June 2018 Wrap-up

June's TBR Pile (40/44):

MVPA Book Club Selection: The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan ✓
TBR Pile: The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie DNF
Reading Assignment: A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom ✓
Book of the Month Club (June): The Anamoly by Michael Rutger ✓
Series Pick: Murder on the House by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Comics Pick: Manhattan Projects Vol. 6
Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 1 ✓
Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 2 ✓
Comics Pick: Paper Girls Vol. 3 ✓
Comics Pick: March Vol. 1 ✓
Comics Pick: March Vol. 2 ✓
Comics Pick: March Vol. 3 ✓
Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 1 ✓
Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 2 ✓
Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 3 ✓
Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 4 ✓
Comics Pick: Wayward Vol. 5 ✓
Comics Pick: The Haunted Mansion ✓
Comics Pick: Creatures of the Night ✓
Comics Pick: Moonstruck Vol. 1 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 1 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 2 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 3 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 4 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 5 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 6 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 7 ✓
Comics Pick: Giant Days Vol. 8
Mystery Pick: A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas ✓
Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Denison
Young Adult Pick: The Selection by Kiera Cass ✓
Young Adult Pick: The Elite by Kiera Cass ✓
Young Adult Pick: The One by Kiera Cass ✓
Young Adult Pick: The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass ✓
Zombie Pick: A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter ✓
Carry-over Pick: Parasite by Mira Grant ✓
Added: Across a Star-swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund ✓
Added: The Stanforth Secrets by Jo Beverley ✓
Added: Home for the Haunting by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Added: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass ✓
Added: The Heir by Kiera Cass ✓
Added: The Crown by Kiera Cass ✓
Added: Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Added: Paper Girls Vol. 4 ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 9362 pages
Pages Remaining: 663,885 pages

Current Read - Symbiont by Mira Grant

Books I Gave Up On (1) -- The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie. I didn't connect to any of the characters and was fairly bored by the fairly large section that I did read. Decided to move along.

Books bought/received (0)

July's TBR Pile:

MVPA Book Club Selection: Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay (not pictured)
TBR Pile: Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Reading Assignment: How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson
Book of the Month Club (July): Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Comics Pick: Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth
Comics Pick: The Walking Dead: Here's Negan
Romance Pick: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley
Romance Pick: The Stolen Bride by Jo Beverley
Romance Pick: Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley
Classics Pick: Out of Africa by Isak Denison (not pictured)
Horror Pick: The Boy not he Bridge by M.R. Carey
Young Adult Pick: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Young Adult Pick: Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Young Adult Pick: Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
Mystery Pick: Give Up the Ghost by Juliet Blackwell (not pictured)
Mystery Pick: A Ghostly Light by Juliet Blackwell
Science Fiction Pick: Symbiont by Mira Grant
Science Fiction Pick: Chimera by Mira Grant
Novella Pick: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
Random Pick: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Movies watched

Howard's End -- Have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of this story.
Emma (2009) -- Love this version on the Austen classic. Romola Garai is perfect as Emma.
American Satan -- The classic story of Faust is always good material for a movie. While this one had an interesting take on the story, I don't think it was executed very well.
Forbidden Planet (1956) -- We introduced the twins to this classic science fiction movie.
Tomb Raider -- Meh.
The Girl with All the Gifts -- They amped up the creep factor, but a pretty true adaptation of the book. Really enjoyed this one.
A Bad Idea Gone Wrong -- Fun little indie comedy we watched yesterday. Enjoyed it.

TV Shows watched

Call the Midwife S2 -- Slowly working my way through this show.
Elementary S5 -- Keeping up with the currently airing season.
The Bachelorette S14 -- So here for Becca's season!

Comments - Holy cow! I started the month with a giant stack of comics and managed to read almost all of them. I'm so very excited about my reading this past month. Beyond the comics, I knocked out a fun YA series, a couple of nonfiction reads, a few fun cozy mysteries, and the start of a great science fiction trilogy. I can't wait to see what July brings!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Summer Bucket List Update #1

It's time for another season and another bucket list. The twins will be here for the first two months of summer, so our list will reflect a wide range of activities and tasks. On to the list:

Two beach days (Half Moon Bay and Stinson) -- One down! We went to Half Moon Bay Beach a few weeks back.
Jelly Belly Factory
Go to the Warped Tour ✓ -- We had such an amazing time even with the high temperatures and full sun.
Sonoma Train Town
Pool party 2x -- One down! We had a lovely morning at the pool with some friends.
San Francisco Wharf/Musee Mechanique
Make popsicles 3x
Pacific Pinball Museum
Go on an easy hike with all the kiddos ✓ -- The boys and I explored Point Pinole and went on a fun and easy hike through the park.
Escape Room adventure
Rocket Fizz Visit
Baskin Robbins ✓ -- We got ice cream after our beach day. It's become our tradition.
Mini Golf ✓
Movie in a Theater ✓ -- I took the little boys to see Ninjago. It was Q's first theater movie.
Summer brunch party
Make your own pizzas party
Make Donuts 2x
Treasure Island Flea Market or Jack London Square Market
Fourth of July Festival at Berkeley Marina
Waterpark day
Cookout
Read a romance series
Make smores
Try a new (to us) ice cream place
Take the ferry to SF

Next up on the TBR pile:

Giant Days Vol. 5-7

Title: Giant Days Vol. 5

Author: John Allison, Max Sarin, Liz Fleming

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Written by John Allison (Bad Machinery, Scary Go Round) and illustrated by Max Sarin, Giant Days Volume 5 finishes off freshman year in style, collecting issues #17-20 of the Eisner Award-nominated series. Their freshman year is finally coming to a close and Daisy, Susan, and Esther say goodbye to Catterick Hall forever. Literally forever. It’s being bulldozed and re-purposed as a luxury dorm next semester. But as one door closes, another opens and between end of semester hookups, music festivals, and moving into their first home together, their life experiences are just getting started.

Such a fun volume of comics. I really loved the entire music festival sequence. These three ladies are the best. I can't wait to see their next shenanigans.

Title: Giant Days Vol. 6

Author: John Allison, Max Sarin, Liz Fleming, Lissa Treiman

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Second year begins and Daisy, Susan, and Esther have taken their friendship commitment to the next level by moving off-campus. But the keys came with a whole new load of responsibilities. Unwanted suitor visits, a robbery, and Susan living only a few blocks apart from her ex-boyfriend, McGraw, has made the dorms feel like a haven. The girls are in for a dose of reality. John Allison (Bad Machinery, Scary Go Round) and illustrator Max Sarbin welcome you back to Sophomore year in Giant Days Volume 6, collecting issues #21-24

Love this series so much. The fun, the drama, the friendships are sustaining me through some tough days currently. This is such a fun slice of life comic.

Title: Giant Days Vol. 7

Author: John Allison, Max Sarin, Liz Fleming, Lissa Treiman, Whitney Cogar

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Fast friends Susan, Daisy, and Esther continue their second year at Sheffield University. Education and looking ahead to the future isn’t all that college holds in store for these ladies—grocery store protests, family reunions, and even an MMORPG wedding are all on this semester’s docket. Collects issues #25-28 of the Eisner Award-nominated series.

Great volume, but I must that the wedding was the absolute best bit in this one.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

Title: The Anomaly

Author: Michael Rutger

Publisher: Grand Central 2018

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Share-a-Tea; Seasonal Series - Cool Drink

If Indiana Jones lived in the X-Files era, he might bear at least a passing resemblance to Nolan Moore -- a rogue archaeologist hosting a documentary series derisively dismissed by the "real" experts, but beloved of conspiracy theorists.

Nolan sets out to retrace the steps of an explorer from 1909 who claimed to have discovered a mysterious cavern high up in the ancient rock of the Grand Canyon. And, for once, he may have actually found what he seeks. Then the trip takes a nasty turn, and the cave begins turning against them in mysterious ways.

Nolan's story becomes one of survival against seemingly impossible odds. The only way out is to answer a series of intriguing questions: What is this strange cave? How has it remained hidden for so long? And what secret does it conceal that made its last visitors attempt to seal it forever?

My June selection from Book of the Month. I picked it to get away from the dysfunctional family and Gone Girl-esque books that are the usual offerings. This one sounded like a fun spooky thriller with strains of Indiana Jones and Ghosthunters. Thankfully the book delivered all that I hoped for and was a very fun and enjoyable read. The first three chapters were a bit slow, but once the expedition hit the canyon, everything sped up dramatically. I immediately fell for the motley crew of characters and their approach to the mystery of Kincaid's Cave. By the time the halfway mark arrived, I was speeding through the pages on edge just waiting to find out what was going to happen next. Very creepy I must say. And I love the slightly ambiguous ending. Could there be a sequel in the works?

Next up on the TBR pile:

Giant Days Vol. 1-4

Title: Giant Days Vol. 1

Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

What It Is: Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university three weeks ago and became fast friends. Now, away from home for the first time, all three want to reinvent themselves. But in the face of handwringing boys, "personal experimentation," influenza, mystery mold, nuchauvinism, and the willful, unwanted intrusion of "academia," they may be lucky just to make it to spring alive. Collects issues #1-4.

A departure from my usual fantasy and scifi driven comics, but I really enjoyed this fun contemporary volume. The three main characters are so different and yet so alike. I love each one of them. And the side characters really help fill out the story. can't wait to see what happens next.

Title: Giant Days Vol. 2

Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman, Max Sarin

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university three weeks ago and became fast friends because their dorm rooms were next to each other. Now, away from home for the first time, all three want to reinvent themselves. But in the face of hand-wringing boys, "personal experimentation," influenza, mystery mold, nuchauvinism, and the willful, unwanted intrusion of "academia," they may be lucky just to make it to spring alive. Collects issues #5-8

And the story continues. I loved the entire influenza sequences; so much fun! The story just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what befalls the ladies next.

Title: Giant Days Vol. 3

Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman, Max Sarin

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Continuing their first semester at university, fast friends Susan, Esther, and Daisy want to find their footing in life. The girls, along with their male hall-mates, Ed and McGraw find that college is more than academics and bad microwavable meals. Add some pub hopping, hookups, breakups and political scandal this might just be the most eventful first semester ever. Giant Days, the comedic slice-of-life series from creator John Allison (Bad Machinery, Scary Go Round) and fantastic newcomer Max Sarin, has graduated to a third volume, collecting issues 9-12 of the Eisner Award-nominated series

Loving this series so much. Such a fun read to brighten up my afternoon. I can't wait to see what happens. But I must say that the path of Susan And McGraw's relationship saddened me so much. Oh well. I guess it's all about growth and the college experience.

Title: Giant Days Vol. 4

Author: John Allison, Lissa Treiman, Max Sarin

Publisher: BOOM Box! 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

It’s springtime at Sheffield University—the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and fast-pals Susan, Esther, and Daisy continue to survive their freshman year of university. Susan is barely dealing with her recent breakup with McGraw, Esther is considering dropping out of school, and Daisy is trying to keep everyone and everything from falling apart! Combined with house- hunting, indie film festivals, and online dating, can the girls make it to second year? Collects issues #13-16.

We get a fun little side adventure at Esther's house before going back to university for the rest of the year. The house hunting sequence was great fun. But my favorite part was the indie film festival. Loved Susan and Daisy's "film."

Next up on the TBR pile:

Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell

Title: Keeper of the Castle (Haunted Home Renovation #5)

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Publisher: Obsidian 2014

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 314

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - K; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series Summer - Picnic Read

Lately, Mel has been worried about finding enough historic renovation work to pay the bills. But while Turner Construction is in need of a project, Mel’s boyfriend, Graham, has his hands full managing the reconstruction of an ancient building shipped over from Scotland.

With the job plagued by rumors that the stones are cursed, Graham brings in Mel to look for paranormal activity. And while the ghost of a charming Scottish clansman does seem to be hanging around the site, the real shock comes when they stumble upon a body.

When the original construction crew starts running scared, Mel brings in her team to finish the job. Now all she has to do is nail down the killer, and put the spirits to rest, before anyone else winds up heading for the highlands…

Not my favorite of the series so far, but I did really enjoy this adventure involving an ancient Scottish monastery, two ghosts, and some intriguing side characters. I loved the continuation of Mel's romance with Graham and her relationship with Caleb. The ghost mystery itself wasn't the most inventive or exciting, but I do enjoy reading this "light and fluffy" mystery series.

Haunted Home Renovation

Next up on the TBR pile:

Wayward Vol. 4-5

Title: Wayward Vol. 4 Threads and Portents

Author: Jim Zub, Steve Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 132

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The group is pulled apart, and the hidden mythic worlds of Ireland and Japan are revealed. JIM ZUB (Thunderbolts, Samurai Jack) and STEVEN CUMMINGS (Dead Shot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with foreign cultures and fascinating mythological monsters. This volume includes design artwork by artist STEVEN CUMMINGS and new profiles on mythical creatures by monster scholars Zack Davisson and Ann O'Regan.

Such an interesting turn in this volume. I love the connection between Japan and Ireland. Rori's story is fascinating and I love seeing her find her way in this new world. The storyline is fast-paced, as usual, with lots of fun. The art is beautiful.

Title: Wayward Vol. 5 Tethered Souls

Author: Jim Zub, Steve Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Japan and Ireland are torn apart by conflict. The new power that defines the modern world rages out of control. JIM ZUB (Avengers, SKULLKICKERS) and STEVEN CUMMINGS (Deadshot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer with foreign cultures and fascinating mythological monsters. This volume includes design artwork by artist STEVEN CUMMINGS and profiles on mythical creatures by monster scholars ZACK DAVISSON and ANN O’REGAN not found in the single issues. Collects WAYWARD #21-25

OH my goodness. I don't even know what to say after the events of this volume. Everything is hanging by a thread and I can't take the suspense. I need to see how this story ends, but alas, I have to wait until the next trade is released (please say fall...). Until then I will revel in the awesome storyline and characters in this volume. So incredibly good! And I must say, I've really enjoyed the small essays in the back with explanations about the monsters, history, and folklore.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Wayward Vol. 1-3

Title: Wayward Vol. 1 String Theory

Author: Jim Zub, Steve Cummings, John Rauch

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Rori Lane is trying to start a new life when she reunites with her mother in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear. Can Rori unlock the secrets of her power before it's too late? JIM ZUB (SKULLKICKERS, Samurai Jack) and STEVE CUMMINGS (Legends of the Dark Knight, Deadshot) team-up to create an all-new Image supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of Buffy with the action and mystery of Hellboy. Collects WAYWARD #1-5.

Wasn't sure what to expect with this series, but I'll try just about anything from Image. Thankfully, this was an amazing start to a very interesting and detailed series. I love the real setting in Japan overlaid with Japanese folklore entities and real modern people. The attention to detail is perfect! And the characters are fun and inviting. Can't wait to see what happens after that crazy last page!

Title: Wayward Vol. 2 Ties That Bind

Author: Jim Sub, Steve Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain, Zack Davisson

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After the traumatizing finale of volume one, everything has changed for our supernatural teens. Who is Ohara and how does she fit into the great pattern of destiny and power that will change Japan forever? Jim Zub (Conan/Red Sonja, Samurai Jack) and Steve Cummings (Deadshot, Legends of the Dark Knight) continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with Japan's engaging culture and mythic monsters. This volume includes design artwork by artist Steve Cummings and profiles on mythical creatures by noted monster researcher Zack Davisson. Collects Wayward #6-10.

Love that Volume two starts with a whole new character. We get a nice parallel to Rori's introduction and storyline. We get a bit more backstory as to the larger mystery at play. And the big baddies are expanded. My favorite were the dirt spiders. Can't wait to see how they all play into the story going forward.

Title: Wayward Vol. 3 Out from the Shadows

Author: Jim Sub, Steve Cummings, Tamra Bonvillain

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The new gods of Japan have arrived and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever. JIM ZUB (Conan Red Sonja, Samurai Jack) and STEVEN CUMMINGS (Dead Shot, Legends of the Dark Knight) combine the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with Japan's engaging culture and mythic monsters.

Hmmm... well that took an interesting turn. I did not see that twist coming, but maybe I should have. I do love the parallel stories within this volume. And we get a new character, Inaba, who may or may not be trusted. I am loving seeing these traditional monsters come to life. Such fun!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan

Title: The Last Castle

Author: Denise Kiernan

Publisher: Touchstone 2017

Genre: U.S. History

Pages: 388

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Nonfiction Adventure; Popsugar - 2017 Prompt (Recommended by a Librarian); Modern Mrs. Darcy - Biography

A New York Times bestseller with an "engaging narrative and array of detail” (The Wall Street Journal), the “intimate and sweeping” (Raleigh News & Observer) untold, true story behind the Biltmore Estate—the largest, grandest private residence in North America, which has seen more than 120 years of history pass by its front door.

This was our book club selection for June and I was super excited to read it. I love social history and the subject matter was something I knew little about. I must say that after reading this book, I know a lot more about the Vanderbilts, various other contemporary figures, random concurrent historical events, and Biltmore itself. The story lends itself to a fascinating look at the rise and (somewhat) fall of one of America's great families. What I found even more interesting was the surrounding non-Vanderbilt characters. The residents and employees of Biltmore contributed in many ways to the construction and building of the great house. I Overall a very interesting book. At times the writing became a bit too detailed and slowed down my reading, but I made it through to the end and learned a lot in the process.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Girls Vol. 4

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 4

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 123

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The mind-bending, time-warping adventure from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN & CLIFF CHIANG continues as intrepid newspaper deliverer Tiffany is launched from the prehistoric past into the year 2000! In this harrowing version of our past, Y2K was even more of a cataclysm than experts feared, and the only person who can save the future is a 12-year-old girl from 1988. Collects PAPER GIRLS #16-20

How exactly am I supposed to keep everything straight at this point? I feel a little like the Paper Girls themselves, very confused and slightly angry. But all in a good way. I'm really loving this series and all the twists and turns. Plus, how great was it to meet older Tiffany in this volume? Such fun! I can't wait to see what happens next!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - In This Moment feat. Rob Halford "Black Wedding"

Oh man! Rob Halford and Maria Brink is just an amazing combination.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #22

As I look outside my window: It's sunny and warm but thankfully not as hot as yesterday's high of 98 degrees. We can turn the air conditioning off tonight and for the rest of the week. Having the windows closed makes me a bit cranky...

Right now I am: Lounging on the couch after getting back from book club this morning. I'm nursing a sun hang-over from yesterday's festivities.

On my bedside table: Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell; Wayward Vol. 1-5

On my tv this week: Not a ton. J and watched some Elementary and Supernatural and finally started Electric Dreams. The first episode "The Hood Maker" was really good.

Listening to: On a hard rock kick from my time at the Warped Tour yesterday. I've been repeating Motionless in White (such a great show!), Black Veil Brides (my favorite!), Asking Alexandria, and Nothing More.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken
Tuesday - Spaghetti
Wednesday - Sesame Chicken
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Saturday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken
Sunday - Tilapia?

On my to do list: Need to finalize some of our July plans. The bathrooms need cleaned this week. I would like to finish the stack of comics I have on the stairs. And hopefully I can take care of a few appointments...

Happening this week: It's a super weird week where the only things we have planned are a park playdate and arcade visit on Wednesday and a friend's birthday party on Sunday. The rest of the week is wide open right now. Maybe a movie? Definitely a pool visit sometime in there.What I am creating:

My simple pleasures: I worked on Arthur's Project Life 2017 album a little bit. I have all the pictures in, but need to finish out the journaling and the embellishments. Hoping I can finish that this coming week and get moving on the 2018 album. Plus I have the pictures from May for the family album. Wanting to get that knocked out this coming week.

Looking around the house: J and Arthur cleaned the playroom yesterday when I was gone (yeah!) so the downstairs is in good shape. I know I need to put away laundry and clean the bathrooms. I'm also thinking about a pantry cleanout.

From the camera: Black Veil Brides at the Warped Tour!!!! Such an amazing show!

A History of the Wife by Margaret Yalom

Title: A History of the Wife

Author: Margaret Yalom

Publisher: Harper 2002

Genre: Nonfiction - Social Sciences; History

Pages: 464

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Reading Assignment; Perpetual - Nonfic Ad

How did marriage, considered a religious duty in medieval Europe, become a venue for personal fulfillment in contemporary America? How did the notion of romantic love, a novelty in the Middle Ages, become a prerequisite for marriage today? And, if the original purpose of marriage was procreation, what exactly is the purpose of marriage for women now?

A very very very dense social science book but very interesting. I do appreciate Yalom's adherence to detail when examining marriage throughout history. This isn't the most uplifting book, but I was intrigued by the topic and the exploration of the historical record.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Crown by Kiera Cass

Title: The Crown (The Selection #5)

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen 2016

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 250

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Great Love Story

Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

A fitting end to The Selection series. I really fell for Eadlyn and her story. Turns out that I did predict the ending of the series, but that's okay. I still enjoyed my reading of it. Plus we get to check in with all the other characters from the series along with meeting some new characters. Definitely an enjoyable series.

The Selection:

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Title: The Heir (The Selection #4)

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen 2015

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Four or More Books

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story...but as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she’s always thought.

For this volume, Cass thankfully moved the storyline ahead to write Eadlyn's story. I was unsure of the princess when we first met her, but I grew to like her over the book. Again, I figured out the ending (or at least I think I have) before the rest of the storyline was set up. And yet, I enjoyed reading the volume so much. I loved experiencing another Selection but with a twist. Can't wait to finish out the series.

The Selection:

Next up on the TBR pile:

Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

Title: Happily Ever After (The Selection #3.5, #4.5)

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen 2015

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 387

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - 24 Hours

Meet Prince Maxon before he fell in love with America, and a girl named Amberly before she became queen. See the Selection through the eyes of a guard who watched his first love drift away and a girl who fell for a boy who wasn’t the prince. This must-have companion to the Selection series includes all four novellas as well as exclusive bonus content.

This was an interesting mix of some Selection short stories and series extras. The First two stories were prints from the other short story collection. I've already read those. But then, Cass added some interesting new stories. We get Amberly's story which I wasn't a super fan of. We also get Marlee's story; much more interesting to me. And we get some fun "Where are they now" passages. Overall, a nice companion to the series.

The Selection:

#0.5 The Prince
#1 The Selection
#2 The Elite
#2.5 The Guard
#3 The One
#3.5 The Queen
#4 The Heir
#4.5 The Favorite
#5 The Crown

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Monday's time at the beach was definitely needed
Feeling a little lost when it comes to meal planning for the next few weeks
Watching Q drive his trains through the house is too cute!
I really miss ice cream (I can only have a little before I have some tummy issues)
Still need to finish June's book club selection; book club is on Sunday
The little boys have a large stack of library books to read this week
Super sad and angry about the state of politics currently
I seriously need to organize my planner supplies; it's a bit out of control

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Stanforth Secrets by Jo Beverley

Title: The Stanforth Secrets (Renfrew/Kyle #1)

Author: Jo Beverley

Publisher: 1989

Genre: Regency Romance

Pages: 312

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

Though the widowed Chloe Stanforth loves her house by the sea, a series of puzzling incidents has left her unsettled and anxious to find a new home. Her situation is complicated by the arrival of her husband's cousin, for whom she has long harbored a deep and guilty attraction.

Back from the war, Justin Delamere hopes he can finally woo Chloe, until he suspects her guilty of treason-and murder. Can he trust the woman he's always desired, and can Chloe surrender her most private secrets to the man who controls her freedom and now her heart?

I needed a fun Regency romance series for this month and I think I have found it. Apparently the copies I have of this series are the reissues from the 2000s. The series was originally writing in the 1980s and 1990s. I started with #2 according to release date, but #1 according to chronology. At any rate, I really enjoyed this fun story of espionage and romance. Justin and Chloe were a fun couple. I will definitely be picking up the next in the series.

Renfrew/Kyle

#1 The Stanforth Secrets
#2 Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed
#3 The Stolen Bride
#4 Emily and the Dark Angel
#4.5 If Fancy Be the Food of Love
#5 The Fortune Hunter
#6 Deirdre and Don Juan

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasite by Mira Grant

Title: Parasite (Parasitology #1)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2013

Genre: Sciences Fiction

Pages: 502

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Share a tea; Seasonal Series -- Set in the real world

We owe our good health to a humble parasite -- a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the Intestinal Bodyguard worm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system -- even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.
But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives . . . and will do anything to get them.

Why did I leave this book sitting on my shelf for this long? I loved Mira Grant's Newflesh series and couldn't wait to read this newer series, but somehow it just got shoved to the back. I finally picked this one up and holy cow! I love love loved it! Love Grant's mix of science and fiction. In this series, we follow a seemingly normal girl on her journey to find out what's really going on in the world. Had my suspicions about what was really going on and it turns out I was right. And yet, I didn't care. I was along for the ride and loved every minute of it. I'm ready to read the next in the series!

Parasitology

#1 Parasite
#2 Symbiont
#3 Chimera

Next up on the TBR pile:

March Volume 3

Title: March Volume 3

Author: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell

Publisher: Top Shelf 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 256

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

By Fall 1963, the Civil Rights Movement is an undeniable keystone of the national conversation, and as chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis is right in the thick of it. With the stakes continuing to rise, white supremacists intensify their opposition through government obstruction and civilian terrorist attacks, a supportive president is assassinated, and African-Americans across the South are still blatantly prohibited from voting. To carry out their nonviolent revolution, Lewis and an army of young activists launch a series of innovative projects, including the Freedom Vote, Mississippi Freedom Summer, and a pitched battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television. But strategic disputes are deepening within the movement, even as 25-year-old John Lewis heads to Alabama to risk everything in a historic showdown that will shock the world.

Beautiful conclusion to John Lewis's experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. I learned more details about the movement and many of the specific events that Lewis was involved in. The storytelling is incredibly. There were a few times when I definitely teared up. Should be required reading.

Next up on the TBR pile: