jack, his sister, and their three friends sneak into a city in ruins. Vast swathes have been bombed flat. Choppers cruise the streets, looking for survivors to experiment upon. The toxic city is filled with wonders and dangers that will challenge Jack and his friends... and perhaps kill them. But Jack knows that the truth must be revealed to the outside world or every survivor will die.

I had some reservations about this book after reading some of the Goodreads reviews. And I admit it wasn't amazing, but it has great potential. I was only halfway in the characters and storyline until we got into Toxic London. With the first encounters of the Barrens, I was hooked. I love the idea of a virus that gives some people extra abilities. Once humanity acquires abilities, how do we deal? I think the politics and struggle between the Superiors, Irregulars, and Choppers is the most interesting aspect to this book. I am tempted to read the other books in the series (once they are released) just to see where the struggle ends. The characters themselves aren't that well defined. Thank goodness the story kept me interested.

Toxic City

1. London Eye
2. Reaper's Legacy
3. Contagion

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Title: Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Author: Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess)

Publisher: Berkley Books 2012

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 372

Rating: 5+++++/5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- NYT Bestseller; Women Authors; TBR Pile; Eclectic -- Memoir

How I Got It: Birthday present for me!

When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father and a morbidly eccentric childhood. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame-spiral that is her life, and we are all the better for it.
In the irreverent Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson’s long-suffering husband and sweet daughter help her uncover the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments—the ones we want to pretend never happened—are the very same moments that make us the people we are today. For every intellectual misfit who thought they were the only ones to think the things that Lawson dares to say out loud, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the dark, disturbing, yet wonderful moments of our lives.

I have been reading The Bloggess' blog for awhile now and I swear she sees into my soul. I may not have participated in her particularly crazy adventures, but I definitely have her twisted sense of humor. And I tend to see the world as a very strange place. J can attest that I am pretty strange at times. Much of what Lawson says out loud, I've thought in my head. I guess I just have a better internal filter than she does. But that's what makes her so amazing. She's her and no one else. Her memoir made me laugh at loud so much that J repeatedly asked me if I was okay. It also made me get a bit teary eyed (especially the chapter about Barnaby Jones Pickle). Among all the stories, Lawson conveys a great message of accepting yourself and the crazy. My favorite lesson comes from the chapter "Jenkins, You Motherfucker":

Soon afterward, Jenkins and the other turkeys disappeared from our lives, but the lessons I learned from them still remain: Turkeys make terrible pets, you should never trust your father to identify poultry, and you should accept who you are, flaws and all, because if you try to be someone you aren't, then eventually some turkey is going to shit all over your well-crafted facade, so you might as well save yourself the effort and enjoy your zombie books.

Thank you Jenny Lawson for making me laugh and cry and feel more comfortable being me. "Knock, knock, motherfucker!"

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

Title: Girl of Nightmares (Anna Dressed in Blood #1)

Author: Kendare Blake

Publisher: Tor Teen Book 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 332

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: SubGenre - Horror, YA; Women Authors; Library; Seriously Series; 52 Books in 52 Weeks - W11

How I Got It: Library Loan

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

I have been waiting for this book for forever! And I finally get it off hold from the library. I dive in headfirst and don't come up for air until the last page. Overall, I must say that I wasn't as impressed with this volume as the first. But... I really did like the book. It had twists and turns. It had horror and romance. It had a great main character and side characters, and villans. I was into the book. I only wish that Anna was in the book more often... Still awesome book!

Anna Dressed in Blood:

Anna Dressed in Blood
Girl of Nightmares

Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts

Title: Dance of the Gods (The Circle Trilogy #2)

Author: Nora Roberts

Publisher: Jove 2006

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Women Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series

How I Got It: I own it!

With one vampire determined to rule the earth, the Circle of Six prepares to battle for their lives-and their hearts.

A very entertaining installment of the trilogy. I was with the book from begging to end. The action picks up right where book one ended and doesn't stop. I love the pacing of these books. They don't fall into the lagging downtime I often find with trilogies. Instead we get action, quiet, action, quiet, etc, but with great content. I also liked how the first book focuses on Glenna and Hoyt and the second book shifts to Blair and Larkin. I liked them even more than I liked Glenna and Hoyt. Makes me wonder if the third book will focus on Moira and Cian. I sure hope so!

The Circle Trilogy:

#1 Morrigan's Cross
#2 Dance of the Gods
#3 Valley of Silence

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Title: Queen of the Dead (Ghost and the Goth #2)

Author: Stacey Kade

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 267

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: YA/MG Fantasy; Women Authors; Library; Book Bingo -- 5 from series

How I Got It: Library Loan

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this, ugh, “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.
Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more than friend” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Not quite as good as the first book. I still love the characters. I still love the main premise of the books. But this one's addition of the Order, Mina, and the body of Lily just didn't do it for me. It all seemed to be a bit contrived. I would have liked to see more of Alona and Will's relationship (romantic and working) develop. I hope that the next one gets back to the story of Will and Alona. I still want to read the last of the trilogy, but I'm going to have to wait. The library doesn't have the third one yet...

Ghost and the Goth

#1 The Ghost and the Goth
#2 Queen of the Dead
#3 Body and Soul