Wrap Up - August 2016

Got lots of reading done this month. Had lots of time to read in the airport, travelling is one of my favorite reading times because you don't really have anything else around to distract you. Extended uninterrupted reading time for the win!

1. The Stand, Stephen King
2. Hell, Texas, Tim Miller
3. Bloody Bank Heist, Tim Miller
4. The Fireman, Joe Hill
5. Salem's Lot, Stephen King *I am not going to do a full book review for this book, I just don't have enough to say, It was great, a must read for Dracula fans. Very much a vampire novel, not so much a typical King.
6. Misery, Stephen King
7. I Ripper, Stephen Hunter
8. The Darkest Powers Trilogy, Kelley Armstrong
1. The Summoning 
2. The Awakening 
3. The Reckoning

Favorite Book This Month

Wrap Up - July 2016

Once I started this list I realized I had done more reading than I thought, pretty happy with what I got through this month.

1. One Foot in the Gravc, Jeannie Frost *reread
2. Halfway to the Grave, Jeannie Frost
3. At Graves End, Jeannie Frost
4. Long Hard Road Out of Hell, Marilyn Manson *reread
5. Serial Killers the faces of evil - Magazine
6. In the Afterlight, Alexandra Bracken
7. Killer Families : murder by dads, moms, kids and spouses, Sylvia Perrin

Was really excited to get back into Jeannie Frost's, Night Huntress Series, they are quick and easy reads. I really like her characters and will post a review of it all. I did find that by the end of the third novel I just wasn't feeling it (nothing to do with the book). I didn't start the fourth, tried a different romance, couldn't get into it. Tried a few lighter novels one adult one ya, just wasn't sparking any interest. In a bit of a reading slump.

Also picked up The Stand, read just under half on several occasions, its a pretty sizable detailed slowish read. Around halfway through it now hoping to finish it in August.

Disney Princess Book Tag

Disney Princess Tag

1. Snow White: name your favourite classic
Dracula, Bram Stoker

2. Cinderella: name a book that kept you reading well past midnight
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone

3. Aurora: name your favourite romance
Iggy and Merrin, Horns, Joe Hill
Amelia and Lincoln, Bone Collector, Jeffery Deaver

4. Ariel: name a book that’s about making sacrifices and fighting for your dreams
Diverent, Veronica Roth

5. Belle: name a book with a smart and independent female character
Beka Cooper, Beka Cooper Series, Novels of Tortall, Tamora Pierce

 6.Jasmine: name a book with a character who challenged the social issues
,Ruby, The Darkest Minds Trilogy, Alexandra Bracken

7. Pocahontas: name a book whose ending was a roller-coaster of emotions
Alex, Pierre Lamaitre

8. Mulan: name a book with a kick-ass female character
The Naming, Allison Croggon

*Mulan is my favourite disney princess, and very appropriately I have read tons of strong female lead novels. I chose The Naming to avoid a repeat.

9. Rapunzel: name a book that features an artist
Broken Monsters, Lauren Beukes

10. Merida: name a book that features a mother-daughter relationship
Sickended : The Memoire of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood. Julie Gregory

Wrap Up - January to April 2016

Sorry that my 2016 has been sadly lacking thus far. Despite not having a chance to update my blog I have done quite a bit of reading in the past four months. I got through 45 novels which includes; rereading 3 old favorites, completing the Lunar Chronicles, reading The Strain Trilogy start to finish, reading an 8 book box set, reading 18 books out of the 50+ novels in the Dark-Hunterverse and starting the Odd Thomas Series.

My top 4 are:

The complete list of books I read is down below.
*I have done complete reviews for many of the books but will not be doing reviews for all of them

Vampire Book Tag

I am going to put this all down as if you are Vamp Newbies, and know next to nothing about our friends from beyond the grave.
What defines a vampire for me aka THE RULES not all of these criteria need to be met but the first 3 are always present, the farther down the list we go the more specific the book would have to be
*as vampires age from new born vamp to ancient the rules often modify or change all togther 

1. Undead 
2. Immortal, remain the age/appearance they died at, unnatural healing capabilities
3. Supernatural Powers (may have all or none or some)
1. Unnaturally/Inhumanly 
1. strong, 
2. fast, 
2. animal like hearing, 
3. eyesight, night-vision
4. Flight
5. Psychic powers, telekinesis, vampire to vampire  and or vampire to human
4. Killed by -- Often turn to dust, or skeleton when killed
1. Sunlight
2. Stake through the heart 
3. decapitation
4. Fire (completely consumed)
5. Silver (bullet or stake fatal, burns when in contact with skin, vampire kryptonite)
6. If you kill a "sire" vampire all the vampires he "created" will die too,
7. if restrained can be starved to death
8. some vampires need air (drowning/suffocation) others don't
5. Non-Fatal "allergies" to
1. Garlic
2. Holy Water
3. Crosses, not effected by bible passages, "God" spoken aloud may have reaction of sorts
4. Bites from werewolves/ other paranormal beings
6. Created by
1. Evil spell
2. Demonic possession 
3. bitten by vampire  and or 
1. only to rise as one after "natural death"
2. and only transformed if you drink his blood as well
3. must drink another humans blood before transforming
4. Some can be born vampire, either two vamps conceive somehow or pregnant human mother is bitten and gives birth to vampire child.
5. Half Blood Vampires, from a variety of things
6. Created by human virus/experimentation 
7. Depending on the novel becoming a vampire can have various levels of difficulty and steps not all humans can always become vampires 
7. Fangs, they drink blood, most often must be from a human direct from the source, could also be direct from source animal, human from the source or blood bank style, animal from the source or blood bank style, other vampires, may be allergic and or preferential to certain types of blood
1. Blood Lust or Urge to feed, May or May not be able to control, may be affected by
1. when the vampire last feed
2. age of vampire
3. if the vampire is wounded
4. strength of sire vampire
5. may or may not have to kill when feeding
2. May or may not be affected by state of humans blood, ie drunk humans, what people eat, blood type, HIV, Aids, Cancer
8. May or may not have reflection  and/or shadow, or turn up on film
9. May or may not need an invitation into places, ranging from private homes to any type of building
10. Ability to change shape, bat, smoke, 
11. Control over other supernaturals (varies)
12. Must sleep when the sun is up, variety of rules for dusk/dawn,
13. Good vs Evil Age old question of with or without a soul, same human as before transformed/ monster looking like human

If I have missed anything please comment. I am sorry if this list is hard to fallow I referenced a few websites + good ol' wikipedia and my somewhat wonderful memory bank
Depending on the novel vampirism can be an underground secret affaire to something very public.
It can be an old or new "condition" depending on how long the public has known about vampirism.
Humans in the novel can range from Wanna-be vamps to terrified victims desperate to escape any contract to vampire hunters

This post seems to be getting way longer than I intended it to be...

Seven Deadly Sins Book Tag

GREED—What is your most inexpensive book? What is your most expensive book?
What Author Have You Read the most books from? Tamora Pierce 34 books

WRATH—What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
EDIT*What is your biggest bookish problem?

Over Hyping, series that I wish had been stand alones.

GLUTTONY—What book have you deliciously devoured over and over with no shame whatsoever?
Harry Potter, JK Rowling

SLOTH—What book have you neglected reading due to laziness

Classics - Watership Down, Frankienstein

PRIDE—What book do you most talk about in order to sound like a very intellectual reader?

A Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
Also when you get the reference to a or a quote from another novel

LUST—What attributes do you find most attractive in male or female characters?

Edgy, Bad boy, lethal, sarcastic Strong,
Mary JaniceDavidson
Sherrilyn Kennyon
Yasime Galnorm

ENVY—What books would you most like to receive as a gift?

The Lord of the Rings + The hobbit omnibus hardcover
Stephen King matching novel set 

Taylor Swift Book Tag

1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - pick a book or series that you were pretty sure you were in love with, but then wanted to break up with.

Janie Johnson, Caroline B Cooney

2. Red - pick a book with a RED cover.

The Battle of the Labyrinth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan
You Slay Me, Aisling Grey Guardian,  Katie McAlister

3. The Best Day - pick a book that makes you feel nostalgic.

Redwall, Brain Jaques 

4. Love Story - pick a book with forbidden love.

Blood and Chocolate, Vivian and Aiden, Anette Curtis Klause

5. I Knew You Were Trouble - pick a book with a bad character you couldn’t help but love.

Hannibal Lecter, Thomas Harris

6. Innocent (written b/c of Kanye West!) - pick a book that someone ruined the ending for.

Twilight, Sephanie Meyer

7. Everything Has Changed - pick a character from a book who goes through extensive character development.

Susie and John, The Nightside Series, Simon R Green

8. You Belong With Me - pick your most anticipated book release. 
EDIT --> Most anticipated series to begin, 

The Lunar Chronicles, Marissa Meyer

9. Forever and Always - pick your favorite book couple.

Suzie and John, The Nightside Series
Mia and Adam, If I Stay, Gayle Forman

10. Come Back, Be Here - pick the book you would least like to lend out, for fear of missing it 
too much.

Journeys Through Bookland

BONUS QUESTIONS:11. Teardrops On My Guitar - pick a book that made you cry a lot.

My Sisters Keeper, Jodi Picoult 
Not Without My Sister, Kristina Jones

12. Shake It Off - pick a book that you love so much, you just shake off the haters.

Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson

Coffee Book Tag

1.Black: Name a series that's tough to get into but has hardcore fans.
The Game of Thrones, George RR Martin

2. Peppermint mocha: Name a book that gets more popular during the winter or a festive time of year.
Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis 
Ice, Sarah Beth Durst

3. Hot chocolate: What is your favourite children's book?
Goosebumps series, RL Stine
Warriors, Erin Hunter

4. Double shot of espresso: Name a book that kept you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Savage, Richard Laymon

5. Starbucks: Name a book you see everywhere.
The Lunar Chronicles, Marissa Meyer

6. That hipster coffee shop: A book everyone told you, you HAD to read
Twilight, Stephanie Meyer 
Percy Jackson, Rick Riordan

7. Oops! I accidentally got decaf: Name a book you were expecting more from.
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green

8. The perfect blend: Name a book or series that was both bitter and sweet but ultimately satisfying.
The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold

Unfinished Series

Duologies

The Talisman, Stephen King - read #2

Trilogies

Alaskan Royal Family, Mary Janice Davidson - read 1
Verhoeven, Pierre Lemaitre - read #2
Miss Peregrines Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs - read 1 - 2 published
Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins - read 2
The Circle Reforged - read 1

 Series

Darkest Powers, Kelley Armstrong - Trilogy - read 1
The Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare - 6 books - read 1
Immortals After Dark, Kresley Cole - 16 books - read 1
Jennifer Scales. Mary Janice Davidson - 6 books - read 1
Undead, Mary Janice Davidson - 15 books - 3 read
Lincoln Rhyme, Jeffery Deaver - 11 books -  read 1
Elemental Assassin, Jennifer Estep - 13 books - read 1
Sisters of the Moon, Yasmine Galenorn - 23 books - 6 read
Dark Hunter Universe, Sherrilyn Kenyon - 41 books - 8 books
Narnia, CS Lewis - 7 books - read 5
Jason Bourne, Robert Ludlum - 12 books - 2 read
Aisling Grey Guardian, Katie MacAlister - 4 books - Might have finished
Songs of Ice and Fire, George R Martin - 7 books - read 2 - 6 published
Inheritance cycle, Christopher Paolini  - 4 books - read 1
Immortally Sexy, Stephanie Rowe - 4 books - read 2
Lost Heroes of Olympus - 6 books - read 3

Series I Won't be Finishing

The reason I won't be finishing most of these is that I have out grown those particular books.

1. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
2. Janie Johnson, Caroline B Cooney
3. Book of Ember. Jeanne DuPrau
4. Royal Diaries,
5. Shadow Children, Margaret Peterson Haddix
6. Fly By Night, Frances Hardinge
7. Warriors *legend continues, Erin Hunter
8. Son of the Mob, Gordon Korman
9. The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart
10. The Egypt Game, Zilpha Keatley Snyder
11. Steptimus Heap, Angie Sage

The Da Vinci Code, Robert Langdon series, Dan Brown *This is the one series on the not to be finished list that is not a YA. I loved the story but didn't enjoy Dan Browns writing style I haven't really heard anything amazing about the other books. I figured it would be just fine as a stand alone

On the Fence With Finishing The Series

Fifty Shades, EL James - trilogy - read 2
Chrestomanci, Diana Wynne Jones - 7 books - read 1
Seal and code name, Christina Skye - 9 books - read 1
Bloody Jack, LA Meyer - 12 books- read 7
FBI Thriller - 19 books - read 1

Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge Intro.

I have never watched Gilmore Girls so I am not in a huge rush to finish this list by any means. I found this list on Pintrest, discovered I have already read quite a few and have some others on my TBR list.

There are 338 Books on the List, the Link to the list is here

Read

1. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
2. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
3. Carrie, Stephen King
4. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
5. Christine, Stephen King
6. The Crucible, Arthur Miller
7. Cujo, Stephen King
8. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Mark Haddon *I remember Loving this book and thinking it was something everyone should read in school but I need to reread it
9. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown
10. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson
11. The Great Gatsby F Scott Fitzgerlad
12. Hamlet, Shakespear
13. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling
14. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, JK Rowling
15. How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr Seuss
16. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
17. The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe, CS Lewis
18. The Little Match Girl, Hans Christian Anderson
19. The Lottery, Shirley Jackson
20. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold
21. My Sisters Keeper, Jodi Picoult
22. The Raven, Edger Allen Poe
23. Romeo and Juliet, Shakespear
24. A Room of Ones Own, Virginia Woolf
25. The Shinning, Stephen King

Started But Never Finished

When I was taking english classes in school many of these where on reading lists for final projects or some of the bigger essays, I would start to read one of these books and if I couldn't figure out how I was going to write the essay from the book, to go with whatever our topic question was I would put the book down after about 100 pages and try again... Some of these I will finish some I might not they are at the bottom of my TBR more or less

1984, George Orwell
Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carrol
Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
Beowulf
Canterbury Tales, Chaucer
Charlottes Web, EB White
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
Edgar Allen Poe, Complete Tales
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S Thompson

My Rory Gilmore TBR List

The Dirt : Confessions of the Worlds Most Notorious Rock Band, Motely Crue
Fat Land : How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser
Lord of the Rings, J R R Tolkein
Frankenstein, Mary Shelly

Top 5 Wednesday - Books that Feature Traveling

Top 5 Wednesday

Books That Feature Traveling 

April 22 2015

1. 11/22/63, Stephen King *Time Travel
2. Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer *Traveling USA
3. Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs *Dimensional Travel
4. The Doorkeepers, Graham Masterson * Dimensional Travel
5. Inkheart, Cornelia Funk *Travel in and out of book,