October 2019 Wrap-up

October TBR Pile (16/46):

1. Girly Book Club: The Broken Girls by Simone St. James ✓

2. Friend Book Club: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal ✓

3. Lives of the Monster Dogs by Kirsten Bakis

4. The Hunger by Alma Katsu

5. The Tower Formerly Known as Sears by Lisa M. Lilly ✓

6. Graveminder by Marisa Marr

7. Paper Dolls by Anya Allyn

8. Marionette by Anya Allyn

9. Music Box by Anya Allyn

10. The Witches by Stacy Schiff

11. Easy Bake Coven by Liz Schulte

12. Rabid by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy

13. The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara

14. Red Shirts by John Scalzi

15. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

16. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

17. Bird Box by Josh Malerman

18. The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter

19. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

20. White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

21. The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs

22. Feed by MT Anderson

23. Asylum by Madeleine Roux

24. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

25. The Walking Dead Vol. 32 ✓

26. Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco ✓

27. How to Survive a Plague by David France

28. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness ✓

29. Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child ✓

30. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

31. Heathen Vol. 2 ✓

32. Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine ✓

33. The Philosopher’s War by Tom Miller

34. Rat Queens Vol. 6 ✓

35. Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven ✓

36. The Hike by Drew Magary

37. The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

38. Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

39. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

40. Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

41. A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

42. Blackbird by Anna Carey

43. Life Among the Dead by Daniel Cotton ✓

44. The Umbrella Academy Vol. 3 ✓

45. Paper Girls Vol. 6 ✓

46. The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 9 ✓

47. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 4505 pages
Pages Remaining: 580,886pages

Current Read - Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

Books I Gave Up On (0) 

Books bought/received (0)

November TBR Pile: I’m trying to focus on ebooks and owned books this month.

1. Carry-over: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

2. Book of the Month Club: Well Met by Jen DeLuca

3. Girly Book Club: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (I won’t be re-reading as I just read it, but I’m adding this here to remind me.)

4. Friend Book Club: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

5. The Second Deluge by Garrett Putman Serviss

6. Monstress Vol. 4

7. Feed by M.T. Anderson

8. Rabid by Bill Wasik

9. Crisis in the Red Zone by Richard Preston

10. The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

11. The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring

12. The Lager Queen on Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

13. In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen

14. Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen

15. The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane

16. My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray

17. What’s a Rogue Got to Do With It by Samantha Holt

18. When a Rogue Loves a Woman by Samantha Holt

19. Waiting for a Rogue Like You by Samantha Holt

20. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

21. Crocodile on the Sandback by Elizabeth Peters

22. Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

23. A Family for Christmas by Noelle Adams

24. A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay

25. Old West Christmas Brides

26. Songbook by Nick Hornby

27. The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection

28. A Very Special Christmas by Mary Balogh

29. The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

30. The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

31. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

32. Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

33. Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Movies watched - Spooky movie month! Those in bold are new-to-me movies.

• Idle Hands

• Dracula (1931)

• The Black Cat (1934) - Loved this one so much!

• The Mummy (1935)

• Stuber - Obviously not a spooky movie, but J wanted to watch it.

• Anna and the Apocalypse - The first and second sections were fun and then it got really serious. I think this movie suffers a bit from a confusing tone.

• Beetlejuice

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer

• A Cabin in the Woods

• The Mummy (1999)

• Labyrinth

• Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

• Hobbs & Shaw - So much ridiculous fun! I love these dumb movies.

• The Phantom of the Opera (1925) - Never saw this one. Very very good!

• Scream - J had never actually seen the entire movie. I couldn’t believe it.

• The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

• Dark City

• The Invisible Man (1933)

• Godzilla: King of the Monsters - Meh. Couple of good monster scenes, but not great.

• Sleepaway Camp II - Wow that was ridiculously cheesy!

• The Fly (1958)

• The Fly (1986)

• The Witches of Eastwick

• Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

• The Relic

• Cockneys Vs. Zombies

• Shaun of the Dead

TV Shows watched

• The Great British Bake-Off S10 - I still need to watch the finale, but all so excited.

• The Good Place S4

• Letterkenny S7 - This isn’t the best season, but decent jokes.

Comments -

Next up on the TBR pile:

Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Title: Relic (Pendergast #1)

Author: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Publisher: 1995

Genre: Horror / Thriller

Pages: 484

Rating: 4 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Imaginary Creature; Horror

The New York Museum of Natural History is built over a subterranean labyrinth of neglected specimen vaults, unmapped drainage tunnels and long-forgotten catacombs. And there's something down there. When the mutilated bodies of two young boys are discovered deep within the museum's bowels, Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta of the NYPD fears a homicidal maniac may be at large. FBI agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast believes they may be facing something much worse. As the death toll mounts, and with the opening of the museum's new 'Superstition' exhibition just days away, the two men must work together to prevent a massacre.

As a part of our spooky movie month, we wanted to watch The Relic (1997), but I realized that I had never actually read the original novel that the movie is based on. Off I went to the library to get the book so we could watch. And to my surprise, I really enjoyed the book. It’s a horror thriller in the vein of Michael Crichton’s works. We get a mysterious event, a disbelieving population, scientific discovery, and tons of carnage. I loved all the action bits and the larger mystery of the creature and the murders. I wasn’t quite excited about the long scientific passages. I think the book could have been cut by about 75 pages and still have all the relevant information. I may just have to pick up the next book in the series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Title: The Alchemist

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: HarperTorch 1988

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 208

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Fantasy Projects Popsugar - One Million GR Ratings

Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

Such a pretentious novel. The reviews range from the most amazing book ever to the worst drivel. I am definitely on the drivel side. This reads less like an parable journey and more like a really bad self-help book. There are shades of Ayn Rand here that I just couldn’t get over. I could not stand this book at all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Joywave "Obsession"

A new song in heavy rotation on Alt Nation.

Life Right Now #31

On my bedside table: Feed by MT Anderson; Rabid by Bill Wasik

On my TV: Continuing our spooky movie month. Almost at the end! And I caught up with Great British Bake-Off. Next week is the final!

Listening to: An acquaintance recommended a new podcast to me, You Must Remember This, about old Hollywood stories. I’m really digging it!

On the menu:

• Monday - Bangkok Coconut Curry Noodles

• Tuesday - Irish Nachos

• Wednesday - Garlic Ginger Teriyaki Chicken; Spring Rolls; Rice

• Thursday - Leftovers

• Friday - Lentil Nachos

• Saturday - Irish Whisky Stew

• Sunday - Hawaiian Pulled Pork Nachoes

On my to do list: Flu shots, Christmas travel plans, meal plan redo, Christmas lists

Happening this week:

• Monday - Another car appointment

• Tuesday - Tinkergarten; Book Club

• Wednesday - Dentist Appointment; Arthur’s Classroom Halloween Party

• Thursday - RnR Gym Class

• Friday - RnR Construction

• Saturday - Nothing

• Sunday - Nothing

What I am creating: I’m officially starting my Christmas cards today. I’m hoping to make about 100 in November.

My simple pleasures: Peanut butter cups, good suspenseful movies, snuggles

What I’m planning: Now that the Halloween party is planned, I’m turning my attention to Thanksgiving.

Looking around the house: I’ll have to clean up after crop day today, but the rest of the house is in decent shape.

Looking forward to: Halloween party on Wednesday! It should be chaotic fun!

From the camera: Checking out The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Vala’s this week.

2019 Reading Challenges Update #3

After 2018’s amazing reading numbers, I decided to capitalize on my momentum and really ramp up my numbers and my challenges. And so I have committed to 22 different challenges and a total of 250 books read for this year. Let’s check out my progress at the end of the first quarter.

• Perpetual 7/30 23.3% *

• UnRead Shelf 20/50 40% *

• Library Love 60/60 100% **

• For the Love of Ebooks 14/30 46.7%

• Random TBR Pick 10/12 83.3%

• Picture Books 70/70 100%

• Popsugar 30/40 75%

• Modern Mrs. Darcy 11/12 91.7%

• Finishing the Series 4/10 40%

• Alphabet Soup 21/26 80.8%

• Women Authors 30/30 100%

• Monthly Keyword 10/12 83.3%

• Monthly Motif 10/12 83.3%

• Literary Escapes 17/51 33.3% *

• Nonfiction Bingo 16/25 64%

• Graphic Novels 52/52 100% **

• Dancing with Fantasy and Science Fiction 18/52 34.6% *

• Horror 9/10 90%

• Cloak and Dagger 6/25 24%

• Romance 10/10 100% **

• Historical Fiction 10/10 100% **

• Creativity 2/10 20%

Total Challenges 5/22 22.7%

Total Reading Slots 437/639 68.4%

* - Needs Work
** - Doing a Great Job

Comments: Overall I think I’m doing really well this year. I signed up for a ton of reading challenges and had really big plans. I knew things would fall short, but I’m excited about the progress. In this last two months I’m hoping to finish at least three more challenges.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 9

Title: The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 9

Author: Kieron Gillen; Jamie Mckelvie; Matt Wilson

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After five years, we reach the final volume. We go not gentle into that good night, but go driving a converted tank, covered in glitter and spangles, with a soundsystem audible from Mars blaring nothing but bangers. Gods, pop stars, an ending. We'll miss you.
Collects THE WICKED +THE DIVINE #40-45

Another series ender. I guess October has been the month of comics series ending… I loved the ending of this series. We finally get clarification about the beginning of this sequence, plus an awakening from so many of the characters. And we even get the return of a few characters. Hello Lucifer! I wasn’t quite as sold on the last issue’s time jump, but it still felt relevant to the story and characters. I’m so sad to see this series end.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Spooky Movie Month has been so much fun, but it’s sometimes really hard to keep J on track. He wanders too much in his viewing habits.

• Lots of comics series ending this month. Weird feeling.

• Hoping to knock out at least one more spooky book before the month ends. And I’m sure a few will bleed into November.

• Looking forward to crop day on Sunday. People are actually coming!!!

• Really need to get on making two Halloween cards for the twins.

• Speaking of, need to finish paying their semester school bill this week.

• Flu shots! Really need to work these into our schedule this week or next.

• I had to make another car appointment. The technician decided to tell me after I checked out on Monday that I need to do a brake fluid flush and some other things. Ugh! Another trip to the dealership and the only non-afternoon appoint was next Monday.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Walking Dead Vol. 32

Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 32: Rest in Peace

Author: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, Cliff Rathburn, Dave Stewart

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Comics

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

The Commonwealth and Alexandria have joined forces but at what cost to Rick? Collects THE WALKING DEAD #187-193.

We have finally come to the end… and I’m a little disappointed. I read the afterward from Robert Kirkman and understand his reasons for ending the series the way he did. However, I was still a little thrown by the time jump for the last issue. I wasn’t quire sure that I wanted to see the surviving people that many years in the future. And yet, I still found myself enjoying this last trade. It was a nice ending to a very very very long series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Title: Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Author: J. Ryan Stradal

Publisher: Penguin 2015

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 312

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Minnesota

When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine—and a dashing sommelier—he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter—starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva’s journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience.

Out book club selection for this month. I had wanted to read this one before reading Stradal’s new book, The Lager Queen of Minnesota. But I wasn’t quite sure what this one was really about. I dove in and after three chapters, finally got the hang of this book. The narration jumps around a bit in narrations and constantly jumps forward in time. And yet, Stradal has done so well in the continuity that I wasn’t annoyed like I usually am. Instead, I was fully immersed in the interconnected stories of the various characters created by Stradal. I especially loved the chapters focusing on Braque and Pat. Beyond the characters, the focus on food was amazing. Stradal deftly combines simple food with larger stories of growing up and finding yourself. In fact, I’m still processing this book. I’m so wrapped up in the storyline, I’m savoring the explorations of food. And I really need to make my own desert bars.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Lady Antebellum "Ocean"

Really loving this new song.

Life Right Now #30

On my bedside table: A Dream About Lightning Bugs by Ben Folds; The Walking Dead Vol. 32

On my TV: Continuing our spooky October movie month. A few new-to-me movies and a lot of rewatches.

Listening to: Lots and lots of podcasts of course. I’m really looking forward to starting Unobscured Season 2 about Spiritualism. Hoping I can find some time.

On the menu:

• Monday - Spinach and Blue Cheese Chicken

• Tuesday - Spicy Lentil Nachos

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Monterrey Chicken Skillet

• Friday - Coconut Curry Noodle Bowls

• Saturday - Irish Nachos

• Sunday - Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza

On my to do list: I have no idea right this minute. Goodness… I know I have things that need to get done. Guess I need to check with my big to do list.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Car appointment; RnR Construction

• Tuesday - Tinkergarten; Halloween at The Durham

• Wednesday - Park Playdate; Vala’s; Book Club

• Thursday - RnR Gym

• Friday - Trick or Treating at OCM

• Saturday - Various Halloween activities to choose from

• Sunday - Crop Day

What I am creating: I knocked out the classroom Halloween cards yesterday. I want to make a few more Halloween cards this week before moving on to Christmas cards next weekend.

My simple pleasures: Loving the few minutes of peace that I can find each day.

What I’m planning: I’m finalizing the Halloween classroom party plans and starting to think about Christmas activities.

Looking around the house: The playroom is yet again a disaster. Really need to clean it this week. We will have to rake some leaves and probably move the grass (one last time) next weekend.

Looking forward to: All the fun Halloween activities coming this week.

From the camera: Loving the chicken piano at Vala’s.

Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Title: Fantasticland

Author: Mike Bockoven

Publisher: Skyhorse 2016

Genre: Horror

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Random TBR

Since the 1970s, FantasticLand has been the theme park where "Fun is Guaranteed!" But when a hurricane ravages the Florida coast and isolates the park, the employees find it anything but fun. Five weeks later, the authorities who rescue the survivors encounter a scene of horror. Photos soon emerge online of heads on spikes outside of rides and viscera and human bones littering the gift shops, breaking records for hits, views, likes, clicks, and shares. How could a group of survivors, mostly teenagers, commit such terrible acts?

Presented as a fact-finding investigation and a series of first-person interviews, FantasticLand pieces together the grisly series of events. Park policy was that the mostly college-aged employees surrender their electronic devices to preserve the authenticity of the FantasticLand experience. Cut off from the world and left on their own, the teenagers soon form rival tribes who viciously compete for food, medicine, social dominance, and even human flesh. This new social network divides the ravaged dreamland into territories ruled by the Pirates, the ShopGirls, the Freaks, and the Mole People. If meticulously curated online personas can replace private identities, what takes over when those constructs are lost?

I went into this book knowing very little about the actual premise and I’m glad that I went in a bit blind. It made the events at Fantasticland that much more horrifying. This was a very quick read. I was desperate to get to each next interview and find out the next phase of the events in the park. Parts are very disturbing (as they should be given the subject matter), but are told in such a way that are easy to read. I loved the interview format to recall the events in question. It reminded me very much of World War Z in that way. I loved the building suspense throughout the pages, but was a bit disappointed in the ending. There were so many unanswered questions. I would have liked to know more. Still it was a perfectly horrifying novel for this spooky October.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Title: The Broken Girls

Author: Simone St. James

Publisher: Berkley 2018

Genre: Thriller / Horror

Pages: 334

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Vermont

Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears....

Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan's elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced....

This was the Girly Book Club selection for October and it is absolutely the perfect read for the month! I really really loved this page. St. James blends a murder mystery (well three actually) and a ghost story to create the perfect blend of thriller and horror book. I immediately fell for the 1950 storyline. The atmosphere was perfect for the plot. I felt very claustrophobic, just like the girls stuck at Idlewild. I was terrified of turning my head and seeing Mary Hand standing in my bedroom. Very scary! I loved the suspenseful moments sprinkled throughout. The modern storyline was not as good, at least for the first half of the book. I wasn’t a fan of Fiona, but she started to grow on me once we dove deeper into her emotions and goals. Once she met with Margaret Eden, I was finally onboard with Fiona’s story. From there, the book kicked into high gear and didn’t stop until the last page. Loved it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bats and Ghosts and Videos

Yeah, That’s about right.

This looks sufficiently scary.

Very gothic horror to this one.

Rat Queens Vol. 6

Title: Rat Queens Vol. 6: The Infernal Path

Author: Kurtis Wiebe; Owen Gieni

Publisher: Image

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The further adventures of the booze guzzling, death dealing battle maidens-for-hire in the business of killing all the gods’ creatures for profit. Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric, Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief and Braga the Orc Princess.
RAT QUEENS is a modern spin on an old school genre, a monster killing epic with a twisted sense of humor. Collects RAT QUEENS Volume 2 #11-15 and NEON STATIC SPECIAL

Hmmm… I’m a bit disappointed in this volume of issues. I just don’t feel the same joy as I did at the beginning of this series. The storyline has become a bit convoluted and hard to follow. I am not loving some the choices for characters. And the art has gone down a bit. I really loved the art style in the beginning. I imagine that I will pick up the next trade when it publishes, but I won’t rush out for it.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4)

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson 2019

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 464

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've encountered before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

Am I mad that I called the villain and the ending at about page 150? Nope, because I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and especially these characters. The series is the right blend of adventure and horror. I love all the real historical references mixed in with our fictional story. The plot constantly twists and turns but not in a ridiculously annoying way. I enjoyed the roller coaster. But my favorite part of these book and ultimately the series is the relationship between Audrey Rose and Thomas. Oh so incredibly sweet! I am sad to reach the end of their story, but it was a great journey.

Stalking Jack the Ripper:

• #1 Stalking Jack the Ripper

• #2 Hunting Prince Dracula

• #3 Escaping from Houdini

• #4 Capturing the Devil

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Badflower "The Jester"

Octane has been loving this song lately and so have I!

Life Right Now #29

On my bedside table: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman; The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

On my TV: It’s scary movie month, so lots of movies!

Listening to: My usual podcasts. I also started The Habitat podcast.

On the menu:

• Monday - Leftovers

• Tuesday - Sausage and Mango Grilled Cheese

• Wednesday - Spicy Lentil Nachoes

• Thursday - Fish and Chips

• Friday - Leftovers

• Saturday - Apple, Cheddar, and Pastrami Grilled Cheese

• Sunday - Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza

On my to do list: Recover the house from the party yesterday, plan on the Halloween party (Arthur’s class), various errands, library book drop, and many of things I’m sure.

Happening this week: Arthur is on Fall Break Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday so we planned some fun activities.

• Monday - RnR Art Class; Book Fair Volunteering

• Tuesday - Arthur’s Birthday!!; Tinekrgarten; Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Wednesday - Children’s Museum

• Thursday - Vala’s

• Friday - Treetop Adventures

• Saturday - Vala’s with J

• Sunday - Omaha Symphony

What I am creating: Nothing at the moment. I finished the birthday party crafts, so I’m taking a break. Next week I need to work on the Halloween party, Christmas cards, and Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Resting my feet after a long day. good punch, reading time

What I’m planning: Halloween party activities and crafts

Looking around the house: I need to finish putting away the party supplies and vaccuum the house.

Looking forward to: Our trip to the Treetop Adventures!

From the camera: an astronaut and a robot!

Paper Girls Vol. 6

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 6

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

Publisher: Image 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After surviving adventures in their past, present and future, the Paper Girls of 1988 embark on one last journey, a five-part epic that includes the emotional double-sized series finale. Featuring a new wraparound cover from Eisner Award-winning co-creator CLIFF CHIANG, which can be combined with the covers of all five previous volumes to form one complete mega-image!

Somehow I did not get the memo that this was the last trade for the series. These pages contain the four girls’s storylines coalescing in a conclusion. I felt like I was on a runaway train unable to stop the inevitable crash. But it was such a thrilling ride! I really enjoyed how the four girls eventually fulfilled their own adventures. Sad to see this series end.

Next up on the TBR pile: