Book Mail

I got some of my favorite kind of book mail yesterday, the kind I forgot I ordered. A few weeks ago while I was sorting through shelves, I realized I didn't own all of Edgar Cantero's book. In fact, I was missing my favorite one, Supernatural Enhancements. There was a reason for that, I am not a fan of the paperback cover. So I put off adding to my collection, thinking I'd surely, at some point, find the hardback with the library cover. Because I was in love with that cover. Fast forward to maybe six years later, I still don't have it because it's become hard to find.

So, what do I do? Head to Google of course to see if someone is selling a copy. And, wouldn't you know I found a cute little shop on Etsy that was selling exactly what I needed. 

Then of course, because it was coming from Canada, time passed, and with work and me getting ready to go see my family the in Middle, I forgot I ordered anything. Until I went to check the mail and there was a book-shaped package in my mailbox. I was confused for half a second until I realized what it was. Finally, I get to add this to my shelves, but not after a quick little re-read. Because I remember absolutely loving this book, and it is the reason I've added Cantero's two other English books to my shelves.

So a huge thank you to Novel Realms Used Books on Etsy, you can find them here! Because look at this thing! Ugh, I have so many books I want to read, but now I just really want to re-read this one!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine.

Groundhog Day meets Guardians of the Galaxy in Django Wexler’s laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.

HAPPY READING!!

April's Silent Book Club

Another great turnout with lots of returning faces! I'm happy people are enjoying these meet-ups, and I've also been enjoying seeing what everyone is reading. Honestly, this was the last day I even had the energy to pick up anything to read. My week got busy! This is one of the reasons I really like the idea of Silent Book Club. I at least know I'll have this one day, one hour, to bust through what I've been reading, or maybe just start something new.

Don't worry if you missed the April meet-up, we'll be doing it again on May 15! We'll still be taking over Leftcraft from 7pm to 9pm. So you can over Instagram to @silentbookclubedmonds for more information! Or RSVP through the Bookclubs app! Hope to see you all in May!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes the cover initially catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Between her careless mom, her cheating ex-boyfriend, and her rotten reputation around town, Annie Lane is used to being left behind. But she’s never been left for dead before—until she wakes up to find her body’s been dumped on a mountain rumored to raise the dead.

Annie can’t remember who killed her, but she’ll stop at nothing to figure it out and make them pay. Because girls like her don’t get justice unless they take it for themselves.

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

Okay, this was almost a three, nearly two-star book. What drew me into this was the idea of the story as a whole. This wasn't about the victim of the crime or the do-er, it was about the parent. And for me, that was an interesting point of view to have through the case. Because it was the mother trying to solve the crime. No, it's not a spoiler, the title of the book gives it away. The second thing was it's read by AJ Cook, I was sold basically with just that fact alone. And this book starts off with a bang and I was sucked in and listened to it while I was doing my opening duties at work, while I did housework, but at about the half mark, I started to fade with this. But I was told by a friend to keep going, get through the hump of doubt, and the ending will be worth it. It was a hundred percent. In fact, I had to listen to the ending twice! It smacked me right out of left field because I was so focused on the mother, on Chloe, that I forgot to think about anything else. So for that ending alone four stars! 

Cassandra Khaw's book always calls me. From the absolutely stunning covers to the actual synopsis of the books, yet for some reason, I've never picked one up. Despite the fact, I'm pretty sure I own two of them. So while I was flipping through Libby the other day looking for a quick read to wind down after my shift, I stumbled across These Deathless Bones. It had no holds and was under a hundred pages. I was sold. I loved this and its cliffhanger ending. It's a weird little story about a stepmother who almost kind of wanted to love her stepson. But, maybe some children are born bad. I loved that we got dropped into the middle of the story right at the climax of what could have easily been another book. I loved that we sort of got a complete ending. To the point, you're stratified, but not at the same time. Like I totally could have used like twenty more pages. Also, I'm cool with not knowing because I can imagine all ended well, though it probably didn't. There was probably bloodshed. But, what this book really did was prove to me I really need to read the other books I own by Khaw because I really liked her storytelling style!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous at Breaking the Spine.

Get ready to solve the mystery at the heart of this middle grade adventure about family—and a house with a mind of its own.

Twelve-year-old Perigee has never met a problem they couldn’t solve. So when their Dad’s spirits need raising, Perigee formulates the perfect road trip to Dad’s childhood home to reunite him with his estranged mother. There's something in it for Perigee, too, as they will finally get to visit “Eklunds' Puzzle House,” the mysterious bed & breakfast their grandparents built but never opened. They arrive ahead of a massive storm and the House immediately puts Perigee’s logical, science-loving mind to the test. Corridors shift. Strange paintings lurk in the shadows. Encoded messages abound. Despite Perigee’s best efforts, neither the House nor Grandma will give up their secrets. And worse, prickly Grandma has outlawed games and riddles of any kind. Even the greatest of plans can crumble, and as new arguments fill the air, the House becomes truly dangerous. Deadly puzzles pop up at every turn, knives spin in the hallways, and staircases disappear. The answer lies at the heart of the House, but in order to find it, Perigee and their new friend Lily will need to solve a long-lost, decades-old riddle… if the House itself doesn’t stop them first.

Why I'm Waiting: This sounds like it'll be a lot of fun to read and unravel! 

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Be careful who you fall for...

Robbie and Trevor Cresmont have a body count—the killer kind. Handsome and privileged, the Crestmont brothers' have enough wealth to ensure they’ll never be found guilty of any wrongdoing, even if all of Happy Valley believes they're behind the deaths of their ex-girlfriends. First there was soccer star Victoria Moreno, Robbie’s ex, who mysteriously drowned at the family lake house. Then, a year later, Trevor’s girlfriend died of a suspicious overdose.

But the Crestmonts aren’t the only ones with secrets. Lauren O'Brian might be the new girl at school, but she's never been a good girl. With a dark past of her own, she's desperate for a fresh start. Except when she starts a no-strings-attached relationship with Robbie, her chance is put in jeopardy. During what’s meant to be their last weekend together, Lauren stumbles across shocking evidence that just might implicate Robbie.

With danger closing in, Lauren doesn't know who to trust. And after a third death rocks the town, she must decide whether to end things with Robbie or risk becoming another cautionary tale.

HAPPY READING!!

Book Haul

I went thrifting last week and came home with all kinds of treasures: a new blanket, some new glasses, and of course books. Honestly, I was surprised I found any books. This particular thrift store is kind of hit or miss on their book selection. It's not terrible, but not the usual type of read. But luck was on my side last week. Because I lucked on not only goodies but managed some work clothes as well. I work in a kitchen, so I prefer to get my work pants second-hand because I'm rough on them between deep cleans and grease. The bleach stains are real.

This haul is full of nostalgia! One of my favorite shows growing up was Eerie Indian, and I had no idea there were books attached to the show. So I couldn't pick this one up. Five Total Strangers has been on my TBR for at least a year. I can't decide if it's a curl-up in front of the fire read or a poolside read. But, I can sort that out once the pool opens. 

As for the R.L. Stone book, well he's been an auto-buy author for me since grade school. So I never turn down the chance to add more of his books to my shelves.

The Fright Time, I've never heard of the series. However, I remember some 90s young adult horror giving me the creeps as a kid. So this will be an interesting read if not a creepy one.  

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes the cover initially catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

A violent storm washes a mysterious house onto a rural Pacific Northwest beach, stopping the heart of the only woman who knows what it means. Her grandson, Simon Culpepper, vanishes in the aftermath, leaving two of his childhood friends to comb the small, isolated island for answers―but decades have passed since Melissa and Leo were close, if they were ever close at all.

Now they'll have to put aside old rivalries and grudges if they want to find or save the man who brought them together in the first place―and on the way they'll learn a great deal about the sinister house on the beach, the man who built it, and the evil he's bringing back to Marrowstone Island.

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

 

This was really good. I went into this not really knowing what to expect, and I feel like that was the best way to go about it. It has the setup of a typical vampire book, but yet it's kind of not. Because for half a second, I thought we might get a happy ending. I also like how this book was gritty without being gross. It all sort of meshed together. Along with the fact this story is being told years later, so you wonder how much this person really still remembers. It leaves you wanting more, but at the same time totally works for a short story because you need more. I definitely need to pick up more books by Polansky.

This was both very weird and very accurate. I work in a kitchen, have off and on from well over a decade, and I will say we have the weirdest eating habits. I also believe that kitchen staff would defend a wounded vampire. No I will not be taking questions at this time. This was my second book by Stephen Graham Jones, and I definitely liked it better than the Night Mannaquins. Part of it was a connected more with this main character more, and I really liked this story a lot more. Because I totally didn't realize it was a creature feature until nearly the end. And that ending. Loved it. I'll definitely be given this author more of try this year. I might even go back and re-read Night Mannaquins, give it a second a chance.

HAPPY READING!!

Reading Challenge Update

We're three months into 2024, and it seems like a good time to check in with reading challenges. This year's BINGO card is definitely harder than last year. Looking back I had a little over half the board crossed off, this time last year. While I've knocked quite a few squares off this year, I don't feel as confident I'll black out this board. Mostly because the 342 page square is haunting me. The Grim Reaper square is also giving me fits. While I've found a lot of books that feature a grim reaper, none are really books I read. So, that one's gonna require some digging. As for the others, eventually I'll manage them. At some point, it's still early enough in the year! 

I'm getting a slow start to the A to Z Challenge this year. While I have so many good, physical, books to read in my house, I've been reading on my Kindle mostly the last three months. I don't really have a good reason as to why. Mostly, that all of my library holds just keep coming in, and all of those are through Libby. Thus so many books on my Kindle. Though, I do have a couple of books on my shelf right now I'm itching to pick up. Both are fairly new additions, but I don't care.

I am kicking my Yearly Reading Goal ass though. At the currently standing I'm 22 books into this year, which is three books ahead of schedule according to Goodreads. Which considering in January I only mustered up the will to read two whole books, I'll take that win without complaint. At this point in the year I have no idea how my Pages Read Goal is going. Probably behind schedule since I've been reading a lot of novellas. But, again it's early in the year. So we'll see how the rest of 2024 unfolds. 

How is everyone else doing don't their reading goals so far?

HAPPY READING!!