Spring Into Horror Finish Line

Pages Read: 398 (The Radium Girls) + 110 (River of Teeth) + 224 (Lost Worlds) + 144 (Lost San Francisco) + 321 (Jennifer Government) + 281 (The Emerald Circus) + 368 (Slightly Married) + 368 (Slightly Wicked) + 400 (Slightly Scandalous)
Pages Read Total: 6237

Books Read: 9
Books Read Total: 19

Comments: So I kicked April's butt! I officially read over 600 pages for the month. I knocked out a ton of spooky/scary/unsettling books as well as some other genres. The pile on my nightstand has gone down slightly. Very pleased with my reading this past month.

TBR Pile:

• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice 
• The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
• Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter ✓
• Parasite by Mira Grant 
• The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King ✓
• Jennifer Government by Max Barry ✓
• If These Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
• Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell ✓
• Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
• Revival Volume 8 ✓
• The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke ✓
• Added: NOS4A2 by Joe Hill ✓
• Added: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey ✓

Watch list:

• The Girl with All the Gifts
• Life
• Train to Busan
• 10 Cloverfield Lane
• Get Out
• Miss Peregrine
• The Shape of Water
• Annihilation ✓

Next up on the TBR pile:

April 2018 Wrap-up

April's TBR Pile (19/26):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Radium Girls by Denise Kiernan (not pictured) ✓
2. TBR Pile: Parasite by Mira Grant
3. TBR Pile: The Dress Lodger by Sherri Holman
4. Reading Assignment: The Words We Live By by Linda Monk (not pictured)
5. Book of the Month Club (April): Circe by Madeline Miller (not pictured)
6. Series Pick: If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
7. Comics Pick: Revival Volume 8 ✓
8. Short Stories: The Emerald City by Jane Yolen ✓
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Married by Mary Balogh ✓
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh ✓
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh ✓
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
13. Nonfiction Pick: It’s All Relative by A.J. Jacobs
14. Nonfiction Pick: Lost San Francisco by Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos ✓
15. Nonfiction Pick: Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area ✓
16. Nonfiction Pick: Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman (not pictured) ✓
17. Spring Into Horror Pick: Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice (not pictured)
18. SIH Pick: The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
19. SIH Pick: Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter (not pictured) ✓
20. SIH Pick: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King ✓
21. SIH Pick: Jennifer Government by Max Barry ✓
22. SIH Pick: Dead Bold by Juliet Blackwell ✓
23. SIH Pick: Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
24. SIH Pick: The World of Lore Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke (not pictured) ✓
25. Added: NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (not pictured) ✓
26. Added: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey (not pictured) ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 6237  pages
Pages Remaining: 678,312 pages

Current Read - Circe by Madeline Miller

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (19) -- I escaped my kids for a few hours and hit the library's book sale. I got all these books for $4. 

• Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
• Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
• The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
• Zorro by Isabel Allende
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• A Fine Passion by Stephanie Laurens
• To Distraction by Stephanie Laurens
• The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey
• Four In Hand by Stephanie Laurens
• All About Love by Stephanie Laurens
• A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens
• The Perfect Lover by Stephanie Laurens
• Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
• The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters
• Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas
• Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
• Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier
• St. Raven by Jo Beverley
• Winterset by Candace Camp

May's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: Sourdough by Robin Sloan
2. TBR Pile: Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
3. Reading Assignment: Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (iPad)
4. Book of the Month Club (April): Circe by Madeline Miller
5. Book of the Month Club (May): TBD
6. Series Pick: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter
7. Series Pick: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter
8. Comics Pick: The Walking Dead Volume 28
9. Romance Pick: Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
10. Romance Pick: Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
11. Romance Pick: Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh (not pictured)
12. Classics Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (iPad)
13. Nonfiction Pick: The Little Book of Feminist Saints by Julia Pierpont and Manjit Thapp
14. Young Adult Pick: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
15. Short Stories: Mad Hatters and March Hares
16. Science Fiction Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant

Movies watched

• Annihilation -- Very different from the book, but I think I liked it. Not a movie for everyone.
• The Shallows -- Pretty, but the story and thriller aspects were fairly boring.
• RKO 281 -- The fictionalized account of the making of Citizen Kane. Interesting...

TV Shows watched

• Magicians S3 -- We finished off this season and oh my, it was wonderful! Can't wait to see what S4 brings.
• Veep S6 -- We completely forgot about watching the last season of this show. Don't worry, we rectified our oversight.
• Supernatural S4 -- Plugging away at this series. We finally meet at least one of the angels.
• The Shannara Chronicles S2 -- We finally finished this series. Kinda sad it was canceled, but oh well.

Comments - Wow! I read over 6000 pages this month! I don't quite believe it. I don't feel like I've been reading excessively, but apparently I have found more time for it. Really hoping to keep this going and read more great books in May!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Emerald Circus by Jane Yolen

Title: The Emerald Circus

Author: Jane Yolen

Publisher: Tachyon 2017

Genre: Fantasy - Short Stories

Pages: 281

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy - Favorite Author;A to Z - E; I Love Libraries

A Scottish academic unearths ancient evil in a fishing village. Edgar Allan Poe's young bride is beguiled by a most unusual bird. Dorothy, lifted from Kansas, returns as a gymnastic sophisticate. Emily Dickinson dwells in possibility and sails away in a starship made of light. Alice’s wicked nemesis has jaws and claws but really needs a sense of humor. 

In Jane Yolen’s first full collection in more than ten years discover new and uncollected tales of beloved characters, literary legends, and much more. Enter the Emerald Circus and be astonished by the transformations within.

I have loved many of Jane Yolen's books and couldn't wait to pick up this collection of Short Stories. They are perfect for this fan of fairy tale retellings. Once I started reading, I couldn't put this collection down. Every story was on point! Of course, a few of the stories really stood out to me. 

• "Lost Girls" -- Loved this story of a new visitor to Neverland who shakes up the status quo.
• "Tough Alice" -- Alice in Wonderland is one of my all-time favorites and this new visit involving the Jabberwock was lots of fun.
• "Blown Away" -- I also have a weakness for Wizard of Oz stories. This one focused on the farmhand's experience of the twister and aftermath. Interesting take.
• "Rabbit Hole" -- Here we see Alice's visit to Wonderland as a old woman. Loved it!
• "Sister Emily's Lightship" -- Emily Dickinson was such fascinating character in history. I loved this spin on her afflictions. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #14

As I look outside my window: Sunny day with a few big white fluffy clouds...

Right now I am: Waiting for J to get back from the grocery store. I would have gone myself, but I'm recovering from the effects of something last night. We suspect food poisoning. 

On my bedside table: Circe by Madeleine Miller (BOTM selection for April), Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

On my tv this week: We finished The Shannara Chronicles and were overall happy with the show. I just could have done without the last 30 seconds... 

Listening to: Au/Ra's "Panic Room" on repeat. So atmospheric! Also Larkin Poe and The Pretty Reckless.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Caribbean Salmon Quinoa Bowls
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Broccoli Beef
• Thursday - Spaghetti
• Friday - Avocado, Bruschetta Chicken
• Saturday - Appetizer Night
• Sunday - Chili

On my to do list: I need to lock down summer travel dates (and possibly buy plane tickets). I also have some other random tasks including buying a birthday presents (for Saturday's party), buying Warped Tour tickets (for June 23rd), deciding on my preorder for Stampin' Up!, send out a couple of reminder emails, update the calendars, get some info from the twins, meal plan/grocery shop, and a few others I am sure. I do have a big brain dump list. I should double check that and pull a few tasks for this week.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Errands probably
• Tuesday - Happy Hollow visit
• Wednesday - Bay Area Discovery Museum (free First Wednesday!)
• Thursday - Playdate at a friend's house; grocery
• Friday - Home day probably
• Saturday - Arthur's friend's birthday party
• Sunday - Big Bounce Adventure with Arthur!

What I am creating: I'm taking a small break from card making to knock out a few Project Life weekly spreads. I finished the first 5 weeks of 2018 this past week. Hoping to get the next 5 weeks done this coming week before my Stampin' Up! preorder arrives.

My simple pleasures: A good short story collection, bit of crafting time, listening to the waves off the Bay, a good cup of coffee

Looking around the house: Ugh. The toys... 

From the camera: We had to scrap our beach day (way too cold out there), but we did get in a little time by the water at Coyote Pointe.

2018 Reading Challenges Update #1

For 2018, I scaled back some of my reading challenges, but am aiming to read even more pages/books than last year. So far, I've read 72 books, which is way above previous years at this point. Let's see how I'm doing with my reading challenges for this year. 

• Perpetual Reading Challenges 12/30 40% *
• Mount TBR  18/48 37.5%
• TBR Pile  3/12 25% *
• Reading Assignment  3/12 25%
• Popsguar 17/40  42.5%
• Share-a-Tea 6/20  30% *
• What's in a Name? 3/6 50%
• Modern Mrs. Darcy 6/12 50%
• A to Z 15/26  57.7% **
• Graphic Novel  23/24  95.8% ** (I may increase this one to the next level of 52 comics)
• Finishing the Series  4/10  40%
• Library Love 25/36  69.4% **
• Picture Books  70/88  79.5%
• Seasonal Series Spring 8/25 32%

Total Challenges  0/14

Total Reading Slots 213/389  54.8%

* - Needs Work
** - Doing a Great Job

Comments: Overall, I'm reading so much! According to Goodreads, I am 17 books ahead of schedule. Hopefully I can keep up the momentum throughout the rest of the year. And I need to fill all those empty slots!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore

Title: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of American's Shining Women

Author: Kate Moore

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2017

Genre: History

Pages: 496

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Nonfiction Adventure; Mount TBR

Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder" substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives...

Our book club selection for April. I've been super excited to read this history and it did not disappoint. I was horrified reading the trials all of these "radium girls" had to suffer through during their (in most cases) very short lives. I knew their stories weren't going to necessarily end well, but holy cow, it was even worse than I imagined. The devious dealings of the various radium companies and lawyers depressed me. However, the strength shown by the women involved was amazing. A very fascinating history of a little know story. I can't wait to discuss at book club.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jennifer Government by Max Barry

Title: Jennifer Government

Author: Max Barry

Publisher: Doubleday 2003

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 321

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - J; I Love Libraries

Taxation has been abolished, the government has been privatized, and employees take the surname of the company they work for. It's a brave new corporate world, but you don't want to be caught without a platinum credit card--as lowly Merchandising Officer Hack Nike is about to find out. Trapped into building street cred for a new line of $2500 sneakers by shooting customers, Hack attracts the barcode-tattooed eye of the legendary Jennifer Government. A stressed-out single mom, corporate watchdog, and government agent who has to rustle up funding before she's allowed to fight crime, Jennifer Government is holding a closing down sale--and everything must go.

A recommendation from J to give me something a little lighter to read while making my own through The Radium Girls. This book was depressing in a different way. Barry takes us into an interesting not-too-distant from our own world ruled by corporations. Oh my. I do not want to live in this world. There are no really good people and definitely no good corporations. I didn't root for any of the characters, but I did find the world to be very interesting. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Quentin: 19 Months

Toddler on the move

Likes: Music (so much music! He's even starting "singing" along to things and there's lots of dancing); Scout (his Leapfrog dog); cars and trucks (he's making cute little "vroom vroom" sounds now; dinosaurs

Exploring the park

Post-tantrum

Dislikes: Naps; vegetables; when Arthur has a toy he wants; sitting still

The Easter Bunny came!

So happy after destroying those dinosaurs

Sleeping: Still a good night sleeper and still a crap napper. 

Not afraid to get on the boat anymore

Living his best toddler life -- train table fun at a friend's house

Eating: Starting to get pickier about what he eats, but still eats a variety of food.

Silly faces on the carousel

Loved the ball room!

Playing: Quentin loves playing with all his Little People sets (so many vehicles!) and any type of cars and trains. He's also gotten into our knock-off Magnatiles. He can't construct much, but loves to help Arthur. He's also really big into reading books right now.

Loved this dollhouse

Not afraid of things that spin 

Milestones: The babbling is closer to actual words, but no official English yet. He does have a specific "word" for mom, water, and snack/food. Even without the actual English, he's very good at communicating what he wants. 

Looking at the sky

Building time!

Out and About: So many fun activities this past month! The Easter Bunny came and left eggs all of the house for the boys to find. We also went to the zoo, Chabot Space and Science Center, Hop n Play (indoor play place), Diddalidoo (indoor play place), lots of parks (Castro Valley, Hellyer, Seven Seas, Cordelia), Jelly Belly Factory, Bay Area Discovery Museum, and Safari Run (indoor play place). Phew! We were really out and about this past month! 

Loves his dinosaurs

Climbing

Always up for playtime

Next up on the TBR Pile:

Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area by Sylvia Linsteadt

Title: Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Area

Author: Sylvia Linsteadt

Publisher: Heyday 2017

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries

In this coffee table book of luminous essays accompanied by an array of images, award-winning writer Sylvia Linsteadt brings to life the many microcosms that once flourished in the San Francisco Bay Area: from the farthest reach of the Russian Empire at Fort Ross, to acres upon acres of apricot blossoms in what is now known as Silicon Valley, to the Coney Island of the West on the Alameda shoreline, to San Francisco's bohemian Barbary Coast. For every lost world, Linsteadt reconstructs the setting in lyrical prose supported by extensive research into each epoch. Vintage photographs, maps, and paintings combined with neo-Victorian design accentuate the words, immersing us fully in the nuances of each reality, whether mining quicksilver at New Almaden or shopping underneath the rotunda of the palatial Emporium. A book both dazzlingly beautiful and sensitive to the complexities of portraying bygone eras, Lost Worlds of the San Francisco Bay Areacelebrates the ephemeral and, in reminding us of the many moments of humanity threaded through the past, makes our understanding of the present moment that much more rooted.

Another interesting collection of local history essays. I loved that this one covered different material than the Lost San Francisco book. This volume included 25 essays from around the Bay Area. I especially loved the essay about Neptune Beach that used to exist on Alameda. Fascinating subject material! And of course, there were a ton of great photographs included. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bedwyn Saga #1-3 by Mary Balogh

Title: Slightly Married (Bedwyn Saga #1)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

Like all the Bedwyn men, Aidan has a reputation for cool arrogance. But this proud nobleman also possesses a loyal, passionate heart—and it is this fierce loyalty that has brought Colonel Lord Aidan to Ringwood Manor to honor a dying soldier's request. Having promised to comfort and protect the man's sister, Aidan never expected to find a headstrong, fiercely independent woman who wants no part of his protection…nor did he expect the feelings this beguiling creature would ignite in his guarded heart. And when a relative threatens to turn Eve out of her home, Aidan gallantly makes her an offer she can't refuse: marry him…if only to save her home. And now, as all of London breathlessly awaits the transformation of the new Lady Aidan Bedwyn, the strangest thing happens: With one touch, one searing embrace, Aidan and Eve's “business arrangement” is about to be transformed…into something slightly surprising.

This one was a treat. Really loved the story of Aidan and Eve. 

Title: Slightly Wicked (Bedwyn Saga #2)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

With his laughing eyes and wild, rakish good looks, Lord Rannulf Bedwyn is a hard man to resist. To Judith Law, a woman in need of rescue when her stagecoach overturns, Rannulf is simply her savior, a heroic stranger she will reward with one night of reckless passion before she must become a companion to her wealthy aunt. Imagine Judith's shock when the same stranger turns out to be among England's most eligible bachelors…and when he arrives at Harewood Grange to woo her cousin. Certainly, they had made no vows, no promises, but Rannulf never did forget his uninhibited lover…nor did she forget that one delicious night. And as scandal sets the household abuzz, Rannulf proposes a solution…but when Judith refuses to have him—in love or wedlock—Rannulf has only one choice: to wage a campaign of pure pleasure to capture the heart of the woman who has already won his.

Hmmm... I enjoyed reading this one, but it was a bit much with their "relationship." 

Title: Slightly Scandalous (Bedwyn Saga #3)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: Dell 2003

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Finishing the Series 

Growing up with four unruly brothers has made Freyja Bedwyn far bolder than most society ladies. From feisty manner to long, tumbling hair, Lady Freyja is pure fire, a woman who seeks both adventure and freedom. 

Adventure soon finds her on a visit to Bath, when a handsome stranger bursts into Freyja's room and entreats her to hide him. His name is Joshua Moore, Marquess of Hallmere, a man with a hell-raising reputation of his own who is quickly intrigued by the independent beauty. So intrigued, in fact, that he makes her a surprising request: to pose as his fiancée and help thwart his family's matchmaking schemes. For two people determined to be free, it's the perfect plan…until passion blindsides them both. For as Joshua sets out to achieve his complete seduction of Freyja, a woman who has sworn off love is in danger of losing the one thing she never expected to give again: her heart…

Even after reading this decent romance, I've decided that I really don't like Freyja at all.

Bedwyn Saga

• #0.1 One Night for Love
• #0.2 A Summer to Remember
• #1 Slightly Married
• #2 Slightly Wicked
• #3 Slightly Scandalous
• #4 Slightly Tempted
• #5 Slightly Sinful
• #6 Slightly Dangerous

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lost San Francisco by Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos

Title: Lost San Francisco

Author: Dennis Evanosky and Eric J. Kos

Publisher: Pavilion 2011

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries

Aspects of lost San Francisco that are examined here include the Victorian Alcatraz, Cliff House Hotel before it burned down, the early Embarcadero, the devastation of the 1906 earthquake, horse-drawn streetcars, the grandeur of the Sutro Baths both outside and in, the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition buildings, the changes made to combat a possible Japanese invasion during World War II, and some of the key hippie stores on Haight-Ashbury before the area became more upscale.

I randomly saw this book for sale at a local museum's gift shop. Thankfully our library had it. I am always up for learning about local history and right now the local means San Francisco and the Bay Area. I loved reading about all those lost buildings and places from San Francisco's past. Lots of informational tidbits here and there. The essays were great, but the pictures were amazing. I love poring over old photographs and this volume did not disappoint. Great pictoral history of the Bay Area.

Next up on the TBR pile:

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

Title: River of Teeth (River of Teeth #1)

Author: Sarah Gailey

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 178

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Under 300 pages

In the early 20th Century, the United States government concocted a plan to import hippopotamuses into the marshlands of Louisiana to be bred and slaughtered as an alternative meat source. This is true.

Other true things about hippos: they are savage, they are fast, and their jaws can snap a man in two.

This was a terrible plan.

Contained within this volume is an 1890s America that might have been: a bayou overrun by feral hippos and mercenary hippo wranglers from around the globe. It is the story of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. It is the story of their fortunes. It is the story of his revenge.

This is one of the books that has been getting random buzz around the book blogs. Randomly I saw it on our library's New Books shelf and snapped it up. I ripped through this slim novella with the speed rivaling those feral hippos. I love the combination of alternate history and western-style  dime novel. So much fun! Unfortunately this volume ends on quite a cliffhanger. Guess I'll just have to find the second volume. 

River of Teeth

• #1 River of Teeth
• #2 Taste of Marrow
• #3 ???

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday -- Andy Black "We Don't Have to Dance"

I just realized that the lead singer of Black Veil Brides released a solo album a few years ago. Hm... interesting...

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #13

As I look outside my window: The sun is setting on a gorgeous day even though I never actually went outside.

Right now I am: Fighting the cold that I think J gave me. 

On my bedside table: Parasite by Mira Grant, Jennifer Government by Max Barry

On my tv this week: We've been watching a ton of Supernatural S4. 

Listening to: Not much this week. I did listen to a couple of podcasts, but not much.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Salsa Chicken
• Tuesday - Fig and Prosciutto Pizza
• Wednesday - Leftovers
• Thursday - Lemon Chicken Thighs
• Friday - Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo Pasta
• Saturday - Bacon, Cheese, and Peach Paninis
• Sunday - Caribbean Salmon Quinoa Bowls

On my to do list: I need to make a service appointment for the van (routine oil change and safety recall [nothing too serious]). I also need to figure out dates for summer and J needs to figure out dates for his work trip. And the downstairs closet still needs to be cleaned out.  

Happening this week:

• Monday - Errand Day
• Tuesday - Safari Run visit
• Wednesday - Grocery, Library, etc
• Thursday - Half Moon Bay Beach Day
• Friday - Oakland Zoo visit
• Saturday - Home day
• Sunday - book Club

What I am creating: I have been on a huge card making kick this past week. I started cleaning out my retiring DSP and stamp sets. I figure I will keep chugging away until I run out of creative juices and then switch over to Project Life and Memory Planner pages. 

My simple pleasures: Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cakes, white wine, good books, my Mary Poppins-like tote bag

Looking around the house: Toys are everywhere, but that's normal. 

From the camera: The boys building at the Chabot Space and Science Center.

Spring Into Horror Update #3

Pages Read:  337 (NOS4A2) + 404 (Alice in Zombieland) + 98 (The Radium Girls) + 68 (River of Teeth)
Pages Read Total: 3623

Books Read: 2
Books Read Total: 10

Comments: I blew through NOS4A2 and Alice in Zombieland this week. Both really entertaining reads. I also started my book club book (The Radium Girls) and dove into a slim novella that I snagged from the new books shelf at the library (River of Teeth).

TBR Pile:

• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice 
• The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
• Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter ✓
• Parasite by Mira Grant 
• The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King ✓
• Jennifer Government by Max Barry 
• If These Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
• Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell ✓
• Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
• Revival Volume 8 ✓
• The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke ✓
• Added: NOS4A2 by Joe Hill ✓
• Added: River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

Watch list:

• The Girl with All the Gifts
• Life
• Train to Busan
• 10 Cloverfield Lane
• Get Out
• Miss Peregrine
• The Shape of Water
• Annihilation ✓

Next up on the TBR pile:

Seasonal Series Readathon - Spring Update #1

I came across the Seasonal Series readathon from another blog that I follow. I love this fun idea and think I will be adding this to my reading challenges.  It’s a three-month long readathon running from March 20th to June 20th. The trick is that most of the books are to be a part of a series. I definitely I have series just sitting in my house reading to read. Let's check-in and see how I've done so far. I've completed 7 of the 25 tasks (28% done). I'd say that this is a great showing so far. I'm got a few more books from a series lined up and ready to be read next month. 

Spring Tasks:

1. Take a walk while listening to an audiobook
2. Read a book while drinking lemonade ✓
3. Read the first book in a series ✓
4. Try to unhaul a book you’ve lost interest in
5. Read a book that’s been on your shelves way too long - Parasite by Mira Grant
6. Read with rain in the background -> real rain or sounds ✓
7. Read a book with pink on the cover ✓
8. Read a book from a middle grade series
9. Read a series with a new book coming out in 2018
10. Read a book of a series where the parents of the MC aren’t dead
11. Read a book with character growth ✓
12. Read a book while eating chocolate
13. Free Space: read any book of a series
14. Read a book where only the first book of a series is out
15. Read a book set in the real world
16. Read a book with a spring colors on the cover
17. Finish a duology
18. Use a flower as a bookmark
19. Read a book with great friendship
20. Read the second book in a series ✓
21. Read a book while sitting outside ✓
22. Read a book that is (partly) set in spring
23. Read a book with green on the cover
24. Read a book that includes an animal
25. Read a book under 300 pages 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin 2012

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 404

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - YA Retellings; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Character Growth

She won't rest until she's sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever. Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next she would have laughed. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone. Her father was right. The monsters are real. To avenge her family Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own and if Ali isn't careful those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

This series has been sitting on my virtual TBR shelf for years now. I'm always a sucker for Alice in Wonderland adjacent books and movies. Most of them are super dumb, but I watch or read anyway. Thankfully this one was delightful. I sped through this volume in just over a day. I couldn't put it down. I loved the references here and there to Alice. I loved the zombies (gotta love the zombies). I loved the various side characters that added a bit of flavor to the story (Kat is hands-down my favorite). And I very much loved Ali and Cole. My one little issue is the over done trope of characters withholding important information "for their own good."  Seriously there would be a  lot less conflict and heartache in books if people were just upfront with information and their thoughts. But I know, being honest doesn't make for good conflicts in books. Oh well. Still really loved this one and can't wait to grab the next volume from the library.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hey Ho It's Video Time

The story of Mary Shelley fascinates me. I hope this one is good.

This looks utterly ridiculous and yet I will totally watch it. Bonus points for the use of "Beyond the Sea."

Bill Nye is a treasure!

I can not wait for this one!

We really enjoyed this movie was what is was.

Life right here!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #3

Reading: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore -- April's book club selection. I just started, but so far it's really interesting. 

Watching: We finally finished S3, so we are on to S4 of Supernatural. Finally they introduce the angels. I had forgotten when that happened. 

Listening: Arthur is still on a Black Veil Brides kick, so that's what we've been listening to in the car. I'm totally okay with listening to a little metal.

Making: I've seen the new Stampin' Up! catalog (launching June 2nd), and know what stamps sets are retiring. In May, I usually devote most of my craft blog posts to cards featuring the retiring sets. I'm starting to make the cards this week. Two sets down, sixteen to go...

Feeling: A bit stretched... Nothing super crazy happening right now, just feel like the boys have been pulling me this way and that way. It would help if at least one of the them would take consistent naps, but nope.

Planning: Tentatively starting to plan out summer activities. Nothing set in stone yet, but I'm thinking a concert, maybe a comic con, possibly a trip to the aquarium, and a ton of the usual park playdates and arcade trips. 

Loving: A friend brought Butterscotch Oatmeal bars to our cookout last weekend and they are heavenly. Currently eating a little piece Yum yum!

Next up on the TBR pile:

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Title: NOS4A2

Author: Joe Hill

Publisher: William Morrow 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 720

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsguar - Meant to get to in 2017; Seasonal Series - Read while listening to the rain

Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.

Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”
 
Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

Holy hell was that a creepy book... Definitely a winner. I finally picked this one up and started to read it after the book sitting on my Kindle app for at least a year. Don't know why I waited so long. Hill has taken a ton of pointers from his father (Stephen King), but has made the horror genre his own. I was sucked into this very creepy story right from the beginning. I eagerly ripped through the pages (actually clicked through as I read it on my iPad) desperate to find out what happened to Vic and Wayne, horribly anticipating the appearance of Christmasland, and hoping for some kind of explanation for all the weird events. I loved the cast of characters (especially Maggie) and the various settings of the book. The descriptions were just enough for my mind to create a vivid landscape. 

Next up on the TBR pile: