Taste of Marrow by Sarah Gailey

Title: Taste of Marrow (River of Teeth #2)

Author: Sarah Gailey

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Monthly Motif - Diversify Your Reading; Literary Escapes - Louisiana

A few months ago, Winslow Houndstooth put together the damnedest crew of outlaws, assassins, cons, and saboteurs on either side of the Harriet for a history-changing caper. Together they conspired to blow the dam that choked the Mississippi and funnel the hordes of feral hippos contained within downriver, to finally give America back its greatest waterway.

Songs are sung of their exploits, many with a haunting refrain: "And not a soul escaped alive."

In the aftermath of the Harriet catastrophe, that crew has scattered to the winds. Some hunt the missing lovers they refuse to believe have died. Others band together to protect a precious infant and a peaceful future. All of them struggle with who they've become after a long life of theft, murder, deception, and general disinterest in the strictures of the law.

I finally picked up the continuation of the story started in River of Teeth and I really enjoyed it. I loved Gailey’s reimagining of Louisiana complete with domesticated and feral hippos. I loved reading about the parallel journeys of Houndstooth, Archie, Adelia, and Hero. Thankfully we also get many appearances from their hippo companions and a reappearance of some interesting side characters. Definitely a good little read!

River of Teeth

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

Next up on the TBR pile:

NE-SD Road Trip Day #2

A few weeks ago, I had an idea to go one a two day road trip out to west Nebraska and back using the Nebraska Passport program as a guidebook. J chimed in questioning how much farther it would be to visit Mount Rushmore. Umm… like another 5 hours driving. This conversation continued and evolved into a 5 day, 4 night road trip through Nebraska, up to the Mount Rushmore area, back through South Dakota, and down hone. After deciding on a big plan, I got to work finding lots of optional activities and sites to see. I’m huge into weird roadside attractions and offbeat sites and made sure to include a ton in my planning. We just got back from our trip this weekend and now it’s time to document our trip. I plan on doing a mini scrapbook album with pictures and ephemera, but first I’m going to document our travels here.

Day #2: North Platte, NE to Custer, SD

Stop #1: Sinclair Dinosaur, North Platte, NE - We have a few Sinclair Gas Stations in Omaha, but ours do not have the dinosaur outside. We had to snap a pic!

Stop #2: Buffalo Bill’s House at Scouts Rest Ranch, North Platte, NE - I wanted to tour the house, but it didn’t open until 10am and we couldn’t wait. I still got to check out the outside.

Stop #3: Golden Spike Tour, North Platte, NE - We went up to the top of the tower to check out Bailey Yard. Q loves trains, so this was a must stop! The wooden train out back was a highlight.

Stop #4: Petrified Wood Gallery, Ogallala, NE - Another hidden gem of a museum. I would have loved to spend much more time there, but alas, we have small children. Across the street was the Front Street Museum. We didn’t go in, but I did snap a pic.

Stop #5: Mansion on the Hill, Ogallala, NE - Nebraska Passport stop. I love architecture, so I had to take some pics.

Stop #6: Boot Hill Cemetery, Ogallala, NE - Right next door was the Boot Hill Cemetery. A super hidden gem! All of the informational signs were great reads. And we randomly met a couple from Greensburg IN there. Small world!

Stop #7: Chimney Rock National Monument, Bayard, NE - Who remember’s passing Chimney Rock while playing Oregon Trail? We had to take a short detour to see the real thing! There was a cute little museum/visitor center with amazing views of the monument. Arthur was fascinated by the “Beware of Rattlesnakes” signs scattered around. He even got a stuffed rattlesnake as a souvenir.

Stop #8: Lunch at Corner Cafe, Bayard, NE - Cute little cafe serving basic diner food. Our waitress was amazing and the kids loved her!

Stop #9: Carhenge, Alliance, NE - Of course we had to stop her so I could experience the amazing roadside-ness of Carhenge! Q loved the dinosaur, but was confused that he couldn’t move any of the cars.

Stop #10: Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron, NE - We didn’t inside as it was closing, but i had to get a pick of the antler archway and the historical monument.

Stop #11: The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, SD - Highlight of the entire trip! Seriously, this was absolutely amazing! The building houses an active paleontological dig site focused on a sinkhole. The tour was informative and interesting. I think we could have spent hours there.

Stop #12: Dinner at Big Time Pizza, Hot Springs, SD - We went for pizza this night. J and I shared the Buffalo Stampede (pepperoni, sweet onions, jalapeno, and buffalo meat). Not quite better than the spicy pizza we get from Piezon down the street, but still really good.

Stop #13: Wind Cave National Park, SD - Not actually a stop, but we drove through Wind Cave National Park on the way to our hotel and passed a herd of bison! None of my pictures really turned out that great, but it was amazing to see bison in the wild. Such amazing creatures!

Stop #14: Bavarian Inn, Custer, SD - Most of the hotels I booked were boring chains, but this night’s stay was at a cute independently owned hotel tucked into the hills in Custer. The room was spacious (to sleep all 6 of us), adorable, and clean. They had a great indoor pool and lobby area. They were even piping in jazzy cover music in the lobby and parking lot. If you’re in the area, make sure to book a room here!

NE-SD Road Trip Day #1

Day #1: Omaha, NE to North Platte, NE

Stop #1: Covered Wagon abandoned store near Milford, NE - Random roadside attraction I needed to see! Right off of I-80, exit 382

Stop #2: Clayton Museum of Ancient History at York College, York, NE - Hidden gem of a museum. Artifacts are from a private collection. Plus there was a kid’s interactive area. Always a plus when traveling with kiddos.

Stop #3: Random backyard zoo in York, NE - I snagged a pic of the giraffe, but there was also a zebra, lion, hippo, cow skeleton, and a few others.

Stop #4: Lee’s Marbles in York, NE - Another random hidden gem. This is an antique store, junk shop, and marble museum. Arthur got a free bag of marbles from the owner.

Stop #5: Harvard Jail in Harvard, NE - Check out the story featured in the historical marker. We had to see this tiny jail once owned by a dummy!

Stop #6: Birth of Kool-Aid, Hastings, NE - I had to take a pic of the building that birthed Kool-Aid. We traveled about a mile away to see the Kool-Aid Man’s footprints at the Hastings Museum (we didn’t go in, just checked out the outside). Also there, I snapped a pic of a statue of the Martin Brothers. In 1864, these brothers were attacked by Native Americans and were pinned together by an arrow. They survived. Strange random story. Apparently there are multiple statues to these brothers all around the area. We personally found 4!!! of these statues and wonder if there are more…

Stop #7: Coney Island Lunch Room in Grand Island, NE - We had to eat here and compare to Coney Island in Fort Wayne. Decent coney dogs, but Fort Wayne is still a winner!

Stop #8: Wacky cars on poles, Grand Island, NE - Awesome roadside attraction!

Stop #9: Raising Nebraska exhibit at Fonner Park, Grand Island, NE - This is part of the permanent exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair grounds. We popped in to see the World’s Largest Pair of Overalls, but stayed to check out the other exhibits. Arthur and Quentin loved driving the combine!

Stop #10: The Archway, Kearney, NE - Our big museum stop of the day. The pictures I had seen made this museum look really cheesy, but we loved it. You follow the story of the west and specifically Nebraska across I-80 and back across. The audio tour was very interesting with a big story and lots of extra more specific stops. We didn’t explore all of the grounds, but there was more to see outside. Definite stop!

Stop #11: Pony Express Station, Gothenburg, NE - Great stop! This is an original Pony Express Station (moved from original location to this park), complete with mini museum and historical plaques. The lady working was very friendly and knowledgable. This was a quick stop (15 minutes probably), but a must see if you’re in the area.

Stop #12: Dinner at Switchyard in North Platte, NE

Stop #13: Fort Cody Trading Post, North Platte, NE - Very kitschy souvenir shop with random statues and wagons in the backyard. The big draw is the miniaturized recreation of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Plus they had a ton of other west artifacts. My favorite picture is the one of Arthur and Quentin in jail. Arthur told Q to “look sad.” This pic was the result!

And that concludes our packed Day 1!

Music Monday - Of Monsters and Men "Alligator"

Always love wha they put out!

Coffin Hill Vol. 1

Title: Coffin Hill Vol. 1: Forest of the Night

Author: Caitlin Kittredge, Inaki Miranda

Publisher: Vertigo 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Following a night of sex, drugs and witchcraft in the woods, Eve Coffin wakes up naked, covered in blood and unable to remember how she got there. One friend is missing, one is in a mental ward--and one knows that Eve is responsible.

Years later, Eve returns to Coffin Hill, only to discover the darkness that she unleashed ten years ago in the woods was never contained. It continues to seep through the town, cursing the soul of this sleepy Massachusetts hollow, spilling secrets and enacting its revenge.

Dark, depressing, and creepy - just how I like comics. The storyline was very interesting and weird. But what i really loved was the art. The creepy things in the volume were beautifully drawn. I especially loved the reveal of Mel’s inner self. I can’t wait to read volume two.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Umbrella Academy Vol. 2

Title: The Umbrella Academy Vol. 2: Dallas

Author: Gerard Way, Gabriel Ba

Publisher: Dark Horse Books 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The team is despondent following the near apocalypse created by one of their own and the death of their beloved mentor Pogo. So it's a great time for another catastrophic event to rouse the team into action. Trouble is, each member of the team is distracted by some very real problems of their own. The White Violin is bedridden due to an unfortunate blow to the head. Rumor has lost her voice - the source of her power. Spaceboy has eaten himself into a near-catatonic state, while Number Five dives into some shady dealings at the dog track and The Kraken starts looking at his littlest brother as the key to unraveling a mysterious series of massacres... all leading to a blood-drenched face-off with maniacal assassins, and a plot to kill JFK!

Another interesting volume featuring those kooky kids from The Umbrella Academy. I love how this takes place very shortly after volume 1, but we get a whole new story and adventure. In between reading volume 1 and 2, we watched season one of the television show. I found it interesting which elements from this volume they pulled into the series. Love how they expanded Hazel and Cha Cha into full fledged characters. Very entertaining!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Craftfulness by Rosemary Davidson

Title: Craftfulness: Mend Yourself by Making Things

Author: Rosemary Davidson, Arzu Tahsin

Publisher: Harper Wave 2019

Genre: Nonfiction Creativity

Pages: 198

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Creativity

Integrating mindfulness, neuroscience, positive psychology, and creativity research, Craftfulness offers a thought-provoking and surprising reconsideration of craft, and how making things with your hands can connect us to our deepest selves and improve our well-being and overall happiness.

We should get this out of the way: Craftfulness is not a “crafting book.” Rather, it is an investigation of the wisdom generations of men and women know to be true: that making things is a vital means of self-expression, self-realization, and self-help that sparks the mind, touches the soul, and rejuvenates the spirit.

I was intrigued by this book sitting on my library New Releases shelf. Unfortunately I found the delivery to be super dry. I just wasn’t super excited reading the passages. So not the best book I’ve picked up lately.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Cities by Monica Smith

Title: Cities: The First 6000 Years

Author: Monica L. Smith

Publisher: Viking 2019

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 304

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Nonfiction Bingo - 2019 Release

Cities is an impassioned and learned account full of fascinating details of daily life in ancient urban centers, using archaeological perspectives to show that the aspects of cities we find most irresistible (and the most annoying) have been with us since the very beginnings of urbanism itself. She also proves the rise of cities was hardly inevitable, yet it was crucial to the eventual global dominance of our species--and that cities are here to stay.

Oooof! I just wanted to love this book, but it was just way too long and dry for me. There were many sections that were fascinating. I loved when Smith dove into very specific examples of cities or archaeological digs. But then there was just too much filler to me. Those passages really turned me off to the book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Road Trip Videos

Exactly!

Sounds about right.

Super creepy looking. Must see.

Always up for these lists.

This might be interesting, especially with it being the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.

I cannot wait!

Intriguing…

Lumberjanes Vol. 4

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 4: Out of Time

Author: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen, Shannon Watters

Publisher: BOOM! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The mystery of history!

Jen just wants to have a normal lesson with her cabin, teaching Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley the basic survival skills needed without any supernatural intervention when a blizzard hits camp! Separated from her girls, Jen finds herself in more trouble than ever...until a mysterious stranger swoops in to save the day. Who is this taxidermist? What is her relationship to Rosie? Join Jen as she finds a way back to her girls, and a way to save the day!

Oooohhhhh such mystery in this volume. I am so intrigued by the history of the camp and the various people involved. We get to learn a bit more about Rosie and the bear woman. Plus, we get the appearance of a great beast! I seriously loved this volume so much!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lumberjanes Vol. 3

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 3: A Terrible Pain

Author: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen, Shannon Watters

Publisher: BOOM! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

If you got it, haunt it!

Trying to take advantage of the first quiet day at camp in a while, Mal and Molly's date takes a bizarre turn with the appearance of the bear woman! Back at camp, Jo, April, and Ripley must stay on their toes as they try to earn every badge possible which ends up being a lot harder than any of them ever planned.

Mal and Molly’s date was great Lumberjanes fun including so much more from the bear woman. Plus, we get at least part of the answer to the question “where did those raptors from the outhouse actually com from?” But really my favorite part of the volume was the adventures of April, Jo, and Ripley. Their antics attempting to earn the “boring” badges was hilarious. I especially love the cake decorating episode.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer Smith

Title: Field Notes on Love

Author: Jennifer Smith

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2019

Genre: YA Romance

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Women Authors; Romance

It's the perfect idea for a romantic week together: traveling across America by train.

But then Hugo's girlfriend dumps him. Her parting gift: the tickets for their long-planned last-hurrah-before-uni trip. Only, it's been booked under her name. Nontransferable, no exceptions.

Mae is still reeling from being rejected from USC's film school. When she stumbles across Hugo's ad for a replacement Margaret Campbell (her full name!), she's certain it's exactly the adventure she needs to shake off her disappointment and jump-start her next film.

A cross-country train trip with a complete stranger might not seem like the best idea. But to Mae and Hugo, both eager to escape their regular lives, it makes perfect sense. What starts as a convenient arrangement soon turns into something more. But when life outside the train catches up to them, can they find a way to keep their feelings for each other from getting derailed?

I picked this one up on the recommendation from Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy. And thankfully, this was a delight! I loved this story of two just graduated teens falling in love and finding themselves on a cross-country train. At times, I wanted a more sophisticated relationship, but then remembered that they are only 18. Readjusting my perspective and expectations, I sped through this story really enjoying every page. Lovely contemporary romance to fill my week.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - blink-182 "Blame It on My Youth"

Digging it!

Life Right Now #16

On my bedside table: Taste of Marrow by Sarah Gailey; City of Light by Rupert Christiansen

On my TV: We finished Good Omens on Thursday and it was so so good! As a follow-up, we made the twins watch the Quartermass remake featuring David Tennant. It was a very true remake of the original full of 1950s scifi-ness!

Listening to: I went back and started listening to the On the Front Porch podcast. I haven’t listened to every episode but have been working through some of them. I’m currently up to late 2017.

On the menu: Weird week as we’re going to be gone for most of it on a family road trip. So other than eating leftovers on Monday, I’ve not got an actual meal plan.

On my to do list: Finish packing! Really that’s the big one.

Happening this week: Road trip fun!

What I am creating: I got a few new cards finished (will be posting this week), and started a few others. But, I need my Stampin’ Up! shipment and it’s not going to arrive until after our road trip.

My simple pleasures: Iced coffee (seriously so in love with it right now), Q’s happiness over the Prehistoric Putt place, silly fun with the twins.

What I’m planning: The rest of the summer.

Looking around the house: We need to do a big clean sweep before leaving for the road trip. I don’t want to come home to a messy house.

Looking forward to: The road trip of course!

From the camera: Prehistoric Putt with the kiddos. Next time, we’re going to try one of the two other putts: Medieval Putt or Pirate Putt.

If, Then by Kate Hope Day

Title: If, Then

Author: Kate Hope Day

Publisher: Random House 2019

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Alphabet Soup - D; Literary Escapes - OR

In the quiet haven of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors find their lives upended when they begin to see themselves in parallel realities. Ginny, a devoted surgeon whose work often takes precedence over her family, has a baffling vision of a beautiful co-worker in Ginny’s own bed and begins to doubt the solidity of her marriage. Ginny’s husband, Mark, a wildlife scientist, sees a vision that suggests impending devastation and grows increasingly paranoid, threatening the safety of his wife and son. Samara, a young woman desperately mourning the recent death of her mother and questioning why her father seems to be coping with such ease, witnesses an apparition of her mother healthy and vibrant and wonders about the secrets her parents may have kept from her. Cass, a brilliant scholar struggling with the demands of new motherhood, catches a glimpse of herself pregnant again, just as she’s on the brink of returning to the project that could define her career.

At first the visions are relatively benign, but they grow increasingly disturbing—and, in some cases, frightening. When a natural disaster threatens Clearing, it becomes obvious that the visions were not what they first seemed and that the town will never be the same.

I grabbed this book because of a description in Book Pages. And unlike some of my previous reads this month, I loved the weird nature of the storyline. I really dove into the world of small town Oregon and the interconnecting lives. It took me a bit to sort through what was actually going on, but once I did, I was thoroughly invested. I loved every single one of the main characters. They aren’t super likable at times, but that’s what makes them human. I was rooting for them to make good choices and survive until the end. I sped through this book almost in one sitting because I could not put it down!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Secrets of the Greek Revival by Eva Pohler

Title: Secrets of the Greek Revival (Mystery House #1)

Author: Eva Pohler

Publisher: Green Press 2015

Genre: Horror

Pages: 331

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors; Horror

Ellen and her two best friends share a mid-life crisis by hatching a plan to renovate an 1860's Greek revival in the nearby historic district of San Antonio. Although Ellen isn’t one to believe in ghosts, she comes face to face with something inexplicable in the attic. Her ghost-enthusiast friends convince her that they must help the spirit find closure, and as they dig deeper into the past, they uncover a shocking history that someone in the neighborhood doesn’t want exposed. But Ellen and her friends don't give up easily. They realize they've been called to give voice to the invisible women who suffered behind the walls of the house for decades.

This book, hmmm… It wasn’t what I was expecting. That disconnect probably caused a massive reduction in stars for me. I went in thinking this was going to be a horror book full of ghosts and long-kept secrets. And we only get long-kept secrets. Plus there needs to be some serious content warnings due to sexual assault. I was turned off my the descriptions of those. If this is the style of the series, I’m not going to continue reading these.

The Mystery House:

#1 Secrets of the Greek Revival
#2 The Case of the Abandoned Warehouse
#3 French Quarter Clues
#4 The Hidden Tunnel

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Getting so excited for our road trip next week… But, we need to get through the rest of this week first.
Cold brew has been a lifesaver during these high temps.
I might be getting my creative mojo back.
Finally got to see Captain Marvel and it was everything I wanted! So so good!
Meal planning might be the death of me. I keep having to do it and it’s annoying to me.
So much screaming from the two littles this week. I just can’t.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Title: Beautiful Ruins

Author: Jess Walter

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2013

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 337

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Cover; Historical Fiction

The acclaimed, award-winning author of the national bestseller The Financial Lives of the Poets returns with his funniest, most romantic, and most purely enjoyable novel yet. Hailed by critics and loved by readers of literary and historical fiction, Beautiful Ruins is the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962...and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later.

This was our book club selection for June. I had heard great things about this one and put it on our suggestions list. Unfortunately it just didn’t land with me. I was pretty bored with the storyline. Not a huge fan of the jumping back and forth and every which way in time. I don’t mind books that alternate, but I think there were too many time periods in this one. I couldn’t ground myself in one time period. And I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters. Pasquale was a good character, but I couldn’t stand Claire or Shane or even really Dee. Lots of people doing not-so-nice things to others. Even Alvis was not a likable character. I just didn’t really enjoy this one at all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #10

Reading: Craftfulness by Rosemary Davidson; If, Then by Kate Hope Day

Watching: Good Omens - J and I absolutely love the book and couldn’t wait to watch the TV adaptation. We’re four episodes in and loving it so much! They got the tone right and more importantly, the casting! David Tennant and Michael Sheen are great counterpoint characters.

Listening: Unobscured from Aaron Mahnke about the Salem Witch Trials. I’ve listened to the actual episodes so now I’m moving on to the historian interviews.

Feeling: Ready to go on our road trip! Okay, not really, but getting close. I still need to take care of some tasks and obviously we need to pack. But I’ve got our itinerary set and my lists made.

Planning: Working on getting our weekend activities sorted. We have many things on the calendar right now. Just need to wrap my brain around the schedule.

Loving: I picked up a bottle of cold brew last week at the store. I want my coffee fix in the morning, but summer is just too hot to sit over a mug of hot coffee. Cold brew is a perfect substitution!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Catfish and the Bottlemen "Longshot"

Another Alt Nation favorite to enjoy.