It's That Time of Year Again - R.I.P X

R.I.P X!
I participated the very first time in this community event back in 2008 for R.I.P III. I enjoy it every year, even when I couldn't participate fully.
This year, for the 10th Anniversary, I am jumping all in. Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings has passed the hosting this year to The Estella Society. So head on over there to get signed up.
Here is what I will be reading:

1. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson "Murder, Magic, And Madness at the Fair that Changed America"
I chose this book for my October Book Group. Perfect timing, right?  Already reading and enjoying this one. Can't wait to discuss with our group.
2. Definitely Dead and 3. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris Books 6 and 7 of the Sookie Steakhouse Series
I borrowed these books from my sister years ago and by "years ago" I mean 4! I need to return them to her. I am loving this. Two from the TBR pile.
4. The Quick by Lauren Owen

I think I will participate in the group read this year, too. Sounds like a great book!
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

R.I.P VIII: A little late but ready to jump in!

This is one of my all time favorite challenges. These are my kind of books. The ones I am happiest reading during the best time of the year. This just get me ready to enjoy the Halloween season. (Is Halloween a season?)

Anyway, I have some great books to choose from, some that will take care of a few challenges at once and some that are just too interesting not to read.  My goal is to read 4 books! It is a lofty goal but I do have some Sherlock to read and some TBR books to take care of. Also, the Murakami is our Book Group's choice! I think Peril the First is doable.
What will you be reading? Join in the fun at Stainless Steel Droppings.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

RIP VI: Challenge Completed

Carl's R.I.P Challenge is a favorite every year. A chance to read all my favorite types of books. 

I was worried that I wouldn't get any books read but I actually did pretty good. I tried for Peril the Second. Here are the books I read and reviewed:

Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

The Shining by Stephen King

Can't wait for next year's challenge!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King


I have been wanting to read a Stephen King book for a very long time. I read Christine years ago when I was a teenager but hadn't read anything else since. I decided to pick The Shining for my book groups October read. Probably not the best book for my easily scared group of friends, but for me-the perfect read.
Most, I believe, know the story, right? Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel which is in the Rocky Mountains closed off to everything once the snow starts to fall. He brings along his wife, who is ready to leave him the minute he starts drinking again, and his son, Danny with his psychic abilities.
I enjoyed reading this all month long. I loved the slow build up of the supernatural scares to the big final battle between the Torrance's and the Overlook Hotel. It was interesting to me how much of this is a psychological thriller rather than blood and gore scares. There is that, too, but the psychological thrills were so much more disturbing and scary.
Next on my Stephen King books to read list: It. 
5/5
Source: purchased ebook for iPhone Kindle App
RIP VI Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
It has been a long time since I have read a book that kept me up late at night unable to put it down. I loved this book and enjoyed every bit of it. 
It is the story of Richard Mayhew, who despite the protests of his girlfriend, helps a young injured girl off the streets of London. In doing so, he loses his girlfriend, the life he knew and finds himself where he never would have imagined, London Below. 
Such a fun book full of adventures, creepy characters and scary monsters. Perfect book for the month of October.
5/5Source: purchased
R.I.P Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald
I was completely enthralled with this book. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. 
Ada is a great protagonist - strong, fiesty and smart, plus she has the power of healing. She has grown up in foster homes not knowing who her parents are and just trying to survive the system. Her ability to see illness in people causes others to shy away from her, call her a freak. When she finally is put with her "aunt", she learns their's and her mother's fate- a life on the run from people wanting to take advantage of their gift.
There is a lot to like about this book, the characters, and well thought out story line, the beautiful artwork thats peppered throughout the book. I look forward to reading more especially since this ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.
4.5/5Source: from author for review
For more info on the book and author visit adaslegend.com.
RIP VI Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Readers.Imbibing.Peril 6

Carl's R.I.P Challenge is a favorite every year. A chance to read all my favorite types of books. 

I think I will try for Peril the Second (2 books) and Short Story Peril once again and if I read more. Yay. Click on button if you are interested in participating as well!

Okay, this year I am hoping that I can actually read some books. I still have my stack of books that I chose last year and never got to them! So, my own personal challenge is to read at least two of those books along with the book that gets chosen for my book group. Here is my post from last year with the books I had chosen and these are the books I plan on proposing to my book group for October:
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor BrownRoom by Emma DonoghueIt by Stephen King


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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

R.I.P V Challenge

Carl's R.I.P Challenge is a favorite every year. A chance to read all my favorite types of books. I wasn't sure if I was going to participate this year but I just couldn't let it go by without me.

So, here is my list of books that I hope to get through:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Nocturnes by John Connolly (short stories)

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe

I think I will try for Peril the Second (2 books) and Short Story Peril 

Click on button if you are interested in participating as well!

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2009 Challenge Wrap Up

Completed 8/09












My Serial Challenge Books

1 series completed.







Completed 5/09








My A to Z Books

23/26. Incomplete.











My eBook Challenge Books

4/10 books read. Incomplete.









Completed 11/09










Completed 10/31













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R.I.P IV Challenge Wrap-Up

Carl's R.I.P Challenge is one of the most fun and enjoyable challenges out there. I love reading the books for this challenge so much that I read more than the four I signed up for!

Here is my Wrap-Up

What I read:

1. A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

2. Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

3. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

4. Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones
City of Ashes
 City of Glass

5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Graham-Smith

6. Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger


Lots of great books and some were even a little creepy. Next year I definitely need some scarier books




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Book Review- City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Glass ends the suspense of the previous two books. Clary and Jace are back along with their friends and family but this time in Idris, the home of the Shadowhunters. They are there to help the Clave fight against Valentine and his demons as well as to find the cure for Clary's mother.

Better than the previous books, CIty of Glass still seemed to be missing a little something. It was a fast read and had a lot of suspense but I had no problem skipping ahead and places and scanning my way through to get to the end quicker. I never felt that I missed anything important by doing that. It was 2am and I still had about 100 pages to go to the end and I really wanted to get some sleep before going to work the next day. I guess that is a sign that I liked it, right? I couldn't put it down.

One thing that did annoy me, though, was how long it took everyone in the book to understand what was happening when the reader (me) knew very early on. I wasn't reading to the end to find out the secrets and mystery but to see if the characters ever figured it all out. Thankfully they all did eventually.

I thought this was the final book of the series but I understand that there is another book to come. City of Fallen Angels will be released in March 2010.

3.5/5

Serial Readers Challenge
RIP IV Challenge

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***I have an extra hardcover copy of Moving Day, Book 1 of the series Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls by Meg Cabot, to give away. All you have to do is leave me a comment here to enter. You have until midnight CST on Wednesday, October 14th. Open to everyone.***

Book Review- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in need of more brains"

What do you get when you add zombies to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? Well, sometimes big laughs and other times some cringe worthy destroying of Austen's most famous of books.

Everyone knows the story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy and their great love story, right? I hope so, because that is still the main story here. Seth Grahme-Smith adds Unmentionables to the story and makes the Bennett sisters warriors, pledged to protect the people of Hertfordshire from the brain eating zombies.

I enjoyed this mash up for the most part. There are some really funny parts and that first line is just great-funniest line of them all. However, as mentioned above, there were parts that made me squirm in my seat while reading. Really, how could Jane Austen's work be so defiled with vomit filled scenes, zombie feeding fests and killing sprees? Sometimes it worked, though, and I actually had fun reading it.

3.5

RIP IV Challenge
Everything Austen Challenge






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Book Review: Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

Devil Bones begins with the finding of a cauldron filled with the bones of a young woman. The items surrounding said cauldron suggest a ritual. Satanic? That is the question that Dr. Brennan must answer as her role of forensic anthropologist.

I was a bit disappointed with this latest book in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs. The mystery was not that interesting, and the personal story was slow and didn't hold my interest. Not being set in Quebec, there was definitely not enough of Detective Ryan. Also, Brennan seemed a little out of character-more emotional, not as strong. Perhaps this was an attempt at growing her character a bit but it just seemed wrong.

There were also little things that annoyed me. I don't need to know what kind of lotion or shampoo Brennan uses. I really didn't see the point of her standing around naked with her underwear in her hands while talking on the phone. Mentioned once-okay. Mentioned over and over-annoying.

I have enjoyed every other book by Reichs so I am not going to give up on Temperance Brennan just yet.

2/5

RIP IV Challenge


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Book Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

After the events in City of Bones, Clary now knows who her father is, has an unexpected brother and that her mother has been keeping secrets about her past and the skills she has passed on to Clary. In City of Ashes, Clary must deal with these new revelations and also save the Clave from being destroyed by her father.

I have some issues with these books, as I mentioned in my review of City of Bones, but the books are still a bit addictive. A good thing about this one, the similarities to other books are less. And once I got started reading City of Ashes, I had a hard time putting it down, wanting to see what was going to happen in the end. However, the story line I want resolved, and what I want not to be true, has not been addressed as of yet. I feel that the resolution in my head has to be true since, otherwise, it would be a little too Flowers in the Attic for me. I guess I shall have to wait until I read the next book to find out.

I haven't picked up City of Glass yet despite it being on my nightstand. Not sure when I will get to it. I find that I am not in too much of a hurry. I will read it, though.


3/5

RIP IV Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge


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Book Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

This book came highly recommended by a couple people so I was quite excited when I was leant the books. I began reading with pretty high expectations and unfortunately the book didn't quite meet them. First, I do want to say that I never wanted to abandon the book, it was good enough to keep me interested. Also, it was a quick and easy read, perfect for on the go reading. I read quite a bit of it on the drive to Dallas a couple weekends ago. My problem with it was really that I kept reading things that I had seen and read before. Demon hunters, a flying motorcycle, the main character discovering that she is not as normal as she thought. I was hoping for something a little more original.

Still, I continued with the series hoping to find out that the surprise connection between Clary and Jace is not true. What an odd development. Why was this needed?

2.5/5



Serial Readers Challenge
RIP IV Challenge

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Book Review- Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

 Ghost In The Machine by Patrick Carman

GHOST IN THE MACHINE starts up right where SKELETON CREEK left off - in the secret room of the dredge with the ghost of Joe Bush staring down at Sarah and Ryan. It has all the same creepy videos, wonderful references to great literature and an original mystery and thriller. SKELETON CREEK was a really great introduction to the characters and story, and GHOST IN THE MACHINE was the perfect sequel, bringing the mystery to a shocking close.

Patrick Carman has given kids a wonderful series of books to enjoy. I really hope there will be more in this style of storytelling in his future. The mix of online videos to see in between chapters and the use of characters in literature as the passwords kept me reading to see the next one. SKELETON CREEK was definitely a hard book to follow, but this one is just as great.

Ghost in the Machine releases on October 1st. Be sure to go out and get a copy!

4/5

RIP IV Challenge






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Book Review- A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

A young girl is abducted and brutally murdered. Another is in the hospital after almost jumping off her balcony in her sleep. Could there be a connection between the two? It doesn't seem possible until Dr. Peter Gram begins counseling Naya, a young adopted Indian girl who is having very vivid and terrifying dreams.

I really loved the paranormal aspect of the story and how it plays into the mystery of the young girl's death. I liked the Indian myths and folklore and how it came into play, definitely not something I had read about before but very interesting and intriguing. The plot and pacing were perfect for a good thriller and made for a great weekend read.

I can't wait to read more by Mr. Grandhi.

4/5

R.I.P IV Challenge

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R.I.P IV Challenge

Oh no, another Challenge I can't miss out on. Carl's R.I.P Challenge is one of the most fun and enjoyable challenges out there. I participated for the first time last year and had a blast reading the books I love.

I will be doing Peril the First. I will be reading four books starting September 1st through October 31st.

Possible books in my to read pile that will work:

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi (my current read)

Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger

Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

What I read:

1. A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi

2. Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

3. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs

4. Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones

City of Ashes

5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Graham-Smith
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2008 Challenge Wrap Up

This was my very first year of entering reading challenges. I enjoyed them all. I am also very excited that I was able to complete them.

Here's to next year's challenges.


The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritson
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Broken by Kelley Armstrong
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld



*July- Emma by Jane Austen
*August- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
*September- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
*October- Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
*November- Dubliners by James Joyce
*December- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens



My list of books read for 2008 can be found here. 100 books. Check. :)


One more month and one more book for this one:



Read:
Holes, Louis Sachar
Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer
Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman
Bel Canto, Anne Patchett

To Read:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon