It's Monday! What are you reading? 8/6/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

My birthday is coming in a little under a month.  Since I am now becoming more regular in my blogging, I want to celebrate it on here.  I have been focused on library and digital books lately, but I have some print books that need attention.  I've decided to have a giveaway once a week up through my birthday.  I will discuss this further at the end of this post.

This week I finished reading:

The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson  - [My post] 

Tricks for Free (InCryptid, Bk 7) by Seanan McGuire - [My post] 

The Lost Books: The Scroll of Kings by Sarah Prineas - [My post] 

Bird, Bath, and Beyond (Agent to the Paws Mystery, Bk 2) by E. J. Copperman - [My post] 

I'm currently reading:

The lighting is horrible in this image - I took this without flash to better show the screens.  The one in the back is the audio of Moby Dick.

In audio (on CD), I've been listening to Moby Dick by Herman Melville (read by Paul Boehmer).  Captain Ahab has told his crew about the great white whale they seek.  The top harpooners have identified his whale as Moby Dick.  I think I may need to switch to the print for a bit to get through this next part.

A Hard Day's Knight (Nightside, Bk 11) by Simon R. Green (library OverDrive ebook) - I'm enjoying this so far.  John has fought off a great many, but there is an upcoming elf civil war to concern himself with.

Eye of the Shoal : a Fish-watcher's Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything by Helen Scales (library hardcover) - I didn't get any further with this title this week.

The Story Chapter 3 "Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh" read by Michael Blain-Rozgay and Allison Moffett - These are eAudio through the library's Hoopla subscription.  I've barely started thsi chapter.

Up next:

The Saturday Morning Murder (Michael Ohayon, Bk 1) by Batya Gur
The Silk Train Murder (Kondike Era Mystery, Bk 1) by Sharon Rowse
Bannerless (Bannerless, Bk 1) by Carrie Vaughn
Cat About Town (Cat Cafe Mystery, Bk 1) by Cate Conte
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (book discussion book)
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi; Translated by Jonathan Wright
Lady Elect by Likita Lynnette Nichols
The Grey Bastards (The Lot Lands, #1) by Jonathan French
Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin; illustrated by Giovanni Rigano
The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and our Health—and a Vision for Change by Annie Leonard
Happy Starts at Home by Rebecca West
The Locksmith's Daughter by Karen Brooks
Venom in the Veins (Elemental, Bk 17) by Jennifer Estep
Nightbooks by J. A. White
The Lost Chapters: Finding Recovery and Renewal One Book at a Time by Leslie Schwartz
Bringing back Our Freshwater Lakes by Lisa J. Amstutz

Giveaway

For this first birthday celebration giveaway, I will be offering Hot Mess by Emily Belden.  I heard Emily speak at a romance panel in June.  According to Emily, the book has a foodie touch and addresses addiction issues and healthy/unhealthy relationships.  The book was purchased new and signed by the author.  It is unread (though it should be once read by the time I ship it).  Enter below.  Winner must respond to my contact email within 24 hours.  This is an international giveaway.  All entrants welcome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7/30/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

I didn't get my helicopter ride yet.  Apparently the company they've been using has been having some mechanical issues, so until they have everything fixed, the ride is on hold.  Since having a Thursday evening off took more than a month's notice, I'm a bit concerned about whether I'll be able to manage a future date with my work schedule.  We'll see.

Since my sister and BIL are unable to start work on the inside of their new house (tenants are still in residence), they've been getting straight to work with the outside.  All the previous shingling is being taken down to expose the original wood of this almost 120 year old house.  I'm not involved in any of the work for this, but it's been fun to watch, if crazy.

My older nephew had his first 4-H dog show this weekend.  While it took cajoling and encouragement and 4 hours, we eventually made it through (he only ran out in the middle of judging once).  He came home to video games, and the other two kiddos came home to try start their own training attempts with a couple of the other dogs.  I found it incredibly cute and amusing to watch them put the dogs through their paces, but no one else seemed to care much.  Of course there was also an open house that day that my mother was preparing a dish for, and the house stuff, so those may have been factors.

Anyway, I went to a game night that same day, and we played a card version of Oregon Trail.  It was fun and brought back fond memories of the computer game in elementary school, but we had a couple people wipe out from dysentery and one from snakebite.

On the reading/blogging side, I've been dragging my feet on this post because I accomplished so little reading this past week...

This week I finished reading:

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke  - [My post] This was my first review book from Edelweiss, and I enjoyed it.  It involves Norse mythology and assassins (of a sort) and was different than anything else I've read lately.

Coyote Tales by Thomas King - This is the second book I've finished for the 12th annual Canadian Book Challenge.  I still have to post on this per challenge requirements, but haven't yet.

The Story Chapter 1 "Creation: The Beginning of Life as We Know It" and Chapter 2 "God Builds a Nation" read by Michael Blain-Rozgay and Allison Moffett - These are eAudio through the library's Hoopla subscription.  I saw something about this series on another blog post and decided to try it.  Apparently each chapter is about 30 minutes long.  They are supposed to be set up like a continuous story.  This means some biblical stories are skipped.  But so I'm finding these readings interesting.

I'm currently reading:

In audio (on CD), I've been listening to Moby Dick by Herman Melville (read by Paul Boehmer).  I haven't listened to as much as I should have this week.  I did listen to some discussion of the ship dynamics - how the captain, mates, and primary harpooners interact with each other, particularly around meals.  Also the mast heads have been discussed.  I just looked at a physical copy, though, and it seems I have not really made a dent in the book.  Oh, dear.

A Hard Day's Knight (Nightside, Bk 11) by Simon R. Green (library OverDrive ebook) - I'm enjoying this so far.  John has gone to London Proper to seek the Knights of the Round Table for advice on dealing with Excalibur.

Eye of the Shoal : a Fish-watcher's Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything by Helen Scales (library hardcover) - So far this is interesting, despite a bit too much evolution talk.  It seems to tie in well with Moby Dick.

Up next:

 

Nothing has changed from last week here.  My reading has reached snail pace.

The Saturday Morning Murder (Michael Ohayon, Bk 1) by Batya Gur
The Silk Train Murder (Kondike Era Mystery, Bk 1) by Sharon Rowse
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? (Farm-to-Fork Mystery, Bk 1) by Lynn Cahoon
Murder at the Mansion (Victorian Village Mystery, Bk 1) by Sheila Connolly
Bannerless (Bannerless, Bk 1) by Carrie Vaughn
Cat About Town (Cat Cafe Mystery, Bk 1) by Cate Conte
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (book discussion book)
The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson
The Scroll of Kings (Lost Books, Bk 1) by Sarah Prineas
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi; Translated by Jonathan Wright
Tricks for Free (InCryptid, Bk 7) by Seanan McGuire
Happy Cactus: Cacti, Succulents, and More

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7/23/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

Another week has passed.  My sister and BIL (who have been staying with us) finally signed for their new house...next door.  Now they just need to wait for the tenants to leave and get some basic reno/remodeling done and they will be moving out - with the 3 kiddos, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 guinea pigs, 2 birds, and 1 bearded dragon.  I love them, but I can't wait!  So close! I suspect this next month or two before things settle may be the hardest for me.

Earlier this summer I won a free helicopter ride over my hometown.  I plan to use it this week, so I'm super psyched!

On the reading side, most of what I read was short, but at least it feels like I've accomplished something...

This week I finished reading:

The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny (Nightside, Bk 10) by Simon R. Green - [My post / re-read] I've already started book 11, A Hard Day's Knight.

Mary Flora Bell: The Horrific True Story Behind an Innocent Girl Serial Killer by Nancy A. Veysey and Ryan Becker - [My post]

White Sand Blues (Ashley Grant, Bk 1) by Vicki Delany - [My post] The first book I've read for the 12th annual Canadian Book Challenge!

Dog Dish of Doom (Agent to the Paws, Bk 1) by E. J. Copperman - [My post] I look forward to reading book 2, Bird, Bath, and Beyond (I have a review copy).

Saving Fiona: The Story of the World's Most Famous Baby Hippo by Thane Maynard - [Goodreads] This children's story tells the story of premature hippo Fiona who was born at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in early 2017.  A cute feel-good story.  The end includes facts about hippos.

I'm currently reading:

In audio (on CD), I've been listening to Moby Dick by Herman Melville (read by Paul Boehmer).  This week I heard an entire lecture on the ways whaling is a good, beneficial industry (sorry not buying it), heard a description of the ship and its set off for the upcoming 3 year journey, and been introduced to the ship officers.  The last part was particularly difficult for me to focus on, unfortunately.  I found my mind wandering throughout.

A Hard Day's Knight (Nightside, Bk 11) by Simon R. Green (library OverDrive ebook)

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke (Edelweiss+ review copy ebook)

Eye of the Shoal : a Fish-watcher's Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything by Helen Scales (library hardcover)

Coyote Tales by Thomas King (library Hoopla ebook) - American/Canadian author

The Story: Chapter 1 "Creation: The Beginning of Life as We Know It" - (library Hoopla eAudio) - I saw a later chapter on another blog on a previous Monday - I can't remember who/where - and decided to try it.

Up next:

 

I have returned yet more library books unread.  Some of the library books I still have out include (my apologies for the low-quality pic above):

The Saturday Morning Murder (Michael Ohayon, Bk 1) by Batya Gur
The Silk Train Murder (Kondike Era Mystery, Bk 1) by Sharon Rowse
Who Moved My Goat Cheese? (Farm-to-Fork Mystery, Bk 1) by Lynn Cahoon
Murder at the Mansion (Victorian Village Mystery, Bk 1) by Sheila Connolly
Bannerless (Bannerless, Bk 1) by Carrie Vaughn
Cat About Town (Cat Cafe Mystery, Bk 1) by Cate Conte
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (book discussion book)
The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson
The Scroll of Kings (Lost Books, Bk 1) by Sarah Prineas
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi; Translated by Jonathan Wright
Tricks for Free (InCryptid, Bk 7) by Seanan McGuire
Happy Cactus: Cacti, Succulents, and More

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7/16/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

It's been a week.  Dog training classes (2), book club, crafting night, volunteering (at a local cat rescue), worship, work, and some family things.  All in the life.

One of the dogs is on a mole hunt in the backyard.  She has dug several large holes along the fence-line trying to catch this mole.  Last year it took her the bulk of the summer to catch the mole plaguing us, and in the meantime we ended up with holes across the entire yard.  You can tell where it/they move(s) by watching the dog (as well as the tunnels that pop up, of course). Her head cocks as she listens, she sniffs around, and next thing you know dirt is flying.  Once she has decided the mole is out of reach she comes back with a dirty brown nose, dirty white sock paws, and an innocent "didn't I do good?" look.

Oh, and I almost forgot! I finally have my desktop set up!  (Many thanks to my father who spent hours running virus protection on my old, tired Vista and then more transferring all my files to a portable external hard drive.)  I've been a year+ just borrowing other computers.  This should definitely help my blogging.

This week I finished reading:

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - [My post] An emotional and intense read.


From the Charred Remains (Lucy Campion Mystery, Bk 2) by Susanna Calkins - [My post] I look forward to beginning book three in this series.

I'm currently reading:

In audio (on CD), I've been listening to Moby Dick by Herman Melville (read by Paul Boehmer).  I haven't gotten much further in this story because I had some (Celtic) music CDs come in.  Ishmael has secured his place on the whaling vessel of his choice and will be introducing Queequeg.


Mary Flora Bell : The Horrific True Story Behind an Innocent Girl Serial Killer by Nancy A. Veysey and Ryan Becker - This book needed a lot more editing.  The punctuation is horrible, and the actual writing is too casual and scattered.  But the story and content is interesting (if horrifying and tragic).

The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny (Nightside, Bk 10) by Simon R. Green - A new coworker's question about if I've been reading anything good lately brought the revelation that I haven't been reading enough fantasy lately.  So I decided to finish up the Nightside series.  I thought I was picking up where I left off, but as I've been reading the story began to feel vaguely familiar.  That would be because I've read it before... [My original post]  I'm going to finish it out without reading my post, and I guess this can still be a springboard to the end of the series.

Up next:

I have too many library books at once, and had to return some unread.  I hope to get back to them some other time.  Some of the library books I still have out include:

Eye of the Shoal : a Fish-watcher's Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything by Helen Scales
The Scroll of Kings (Lost Books, Bk 1) by Sarah Prineas
White Sand Blues (Ashley Grant Mystery, Bk 1) by Vicki Delany (Canadian Author)
Almost Adulting: All You Need to Know to Get It Together (Sort Of) by Arden Rose

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7/9/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

This week I joined the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge.  We saw the new Jurassic World movie on Tuesday (I mostly liked it, but they hit quite a bit on the sad emotional stuff, and I didn't have quite enough raptor action, and I have mixed feelings about the ending).
I enjoyed the 4th of July parade Wednesday (despite the fact that it never really has floats anymore), but I did not enjoy the fireworks that have been turning the dogs into nervous and high-strung wrecks.

This week I finished reading:

Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery, Bk 1) by Nora Page - [My post] I had series doubts about this one for the first half.  But it looked adorable, and others seemed to enjoy it.  Thankfully, it picked up in the second half.

A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone, Bk 1) by Sue Grafton - [My post] Pretty enjoyable.  I look forward to continuing the series.

I'm currently reading:

In audio (on CD), I've been listening to Moby Dick by Herman Melville (read by Paul Boehmer).  Most recently, Ishmael has gone to select the vessel that he and Queequeg will be whaling on.  I actually do not not much about this story, despite it being a classic; though I'm still early on, everything in the story is new to me.

I started in print, From the Charred Remains (Lucy Campion Mystery, Bk 2) by Susanna Calkins.  I haven't gotten any further than last week because I was finishing some other books.


Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig - I've just barely started this, but the book discussion it is for is Tuesday.  Fortunately, I've taken Monday off so I should be able to focus on finishing it.

Up next:

Other books I have through the library (and may or may not get to) include:

No Cure for the Dead (Florence Nightingale Mystery, Bk 1) by Christine Trent
How to Fall in Love with a Man Who Lives in a Bush by Emmy Abrahamson
Eye of the Shoal : a Fish-watcher's Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything by Helen Scales
Mary Flora Bell : The Horrific True Story Behind an Innocent Girl Serial Killer by Nancy A. Veysey and Ryan Becker
The Scroll of Kings (Lost Books, Bk 1) by Sarah Prineas

 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 6/25/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

This week I finished:

The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey - I've posted about this here.  Basically, it was a quick read that I enjoyed.  I look forward to more of Valdemar, this family, and Mercedes Lackey books in general.

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal - My post.  I enjoyed this, though I definitely enjoyed her Glamourist Histories series better.

Master and Commander (Aubrey/Maturin, Bk 1) by Patrick O'Brian and narrated by Simon Vance - I'll be posting on this later.  While there isn't much in the way of a plot (I agree, as this has been stated in several reviews I read), I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere.  I intend to continue listening to this series.

I'm currently reading:


In ebook format, I've been reading A is for Alibi (A Kinsey Millhone Novel, Bk 1) by Sue Grafton.  This is my first time reading these, and I figure it is about time to start since the series is as done as it will be.  I'm still enjoying this one, but I haven't made much progress with it this past week.

In print, I've been reading (off and on) Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash by Shia Su. I haven't read any further this past week, as I've been focused on some of my other library books.

Also in print, I've started Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery, Bk 1) by Nora Page.  I've been slower about getting into it, but the mystery part has started, so hopefully it will pick up a little.

 

Up next:

In downloadable audio, I hope to get back into Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain and narrated by Käthe Mazur (which I had started some time ago and have left lingering lately).

I will be starting Moby Dick by Herman Melville and narrated by Paul Boehmer in book-on-CD format.  This is a monster of a book, but I've never read it and need to, so...

Underland Chronicles (Books 2-5)

 

Title: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Author: Suzanne Collins ; Read by Paul Boehmer
Publisher: Listening Library
Series: Underland Chronicles, Bk 2
ISBN: 0307282686
Length: 6 hours, 34 minutes ; 6 discs
Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Comments:

After reading Gregor the Overlander, I had to read more.  Once I started this one, I was just as caught up as I had been with the first book.  I had some issues with one of the discs skipping and jumping backwards, but I finally made it through.  It can be so intense with some really dramatic scenes.  At one point when a shocking death occurred, my mouth dropped open, and I had to tell my coworker about it.  I was all, "This is a kids book for, like, 10-12 year olds!"  (Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it isn't age appropriate just... very intense.)  In any case, by the end I was so caught up I decided I had to read book 3 immediately.

Title: Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Author: Suzanne Collins ; Read by Paul Boehmer
Publisher: Listening Library
Series: Underland Chronicles, Bk 3
ISBN: 9780739353950
Length: 7 hours, 48 minutes ; 7 parts
Obtained: Library downloadable audiobook copy

Comments:

Immediately following my reading of Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, I got on my computer and downloaded this book.  I put the actual audiobook on hold too, but I couldn't wait.  I didn't intend to stay up until 4:30 in the morning listening to it (and of course it had to be longer than the rest), but I couldn't just stop either.  I started book 4 the next morning.

Title: Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Author: Suzanne Collins ; Read by Paul Boehmer
Publisher: Listening Library
Series: Underland Chronicles, Bk 4
ISBN: 9780739364826
Length: 7 hours, 17 minutes ; 6 discs
Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Comments:

Unlike in the first three stories, Gregor does not have a specific prophecy to follow, or at least not yet.  But it's not like there is much he can do in the Overland over his summer break.  Not with the fresh scars across his legs and body.  While Gregor starts this book without any overt pressure, the story becomes increasingly intense as it goes.  There are even parallels with holocausts and concentration camps.

Title: Gregor and the Code of Claw
Author: Suzanne Collins ; Read by Paul Boehmer
Publisher: Listening Library
Series: Underland Chronicles, Bk 5
ISBN: 9780739364864
Length: 9 hours, 4 minutes ; 7 discs
Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Comments:

This is the last and most intense of the Gregor/Underland books.  Each book has loss of life, but the loss in this one was so MUCH.  I was sobbing through parts.  And the ending!  I couldn't get this out of my head.  I really wish there were more; I wasn't ready for it to end.  But there you are... I'm glad I at least took the journey.

Gregor the Overlander

Title:  Gregor the Overlander aka Gregor and the Rats of Underland

Author:  Suzanne Collins; Read by Paul Boehmer

Publisher:  Listening Library

Series:  Underland Chronicles, Bk 1

ISBN: 0307282694

Length:  6 hours, 34 minutes; 6 discs

Obtained:  Library audiobook copy

Comments:

I've heard good things about this series for awhile now.  I checked this out in print but ended up returning it without reading it.  Then I needed another audio, preferably children's.  I asked for a recommendation and said I was looking for something fantasy.  The children's librarian pulled this out and said the series was actually pretty good (it sounded like it wasn't really her kind of genre).

I'm pleased to say I found that I did enjoy it.  I really liked Gregor.  He was so responsible for an 11 year old.  I loved how he cared for his little sister when others might have found a 2 year old tagging along and causing mischief annoying.  I was happy he was willing to overlook his personal wants for the good of his family.  It is something I struggle with, so I find it especially admirable when I see it (yes, even in fictional characters) ... all the more so in a kid.  The other characters were varied and interesting as well.

Another point of interest is the setting and storyline.  It's kind of James and the Giant Peach (which I've never read - I'm basing this comment on the movie) and Harry Potter (no wizardry, but a whole new world just past our every day Earth and major cities) - though Gregor is not so abused as either of the aforementioned comparisons - and Alice in Wonderland (which I've never read or watched all the way through, but which apparently inspired the author).  In any case, it was interesting and different (despite all the comparisons).

I moved quickly through the story and am currently listening to the second book, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.  Or at least I'm trying to, if only I can get through the part that keeps skipping and jumping backward.