December TBR

Here is what I've learned about my TBR piles after a year of having them. They are nice to have when I have no idea what I want to read, but it's okay to walk away from them when other things catch your eye. This is exactly what happened last month. I had some great reads set for November, but other things fell into my lap and pulled my attention away from my TBR. Upside, I knocked a lot of books from my Netgalley Shelf. Downsides, I've still not read those books.

So what am I going to do for December? Easy. I asked another friend to go through my shelves and pick out four books. Of course, they zeroed on the one "Christmasy" book on my shelves, but I'm actually really excited for the other three they picked up. And, since one of the books they picked is actually the second in a series, I've already started to re-read the first book!

Also, on top of these books, I have two must-read books left on my Netgalley Shelf before I can download the new ones I received over the holiday weekend.

December TBR:

Of course, I'm going to hold on Krampus until we get a little closer to the Holidays, and I already have quite the queue to pick up that library later this week. Hopefully, I'll be back to work in a couple because our restrictions will be lifted, but at least I'll have something to do because I'm already getting sick of the TV.

What's everyone else reading in December? Any holiday favorites, or classics?

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

 

Delicates follows the adventures of 14-year-old Marjorie as she runs her family laundromat and navigates the increasingly complex friendship dynamics that come with getting older, while her ghost friend Wendell laments his inability to grow up.

HAPPY READING!!

Fairytales for Fearless Girls - Review

Author: Anita Ganeri

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: eBook

Pages: 128

Every so often I find a gem hidden in the shelves of my local library, this was one of them. I'm always a sucker for a book of Fairy Tales, particularly ones I've never heard of before. So I was excited when this came across my dash through my library's virtual shelves. However, this one kind of hit the middle of the road for me. 

Let's start with I liked it because there is a lot to like about these stories.

I loved how diverse these stories are. This is an around the world trip of girls who didn't wait in their towers to be rescued. They went out and found their own way, saved their families and their people, and found their own happy endings. It's a beautiful way to introduce young, and not so young, readers to the mythologies and stories of different cultures. 

The artwork that accompanies each story by Khoa Le is absolutely beautiful and adds a wonderful visual aspect to each story. I really liked that I was able to blow up each image with my digital version and get a better look at each. While the pieces are small, they are beautiful and give us a small glimpse of each of our fearless girls.

I really liked that not all of the girls had to find a husband to live happily ever after. Many were content with a place in court or going back to their families with riches. I was also impressed that not all of these girls were fighting evil, but some were just out-witted their foe who assumed because they were going up against women they would win.

Also, since I thought the stories were easy to follow and had been translated well. I know a lot of stories like this have been told through word of mouth more often than written down, but each story felt complete even if a few seemed to just suddenly end. Each felt a folk story with a moral, or story told before bed.

However, the stories themselves are just sort of thrown together, and I know there are only 15 of them in the book. I still felt like they could have been organized into some kind of order. The themes of the stories seemed to bounce around which for me made them feel a bit disjointed. Also, the book starts off with its weakest story in my opinion. I almost didn't read past it but told myself to give it one or two more stories, and I'm glad that I did. Because the stories did get better the farther in the book you get.

I might have given this another star if the stories had been gathered together by theme or categories. But, it made it hard to read this one sitting with the stories just sort of thrown into no real order.

Now, it does mean it's the perfect kind of bedtime book to read one or two stories each night. Which I did to offset a more depressing nonfiction read. So, in the end, I thought this was cute and enjoyed it and was glad I borrowed it from my local library.

HAPPY READING!!

Maniac - Review

Author: Harold Schechter

Genre: True Crime

Format: eBook 

Pages: 254

I received a digital copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is one of those books that you know how it's going to end when you start it. It's right there in the title that something horrid is going to happen. Still, as I got to the actual part of the book about the mass killing of school children in Bath, Michigan my heartbroken and couldn't stop reading until I actually finished the book. Though this is the second book I've read by Harold Schechter, this is the one that will stick with me for a while.

What I really liked about this book was how Harold Schechter wrote it. It isn't just facts thrown onto the page and organized in a dry timeline. Instead, Schechter tells the story in pieces. He lays the foundations by telling us the history of Bath, Michigan, and of the Kehoe family. As a reader, you get introduced to people in the town. It's written kind of like a puzzle where you get all the pieces and slowly you see the picture it's forming.

I also really liked that the chapters were small. Schechter draws you a picture of this moment and of this person, then moves on to the next. Sometimes with True Crime, I feel like there is a lot of reputation of facts or a reiteration of something that's already been established. That isn't the case with Maniac and that's what, in my opinion, made this so easy to read. It moves through the timeline of events leading up to the bombing and somehow builds a bit of suspense, at least for me since this is one true crime story I hadn't read.

Another thing I liked about Maniac was how it wasn't just about Andrew Kehoe, the man behind the bombing. Harold Schechter has a whole section about the aftermath of the bombing. He talks about the families, the town, and about other similar crimes that followed. Rarely in the true crime books I've read I have seen that. This wasn't just a book about what drove Kehoe to kill 38 school children, it was also about those that survived, and how this was the start of a horrid trend in our country. So I thought it was great that readers were able to see how Bath, Michigan moved from this terrible event, but never really forgot.

My only real negative about this book was there was a couple of chapters for me that felt like they didn't fit. There were two chapters dedicated to Charles Lindbergh, and I understand that his flight is one of the reasons the Bath School Bombing was pushed out of national headlines, but I didn't feel it warranted two chapters about a man who really had nothing to do with the bombing. There was also a chapter about another crime that set up to explain why the Bath School Bombing was lost to history in a lot of ways, but I didn't honestly feel like we needed an entire chapter dedicated to that crime. I feel like all three chapters pulled away from the events being told and were just sort of the throwaway. In fact, I didn't even read the chapters on Lindbergh and only skimmed the other one.

All-in-all I enjoyed this book and felt it well researched and well presented. Schechter doesn't shy away from the facts or the gore of this book, which there is a bit of gore here and there but nothing excessive. Is it a bit unsatisfying at the end, yes but that has nothing to do with the writing, or construction, of this book. Sometimes the bad guys get an easy end. 

Maniac: The Bath School Disaster and the Birth of the Modern Mass Killer is set to be released on March 8th, 2021!

HAPPY READING!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I couldn't help myself. I tried, I really did, okay so I didn't try that hard. This has been a hell of a year and a lot of people Thanksgivings are looking different. Normally we celebrate with friends, but to keep everyone safe it's just going to be me and my roommate this year. We're making the best of it though. I'm gonna cook us up an amazing spread and we've got a whole pie just for the two of us! So I hope everyone is staying safe and may your favorite sides be in abundance. And, for anyone not celebrating the mashed potato holiday, Happy Thursday!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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 what 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.

The letter was short. A name, a time, a place.

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder plunges readers into the heart of London, to the secret tunnels that exist far beneath the city streets. There, a mysterious group of detectives recruited for Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries use their cunning and gadgets to solve crimes that have stumped Scotland Yard.

Late one night in April 1958, a filing assistant for Miss Brickett’s named Michelle White receives a letter warning her that a heinous act is about to occur. She goes to investigate but finds the room empty. At the stroke of midnight, she is murdered by a killer she can’t see—her death the only sign she wasn’t alone. It becomes chillingly clear that the person responsible must also work for Miss Brickett’s, making everyone a suspect.

Almost unwillingly, Marion Lane, a first-year Inquirer-in-training, finds herself being drawn ever deeper into the investigation. When her friend and mentor is framed for the crime, to clear his name she must sort through the hidden alliances at Miss Brickett’s and secrets dating back to WWII. Masterful, clever and deliciously suspenseful, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder is a fresh take on the Agatha Christie—style locked-room mystery with an exciting new heroine detective at the helm.

Why I'm Waiting: Because I love a cozy mystery!

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

 

An unexpected quest. Two worlds at stake. Are you ready?

Days after Oasis founder James Halliday's contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. Hidden within Halliday's vault, waiting for his heir to find, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the Oasis a thousand times more wondrous, and addictive, than even Wade dreamed possible. With it comes a new riddle and a new quest. The last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize. And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who will kill millions to get what he wants. Wade's life and the future of the Oasis are again at stake, but this time the fate of humanity also hangs in the balance.

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

I love this series and take on the Sherlock Holmes canon because it isn't another Holmes story. This isn't a story about Sherlock, but about his nephew after Sherlock has "retired". I was introduced to Major Holmes and Captian Watson last year after ECCC, and I've been waiting a year for Issue #2. Finally, it arrived and it was well worth the wait! Not a second was lost from Issue #1 to Issue #2. I adore Sheffield Holmes and Imogen Watson, I also liked that Sheffield figured how she was and still kept working with her. I'm so happy we got more of Inspector Brick because he's probably my favorite of all the characters. Though I wasn't happy about how this issue ended. It's very rude to just kill a legend like that, but so excited for Issue #3 and Issue #4. They cannot come soon enough.

This was so cute! I honestly read it curled up in bed the other night and giggled from start to finish. It's a great parallel between a little kid getting ready or bed and Batman getting ready to fight crime. Each page is bright and colorful for the kids, with all the Batman characters they enjoy, and there is a bit of humor in there for the parents reading this book for the hundredth time. A total must-have for any superhero obsessed kid!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

Tanya has worked at her tavern since she was able to see over the bar. She broke up her first fight at 11. By the time she was a teenager she knew everything about the place, and she could run it with her eyes closed. She’d never let anyone—whether it be a drunkard or a captain of the queen’s guard—take advantage of her. But when her guardian dies, she might lose it all: the bar, her home, her purpose in life. So she heads out on a quest to petition the queen to keep the tavern in her name—dodging unscrupulous guards, a band of thieves, and a powerful, enchanted feather that seems drawn to her. Fast-paced, magical, and unapologetically feminist, Wench is epic fantasy like you’ve never seen it before.

HAPPY READING!!

Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian - Review

Author: Tim Probert

Genre: Middle Grade / Graphic Novel

Format: Hardback

Pages: 256

I've seen Lightfall on a lot of blogs recently and I finally snagged it from my local library. And, I'm glad that I did. It's absolutely precious and kind of gave me a bit of Dark Crystal vibes here and there. Very thankful that I didn't pass this one over because there was so much to love.

Let's start with both our main characters, Bea and Cad, are easy to root for. I love how brave and ready for adventure anything Cad is at every turn, and there is no quest too small for him. I also really liked how honest he was, and how never invalidated Bea when she got too scared. And, Beu, our tiny little ball of anxiety. I really liked the way Tim Prober drew attention to anxiety in the art so you could see how the feelings affected her, but at the same time, you saw her deal with each bit of panic as it came. Every time that fears paralyzed her she worked through it. Plus, she comes with a cat sidekick so I already knew I was going to adore her. Even if Nimm is mostly useless.

Next, the friendship between Bea and Cad's friendship was aces. It was wonderful to watch the two of them become best friends as the story unfolded. I really liked that they didn't always see eye-to-eye, but they always managed to work it out by talking. I think it's a great piece of the story for younger readers to see. They also complete each other in that epic fantasy character way that makes everything work out in the end. Which, for a middle-grade read is something I love to see. 

The story itself is fun and full of adventure with near misses and amazing creatures. This is one of those stories where you just fall into and get completely caught up in the story. Before I knew it I was halfway through the book and my legs were falling asleep from sitting in one position too long. I love that about any book but love it a little more when I'm reading middle-grade fantasy. I wasn't ready for this book to end, but I'm excited to see what in the next volume.

I do want to give a quick shout out to the side characters in this book, I thought they each brought something fun to the table, and help sort of sell this for me as an epic quest adventure. Some characters brought side quests, some trouble, and one even throws down a half-way prophecy. 

Lastly, the artwork. Not only did Tim Probert write this story but he did all the art for it as well, and I'm so glad he did. Irpa is a unique world where the sun has gone out and the Galdurian people created magic lights to light the world and push back the night. Tim Probert's artwork gives us a wonderful look at Irpa and the people, and creatures, that inhabit it. For me it gave the story more depth because the art is vibrant and fun until we get to the Tikarri, then the colors change to match the darkness they bring with them. Each page was a beautiful addition to the story and was one of the reasons it's so easy to fall into this story.

I'm glad I gave this book a chance, and I'm excited to see what happens next. Considering who beautiful the artwork, and the story, are I definitely will be adding this to my permanent collection.

HAPPY READING!!

BINGO 2021

The time has come! We've already started talking about our BINGO cards for 2021. I know a lot of people have had a hard time reading this year, but I've found myself diving into more books this year. The joke in the house right is I'll run out of things to watch before I run out of things to read. Because I've been reading so much this year I finally managed to bag a couple of BINGOs. If I would have been a better planner I might have managed to clear my board this year. Only, I don't quite think it's going to happen in the next month and a half.

Since the core of us participate in Reading BINGO won't be able to get together over the Holiday we'll have to come up with a new plan on our to create our new board. However, before we create the board until we have some ideas! While we all sort of pull ideas in all year, we're always looking for more ideas. One of the great things about our Reading BINGO is we push each other to read outside of our normal reading comfort zone.

Current Square Ideas:

Rainbow Cover

True Crime

A Book with an Animal Sidekick

Graphic Novel

The more ideas we have the better our board for next year can be. There aren't any wrong answers we're looking for anything and everything: genres, size, tropes, character types. Shout them out and I'll throw them in our mason jar of destiny. Then mosey back in January to see what made the 2021 Reading BINGO board!

HAPPY READING!!

The Beast and The Bethany - Review

Author: Jack Meggit-Philips

Genre: Middle Grade

Format: ARC

Pages: 240

I received a digital copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

This was adorable and a lot of fun to ready. The Beast and the Bethany is marketed as Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl, but I'd even throw in a dash of Portrait of Dorian Gray as well.  This book was everything I needed right now: fun, ridiculous,silly, and full of little easter eggs of other fun Middle Grade books.

From page one Jack Meggitt-Phillips let's you know that our main characters aren't the heroes of this story. In fact, both Ebenezer and Bethany are morally grey characters. Which in any story setting are normally my favorite. While I didn't so much enjoy either Ebenezer or Bethany they worked well within the story to go up against the Beast, the real villain of this story. 

I also really enjoyed all the side characters that popped in and out. The owner of the bird shop was probably my favorite, and no one was happier about what happened to Miss Fizzlewick than myself. With the side characters you're able to see the growth that Ebenzer and Bethany make throughout the story as they react, and interact, with these characters.

Speaking of the bird shop, that was some of my favorite parts being introduced some of the crazy animals that Jack Meggit-Phillips introduced. Followed by how he sort of meshed the timeline together so it's kind of a modern world that kids recognize, but also there was this sort of older feel with the mention of the Sweet's Shop and the Outdoor Market.

Another positive for me was just how over the top this book was. It wasn't just a little exaggerated, it is absolutely ridiculous, but in a way that is fun and hilarious. Each crazy moments adds a fun element to the story to keep readers of all ages hooked. It took everything I love about Roald Dahl and gave it an Edward Gorey spin.

And, I love a Middle Grade book with artwork. I thought the pieces that were included were great, it gives a good idea of what the characters look like, and adds a bit of whimsy to the story as well. 

Lastly, the ending, it felt very fitting and I was glad it was kind of a happy ending where Bethany and the Beast are concerned, almost like there is another story there. I also really enjoyed the fourth wall break at the very end.

My only sort of warning is this on the macab side and there is a pretty heavy theme of death. I kid this is definitely a book I would have loved and read again and again. Even as an adult I really enjoyed it and the escape from the world it allowed. So I'm huge thank you again to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for a chance to read this a few weeks early!

The Beast and The Bethany is set to be released on December 8th, 2020!

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 what 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.

Sure, you think you know the story of the fearsome red dragon, Dragonia. How it terrorized the village of Skendrick until a brave band of heroes answered the noble villagers' call for aid. How nothing could stop those courageous souls from facing down the dragon. How they emerged victorious and laden with treasure.

But, even in a world filled with epic adventures and tales of derring-do, where dragons, goblins, and unlicensed prestidigitators run amok, legendary heroes don't always know what they're doing. Sometimes they're clueless. Sometimes beleaguered townsfolk are more hapless than helpless. And orcs? They're not always assholes, and sometimes they don't actually want to eat your children.

Heloise the Bard, Erithea's most renowned storyteller (at least, to hear her tell it), is here to set the record straight. See, it turns out adventuring isn't easy, and true heroism is as rare as an articulate villager.

Having spent decades propagating this particular myth (which, incidentally, she wrote), she's finally able to tell the real story—for which she just so happened to have a front-row seat.

Welcome to Erithea. I hope you brought a change of undergarments—things are going to get messy.

Why I'm Waiting: Because this sounds absolutely brilliant and hilarious! 

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

I am not welcome. Somehow I know that. Something doesn’t want me here.

Daffodil Franklin has plans for a quiet summer before her freshman year at college, and luckily, she’s found the job that can give her just that: housesitting a mansion for a wealthy couple.

But as the summer progresses and shadows lengthen, Daffodil comes to realize the house is more than it appears. The spacious home seems to close in on her, and as she takes the long road into town, she feels eyes on her the entire way, and something tugging her back.

What Daffodil doesn’t yet realize is that her job comes with a steep price. The house has a long-ago grudge it needs to settle . . . and Daffodil is the key to settling it.

HAPPY READING!!