Stacking the Shelves 103

 

So I was hoping to get this up every other week, but last weekend was Dewey's Readathon so it has now been three weeks.  And the rule of the extra week means I went from a semi-moderate haul to, well for me it actually isn't too outrageous for three weeks... But I also just submitted requests for  a few more on Netgalley.  So I better get reading them all!

For Review

 

Book Blitz! Bait by Kasi Blake-includes Giveaway and excerpt!

Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm #1)

by Kasi Blake


 Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: July 25th 2014

Summary:  After sixteen years on the run, Bay-Lee joins her emotionally distant father at his New Zealand school. On her first night there, he dumps her on the doorstep and walks away. Big surprise. Minutes later, a bag is thrown over her head, and she’s kidnapped for Orientation. The hunter in charge calls her Bait. According to him, that’s all she’s good for, to be used to draw out monsters for experienced hunters to kill.

Before Bay-Lee can move up to the rank of Hunter, she will have to prove herself, battle wraiths,a reaper in disguise, and a stampeding border monster. With the addition of her classes, she’s going to be way too busy for a social life. Falling in love is not on the agenda.

Then, she meets Nick Gallos. With the intimidating rank of Warrior, Nick is gorgeous, arrogant,and just plain rude to her. It’s obvious from their first meeting that Nick is hiding a dark past overflowing with secrets, and her father is right smack in the middle of it. Nick seems to be using her to get even with her father, and she won’t tolerate that. What a jerk.

So, why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Add to Goodreads

Bait is FREE!
Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords│iTunes

Excerpt

The snarling beast prepared to charge. A clawed foot pawed at the dirt, stirring up a cloud of dust. Black eyes partially hidden beneath a mass of unruly brown fur stared at her. Its enormous square head tilted to the side. The thing looked like a cross between a wooly mammoth and an alien from a scary movie.

Before The Selection Ends- Theory chat for The Crown

In just one week the very last book of The Selection Series will be out!  I am beyond psyched to read it!  So I am creating this post as a way for us to share out theories and ideas for how it will end, whom she will choose, etc.  

If you have not read the previous books, I highly suggest leaving the post now.  Not that I don't want you here, just I don't want you to be spoiled and for theories to come to light, spoilers of the past books can and will be mentioned. 

If you have already somehow read The Crown (Galley/Arc copy, etc) please no spoiling the actual last book.  This is just for theories.  If you want to share how you thought it would end, feel free.  But don't confirm or otherwise divulge the known ending. Thanks.

So, now let us discuss who we think will take on:

 

Task it Tuesday-Weekend Recovery!

 

Whew!  What a busy weekend.  As many of you may know, this weekend I participated in Dewey's Readathon.  Plus I had the Morro Bay Kite Festival.  So great to see some friends I only get to see 1-2 times a year.  I got a good chunk of reading done. Some on my list, some not. 

This week it is about putting the house back in order and hopefully finish catching up on more that is still listed here.  I have a lot of task goals I want to work on in May so my focus this week is energy recover (I am just drained from the past 4 days) and mostly old tasks.  My blogging really slipped the past two weeks and I want to really give it some good attention this week.  I also still have a TON of yard work to do.  

 

Understanding the color code used:

Red=Past Due by this date

Blue=What I have done since last update

Black=Not Due or New
*Fun Will never be red & new additions will be added in green.

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 13 reviews  (1 done)
• 6 Discussion/other Post (meme styles don't count) (1 done)
• Finish getting Archive, Genres and Guest Interview pages up to date
• Catalog 1375 books I own
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have a true, regular interest in.
1. Twitter
2. Facebook
3. Pinterest
4. GFC
5. Bloglovin

• Organize Goodreads shelves for TBR, owned books and kindle books
• Organize Manga bookcases
• Update all challenges.  Submit as needed.
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews.
• Select readathon snacks and book possibilities 
• Make list of all items needed for trip, start packing
• Prepare Dewey update post formats
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Go through Edelweiss and Netgalley for any MUST have books.
• 2 new reviews
• 1 discussion/other post (non-meme)
• STS post
• Catalog all March/April ebooks
• Catalog 100 print books I own
• Visit and comment on 50 other blog/vlog posts

Reading

• Read Sierra Jensen series Bks 8-12 (Read 8)
• Read Ashley Bell 
• Read Rebel Nation
• Finish Ready Player One
• Finish The 5th Wave
• Finish Golden Son
• Read Eldest  (progress)
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
• Finish Black
• Finish Steampunk
• Finish Inkdeath
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
• Restart Nameless
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1 (progress)
• Read Pride and Prejudice
• Read By fire, by moonlight
• Read Daylighters
• Re-read Splintered (progress)
• Read Little Women
• Read Black Moon
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
• Re-Read Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold!
• Re-Read The Book of Three
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
• Read Grimm Fairy Tales graphic novel
• Read The BFG   
• Read Hostage Run (progress)
• Read Queen 
• Finish Pure (progress)
•  Start Fairest 
• Read Danganronpa Vol 1
• Read Food Wars Vol 11  
• Read So Cute It Hurts Vol 6 
• Read Twin Star Exorcists Vol 4  
• Read The Demon Prince of Momochi House Vol 4 
• Read Nisekoi Vol 14 

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon Progress and Update

 

 Hour 1

Hi and Happy Saturday!!  It is time to start the Dewey's Readathon!  It has just begun, I have just started me a mini pot of tea while my husband is still snoozing 10 feet away.  Going to be a bit slow getting going on this readathon.  Why?  Because I am not awake (it is only 5 am and anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person.  I normally do not start to stir in bed for another 4 hours!  Yet here I am, in a hotel room in Morro Bay, CA (it is also Kite Festival Weekend!!!!), curled up in my robe and some slippers, waiting on my caffeine.  

So, here are my stacks of potentials for this readathon.  Yes, I am well aware there is no way I can possibly get to all of this, but being as I ma stuck with whatever I took with me, and I am an extreme mood reader, I grabbed a variety.  Several of these are actually already in progress.

I will try to update this post every couple hours  or so but I might miss some.  In fact, I will be gone for a few hours this evening for a dinner party (all you can eat ribs!). So let the reading commence!  Although since I'll be starting in bed, on my kindle, I might just pass back out lol.

Start time: 5AM

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? California, USA
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Ready Player One (if I gt to it but IO have a few others planned first)
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? I am in a hotel so my snack options are very limited but probably my red vines.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! See the first paragraph. :)
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? Probably take more mini naps, one of the in the next few hours ( I am running on less than 4 hrs sleep and less than 3 from the night before so I am actually starting this quite exhausted.

Time into the readathon:
1 hour

 Since the last update I have-

Made Progress In:
 

Pages Read:
46
Audio Booktime listened:
30 minutes

Books completed:
None

Food/Drink Consumption:
Hot black tea 

Challenges Participated In:
opening meme

Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

 

The Selection: The Heir (4)

by Kiera Cass

Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian

Pages: 342

Published: May 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen

Official Synopsis:  Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Review:  When I first started this, I did not like Eadlyn's character.  She took some time to grow on me.  But she does, in her own way.  As the future  queen, and daughter of the beloved Maxon and America, she has a lot to live up to.  The people are still unhappy with their lives and she it told to host a Selection as a distraction so her parents and officials can hopefully find some solutions.  She wants nothing to do with the boys that show up and boy does it show!

Her choices include, a sweet tailor, a crazed wacko, money-hungry mongrels, a family friend and one who doesn't even speak the same language! Plus several others. How she deals with some of these guys is fantastic, other times cringe-worthy.  I really liked the different dynamics of the guys.  They really shine through on the pages. 

Task It Tuesday-Week 14 of 2016- Catch up!

So this past week I tried out a couple games, made good progress on the bathroom and got a bit of reading in.  There were some unexpected, and highly unwanted interruptions that caused problems. 
The one good bump was I got a new computer and printer!  It is all set up but now I have to learn Windows 10.  And I have office again! So happy about proper documents and spreadsheets.  But I have a lot to still convert and organize.  So please bare with me.
I have a lot going on the next couple weeks.  We are still working on the bathroom, plus the computer changes.  Then in less than 2 weeks is Dewey's 24 readathon, plus Morro Bay Kite Festival we are a part of.  So, must plan for Deweys, prep festival and book gear and snacks. Plus I have some overdue manga read4reviews I need to get to before they expire on ADE.  
So that is my plan this week and next.  Not adding too much new, besides the mangas.  Just focus on the projects and what is past due here. And yardwork (weather permitting).  Although I did add a few fun goals.


Understanding the color code used:

Red=Past Due by this date

Blue=What I have done since late week

Black=Not Due or New
*Fun Will never be red & new additions will be added in green.

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 14 reviews (1 done)
• 7 Discussion/other Post (meme styles don't count) (1 done)
• Finish getting Archive, Genres And Guest Interview pages up to date
• Catalog 1375 books I own
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016
  

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have an true, regular interest in.
  1. Twitter
  2. Facebook
  3. Pinterest
  4. GFC
  5. Bloglovin
     

• Organize Goodreads shelves for TBR, owned books and kindle books (progress)
• Organize Manga bookcases
• Go through Netgalley new titles I REALLY want to read ASAP
• STS post
• Update all challenges.  Submit as needed.
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews.
• Start a preliminary list of Dewey's readathon possible books to read
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Select readathon snacks and book possibilities 
• Make list of all items needed for trip, start packing
• Prepare Dewey update post formats

Reading

• Read Sierra Jensen series Bks 8-12 (started 8)
• Read Ashley Bell
• Read Rebel Nation
• Finish Ready Player One
• Finish The 5th Wave
• Finish Golden Son
• Read Eldest
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
• Finish Black
• Finish Steampunk
• Finish Inkdeath
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
• Restart Nameless
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1
• Read Pride and Prejudice
• Read By fire, by moonlight
• Read Daylighters
• Re-read Splintered
• Read Little Women
• Read Black Moon
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
• Re-Read Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold!
• Re-Read The Book of Three
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
• Finish The Fault in Our Stars
• Finish The Walled City 
• Read Assassination Classroom 9 & 10  (Read 9, holding off a bit on 10)
• Read Grimm Fairy Tales graphic novel
• Read The BFG  (progress)
• Read Hostage Run
• Read Queen 
• Finish Pure (progress) (was previously just to start)

Prep Tips and plan for 24 hour readathon

 

It's almost here.  Dewey's 24 hour Readathon!

Now some of you may wonder why I am posting about preparation now.  I got almost two weeks and it is only a 1 day event right?  Well, to me, there is more to it.

First off, I am sharing this in the hopes that maybe some of you will join my in the readathon.  It is a huge internet event with over 2000 participants!  All around the world, at the same time, readers put aside the next 24 hours to reading.  Can't do that much?  It is okay, everything is your pace. If you got an hour, that is great!  Got 12 in you- fantastic! This is a pressure free readathon.  The only objective is to have fun!  Some don't even read, they just cheer or host events!  The only goals are ones you put on yourself (if you even want to).  Blogs, twitter, facebook and goodreads are all very active with updates, fun challenges, cheering and more!

For me this readathon weekend also coincides with a huge festival my husband and I take part in.  So I am going low-key this round.  No specific goals.  Just to read what I can.  We will be in a hotel room so I am limited on what I will have with me to read (can't take it all, lol), so my next week or so will be filled with choosing my stack of books. I will still bring plenty to keep me busy.  The real trick is food.  Being as I will be in a hotel room, I can't have foods I need to cook up.  It all has to be ready to eat snacks.  Any ideas?  I would love to hear them!  

Being my husband and I will share a room it is doubtful I will go the full 24 hrs.  I doubt he would be appreciative my keeping him awake reading.  But he has been forewarned I will still be up quite late (and early since it starts at 5am my time!).  So festival set up and party the day of the readathon and a busy, kite filled day on the beach the very next day!  It is going to be crazy-both fun and hectic.

If you are going for several hours to all 24 hours here are some tips you may want to keep in mind.

Stacking the Shelves 102

 

So it has been 3 weeks since my last update.  I am slowly getting better at taking less books on.  Mind you, I still have lots of room for improvement but I can honestly say my ratio for books added to shelves vs books read is starting to even out! 

To begin, I want to show off the amazing gift I received in March from my #otspsecretsister.  Who is now not so secret, but I think it will make it more fun for us to hopefully chat and get to know each other.  

This (plus Red Rising hardback earlier in March) is what Ashley from BookishRealm spoiled me with!  Thanks so much Ashley!!!  

  

  
A wonderful Fairy Tale themed gift set!  I love so much!!  She got me caught up on the Dorothy Must Die series, a graphic novel, some coloring, new movies and lots of snacky goodies to enjoy while I read!  And the little clues/hints were a lot of fun!

I also got some review books and a few free ebooks.  Now this list is a bit longer than the actual haul since I realized I missed a handful of James Hunt books in my last haul (these books are the ones without author name below). 

  

REVIEW: Six Points of Light: Hook's Origin by Kalynn Bayron

Six Points of Light: Hook's Origin (1)

by Kalynn Bayron

 

Genre(s): Adventure, Retellings, Young Adult

Pages: 206

Published: April 2015 (originally)

Re-published Jan 2016

Publisher: Booktrope Editions

 

Official Synopsis: "St. Catherine's is a place for misfits, for the forgotten, and it is also the only home James Cook has ever known. Abandoned on the front steps as an infant, James is raised by Sister Maddie who loves him like the mother he never knew. Growing up at St. Catherine's, James battles one illness after another, and spends most of his time in the infirmary.

One night, a young boy is delivered to St. Catherine's in the arms of his distraught mother. The boy, Peter, is mischievous and James tries his hardest to stay as far away from him, and his band of merry followers, as possible. The younger boys at St. Catherine's are drawn to the charismatic Peter, but James, being older and in his humble opinion, wiser, is not recruited so easily.

As the two become more closely acquainted, Peter reveals to James that he has a secret. This secret will turn James' life upside down and set he and Peter on a collision course with destiny in that far of place known to children and dreamers...Neverland.

Before he was Captain Hook, he was simply James Cook, and as it turns out, he was not such a dastardly villain after all.

Join some of the most beloved characters in literature as their roots are laid bare and the truth of their humble beginnings is revealed."

 

 

Review: This is quite a different retelling. This isn't some happy new imagination of a fun adventure. No, this is darker, twisted and will make you rethink the story of Peter Pan. All our favorite characters are here. James Cook (Hook), Peter, Wendy, John, Micheal, Smee, Tigerlily, Tinkerbell and even Hook's least favorite crocodile! They all play a part. And for many of them, the roles are not quite what you'd expect from the original tales.

Task It Tuesday -Week 14 of 2016

  

Well, our bathroom renovation is being a bit more of a pain than expected.  From the wrong color showing up, to the floor not being level.  So not only is it taking a bit longer but it is also costing more than we though.   Ugh.  On the plus, we are almost done with the basics.  we just need to replacing the walls, repaint, trim and clean the bathroom!  

On my downtime, I have mainly been catching up on a few TV shows and getting some Goodreads shelves organized.  I got all my TBR jars done as well  So couple good tasks done.  This week is all about some gaming, reading and getting my Goodreads shelves more organized so I can switch major book listing!  My blog got a bit more attention but The listing is a higher priority right now.

Understanding the color code used: Red=Past Due by this date

Blue=What I have done since late week

Black=Not Due or New
*Fun Will never be red & new additions will be added in green.

Blogging or Book related (not reading)

• Write/post 13 reviews (2 down)
  
• 8 Discussion/other Post (meme styles don't count)  (2 Down)
  
• Finish getting Archive, Genres And Guest Interview pages up to date
  
• Catalog 1144 books I own (got 19 done)
  
• Catch up on comment responses for 2016 (progress)
  
• Responding to all comments made prior to 2016
  

• clean up social media and other blogging follows and likes so I actually find the content for those I really have an true, regular interest in.
  
  1. Twitter
  2. Facebook
  3. Pinterest
  4. GFC
  5. Bloglovin
     

• Organize Goodreads shelfs for TBR, owned books and kindle books (progress)
  
• Organize Manga bookcases
  
• Go through Netgalley new titles I REALLY want to read ASAP
  
• STS post
  
• Update all challenges.  Submit as needed.
  
• Go back and add links to all edelweiss reviews. 
•  
•  
•  
•  Write/post 3 reviews
• 1 discussion/other post
• catalog 250 additional books
• Start a preliminary list of Dewey's readathon possible books to read

Reading

• Read Sierra Jensen series Bks 7-12 (Finished book 7)
  
• Read Ashley Bell
  
• Read Rebel Nation
  
• Finish Ready Player One
  
• Finish The 5th Wave
• Finish Golden Son
  
• Read Eldest (progress)
  
• Finish The Gateway through which they came
  
• Finish Black
  
• Finish Steampunk
• Finish Inkdeath
• Finish Gameboard of the Gods
• Restart Nameless
• Finish Lost Tribe of the Sith collection
• Finish Jesus the One and Only study
• Finish Dungeons and Dreamers
• Re-(Skim) Read Viral Nation
• Re-read the Walking Dead Compendium 1
• Read Pride and Prejudice
• Read By fire, by moonlight
• Read Daylighters
  
• Read Six Points of Light
  
• Re-read Splintered
• Read Little Women
• Read Black Moon
• Read Submissive Fairy Tales
• Re-Read Magic Kingdom For Sale-Sold!
• Re-Read The Book of Three
  
• Read Goodnight PunPun Omnibus 1
  
• Read My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol 1
  
• Finish The Fault in Our Stars (was previously just to start it) (progress)
• Finish The Walled City (was previously just to start it) (progress)

Review: World of Warcraft, Chronicle Vol 1

 

 

World of Warcraft, Chronicle Vol 1

by Blizzard Entertainment

 

 

Genre: Fantasy, Gaming

Pages: 184

Published: March 2016

Publisher: Dark Horse Books

 

 

Synopsis: "World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 is a journey through an age of myth and legend, a time long before the Horde and the Alliance came to be. This definitive tome of Warcraft history reveals untold stories about the birth of the cosmos, the rise of ancient empires, and the forces that shaped the world of Azeroth and its people.

 

 

 

Review:   I have mixed thoughts on this one. As a fan of Warcraft I found aspects in this, and the history it shares, that I really enjoyed. On the other hand, it was very technical and extremely bland in context. If it wasn't for the fact that the subject interested me so much, there is no way I would have plowed through this. There was no personality behind this at all. Very, very dry.

Mad Libs Time!

Who likes Mad Libs?  Every once in a while I enjoy these.  And lately, I have had them on my mind.  Thanks to a book full of them from a friend.   So I thought I would try some with everyone here.

What I will do is list what we need for the blanks.  Simple comment with the answers.  When the puzzle is complete, I will share our results in a new post, with a new Mad Libs.  If we don't get enough participation I might look to twitter for help.  I will (hopefully) post the results and new list next weekend!

Mini Reviews: DK Adventures- Star Wars Jedi Battles and Sith Wars

   

 

 

 

 

 

Featuring the most exciting duels and epic battles that have ever been fought in the Star Wars galaxy, DK Adventures: Star Wars: Jedi Battles will show you just how the Jedi succeed in battle, lightsaber techniques, deadly weapons, and other-world allies. Let the journey begin!

Venture deep into the dark side and discover the world of the evil Sith. Find out more about incredible Sith powers and ruthless plots to take over the galaxy with this all-new "DK Adventures: Star Wars: Sith Wars"!

Good books build great readers. Created in consultation with literacy experts, "DK Adventures" will appeal to proficient readers who have a love of reading for both information and pleasure.

With rich, descriptive vocabulary, and interactive elements including diaries, recipes, poetry, character profiles, diagrams, and articles to support the stories, "DK Adventures" focus on engaging, action-packed topics that will develop comprehension skills and continue to build a child's love of reading.

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

 

 

What happened in March? Or lack thereof....

Well the past few months have been a mess for me.  First I have a lot to do to catch up from the holidays, then I get sick followed by a blogging AND reading slump.  Phooey!! I even missed doing anything for my 3 year blogversary!!

Well, on the downside, it left this blog a bit dry so far this year.  On the upside I am quickly getting out of these slumps so new content should be coming very soon!  However, it can all come to a grinding halt for a while.  Why?  Because my motherboard on my computer is going out.  I am having more problems by the day and no money for a new computer.  Some problems are slowing me up so badly simple posts can take hours just with he amount of freezes I go through.  Some days are better than others but I am playing with a ticking timebomb, so to speak.  So if I go quiet on here for more than 3 days with no post, most likely my PC has said it's final goodbye.  If that happens I hope to have enough money by later this month for a new one.

On the plus side I have been participating in the ITSPSecretSister Program and it has been a wonderful, uplifting blast.  From the letter writing, getting to know my new sisters, to the creativity of gifting and recieving gifts to the general cheer of the community.  This has been a huge uplifting in my spirits.   And both of them have inspired some ideas for future content on this blog.  Although they might not yet know it...

I have created a TBR jar (more to come on that in a future post) to hopefully help my reading habits run smoother.  I am on a three month trial with it to see if it makes a difference. 

Books I finished reading in March (in approximate reading order of oldest to newest):