Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme started by the Broke and the Bookish.  Each week they chose a new meme and bloggers pick their Top Ten Books, TV Shows, Movies, etc that fit that theme. For the next week the girls at the Broke and the Bookish are on hiatus. That means that won't be any set themes until August. It's a free for all!! This week I thought I'd do: Hidden Gems From the Library!

1. Anno Dracula by Kim Newman
2. Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone by G.S. Denning 
3. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

1. The Yard by Alex Grecian
2. Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero
3. The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan

1. The Lady Trent Series by Marie Brennan
2. The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw
3. The Dragon's Path by Daniel Abraham

1. The Truth of All Things by Kieran Sheilds

See any books that look interesting, the images will take you to their Goodreads page! I'd love to hear about any hidden gems you all found in your local library, or bookstore! Let me know in the comments!!

The Hell-Hound of the Baskervilles - Review

Author: GS Denning

Publisher: Titan Books

Genre: Paranormal / Retelling

Format: Paperback

Pages: 320

The game's afoot once more as Holmes and Watson face off against Moriarty's gang, the Pinkertons, flesh-eating horses, a parliament of imps, boredom, Surrey, a disappointing butler demon, a succubus, a wicked lord, an overly-Canadian lord, a tricycle-fight to the death and the dreaded Pumpcrow. Oh, and a hell hound, one assumes.

The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles takes place not long after the first book, A Study in Brimstone, ends, and I've been waiting since then to get my hands on this book! Unlike the first book the main story takes place at the end. Believe me it's worth the wait. The short stories that G.S. Denning chose were ones I haven't read in years. In fact most I haven't read more than once.

This book is everything I loved about the first book, and more. Watson has always been my favorite of the duo, and G.S. Denning writes one of my favorite versions of Dr. John Watson. So I loved that he got the first story all to himself. However, it wasn't my favorite my story. That goes to the The Adventure of the Solitary Tricyclist. It was seriously adorable and I love Grogsson. He's so precious.

So what did I love about this book?

Well I love the paranormal take on Sherlock Holmes, in fact I'm a sucker for it. Add in the comedy and I'll just throw my money at you. However, what I adore about this book is Warlock himself. I love the bumbling and confused Detective of Baker Street. I love how Watson has to constantly remind Warlock how to do things like a mortal and stop having demons toss dead horses into their living room. Also, we finally get to see how Warlock Holmes became the, well, warlock that he is.

Warlock's backstory comes at the end of the book the Hell-hound of the Baskervilles, and it was wonderful. The original version is my favorite of all the Sherlock Holmes stories, because it was the first I ever read. And I loved G.S. Denning's version of that story. It had everything I loved about the original, plus so much more.

Another thing I love is the humor in this book. Waston's narrative is always fun and full of sass. I love the back and forth between Warlock and Watson, how comfortable they are with each other. But, what I liked the most was how much Watson had grown into the paranormal world since the first book. While he's still uncomfortable with most of it, he's started taking some of it with stride. Not much had changed with Warlock, except for the missing bits, but that was okay. I like Warlock the way he is. Strange and unusual.

Honestly, there wasn't much I didn't like about the The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles. The stories all flowed well together. Each happening not long after the other, and I felt like each one flowed without pause. I think my biggest upset was the fact I have to wait a while for the third book, but I'm super excited. There might be more Moriarty in the next one!

P.S. I love that the book is orange!

Buy, Borrow, and Skip: Buy! Buy them both! Read them and love them and then share them with all your friends!

Can't Wait Wednesday - See What I Have Done

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. 

Release Date: August 1st, 2017

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press

Author: Sarah Schmidt

Genre: Historical

Pages: 336

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden calls out to her maid: Someone’s killed Father. The brutal ax-murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, leaves little evidence and many unanswered questions. While neighbors struggle to understand why anyone would want to harm the respected Bordens, those close to the family have a different tale to tell—of a father with an explosive temper; a spiteful stepmother; and two spinster sisters, with a bond even stronger than blood, desperate for their independence.

Why I'm Waiting: The story of Lizzie Borden has always fascinated me, and I'm a sucker for books around her story.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme started by the Broke and the Bookish.  Each week they chose a new meme and bloggers pick their Top Ten Books, TV Shows, Movies, etc that fit that theme. For the next week the girls at the Broke and the Bookish are on hiatus. That means that won't be any set themes until August. It's a free for all!! This week I thought I'd do: Books I Loved Because of Other People! Basically ten books I picked up because of blogs, friends, or family that I then fell in love with!

From Family & Friends:

1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson - Recommended to me by my flatmate!
2. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary - My Father gave me his copy and it was one of my favorite growing up!
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Put into my life thanks to my flatmate!

1. Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - Brought into my life by my Mother!
2. Agatha Christie books - These were introduced to me by my Great Grandmother!

From Book Blogs:

1. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
2. The Novice by Taran Matharu
3. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

1. Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio

College Professor:

1. The Call of the Cthulhu and other Weird Stories by H.P. Lovecraft

Can't Wait Wednesday - The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter

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. 

Release Date: August 10th, 2017 

Publisher: Saga Press

Author: Theodora Goss

Genre: Retellings / Fantasy

Pages: 416

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

Why I'm Waiting: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is one of my favorite Gothic stories, add Sherlock Holmes to the mix, I'm totally on board for this.

HAPPY RELEASE DAY - Meddling Kids

1990. The teen detectives once known as the Blyton Summer Detective Club (of Blyton Hills, a small mining town in the Zoinx River Valley in Oregon) are all grown up and haven't seen each other since their fateful, final case in 1977. Andy, the tomboy, is twenty-five and on the run, wanted in at least two states. Kerri, one-time kid genius and budding biologist, is bartending in New York, working on a serious drinking problem. At least she's got Tim, an excitable Weimaraner descended from the original canine member of the team. Nate, the horror nerd, has spent the last thirteen years in and out of mental health institutions, and currently resides in an asylum in Arhkam, Massachusetts. The only friend he still sees is Peter, the handsome jock turned movie star. The problem is, Peter's been dead for years.

I've been waiting for this book since December! Not only did I love Edgar Cantero's last book, Supernatural Enhancements, but he had me at Scooby-Do meet the Cthulhu! I've already pre-ordered my copy at my local bookstore. I'm super excited to dive into this one!

Happy Reading!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme started by the Broke and the Bookish.  Each week they chose a new meme and bloggers pick their Top Ten Books, TV Shows, Movies, etc that fit that theme. For the next week the girls at the Broke and the Bookish are on hiatus. That means that won't be any set themes until August. It's a free for all!! This week I thought I'd do my Favorite Stand Alones.

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
2. Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry
3. Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith 

1. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
3. Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

1. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
3. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

1. The Devil You Know by K.J. Parker

Make Me Read It Readathon 2017

This will be second year joining this Readathon. It's hoested by Ely from Tea and Titles and Val from Innocent Smiley. Make Me Read It is an interactive Readathon that allows friends, family, and our viewers vote what what'll be reading for the week of Aug 6th to Aug 13th. Which means there's a month to vote!

This year I've picked six books that I've been to pick up read for a while. Though I'll doubt I'll get through all six in a week while working full time, but my plan is start with the book with the most votes and go down the list. So please vote and leave a comment!

What book should I read?

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

Sherlock Holmes: the Man from Hell by Barrie Roberts

Girls Waits with Gun by Amy Stewardt

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Dust Bowl Girls by Lydia Reeder

survey maker

This is a super low stress Readathon. You can chose the amount of books of you read and your own pace. Also, there is a hashtag, #MakeMeRead for Twitter and Instagram! So, please, please vote!! You can only vote for one book at a time, but you can vote as many times as you want. I can't wait to see what you all pick for me to read!!

Can't Wait Wednesday - Strange Practice

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. 

Release Date: July 25th, 2017
Publisher: Orbit
Author: Vivian Shaw
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 400

Greta Helsing inherited the family's highly specialized, and highly peculiar, medical practice. In her consulting rooms, Dr. Helsing treats the undead for a host of ills - vocal strain in banshees, arthritis in barrow-wights, and entropy in mummies. Although barely making ends meet, this is just the quiet, supernatural-adjacent life Greta's been groomed for since childhood.

         

     

Why I'm Waiting: I adore books like this that place off old Gothic novels. It sounds super cute!!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY - LOST BOY

There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy.

Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter's idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. Because it’s never been all fun and games on the island. Our neighbors are pirates and monsters. Our toys are knife and stick and rock—the kinds of playthings that bite.

Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever. 

Today is the day, Lost Boy is officially out here in the USA!! This was my first Christina Henry book, and I loved it! I took this one with my on vacation back in May and read it on the flight to my parent's place.  I couldn't put it down. I'm very excited to see what world Christina Henry takes on next. My full review can be found here! You can find Christina at her Twitter or her blog!

HAPPY READING!