Saturday, December 31, 2016

Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge - A Review




Publisher: Zest Books
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2016
Page Count: 112
Series: Stand Alone 
Genre: NonFiction
Author: J. Marin Younker

Riots over the medical use of cadavers. Public access to institutions for the insane. And full-blown surgeries without the aid of anesthetics or painkillers. Welcome to the middle ages of American medicine. Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge exposes the extraordinary practices and major players of American medical history, from the colonial era to the late 1800s. It’s hard to believe that today’s cutting-edge medicine originated from such crude beginnings, but this book reminds us to be grateful for today’s medical care, while also raising the question: what current medical practices will be the horrors of tomorrow?



I first heard about Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge thanks to one of my local bookstores.  They had the author J. Marin Younker out for a signing, and the title of the book, along with cover, sort of grabbed my attention.  Can't imagine why that would be...  Anyway, I clicked on the book to see what is about and was immediately bummed I'd missed the author event due to work. However, I was quick to snag a copy from the library.  

Despite the what the title might make people think, I really did enjoy this book.  Without a doubt there was some super gross moments, and I smart enough to not snack and read this book at the same time.  Cause yeah, the start of the medical profession was not something to learn about while eating. It's kind of like the Saw movies, only we thought we were helping each other.

Anyway!

My favorite part of about Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge is that it is in fact not written like a text book.  The chapters themselves flow very well and the information is told in a way that isn't dry, but it managed to keep my attention.  Also, I really enjoyed the little side comments that J. Marin Younker added from time to time.  It almost made it feel like you were sitting there listening to the her talk about this in person.  

The book itself was much smaller than I thought it would be, which was fine.  But, for some reason I had expected it to be a thicker book.  Instead it's bound a bit like a graphic novel.  Which for me personal was nice.  It meant each chapter, and section, flowed very quickly and there wasn't a lot of repetitive facts thrown at me. I never once set this book down and had to make myself pick it back.  The sort of gross aspect is what had me going back.  Not because it was gore, but because at the time we thought this was right way to heal people.  That by bleeding, blistering, puking, and purging the sickness, or evil, was being expelled.  

It's honestly a wonder any survived in the "Good Ole' Days" to be honest.

As for the book, I felt like J. Marin Younker did an amazing about a research, and that was apparent throughout the book.  Despite it's size, there is quite a bit of information spread throughout the books.  However, I never felt like I was overloaded with information.  Younker did a great job with keeping the timeline moving and expanding from one idea to the next.  On several occasion I fell asleep reading, which is a good thing in my world.  Means I was so fascinated I was forgoing sleep.

While, not the most traditional read around Christmas, it was good read for my packed schedule with work.  It wasn't overly large, was a fun and gory read (which I do like), and was easy to read in the few hours each day I had set aside.

I definitely enjoyed Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge.  It was an interesting read and I would definitely read another book by this author. I've already recommended this book to a couple of my friend who I think would find it fascinating.  I do want to warn, it has some visceral moments.  Not for the faint of of heart.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Christmas Book Haul

My love for books and reading is something I get from the women in my family.  I have memories of being read to my my mother and grandmother when I was younger, and trips to the library were always a treat.  It's a passion that has stayed with me as I grew up.  I mean that's why I have the blog.  Though, my love for books has expanded far more than my mother, Aunt, and Mim had ever thought it was.  At the moment the length is one wall of my room and a steamer trunk.  However, it doesn't stop them from feeding my passion.  My mother is the best at looking at my book list and finding books I haven't even heard of before.  This year was no exception.  As for my Aunt, well she's my biggest cheerleader when it comes to my other passion, writing.  Her Christmas gift was the kick in the pants I needed to start writing again after nearly a year of having dozen of excuses to be doing something else.

 Goodread's Page Goodread's Page Goodread's Page Goodread's Page

If you click each image it'll take you their Goodread's page!  

While I'm excited about all of them, especially Roads of Last Resort because the author hails from my home state, I'm thinking I'm going to have to start with The Secret history of Twin Peaks.  Mostly because the mini-series is about hit television soon, but also because the show Twin Peaks is something a love because of my mom.  She's always been the one introduce to my weird and unexplained.  So it feels right to start with that one.  The others will all be sitting on top of my list at the start of 2017.  Especially, America's Forgotten History, because compilations are pretty much my favorite type of  Non-Fiction.

Anyone else get books for Christmas?  

Which ones are you most excited to crack open?

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday - The X-Files Orgins


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


Release Date: January 3rd, 2017
Publisher: Imprint
Author: Kami Garcia
Series: The X-Files Orgins #1
Genre: Sci-Fi

The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos explores the teen years of Fox Mulder, the beloved character depicted in the cult-favorite TV show The X-Files. His story is set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news.



I've been a fan of X-Files for years now.  My best friend and flatmate got me into it, but I have to admit I'm a bit behind.  I haven't seen the special because of how behind I am.  My goal this summer is to get caught back up so I can start this series!  I'm definitely a Believer!!

Anyone got any other good Sci-Fi books on their list this week?  Or, a favorite epsisode?!

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Bout of Books 18

Bout of Books 18

The time has come! Bout of Books is nearly here!  In a less than a week the Bout of Books 18 will kick off, and I'll be joining it!  This will be my first Read-a-thon of the year.  It also happens to be one of my favorites. Bout is super low stress and a week long, which means I can fit it in with my work schedule.  Definitely a bonus!!

Don't know what Bout of Books is.  No worries!  Here it is:


The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 2nd and runs through Sunday, January 8th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 18 information and updates, be sure to

 Throughout the week there are mini challenges and a template to show your reading progress throughout the week.  Don't have a blog, no worries.  You can join via Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Google+, etc.  So basically you don't have a reason to not to read with us for Bout of Books 18.

If you need anymore anymore info you can hope on over to Bout of Books.  Their blog will answer all their questions! Happy reading, and don't forget to check back here to see my progress and my TBR!

Sunday, December 25, 2016

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!


Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  I hope it's spent with good food and family.  May you get all the books sitting on your TBR and a maybe a few that weren't!  Christmas Eve here is spent with the TV off and the books out!  My flatmate and I give each other one book that we'll think the other will love!  Today is spent with close friends and warm food, playing board games and watching movies!  May your day be full of happiness and books!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday - Mrs. Sherlock Holmes


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


Release Date: January 3rd, 2017
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Author: Brad Ricca
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: NonFiction

Mrs. Sherlock Holmes tells the true story of Grace Humiston, the detective and lawyer who turned her back on New York society life to become one of the nation’s greatest crime fighters during an era when women weren’t involved with murder investigations. After agreeing to take the sensational Cruger case, Grace and her partner, the hard-boiled detective Julius J. Kron, navigated a dangerous web of secret boyfriends, two-faced cops, underground tunnels, rumors of white slavery, and a mysterious pale man — in a desperate race against time.






So, it was a combination of the cover and the title that first drew me to this book.  The cover itself is gorgeous, and I'm a sucker for anything with the words Sherlock Holmes attached to them.  It was the synopsis however that kept this book on my mind.  I haven't seen a lot of stories about the first women to carry a badge in the USA, or really any other country.  So I'm excited to learn about Grace Humiston.  

3 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS! What is time?!

What's everyone packing up to read this holiday season??   




Friday, December 16, 2016

Most Anticipated - December Edition

Holy Monkeys, the days are getting away from me.  I always forget how busy my life right up before Christmas becomes.  Not that I can complain.  Shopping for my family at Christmas is one of my favorite things, and I love that bakery I work at has been crazy busy.  But, I finally found a few minutes to sit down and get this posted tonight.  The Hollow Men, hits all my favorite things when it comes to books I read.  It's a mystery novel and it's set in the UK.  The big bonus for this one is it feels like a "What if Watson was solving crime without Sherlock", and I'm all about that.  I do love me some John Watson.  So, I'm pretty excited to get my hands on this guy.


Release Date: December 20, 2016
Author: Rob McCarthy
Series: Dr. Harry Kent #1
Publisher: Pegasus Books

Dr. Harry Kent likes to keep himself busy—juggling hospital duties with his work as a police surgeon for the London Metropolitan Police—anything to ward off the memories of his time as an army medic.

Usually the police work means minor injuries and mental health assessments. But teenager Solomon Idris’s case is different. Idris has taken eight people hostage in a fast-food restaurant, and is demanding to see a lawyer and a BBC reporter. Harry is sent in to treat the clearly-ill teenager . . . before the siege goes horribly wrong.



I seriously cannot believe that 2016 is almost over!! So, what's everyone looking forward to reading this month? 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday - World, Chase Me Down


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

Release Date: January 24, 2017
Publisher: Penguin Books
Author: Andrew Hilleman
Genre: Historical Fiction / Western
Series: Stand Alone

A rousing, suspenseful debut novel True Grit meets Catch Me If You Can based on the forgotten true story of a Robin Hood of the American frontier who pulls off the first successful kidnapping for ransom in U.S. history. 





So, I'm waiting on this one because it's not normally a book I'd pick up.  In the past I haven't had real good luck reading fictional Westerns.  However, I'm a sucker for a book based on person history forgotten, even if they're a bad guy. So I'm interested in learning about Pat Crow and seeing the spin Andrew Hilleman puts on the man's story.  Definitely be one I'll putting on hold at the library.

Anyone have any good recs for Westerns I might like?

Or, just looking forward to something I need to added to my TBR?

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday - The Last Harvest


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


Release Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Author: Kim Liggit
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone

“I plead the blood.”

Those were the last words seventeen-year-old golden boy quarterback Clay Tate heard rattling from his dad's throat when he discovered him dying on the barn floor of the Neely Cattle Ranch, clutching a crucifix to his chest.





The book had being set in the Midwest, which is where I was raised.  Next it's horror, something I love, and the summary left my intrigued.  At the very least this is one I'll be picking up at my local library.  It sounds interesting, creepy, and like it might keep me up while reading.  Three of my favorite things when it comes to books like this.  

What's everyone else looking forward this week?  

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

November Wrap Up

I always seem to forget how time consuming moving is, and how much there is to it.  That's basically what I spent the entire month doing between my shifts was packing up my place.  Thank goodness I was moving with my roommate and there was two of us.  I'm pretty sure the packing would have never gotten done.  Our bakery was busier than we thought it would be at the start of the Holidays, but our business has soared.  So it left little room for reading time.  I did however squeeze in time to read two really good Graphic Novels this month and start a book I've been waiting for all year.  Christmas is right around the corner and I'm officially unpacked into my new place.  I love Christmas shopping and the whole Holiday Season.  So now I'm just getting back into a routine in my new place, and being so much closer to my job!  I also squeezed in one pretty awesome book event this month, too!!


This month Mary Robinette Kowel was out to one of my local bookstores to talk about her new book Ghost Talkers.  As I mentioned a few a posts ago, I have been looking forward to this book for quite some time.  I was lucky enough have her do a reading at another book signing a couple of years back.  My sister has read it already and adored it.  I honestly have no good reason as to why I haven't picked it up yet.  Except that my TBR pile so ridiculous.  The event itself was wonderful.  Mary Robinette Kowal is always a good time, though I was sad the shadow puppets weren't there. She had  a code for us to break, those that did received the postcard that I pictured. The front of the card is the cover of the book.  Which is beautiful!  It was a great night and I'm excited that maybe, just maybe, there could be more to the world of Ghost Talkers. 


Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 424
BINGO Book(s): 0
Favorite Book: NA
Least Favorite Book: NA
DNF: 0
Currently Reading: Gemina (The Illuminae Files #2)




Honestly, despite only knocking two books off my ever expanding TBR, November wasn't a bad month.  I'm only two books from my goal for the Goodreads Reading Challenge and I'm close to completing some person reading goals.  Work has been busy which is always a good thing!!  The book event was a good time and I'm super excited I was able to meet Mary Robinette Kowal.  Plus, I have some awesome new for Bookwish Whispers I'm excited to tell everyone!  But, that will have to wait.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and PIE!!  So how was everyone else months?!  Read anything that blew your mind?!