Throwback Thursday - Redwall

Why mess with a good thing.  Another Thursday is here with another one of my childhood favorites! However, I have never actually finished this series despite my love for the first book. It might have to be a series I pick back up next year to finally finish.  It is quite an adorable read.

Original Publishing Date: 1986

Publisher: Hutchinson (UK) & Philomel (US)

Author: Brian Jacques

Series: Redwall

As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of Redwall. This dazzling story in the Redwall series is packed with all the wit, wisdom, humor, and blood-curdling adventure of the other books in the collection, but has the added bonus of taking the reader right back to the heart and soul of Redwall Abbey and the characters who live there.

I do remember the animated series from when I was kid, though I can't honestly recall any specific episode.  Redwall is a book that I've passed down to all my cousins that love reading.  It's a book I've re-read several times with the idea of marathoning the series, but for some reason never do. I honestly don't know why, I really do love this first book.

Has any one actually finished this series?  Should I give it another go?

Waiting on Wednesday - A Taste of Monsters

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that book bloggers are eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Author: Matthew J. Kirby

Series: Stand Alone

IT’S LONDON 1888, and Jack the Ripper is terrorizing the people of the city. Evelyn, a young woman disfigured by her dangerous work in a matchstick factory, who has nowhere to go, does not know what to make of her new position as a maid to the Elephant Man in the London Hospital. Evelyn wants to be locked away from the world, like he is, shut in from the filth and dangers of the streets. But in Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, she finds a gentle kindred who does not recoil from her and who understands her pain. When the murders begin, however, Joseph and Evelyn are haunted nightly by the ghosts of the Ripper’s dead, setting Evelyn on a path to facing her fears and uncovering humanity’s worst nightmares.

What's everyone else's pick this Wednesday?!

Throwback Thursday - Matilda

So after last week I couldn't help but throw up another favorite book from my childhood.  I've read the book, seen the movie, and can't wait to see the Broadway play.


Original Publishing Date: June 1, 1999
Publisher: Puffin
Author: Roald Dahl
Series: Stand Alone

Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

I have read almost, if not all, Roald Dahl book out there.  They were some of my favorites growing up, and it was pretty awesome that they made the BFG into a movie this year.  My favorite book is James and the Giant Peach.

Anyone else have a favorite Roald Dahl book?

Waiting for Wednesday - The Women in the Walls

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that book bloggers are eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Author: Amy Lukavics

Series: Stand Alone

Lucy Acosta's mother died when she was three. Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They're inseparable—a family. 

I'm waiting on this one until October.  It feels like a good Halloween time read.  Fall always feels like a good time to read a spooky book.

So what's everyone else waiting on this Wednesday?

Throwback Thursday - The Phantom Tollbooth

When I was making my list of books to post about this month I couldn't believe that one of my favorite childhood books hadn't made the list yet.  I was always the weird kid growing up with my nose buried inside of book, and being able to spout odd facts because I read and loved the History Channel.  Oddly enough very little has changed since I've gotten older.  This book was one of my favorites because I was that weird kid.  Heck, I'm still that weird kid.  Only now I've embraced it and don't let it old me back.

Original Publishing Date: 1961

Publisher: Epstein & Carroll

Author: Norton Juster

Series: Stand Alone

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams. . .

What other childhood favorites do you guys have?

Waiting on Wednesday - Cold-Forged Flame

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming release that book bloggers are eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: September 13, 2016

Publisher: Tor

Author: Marie Brennan

Series: Ree Varekai #1

The sound of the horn pierces the apeiron, shattering the stillness of that realm. Its clarion call creates ripples, substance, something more. It is a summons, a command. There is will. There is need.
And so, in reply, there is a woman.

I'm super excited for a new series from Marie Brennan now that I saw that the Lady Trent Series is coming to an end.  Super excited to jump into a new world that she's created, but first I'd like to catch up on the Lady Trent books.  Then I'll let myself buy this one.

So what's everyone else waiting on this week??

Most Anticipated - September Edition

This was one of those books that I sort of stumbled across through Goodreads, and I'm not entirely certain how I got there.  It was way back in the Spring when I added this book to my shelves.  Since then I've heard nothing but good things from those lucky to get an advanced copy of this.  So of everything hitting shelves in September, Three Dark Crowns is definitely on the top of my list.

Release Date: September 20, 2016

Author: Kendra Blake

Series: Three Dark Crowns #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

What's everyone else looking forward to reading this month?

August Wrap Up

MEH! August was not my month.  Not in my personal life or in my reading life.  Even work was kind of rocky this month.  It was honestly the month that kept on giving.  All of it sort of left me not in the mood to read.  Luckily I had committed myself to participating in Bout of Books 17.  I managed to finally pick up a book and finish it in the week.  Slowly things have started to get better.  I'm hoping the worst of my bad luck is over.  I have a good stack of books to work through this month.

Books Read: 1

Pages Read: 532

BINGO Books(s): 1 (500+ pages)

Favorite Book: N/A

Least Favorite Book: N/A

DNFs: N/A

The goal for September is to get back on track with my reading. While in my small reading slump I did some book buying and was lucky enough to win some new ones as well.  So I can't complain about having enough to read this month.

So how was everyone else month?  Better than mine I hope!

Throwback Thursday - The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm

So this week I'm throwing up a book that has a lot of fond memories for me.  I discovered this book while on vacation with my parents to visit some family in Texas.  Part of me want to says I found at some outdoor market we were out, and a bigger part of me says that I had to beg for it.  That night while the adults talked, I know I was twelve because my brother was not quite born yet, I curled up and started this book. By the time I was told to go to bed I had it finished.  Then I read it again on the trip home.  A few years ago I around this book at Half Price Books and couldn't pass it up.  I remember loving this book and the three main characters.  Now that I'm sitting here writing, I should be it back up for a reread soon.

Original Publishing Date: October 1, 1995

Publisher: Puffin

Author: Nancy Farmer

Series: Stand Alone

General Matsika's children steal out of the house on a forbidden adventure--and disappear. In Zimbabwe, in the year 2194, the children's parents call in Africa's most unusual detectives--the Ear, the Eye and the Arm--who have powers far beyond those of other human beings. The children must avoid the evils of the past, the technology of the future, and a motley assortment of criminals in order to return home safely. 1995 Newbery Honor Book; ALA Notable Book; ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Anyone else have a favorite 90s Young Adult, or Middle Grade, Sci-Fi book that's near and dear to them?