the Lost Tomb - Review

Author: Douglas Preston

Genre: Nonfiction

Format: Paperback 

 

This was so close to a four-star read. It was right there because I super enjoyed it. It hit so many things I love about these kinds of nonfiction books. These were read stories, well vetted, but still a lot of fun. The book wasn't too dry. Most of these stories were original articles, so they were written to grab people's attention and keep it. So when I found the audiobook, I thought it would be a perfect at-work read.

I wasn't wrong. This was great when I got stuck in one spot doing something monotonous. Each story was short and easy to follow along with, and the narrator was great. I didn't feel like I was sitting in a history class. Which I was a little worried about because sometimes the narrator goes too fast and speed-reads, or just drones on and one and I start to fall asleep while I prep. I did not have that problem with this book. The narrator was great!

Each story is great and full of great information, and the author knew not everyone would know what he was talking about. But you never feel talked down to as he explains everything. You're just learning. Also, I like that, where there were updates since the original article came out, Preston made sure to give those updates. So nothing felt too stagnant or outdated.

All in all, a great book. So why three stars?

Because I don't know who decided what order these stories needed to be in, but I hate them. Instead of splitting the book up into paleontology subjects and true crime stories, it was just a hodgepodge of things thrown into a book. Sometimes stories that went together were back-to-back, but most were far enough apart, and since I was listening at work, time passed, and things got forgotten. My only complaint is I wished stories were grouped. I would have been so much less confused. There were a couple of moments where I had to stop and figure out how we got here, or where we going.

Still, I did enjoy this as a whole. I already got to use some of what I learned in this book in the wild. Which was fun!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet 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 folks at Breaking the Spine.

Welcome to the dark. It has very sharp teeth.

Based on the internationally bestselling comic series, with millions of copies in print,​ the first full-length novel from the terrifying world of Something Is Killing the Children—a stunning collaboration between Eisner-winning co-creator James Tynion IV and #1 New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White

As a Black Mask, Erica Slaughter has a very straightforward job: find the monster, kill the monster, then do it all again. But when she arrives in Badwater, Idaho, nothing is simple. She can’t determine whether the horrific killer of a twelve-year-old was a bear, a person, or something much worse. Complicating matters is the charismatic doomsday preacher who is quickly leading the small town to the verge of hysteria. If Erica wants to save the surviving children, she has to figure out which kid’s fears might have summoned a monster—and fast. Erica must get to the truth before the Order and the town come to the same conclusion: to stop the monster, you have to kill the girl.

Hope Is a Knife is a chilling, original tale in SIKTC lore, where monsters are real and only the hunters of the Order of St. George are equipped to challenge them. Whether or not you’ve already devoured the Eisner Award–winning comics, this standalone vision of supernatural horror is a thrill ride of the highest order.

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

 

Beauty doesn’t fade. It feeds.

Marion Wagner has spent her whole life wanting nothing more than to be seen. But after failing to make her mark (any mark, really) as an influencer, she takes a job at a company focused on cutting-edge deepfake technology. And there, in secret, is where creates her salvation. 

Isabella. An impossibly gorgeous girl who takes social media by storm. Marion’s code is brilliant, and Isabella seems real. So real that she garners millions of followers. Brands beg to partner with her. Everyone wants to meet her IRL. The adoration—and the cash—flows in. Marion is finally happy. She's getting all the attention she ever wanted—isn't she? 

Then the cracks begin to show. Marion can barely stay ahead of the partnership requests, and love letters and the rabid fans filling her DMs trying to track Isabella down. All this time working in secret with all this pressure is getting to Marion—she can’t tell where she ends, and her creation begins. And when someone gets a little too close to her secret, a violent confrontation sends Marion on the run, forcing her to confront what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her secrets. 

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

I love this series so much. I went in not expecting much, but I've fallen in love with the main character. I need to know exactly who the bad guys are. Because it might be the Prince, or he might just be an idiot. It could also be the Prime Minister; he seems smarmy. And I know we keep calling it magic sickness, and I think it started that way. However, is it still magic sickness, or are we just using that as an excuse? At least a little bit. I need to know, so volume three is waiting to be picked up! 

What, in fact, did I read? Because I thought I understood what was about to happen. I read the back of the graphic novel. I thought I understood. Then I started reading and realized that I, in fact, have no idea what's happening, but I was totally here for the ride. Because I enjoyed every second of it! I also love that it was a standalone. I need more stand-alones like this one. 

I have totally been enjoying this series. However, this one was kind of a step backward. It was kind of like we jumped back into the first volume. So, like two steps forward, one step back. I do understand that between late nights and nightmares, things are stressful for both main characters. So! I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt that we will talk to each other and trust each other. Maybe finding the long-lost family will help with that. I need to get the volume put on hold!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do. Sometimes the cover catches our eye and draws us to take a closer look at a book. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday, I'll post some of my favorite book covers. Coming soon!

Protactinium-231 is a body-snatching alien whose crew have burned through the galaxy conquering planet after planet—or at least, they've been trying. They haven't been very successful.

While attempting to conquer the Canada (of all places), Protactinium gets on the wrong side of a god, who strips him of his mind-control powers, transforms him into the weedy, useless Prince Proculo, and sends him to rule over a fantasy kingdom. With no powers, no physical prowess, and no allies, Proculo is forced to put aside his plans for world domination and join the battle between humans and half-human monsters that is ravaging his new home.

After capturing the half-human, half-spider Tantalus, Proculo falls desperately in love with his bristling muscles and sharp fangs. And Tantalus is an eager ally in Proculo's mission to conquer the world. Together, they will be an unstoppable force—against new enemies and old friends alike.

HAPPY READING!!

Night Worms Unboxing

September Theme: Light Up the Night

Night Worms Mail!! There was something other than mailers and bills in my mailbox this week. Which is always a good thing. Because as an adult, I rarely get fun things in the mail. But this week it was Night Worms and two of the books everyone in this house was excited to read! Both of these books have been on our TBRs for a minute. So both of these books will be well read! It also means that the goodie bag has an extra special bonus because I was all about these books! And that hot chocolate, so going into my coffee and becoming an adult beverage when the weather gets a little colder! Because it's slowly becoming warm beverage weather again. And curl up and only read time!

So a huge thanks to the ladies over at Night Worms! 

HAPPY READING!!

Edmonds October SBC

 

A huge thank you to everyone who came out Wednesday to read with us! So many readers so soon after a holiday. I really didn't plan on so many coming out to work on their TBRs. So thank you so much!

If you couldn't come read with us last Wednesday, don't worry! We will be back at Leftcraft on Oct 21st! Reading will kick off at 7:30pm, but shown up early for dinner or a snack!  We'll read for an hour, then wrap up 8:30 pm. 

Hope to see you all there!!

HAPPY READING!!

Most Anticipated part 3

Okay, we are not going to talk about how I missed the month of August because I cannot do maths of any kind. Even basic math that splits the year into three parts. Anyway! So I realized there was no part three to my Most Anticipated posts. Posting on here and on Instagram has been a struggle the last month-ish. I've been in a bit of a funk that I'm slowly pulling myself out of. I just haven't had the energy, or will, or something for either. Through that, I forgot to post, but I remembered, and here we are.

So I scoured through the last of my 2026 TBR to see what I was really excited about. There are so many good books coming out in October. I probably could do a whole post about what I'm excited to get my hands on (food for thought later). But I narrowed it down to six books that I'm excited to get read between September and December.

Before I read Something is Killing the Children, I need to go back through the graphic novel. I don't know where the book will fall in that universe, but I want to be ready for anything. Also! I got super lucky, and I got my hands on How to Survive Camping, volume 4, like two weeks early. So I already have that one in my hands! And I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am that Jessic Feltcher is back, even in book form! This is definitely a curl-up-in-front-of-the-fire kind of book! Ugh, and Rupert Holmes wrote another book; the last one was so much fun. I can only imagine how wild this one is going to get.

Yeah, so that's my list! Maybe in January I'll go through and figure out which ones I bought, which ones I read, and which ones just stayed on the list. I feel like I did pretty well. 

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet 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 folks at Breaking the Spine.

A young woman wakes up to find the black hound of Death at her front door in this hauntingly beautiful tale from USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw.

Antigone is no stranger to death.

For the women of her family, death always comes in the form of a black dog.

When Antigone’s own black dog arrives, she isn’t afraid. She invites it inside, where it soon becomes a daily source of companionship and comfort. It also forces her to reflect on the life she’s led—the parts of herself she’s hollowed out for the sake of others, and the bone-deep exhaustion that’s hounded her every step.

Her Death’s arrival must be a sign, permission to finally let go. To rest. Because while mortality is inevitable, living is a choice.

But a good death comes at a price.

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

 

A twisty, off-the-rails mystery about seven teens, forced to spend a stormy—and deadly—night together. Perfect for fans of There’s Someone Inside Your House and No Place Left to Hide.

The members of the Coastal Canyon debate team have their reasons to hate each complicated pasts, thornier presents, a huge competition loss . . . Now they’re stuck at an Airbnb together for a night during what feels like the storm of the century. Can it get any worse?

Yes. Yes, it can.

A flat tire, a severed landline, someone’s unconscious, and there’s a body outside. The night is unraveling, and it’s becoming no one is safe. But safe from who? A teammate? A teacher? Or is a stranger lurking nearby in the woods?

Seven students.
Three teachers.
One body.
Lock all the doors and trust no one.

After all, death isn’t up for debate.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do. Sometimes the cover catches our eye and draws us to take a closer look at a book. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday, I'll post some of my favorite book covers. Coming soon!

Set in the same universe as the Hugo Award finalist Upright Women Wanted, Gailey's latest novella follows a ragtag crew of horse thieves as they attempt an ambitious and dangerous train heist. Along the way, gunslinger Fletch and her team must decide if they want to be part of the greater resistance working covertly against the regime, or if this is just one big payday.

The Anarchist Cookbook meets Unforgiven in a story that is unapologetically about the means and methods one should use to interfere with the logistics and supply lines of those in power.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet 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 folks at Breaking the Spine.

The Greers built their fortune on alligator bones.

Dartrine Beaumont believes her mother’s sudden death has left her alone in the world—until she learns of long-lost wealthy relatives living in Florida. Confused but delighted by the possibility of extended family, Dart travels to her grandmother’s stately Gilded Age mansion on Amelia Island for answers, just in time to stake a claim on an unusual inheritance: an alligator farming empire.

Her arrival at Greer House isn’t everything she hoped. Without warning, Dart finds herself in fierce competition with her grandmother’s arrogant heir-apparent, and tensions rise as threatening acts of vandalism escalate on one of the farms. More unsettling is her hostile grandmother’s fanatical belief that the danger stems from a curse; according to legend, a larger-than-life alligator hunted down by a bloodthirsty ancestor still haunts the family. Yet Dart can’t deny that the farm’s placid alligators hiss only at Greers, or that a shadowy figure creeps through the mansion’s halls, plaguing her with suspicions that the mythical alligator and monstrous, long-dead matriarch may have unfinished business.

As Dart uncovers the truth about her violent birthright, she faces a terrible accept her place in her family’s grim legacy or forge a new path by slaying a different beast entirely.

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Jamie Newcross wants to disappear. His wife and baby girl have abandoned him, and his only wish is to retreat from society. Because, as it turns out, Jamie Newcross is also being haunted. Every house, condo, or apartment he moves into is plagued with ghosts—at the end of the bed or when pulling back the shower curtain. He hasn’t been able to sleep in weeks. 

But Jamie has a plan. He posts queries online and finds someone wanting to get rid of their Lion—the world’s most advanced self-driving car—a sleek, private, contained vessel that is one-hundred percent safe. Or so he thought.  

Because now, Jamie has woken up to the Lion speeding down a dark road, the hood is dented—wait, is that blood?—and the car will not respond, or stop, or let him out.  

As the miles rack up and Jamie becomes increasingly complicit in his car’s choices, he's forced to face the tragic past he has kept buried. Driven is a taut, near-future fever-dream. Mason Coile delivers another one-sitting read that blends science fiction and psychological horror to explore loneliness, grief, and the things that make us human.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

  

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do. Sometimes the cover catches our eye and draws us to take a closer look at a book. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday, I'll post some of my favorite book covers. Coming soon!

Laurel Meng calls herself an exorcist, but she’s never performed a real exorcism. All she needs to secure her paychecks—spread ever thinner in the face of her mother’s mounting medical bills—is her white clients’ overactive imaginations and boundless ignorance.

So when Annie Shaye-Matsuda calls, convinced her late son Taika’s restless spirit is haunting her quaint bed and breakfast, Laurel is relieved to have found a new mark. But when voices in the walls warn her to leave, she begins to suspect something far worse than Taika lingers in the bones of Poppy Creek Bed and Breakfast. And that something is intent on trapping her there.

Confronted with the real deal—crawling specters made of dirt, doors that lead nowhere, blood running through the plumbing—Laurel can’t fake her way out of this one. She must ally with a ghost to perform a real exorcism if she hopes to uncover the truth and escape with her money in hand. But secrets are buried amidst the flowerbeds of Poppy Creek, and if Laurel’s not careful, she’ll end up just like them.

For fans of Yellowface, Pet Sematary, and The Eyes are the Best Part, This Is Not an Exorcism is a novel about love, loss, and the horror that grows from them.

HAPPY READING!!

September Spotlight

 

Jamie Newcross wants to disappear. His wife and baby girl have abandoned him, and his only wish is to retreat from society. Because, as it turns out, Jamie Newcross is also being haunted. Every house, condo, or apartment he moves into is plagued with ghosts—at the end of the bed or when pulling back the shower curtain. He hasn’t been able to sleep in weeks. 

But Jamie has a plan. He posts queries online and finds someone wanting to get rid of their Lion—the world’s most advanced self-driving car—a sleek, private, contained vessel that is one-hundred percent safe. Or so he thought.  

Because now, Jamie has woken up to the Lion speeding down a dark road, the hood is dented—wait, is that blood?—and the car will not respond, or stop, or let him out.  

As the miles rack up and Jamie becomes increasingly complicit in his car’s choices, he's forced to face the tragic past he has kept buried. Driven is a taut, near-future fever-dream. Mason Coile delivers another one-sitting read that blends science fiction and psychological horror to explore loneliness, grief, and the things that make us human.

HAPPY READING!!

August Wrap Up

The month of short reads. The month of not wanting to pick up anything long to commit to. If I wasn't personally buried at work, I feel like my nose was buried in the Lindsay Clancy trail.   Though I did stumble across a hilarious audiobook by Davis Mitchell that was so much fun. One of my favorite books of the year. He read the audiobook, made my co-workers listen to it because I didn't want to shut it off while they were working around me. 

Yeah, we'll see what September brings. I'm currently reading four books: two I'm thoroughly enjoying, one is fine; it's filling my quiet time at work, and the other is, I don't know. That it's a wait-and-see kind of book. Could be one that I thoroughly enjoy even though it's going to be horrible (the subject matter, that is), but have to DNF it because of said subject matter. Only time will tell.

Books Read: 7
BINGO Books: 1

Pages Read: 836

Hours Listened: 25 hours 27 minutes

I met my goal of three BINGOs! I finally snagged the Medieval square, which got me another BINGO and was a great read on top of that! I love when they make history funny because hundreds and thousands of years later...what the hell! I have some pretty easy squares up there that I should knock off by the end of the year. I might need to just pick a book from one of these areas this month and read it!

I don't know how I feel about this Eric LaRocca book. On the one hand, this narrator has my attention because he might be the root of all evil. Also, I can already tell there's something strange about this town. On the other hand, I saw the warning labels at the start of this book, and I don't know if I'll be able to finish it. Still, I'm giving it my full attention. So it didn't go on a trip with me because it kind of feels like it's gonna kill any good mood.

I am loving this Sherlock anthology I got from NetGalley! So far, there hasn't been a single story I haven't liked. This went on my trip with me because I've enjoyed these little pocket mysteries. 

I'm about two-thirds of the way finished with this one. It's been my work audiobook. It's been good; I've only had small issues with the book as a whole. And so far, I've only skipped one story inside of this. I remember the case; I was in college myself when it happened. So it's just sort of one of those things I don't want to listen to again. I feel like this case was ever for so long that I know it inside and out, so I just skipped and moved on to other things Preston had to talk about.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

 

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet 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 folks at Breaking the Spine.

In 1850, only one man stands between the living and the dead; only one man can uncover the secrets of the afterlife. His name? Ebenezer Scrooge.

An uncanny festive sequel to the classic novel, written in the tradition of Charles Dickens.

Perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Kate Griffin.

Seven years have passed since the events of A Christmas Carol, seven years since the night Ebenezer Scrooge took to a life of philanthropy and kindness.

But there is another side to Scrooge. Those afflicted by spirits and hauntings know of him as a man who can help rid them of the unquiet dead. Alongside his trusted companion and old friend, Captain Ambrose, Scrooge faces off against malevolent poltergeists, and supernatural wickedness.

So when Louisa Fell invites him to investigate her family home on the coast of England, he is more than happy to oblige. But the mysteries at the Fell house are deep and terrifying, and the more Scrooge uncovers, the more he risks awakening the ghosts of his past, present, and of things yet to come.

HAPPY READING!!