• Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

Wading Through...

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

June 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

June's TBR Pile (17/18):

  1. Book Club Selection: (already read)
  2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Joy of Books by Eric Burns √
  3. Series Pick: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria by Lauren Willig √
  4. Nonfiction Pick: The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart √
  5. Jar Pick: The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman √
  6. Jar Pick: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke (in progress)
  7. Additional: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan √
  8. Added: Who Put the Devil in Deviled Eggs? by Ann Treistman √
  9. Added: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey √
  10. Added: Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode √
  11. Added: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick √
  12. Added: Five Ghosts Vol. 1 √
  13. Added: East of West Vol. 1 √
  14. Added: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey √
  15. Added: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig √
  16. Added: Wytches Vol. 1 √
  17. Added: East of West Vol. 2 √
  18. Added: East of West Vol. 3 √
  19. Added: East of West Vol. 4 √

Picture Book Roundup:

  1. Digger to the Rescue by Mandy Archer
  2. Night Light by Nicholas Blechman
  3. Tractor Saves the Day by Mandy Archer
  4. Toot and Pop by Sebastien Braun
  5. The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur by Cheryl Bardoe
  6. Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 4713 pages
Pages Remaining: 750,218 pages

Current Read - Childhood's End by Arthur C Clarke; High Rise by J.G. Ballard; The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig (almost done)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  

Books bought/received

2016 Total Spent: $15.27

Comments - Holy cow June was a great reading month! I knocked out 4713 pages, 17 books, and eight 5 star reads. I can't expect July to be as good for reading, but I will definitely keep reading. I even have a great stack from the library just waiting for me to dive in. Plus two books I'm reading in tandem with J so we can watch the movies (Childhood's End and High Rise) and the final book in the Pink Carnation series!

July's TBR Pile:

  1. Book Club Selection:The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato
  2. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
  3. Series Pick: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
  4. Nonfiction Pick: Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
  5. Jar Pick: A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander
  6. Jar Pick: The Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig
  7. Additional: Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
  8. Additional: High Rise by J.G. Ballard
  9. Additional: Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick
categories: Monthly Wrap-Up
Thursday 06.30.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Top Ten Tuesday -- Beach Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

This week is a freebie week, so I'm going to cover a topic missed earlier this year. Today's list includes my beach reads for this summer!

 

  • East of West comics series -- Comics are perfect for the lazy summer days of summer. I love that I can finish a volume in one sitting. Currently, I'm diving into the East of West series. 
  • The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood -- A reread is always a perfect choice for summer. I'll be rereading this for an upcoming book club. 
  • Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon -- Diving into an epic story is perfect for summer. I hope to get to the third book in the series, Voyager, while lounging around.
  • Thunderstruck by Eric Larson -- I love narrative history and Larson is the master. Somehow I haven'[t read this one yet. Need to fix that this summer.
  • The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick -- A classic I haven't read with an accompanying movie/tv adaptation sounds great for summer. And this one has been on my list for awhile now. Definitely adding it to my pile.
  • An Innocent, A Broad by Ann Leary -- A funny memoir seems perfect for the summer. Can't wait to dive into this one for an upcoming book club. 
  • Variety of cooking books -- Something about summer draws me to the cooking section of the library shelves. I imagine I will be pulling a couple of these that include great pictures.
tags: Top Ten Tuesday
categories: Books
Tuesday 06.28.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Forevermore by Kristen Calihan -- Release Day!

It's release day for the final book in the Darkest London series! Check out my review, an exclusive review, and a giveaway below!

Title: Foevermore (Darkest London #7)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Forever 2016

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 308

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Popsugar - Published in 2016; Women Authors

Isolated and alone, Sin Evernight is one of the most powerful supernatural creatures in heaven and on earth. As an angel of vengeance, he hunts down the darkest evil, but when his long-lost friend, Layla Starling, needs him, he vows to become her protector. Even though she will be horrified by the man he has become.

Now a famous singer and the toast of London, Layla believes that Sin is only here to guard her from rabid fans and ardent suitors. However, the truth is far more sinister. Desperate to avoid losing Layla a second time, Sin will face a test of all his powers to defeat an unstoppable foe - and win an eternity with the woman he loves.

I received a copy of this soon-to-be-released book from the publisher. I didn't even realize that there was going to be a seventh book, but I'm so glad there is!I have loved Callihan's world building and twist on the paranormal world.  We get to see so many different beings and relationships. This volume wraps up the Darkest London world in a neat little package. We get a fitting ending to all the characters we've met in the previous books. And this one focuses on Sin Evernight. I thought he was an intriguing character in the previous storyline. It was nice to see him get his own story and romance! I sped through this book in one day desperate to see how everything came together. Oh man! I am going to miss this series, but it's a good absence.

An Awesome Excerpt From Forevermore:

One might think being an immortal was a blessing, never grow old, never grow sick, never die. At one time in St. John Evernight’s life, he considered it a blessing too. He would be around long after the simple humans who surrounded him were nothing but dust. They could stare all they liked at his “strange” hair and frosty green eyes. They could gossip and speculate about him until they lost their voices. It didn’t matter. He was untouchable, and they were but fragile sacks of blood and bone.

How naive he’d been. Because living forever merely meant a lack of escape from the desolation of regret and loneliness. He knew now that he could walk down Jermyn Street endlessly, see the sands of time shift and rearrange before him, and never be a part of life.

“Brooding, Mr. Evernight?”

Sin almost jumped at the sudden sound of Augustus’s voice by his side. Damn, the blasted man loved to startle him. He gave Augustus a passing glance. Dressed in conservative brown tweed and a bowler hat, the angel appeared every inch the English gentlemen, save for his dark coloring that marked him to be from Southern climes.

“It’s really quite the trick, popping up like a soap bubble whenever you choose, Augustus. You must teach me how one day.”

The man’s mouth twitched. “With your luck, you’d pop up in the middle of a parliamentary session.”

Yes, Sin had abominable luck. Or perhaps it was more a matter of making abominable choices.

“You’re brooding again,” Augustus remarked.

“I’m not brooding. This is simply my face.”

Augustus snorted but remained silent as they walked along, past Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall.

“Care to tell me why you called me here?” Sin asked, when they came upon the grounds of Westminster. For the past year, Sin had been in Rome, soaking in the warmer temperatures, drinking espresso in cafes along the Piazza della Rotunda, under the shade of the ancient Pantheon. He’d eaten simple but delicious food, and listened to the rapid fire of Italian, and felt…well, not peace, but a measure of contentment.

Until Augustus had sent for him. Returning to England sat like a stone in his gut. But he would obey. Augustus was his mentor, and the man who’d given him salvation. The price was a lifetime of servitude. To be fair, his role was for justice, not evil, which was a nice change of pace.

A massive dray rattled past, kicking up dust and sending a fug of stale manure into the air. They hurried past the cloud and headed for Westminster Abbey. Sin hadn’t planned on visiting today, but here they were all the same. He wondered if Augustus somehow had led him to their usual meeting place or if Sin had merely headed that way because of the man’s sudden arrival.

He’d like to think the latter. It did not sit well with him having another control his actions. Not since a certain evil fae had kept Sin as a blood slave for years. Even now, the memory made his stomach turn.

Not a soul acknowledged them as they walked through the abbey and into the cloisters. Here, a rare bit of sunlight peeked through the constant cloud cover and cast lacy shadows along the walkway. The sound of their boot heels clacked out a steady rhythm as they strolled along.

“Layla returns to London tonight.”

At the mention of her name, Sin’s heart stilled within his breast. He’d tried his best to ward off all finer feelings, to remain numb, detached from life. And yet he could not, for the life of him, remain immune to Layla Starling. His childhood friend. The one woman who could take his breath, his reason, simply by laying eyes upon her.

Stuffing his shaking hands into his trouser pockets, Sin forced himself to keep an even tone. “So then I am to begin watching over her?”

God, but he did not want to. It would be agony, staying so close to her and never being allowed to show his true feelings. And yet a thrum of anticipation went through him at the mere prospect of seeing Layla once more.

“Are you ready?” Augustus asked, though his expression told Sin he fully expected an affirmative answer.

So Sin told him the only truth left to him. “I will not fail her.”

BUY THE BOOK HERE

AmazonBarnes & NobleBooks-A-MillionGoogle PlayiBooksIndieboundKobo

AUTHOR INFORMATION

USA Today bestselling author Kristen Callihan is a writer because there is nothing else she'd rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewers' Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Book Reviews' Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher's Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

WebsiteFacebookTwitterPinterestGoodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramPinterest

Darkest London Series

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Soulbound
  • #7 Forevermore

a Rafflecopter giveaway

tags: 5 stars, Kristen Callihan, paranormal, Popsugar, Read My Own Damn Books, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.28.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday -- Young the Giant "Something to Believe In"

Lots of airplay lately on Alt Nation. 

tags: Young the Giant
categories: Music
Monday 06.27.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

East of West Vol. 2-4

Title: East of West Volume 2: We Are All One, Volume 3: There is No Us, Volume 4: Who Wants War?

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta

Publisher: Image

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144; 144; 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel The second volume of the most exciting new book in the industry is here! "We Are All One" follows our cast around the fractured future-scape of America as we learn more about a world that's rapidly coming to a end.

It's the third volume of the Eisner-nominated EAST OF WEST. "There Is No Us" sees the breaking apart of the future-scape of America as the world races forward towards the apocalypse."WHO WANTS WAR?" sees YEAR TWO of the Apocalypse kick into high gear.

I sped through the next three volumes of East of West in one day. They are just so good... I love where Hickman is the taking the story of the apocalypse. We get to see all the different players and their reactions to the actions of the Horsemen and Death. We finally get to see the progress of the Beast and the Prophet Orion. I am very intrigued by Balloon. And I want to hear more about the Endless Nation. Such great volumes. I can't wait to read the fifth volume.

 
tags: 5 stars, graphic novel, Jonathan Hickman
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 06.26.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig

51eOt1YRQ1L._SX331_BO1204203200_ (1920).jpg

Title: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla (Pink Carnation #11)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: Penguin 2014

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 451

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Books - W26

In October of 1806, the Little Season is in full swing, and Sally Fitzhugh has had enough of the endless parties and balls. With a rampant vampire craze sparked by the novel The Convent of Orsino, it seems no one can speak of anything else. But when Sally hears a rumor that the reclusive Duke of Belliston is an actual vampire, she cannot resist the challenge of proving such nonsense false. At a ball in Belliston Square, she ventures across the gardens and encounters the mysterious Duke.

Lucien, Duke of Belliston, is well versed in the trouble gossip can bring. He’s returned home to dispel the rumors of scandal surrounding his parents’ deaths, which hint at everything from treason to dark sorcery. While he searches for the truth, he welcomes his fearsome reputation—until a woman is found dead in Richmond. Her blood drained from her throat.

Lucien and Sally join forces to stop the so-called vampire from killing again. Someone managed to get away with killing the last Duke of Belliston. But they won’t kill this duke—not if Sally has anything to say about it.

So this book was a bit of an odd one for the series. I enjoyed reading it, but it lacked the spy angle from most of the other books. I did enjoy Lucien as a main character. Sally got on my nerves a few times throughout. And I kept thinking of her as a schoolgirl, not a leading lady. I realize time has passed since the beginning of the series, but it was a bit weird. Overall, I enjoyed the book but definitely not my favorite of the series.

Pink Carnation:

  • #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
  • #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
  • #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
  • #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
  • #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
  • #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
  • #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
  • #8 The Orchid Affair
  • #8.5 Away in a Manger
  • #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
  • #9 The Garden Intrigue
  • #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
  • #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
  • #12 The Lure of the Moonflower
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, historical fiction, Lauren Willig, romance
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 06.26.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Wytches Vol. 1

Title: Wytches Volume 1

Author: Scott Snyder, Jock

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

When the Rooks family moves to the remote town of Litchfield, NH to escape a haunting trauma, they're hopeful about starting over. But something evil is waiting for them in the woods just beyond town. Watching from the trees. Ancient...and hungry. Collects WYTCHES #1-6.

Interesting horror comic. i was on the edge of my seat throughout the six issues. Definitely a very creepy premise full of action and horror. I'm intrigued by the idea that there will be more...

tags: 4 stars, graphic novel, horror, Scott Snyder
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 06.25.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

101 in 1001 Update #17

What I did:

28. Read 100,000 pages toward 1,000,000 page goal (51,362/100,000) — May reading totaled 2737 pages. Pretty decent showing.

34. Make 250 different greeting cards (220/250) -- I made 14 different designed cards this past month. I seem to be averaging 13 designs per month. Loving my progress!

45. Make 50 new recipes (50/50) -- I made a yummy Strawberry Lemonade Coconut Water that hit the spot!

54. Try 25 new restaurants (17/25) -- I finally got to try Nola in Palo Alto before we went to the Computer History Museum last Saturday. I ordered the Shrimp and Crab Salad Po Boy with Mac n Cheese, but also got to try A's French Toast Bananas Foster. And we had to order Beignets for dessert. So yummy!

Remaining goals and total:

Friends, Family, and Love 1. Send out homemade holiday cards in December 2x (1/2) 2. Build a snowman 3. Complete 52 once a week photos of Arthur 5. Date nights x 20 6. Complete a Jar of Life 7. Host a tea party 9. Write a personal manifesto 10. Take a picture of myself every first day of the month 11. Give 5 Just Because gifts 12. Give Arthur 25 pictures books in 25 days for December 2016 16. Take Arthur and twins to go see Santa

Crafting and Culture 17. Attend an opera or musical 18. Reread the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit 20. Finish one of my Perpetual Reading Challenges 22. Ask 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them all 23. Watch a meteor shower 24. Attend 5 concerts (1/5) 25. Complete 10 Day in the Life posts (3/10) 27. Tour a factory 29. Finish 2015 and 2016 Project Life book (family and Arthur) 30. Finish 2015 and 2016 December Daily 32. Watch 100 different TED Talks and do a short review/analysis on the blog (new series) 33. Watch/rewatch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1982) 1982: Gandhi 1983: Terms of Endearment 1984: Amadeus 1985: Out of Africa 1986: Platoon 1987: The Last Emperor 1988: Rain Man 1989: Driving Miss Daisy 1990: Dances with Wolves 1991: Silence of the Lambs 1992: Unforgiven 1993: Schindler’s List 1994: Forrest Gump 1995: Braveheart 1996: The English Patient 1997: Titanic 1998: Shakespeare in Love 1999: American Beauty 2000: Gladiator 2001: A Beautiful Mind 2002: Chicago 2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Crash 2006: The Departed 2007: No Country for Old Men 2008: Slumdog Millionaire 2009: The Hurt Locker 2010: The King’s Speech 2011: The Artist 2012: Argo 2013: 12 Years a Slave 2014: TBD 2015: TBD 2016: TBD 35. See a drive-in movie 36. Listen to every song by The Beatles 37. Finish watching every Star Trek television episode and movie 38. Have a Pixar movie month 39. Complete The Artist’s Way 41. Learn Ruby on rails

Food and Drink 44. Take a cooking class 46. Open a cookbook to a random page and make what ever is on it 48. Take a bartending class 51. Make fresh pasta 52. Learn to make a good martini 53. Do a brewery tour 55. Try 5 new to me foods

Health and Fitness 57. Lose 2 pants sizes 58. Walk a 5K 59. Get a massage 60. Take a yoga class 61. Get three pedicures (1/3) 62. Do a spa day 65. Get lasik 66. Get CPR certified again

Travel 67. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast 68. Go on a vacation with Josh 70. Travel to a new state

Philanthropic 71. Give a 100% tip

72. Donate something extra at each MVPA social x 10 (6/10) 73. Pay it forward at Starbucks/coffeeshop

Financial 76. Open an Etsy shop

Miscellaneous 79. Get Arthur’s tattoo 80. Get a passport 82. Learn how to use our DSLR 84. Make a chalk mural on the driveway/porch 87. Complete a coloring book 89. Take an IQ test 90. Play Bingo in a bingo hall 95. Go to a convention (blogging, SU, etc) 96. Dye my hair purple 97. Revamp my wardrobe 98. Take real photos of me for my blogs 99. Post a vlog 100. Go apple/berry/etc picking

tags: 101 in 1001
categories: Day Zero Project
Friday 06.24.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

It's Video Day!

Oh man, the Tonys were just amazing! 

Most awesome Karaoke Carpool!

I'm intrigued!

Too much fun!

I love these two!

Kinda excited about this one.

Really really really want to see this now!

categories: Fun Videos
Thursday 06.23.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Currently #7

Watching: The Great Food Truck Race on Netflix. I binge watched season 1 on Sunday. And I've since moved onto the next few seasons. It's something fun to watch while doing chores and writing blog posts.

Reading: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancy -- I had to put it on hold at the library due to the popularity of the movie. Thankfully it came in last week. I'm sure I'll be done by tomorrow. Still waiting on N to finish The 5th Wave so we can watch the movie.

Listening: The Hamilton Soundtrack has been on repeat lately.

Making: I offered product shares this new Stampin' Up catalog. Four of my stamp club ladies took advantage of the offer. Our big ordered arrived today so I'm cutting and packing paper.

Feeling: Just really hot and tired right now. Hoping I get some energy back. I've got many weeks left to go in the pregnancy.

Planning: June is basically all planned out so I'm turning my attention to July. I've got lots of things to fit in somewhere and still leave time open for rest.

Loving: Really been craving fruit lately. Love how much is currently in season at the farmer's markets.

tags: Currently
categories: Life
Wednesday 06.22.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea (Fifth Wave #2)

Author: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 300

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

While waiting for N to finish The 5th Wave so we could watch the movie, I picked up the second in the trilogy. The second volume in the series just felt like a bit of a letdown. It was much shorter and focused on action action action. There was hardly any character development. I would have like to get to know some of the characters more. Instead it's action on every page. After a while, I was tired of the action and wanted things to slow down. Hopefully the conclusion of the trilogy is better...

Fifth Wave:

  • #1 The 5th Wave
  • #2 The Infinite Sea
  • #3 The Last Star
tags: 3 stars, Finishing the Series, Rick Yancey, science fiction, young adult
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.21.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave (Fifth Wave #1)

Author: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Putnam 2013

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 457

Rating: 4/5 stars  Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Days of YA; Popsugar - Movie This Year; Book to Movie

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

So I grabbed this off the library's Lucky Day shelf on a whim. It hadn't been on my TBR shortlist. And yet, I'm glad I picked it up. I was assuming this was going to be a wimpy alien invasions story heavy on the melodrama and sap. Amazingly, it wasn't. I found myself intrigued by Yancey's world building and characters. I thought Cassie would be our only narrator, but thankfully we get to hear from a few other characters. I got so sucked into the story that I finished this in two days. I don't know what got into me, but I only surfaced once I read the last page. And then I was disappointed by the ending until I figured out that this is a trilogy. Guess who just reserved the second novel from the library...

Movie:

Overall, a decent adaptation of the novel. Of course there were changes, but those changes didn't fundamentally alter the story or characters for me. The pace was okay. Lots of the slower moments and conversations were cut for time and pacing. I get it. It's a Hollywood movie. I would have liked to see more character development especially from Ben and Ringer. But I get it. I did like Chloe Grace Moretz as Cassie Sullivan. Good casting there. The actor who played Ben wasn't quite what I had in mind, but oh well. The twins enjoyed the movie. So I guess it was a win for movie night.

Ffith Wave:

  • #1 The 5th Wave
  • #2 The Infinite Sea
  • #3 The Last Star
tags: 365 Days of YA, 4 stars, Book to Movie, perpetual, Popsugar, Rick Yancey, science fiction
categories: Book Reviews, Movies
Tuesday 06.21.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman

Title: The Magician's Land (Magicians #3)

Author: Lev Grossman

Publisher: Penguin 2015

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 416

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Finishing the Series; 52 Books - W25

Quentin Coldwater has been cast out of Fillory, the secret magical land of his childhood dreams. With nothing left to lose he returns to where his story began, the Brakebills Preparatory College of Magic. But he can’t hide from his past, and it’s not long before it comes looking for him.

Along with Plum, a brilliant young undergraduate with a dark secret of her own, Quentin sets out on a crooked path through a magical demimonde of gray magic and desperate characters. But all roads lead back to Fillory, and his new life takes him to old haunts, like Antarctica, and to buried secrets and old friends he thought were lost forever. He uncovers the key to a sorcery masterwork, a spell that could create magical utopia, a new Fillory—but casting it will set in motion a chain of events that will bring Earth and Fillory crashing together. To save them he will have to risk sacrificing everything.

Finally Finally Finally dove into this one. J read it awhile back and warned me that I should reread the first two before tackling the conclusion. I'm glad I did. There were lots of little things that I forgot about that come back int he third book. But overall, so brilliant! This volume has a much better pace than the first two books. Plus we get some great twists and turns that I totally didn't see coming. And we encounter all the old characters as well as a few new ones. I loved the switching between Quentin's story and Eliot and Janet. It was nice to return to Fillory and see how the storyline ultimately played out. I would have finished the book in 4 days, but the toddler kept stealing my iPad to play games and would subsequently run the battery down. So It took me more like a week and a half.

tags: 5 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, fantasy, Finishing the Series, lev grossman, Read My Own Damn Books
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.21.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle

Mumford & Sons "Tompkins Square Park"

Our Lady Peace "Clumsy"

Gym Class Heroes "The Queen and I"

tags: Gym Class Heroes, iPod Shuffle, Mumford & Sons, Our Lady Peace
categories: Music
Monday 06.20.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Life Right Now #20

As I look outside my window: Very bright sunshine creating a huge glare on my computer screen

Right now I am: Finished my breakfast, watching Arthur watch Paw Patrol, and finally getting the stamp club order in

Thinking and pondering:  How many responsibilities do I want to take on for the Design Team? Big transition of leadership happening and I said I would help out. Just don't know exactly how much I want to do.

On my bedside table: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey, The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla by Lauren Willig

On my tv this week: We introduced the boys to Hogfather, continuing our Pratchett movies. J and I caught up on some Veep and Silicon Valley. And the twins restarted The IT Crowd.

Listening to: Hamilton Soundtrack. Every time I put it on, Arthur grabs the microphone and proceeds to sing and dance. So cute!

On the menu for this week:

  • Monday - Broccoli Beef, Rice, Veggies, Dumplings
  • Tuesday - Garlic Shrimp Pasta, Tortellini, Garlic Bread
  • Wednesday - Chicken Ranch Tacos
  • Thursday - Eggs, Bacon, Coffee Cake, Skillet Potatoes
  • Friday - Ham and Potato Soup, Dinner Rolls
  • Saturday - Hot Dogs and Brats on Grill, Chips, Veggie, Fruit
  • Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: Finish up some cards, cut and package paper shares, clean downstairs, finish The Magician's Land (so close to the end!), finish Week in the Life album (so close to being done)

Happening this week:

  • Monday - Nothing...
  • Tuesday - Don Castro Regional Park Beach Day
  • Wednesday - Half Moon Bay Beach Day
  • Thursday - Library visit, errands probably
  • Friday - Nothing so far...
  • Saturday - Asian Art Museum Visit
  • Sunday - Book Club; Happiness Project Check-in

What I am creating: I've got a few card ideas for this coming week...

My simple pleasures: All the fruit!

Looking around the house: Arthur's made his usual mess, but overall the house is in decent shape. Just needs a quick vacuum and wipe down this week.

From the camera: We had lunch at Nola before going to the Computer History Museum on Saturday. A got the French Toast Bananas Foster and N got the Monster Pulled Pork Sandwich. We have so much leftovers, but it was amazing!

 
 
tags: Life Right Now
categories: Weekly Wrap-up
Sunday 06.19.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • This baby is so friggin' active. Really not looking forward to him at ~36 weeks.
  • My reading has been on fire lately. Already 11 books and we're halfway through June.
  • I think I need a new planner system... this one is just not cutting it.
  • My bed is so comfy; that is all.
  • So glad the boys enjoy going to the library.
  • Finally caught up with my One Bad Mother podcast. A little sad...
  • Really proud of myself for getting a good daily intake of water. No more dehydration!
  • Passed my glucose tolerance test. Hallelujah!
  • Rewatching Outlander is my current guilty pleasure.
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 06.16.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

East of West Vol. 1

Title: East of West Volume 1: The Promise

Author: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta

Publisher: Image 2013

Genre: Comics

Pages: 96

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

This is the world. It is not the one we wanted, but it is the one we deserved. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse roam the Earth, signaling the End Times for humanity, and our best hope for life, lies in DEATH!

Of the three random comics I grabbed off the library shelf, this is definitely the best series. I shouldn't be surprised. It's written by Jonathan Hickman who also wrote The Manhattan Projects. Instead of science, we focus on the supernatural embodied in the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I was immediately pulled into the world. Fascinating! An alternate history with some interesting supernatural bits throw in... Must read the next volume.

tags: 5 stars, graphic novel, Jonathan Hickman
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.15.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Five Ghosts Vol. 1

Title: Five Ghosts Volume 1: The Haunting of Fabian Gray

Author: Frank Barbiere, Chris Mooneyham

Publisher: Image 2013

Genre: Comics

Pages: 178

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After a tragic encounter with an artifact known as "The Dreamstone," infamous treasure hunter Fabian Gray is possessed by five literary ghosts and granted access to their unique abilities.

Last library visit I picked up a stack of comics I had never heard of. It seems someone at the library went on a Image Comic buying binge. I appreciate their buying! This was an intriguing first volume. Kind of a cross between League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and something like American Vampire. I thoroughly enjoyed this volume as an after dinner treat. Now hopefully the library gets the next volume...

tags: 4 stars, Frank Barbiere, graphic novel
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.15.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

Title: In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

Publisher: Viking 2000

Genre: Nonfiction – History

Pages: 301

Rating: 5/5 stars Movie: 3/5

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction; Popsugar - National Book Award Winner; Book to Movie

In 1820, the whaleship Essex was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale, leaving the desperate crew to drift for more than ninety days in three tiny boats. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents and vivid details about the Nantucket whaling tradition to reveal the chilling facts of this infamous maritime disaster.

After reading two of his books, I have to say that Philbrick is my second favorite history author. He doesn't quite beat Eric Larson's wonderful storytelling, but he sure produces some great books. How I have never heard of the whaleship Essex is just crazy! It may have something to do with the fact that I hated Moby Dick and the Essex's story is the inspiration for that book. Thankfully, the real history is a fascinating look at whaling, early 19th century life, and survival. I couldn't put this book down and finished in 2 days. Definitely a must-read. I really should look up Philbrick's other books...

Movie:

Of course Hollywood always has to sensationalize the story. I was not very excited about this movie. It felt like the movie took the real story and crossed it with Moby Dick. The whale continues to pursue the crew even after the ship sinks. Definitely not part of the original story. Plus they made some changes as to the personalities and decisions made by Chase and Pollard. Overall, a disappointing movie.

tags: 5 stars, Book to Movie, Nathaniel Philbrick, nonfiction, Popsugar, U-S- History
categories: Book Reviews, Movies
Wednesday 06.15.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode

Title: Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents: The 100 Greatest Science Fiction Films

Author: Douglas Brode

Publisher: University of Texas Press 2015

Genre: Nonfiction - Movies

Pages: 411

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction; 52 Books - W24

Whether you judge by box office receipts, industry awards, or critical accolades, science fiction films are the most popular movies now being produced and distributed around the world. Nor is this phenomenon new. Sci-fi filmmakers and audiences have been exploring fantastic planets, forbidden zones, and lost continents ever since George Méliès’ 1902 film A Trip to the Moon. In this highly entertaining and knowledgeable book, film historian and pop culture expert Douglas Brode picks the one hundred greatest sci-fi films of all time.

Picked this up from the new books shelf at the library. While J and I debated some of the choices on the Top 100 list, it was a very entertaining read. In reality, we've got into a few debates owing to our fairly extensive scifi movie experience. I loved all the tidbits about how the movie got made, influences, and trivia. Very enjoyable read for the past few days. Plus we've made a list of those movies we've somehow not seen before.

tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, Douglas Brode, movies, nonfiction, nonfiction adventure, pertual, science fiction
categories: Book Reviews, Movies
Tuesday 06.14.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
Newer / Older

Powered by Squarespace.