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 that 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.

Gianna is the average seventeen-year-old girl living in 1918 New Orleans. She worries about her family's store, the great war, and a mysterious illness that's about to take hold of the city she loves.

It doesn't help that there also appears to be a mad man on the loose in her neighborhood. The attacks started as burglaries but soon escalate to cold-blooded murder. There's a killer out there, and the police can't seem to figure out how to stop him.

Gianna enlists the help of her friend Enzo to investigate. And as they study the crimes, they see a common link between the victims, and Gianna can't help but wonder if it's the same man who attacked her family years before.

As Gianna gets closer to the killer, she discovers a connection between them that she never would have suspected. 

Why I'm Waiting: The 1918 Axman murders it's a weird case that may, or may not, have been connected to several other ax murders. So I'm interested to see what angle this book takes.

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

A fun and informative handbook for young readers on understanding and caring for our feline friends from the kid behind the popular Twitter account I’ve Pet That Cat!

Pet That Cat! A Handbook for Making Feline Friends is an illustrated guide to understanding, befriending, and caring for cats by Nigel Kidd and his mom, Rachel Braunigan.

This fact-filled and fun guide features:
• A guide to cat body language—what does it mean when your cat’s tail looks like a question mark or is puffed up?
• Helpful tips on how to safely interact with new feline friends. Hint: Let them approach first!
• Advice for adopting and caring for your own cat. Choose the perfect cat for you!
• Stories of cats throughout history and myth-busting facts—did you know every cat has a unique noseprint?
• A cat personality quiz and your very own Cat Tracker to record all the feline friends you meet!

This kid-friendly handbook pairs charming illustrations with an interactive format. With step-by-step guides, fascinating stories, and tips from cat experts and Nigel, Pet That Cat! is a must-have handbook for feline fans of all ages.

And for dog-lovers and kids curious about dogs, check out Pet That Dog! A Handbook for Making Four-Legged Friends.

Thanks to Quirk Books I was able to read Pet That Cat! early! You can see my review here!

HAPPY READING!!

I Know What You Did Last Summer - Review

Author: Lois Duncan

Genre: Horror / Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Pages: 240

Okay, I read this years ago, way back in my junior high years. In fact, I read through several of Duncan's books that year, and I remember loving this one. I remember loving all of Lois Duncan's books, but this one was my favorite. So when I found this copy on sale at Book Outlet, with this really excellent cover, there wasn't a second thought when I added it to my cart. Adult me couldn't wait to go back and read this again after so long.

Now I can definitely see why I liked this book twenty years ago. Little me was just starting to learn to the really spooky stuff, breaking out the Goosebumps hold and into scarier books, TV, and movies. So I see what the younger version of me loved so much about this book.

Older me, older me was a little underwhelmed with this one. So much so that I had a hard time finishing the last fifty, or so, pages. While I had forgotten about ninety percent of this book, the second the bad guy was introduced I clocked them. Knew they were the ones behind it all. The only thing I didn't connect was how the do-er connected to Julie and Helen. 

I hated all four of the main characters in this book. Barry is a tool, like his photo is in the dictionary under the word tool. I don't think I've been so excited to see a character get shot before. Like I did a little dance when it happened. Helen is vapid as hell, I understand why her sister hates her. I hated her. No, because she was the "pretty" one of the "dumb" one. Because she let herself get so wrapped in making Barry the biggest part of who she was, and her future. Hard pass. Julie had zero spine in this book, zero. I will die on that hill. Same for Ray, and he was a possessive ass who needed to step off. Screw your pact do the right thing, or suck it up and live with your guilt. But, I hated the whining and the loyalty speeches. 

I rolled my eyes so much that I'm shocked they didn't stay that way.

Now that little rant over, I Know What Your Did Last Summer isn't a bad book. A version of me liked this book, a younger version of me. Personally, I think this is one of those books that were written with younger readers a hundred percent in mind, and now that I've grown as a reader this doesn't appeal to me anymore. Doesn't make it a bad book, just means this is no longer for me. It's easy to see what this book turned into a movie. There is a lot of potential in the story, and this is a rare one where I really liked the movie over the book.

Julie from the movie version is one of my favorite final girls. Julie from the book is kind of terrible.

I also want to mention that this book has been updated since the original that came out in the '70s. Duncan when through and modernized the story, adding cellphones and changing the war our villain just came home from. Small details that new young readers would be able to connect with in a way that they may not have with the original story. I thought that was really cool that she did that. Small little touches to keep the story alive with a new generation. 

So not a terrible read, just not what I thought it was going to be off my memory of how much I loved this at one time. It did however remind me how much I love this movie, so that will be happening in my future soon.

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

  

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Arthur Crazy is drunk and seeing ghosts.

This is not a metaphor. The dead are walking and talking, and it doesn't matter that Arthur doesn't believe in them. They believe in him.

Too drunk to recall how he stumbled upon his nascent power, Arthur is burdened with newfound responsibility: he’s the only one who can hear the unfinished business of every dead guy in York, and he’s the only one who can help.

As forgotten legends and lost demons stir all over the cobbled streets and snickleways, Arthur finds himself at the center of an unfolding mystery—a light in the desert, a fart at a funeral—and he is about to discover that an unfortunate surname isn't the only thing that makes him stand out.

Arthur just wants to sober up, have a kebab, and go home, but his conscience is knocking loud and clear, demanding he open the damn door. He may not be the hero the dead need, but he’s the one they’re stuck with. Besides, one of those ghosts seems kind of cute.

HAPPY READING!!

The United States of Cryptid - Review

Author: J.W. Ocker

Genre: Supernatural

Format: e-Book

Pages: 288

Huge thanks to Quirk Books and Netgalley for an early release copy of The United States of Cryptids for my honest review!

This was so much fun! I took my time to read this one. A couple of chapters every night before bed or in the afternoon. I really liked that Ocker split the book up into sections starting with the East Coast and heading West. It allowed for some stories to cross over into each region, but it never felt like as a reader we got stuck on a specific cryptid. Because there is so much Bigfoot, everywhere. It also made the story feel like a journey, a road trip as we stopped to learn about each of these monsters.

Normally I'm not a big notetaker while I read. Occasionally I highlight a funny line, or a quick though so I don't forget for the review. But, with this book, I took down so many notes and thoughts as I read along. I think part of it has to do with the fact I love Ocker's narration throughout the book, never taking themselves too seriously just enjoying what their writing. It was just random thought that popped while I was reading that I felt I needed to jot down, and the app I read this had a note-taking funtion.

On top of taking notes, I did a lot of Googling as I read. The artwork found throughout the book is great because not all of these cryptids have normal forms So it was great to get an of what people thought they saw, and a lovely little shock to just scroll down and a strange creature was looking at you. But, a handful of these stories had footage involved with their stories. So I would Google that after the chapter, or look up the photos that were taken. Which was fun, mostly creepy, but fun.

I did get to thinking with this book about the biggest time period of people seeing these cryptids, and it left me with some thoughts. That maybe we don't see so many cryptids encounters these days because of the advancements in technology and TV Shows. The world doesn't seem too big and vast these days, and so many people are quick with the need to debunk stories attached to cryptids. Personally, I liked the idea that these things are out there somewhere. Like there's still a bit of magic in the world, and only a lucky, frightened, few have gotten to see it. Maybe it's silly because a part of me can definitely sit down and rationalize what those people probably saw. 

But, where's the fun in that. I like the idea of the monster under the bed or these cases mostly in the woods.

What makes this book stand out is how much fun Ocker seemed to have as they wrote it. This was something shared with Ocker's family, well researched, and never taking itself too seriously. Even stories that had proven a hoax were included in this book. Because they're still a good story, a good legend to be told around a campfire. It was fun to read because it felt like Ocker had a blast researching for it. And, I don't think there was a part that didn't enjoy.

No that's a lie, my least favorite story was the grey aliens. Only that doesn't have anything to with Ocker and everything to with the fact the idea of grey aliens creeps me right out. Not a fan. My favorite story was Sinkhole Sam, but I grew up on stories of Sam since I was born and raised in Kansas. So I was beyond thrilled to him make the pages of this work. The Thunderbird is also a favorite of mine. And, the weirdest story by a mile was the Slide-Rock Bolter. I had to read that story twice to make sure what I thought I read, was what I actually read. Because what?!

This book was great and I cannot thank Quirk Books enough for letting me snag it early! This will definitely be one I buy to add to my shelves! The Unitest States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters will go on sale on September 27 of this year!

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 that 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.

Spike just wants to enjoy the spoils of his new badass reputation. He’s now a legendary slayer-killer, and he’s returning to London―the greatest city in the world. Unfortunately, his new abode is far from ideal (mostly a dank basement), and the rest of his strange little “family” is reeling from the fact that their patriarch, Angel, abandoned them. Spike’s love, Drusilla, seems especially heartbroken over the loss and spends her time lost in her tarot cards and planning their next gruesome family dinner when they all can be reunited.

Desperate to break Dru out of her melancholy, Spike vows to steal a powerful relic that will help her focus on their dark future together. It’s the perfect plan―that is until a monster named Gunnar, leader of the demon underworld of London, steals the relic first. Forced to form his own ragtag group of mercenaries, Spike plans an epic heist against a ruthless gang of undead criminals. Confronted with paranormal plots, royal black ops, and tea (they may be abominations, but they’re British abominations, thank you very much), Spike soon realizes that his homecoming is about to get bloody.

This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.

Why I'm Waiting: I grew up watching Buffy and Spike and Dru were two of my favorite characters. So I'm really excited about this book.

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Koré’s life is consumed by power, politics, sex, and vengeance, and as a courtesan to the wealthy and powerful, he is privy to all manner of secrets. He knows meddling in politics is dangerous─still, he is willing to risk everything to stop his father from seizing the Imperial Throne of the War District. But Koré soon finds the corruption runs far deeper than just one man.

During a tryst in an ancient tomb─in, the pursuit of political influence─Koré encounters a dying god, who imbues him with the powers of one of the city’s sacred dragons. Suddenly Koré finds himself a hunted man, threatened with becoming a pawn by whoever finds him first.

If the wrong person discovers his secret and lays claim to his powers they would plunge their world into war, unleash untold horrors and destroy the city and the two people he has come to love.

 

HAPPY READING!!

Mid-Year Freaking Out

Where in the hell did June go? That's a legit question by the way because I swear I was just dating things with May dates. The year is half over. Half over! Despite the title of this post and gif, I'm really not freaking out. At least not with my reading. I am freaking out because the year is half over though. I'm still wrapping my head around that little fun fact. And, around the Stranger Things finale, but that is neither here nor there.

Back to my 2022 Reading Goals. I'm actually making decent headway on my Goodreads Challenge. I'm actually a little over halfway through that challenge. I've been reading a lot of novellas this year so my page count is farther behind than I want, but screw it. I've read a lot of great books this year. And being ahead of my challenge is great because I'm getting to see my family again in a few weeks. So outside of my place ride, I won't be doing a lot of reading. 

Still, I have six months to worry about my Page Count Goals. So who knows what the rest of the year will bring. There are so many amazing books set to hit shelves in the next size months. You can click here to see my top fifteen I'm looking forward to!

Books Read: 38 of 65

Pages Read: 6,659 of 15,000

BINGOs: 2

Favorite Read So Far: Horrorstor

How's everyone else's reading going? What's been your favorite book so far?

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

  

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Ever since their on-again, off-again college romance, Erin hasn’t been able to set a single boundary with charismatic but reckless Silas, who’s been chasing the next big high since graduation. When he texts her to spring him out of rehab, she knows enough is enough. She’s ready to start a career, make new friends, and meet a great guy—even if that means cutting Silas off. But when Silas turns up dead from an overdose, Erin’s world falls apart.

When Erin learns that Silas discovered a drug that allowed him to see the dead, she doesn’t believe it’s real but agrees to a pill-popping “séance” to ease her guilt and pain. When she steps back into the real world, she starts to see ghosts from her Southern hometown’s bloody and brutal past everywhere. Are the effects pharmacological or something more sinister? And will Erin be able to shut Pandora’s box of horrors she’s opened?

With propulsive momentum, bone-chilling scares, and dark meditations on the weight of history, this Southern horror will make you think twice about opening doors to the unknown.

HAPPY READING!!

July Spotlight

 

I'm a huge fan of Sarah Gailey and their books! Personally, River of Teeth is my favorite of their books, but I always jump on anything Gailey writes. So I'm excited to get my nads on Just Like Home!

“Come home.” Vera’s mother called and Vera obeyed. In spite of their long estrangement, in spite of the memories -- she's come back to the home of a serial killer. Back to face the love she had for her father and the bodies he buried there.

Coming home is hard enough for Vera, and to make things worse, she and her mother aren’t alone. A parasitic artist has moved into the guest house out back and is slowly stripping Vera’s childhood for spare parts. He insists that he isn’t the one leaving notes around the house in her father’s handwriting… but who else could it possibly be?

There are secrets yet undiscovered in the foundations of the notorious Crowder House. Vera must face them, and find out for herself just how deep the rot goes.

Just Like Home comes out July 19!

HAPPY READING!!

June Wrap Up

Didn't June just start? I swear I just sat down to do my May Wrap-up. Normally this is the part where I'd talk about what I did this month. But, I don't think I actually did anything this month. COVID tore its way through the kitchen I work in. So I'm pretty sure we spent the whole month feeling short-handed while everyone was out sick. I got lucky and avoided catching it myself. Though, I did catch a weird stomach bug that I could have done without. 

Books Read: 4
BINGO Books: 1

Pages Read: 904

Currently Reading: I Know What You Did Last Summer

This will of course it'll shock no one that I did go book shopping this month. I had an errand to one from one of my jobs, and I turned it into an excuse to go to a new bookstore. I'm never in that neck of the woods. So it seemed like a perfect excuse to stop in, and I couldn't stop at my favorite comic book store on the way home. I mean I could have not gone, but it is right next door to the thrift store where I was dropping some stuff off.

HAPPY READING!!