Recent Reads: Rebirth Harley Quinn #23 by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

The Family Circles Part II: Manners and Other Matters by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Series: Rebirth Harley Quinn #23
Publisher:  DC Comics
Publication Date:  July 5, 2017

 

Format:  Comic
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

“RED ROSES” part three! The tension between Harley, Poison Ivy and Red Tool hits the boiling point! Who’s gonna stay—and who’s gonna go? And in the backup story, “Harley Loves Joker” part seven, Batman is back on the deranged duo’s trail!

Mini Review: 
Harley is not dealing with other peoples issues in this installment - she is going to have a nice dinner with her parents (dangit!). She deals with Harley Sinn for the time being and goes out to enjoy a nice fancy dinner with the rents. Nothing ever goes as planned though so she might have to beat someone while there. Seeing her interact with her parents is very funny.

Another fun thing in this issue is that the Red Tool and Poison Ivy are teaming up on some mysterious project that may involve Harley ... waiting to see though... 

Really enjoying this series again.

Early Reader Review: When Will Fall Arrive? by Sanne Miltenburg

Source: From Netgalley and Clavis Books in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

When Will Fall Arrive by Sanne Miltenburg
Publisher: Clavis
Publication Date: August 1, 2017  

 

Format:  Ebook

Rating:
 


 


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Bunny is looking forward to a cozy fall and winter with Hedgehog. But Hedgehog says he will start hibernating when the first leaf falls. Bunny is worried. He cannot go that long without seeing his friend! He comes up with a clever plan: he is simply going to hide the falling leaves, and the arrival of fall.... A merry and moving story about friendship.

 Review: 
This is an adorably illustrated children's book about Bunny and Hedgehog's friendship. One night while together Hedgehog mentions that in the Fall and Winter he hibernates and Bunny is saddened by that thought. Who will he play with while his best friend is asleep? 

Bunny decides that he will make it seem like Fall has not arrived yet so that he has more time with his friend and the book follows him as he attempts this very large task.

The story of this book is both cute and informative for young readers, they learn about animals, hibernation, and the seasons as well. The images are vibrant and cheerful, and the colors are everything Fall - oranges, yellows, reds, and browns and make me all the more excited for Fall to actually get here.

This was a very fun book about friendship and doing anything you can to keep your friend around. I really enjoyed it and I think kids and families will too.

Building the Book Pile #153

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!  A Weekly meme inspired by Stacking the Shelves

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Another week come and gone. I am luckily keeping up with reading and while I won't finish my TBR plans for this month, I will have a bunch of great Blog Tours for you at the beginning of August - I have been reading a bunch of books for those. 📚

 

It was a pretty chill week overall though - how was your week?

And another self promotion: Use code SUMMERSAVER for 10% off winter gear at my Etsy shop, click on the image below to link over and see what is available. More will be added soon.

How was your week? Any book recommendations for me?

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: When Will Fall Arrive by Sanne Miltonburg (Youth)
Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #23 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic)
Waiting on Wednesday
Early Reader Review: When A Wolf Is Hungry by Christin Naumann-Villemin (Youth) 
Blog Blast: Penny Punkers: Bloodless Saga I by Kyle Newton (New Adult/ Adult)
 

No Books Received this Week 

🤗🤗      

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of July 16  - July 22

Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #21 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic) - 4 stars
BUILDING THE BOOK PILE #152- LATE EDITION
Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #22 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic) -4 stars
Recent Reads: I Hate Fairyland #11 by Skottie Young (Comic) - 5 stars
 Recent Reads: Unraveling (Unblemished #2) by Sara Ella (YA) - 4 stars

Comment and leave me a link to your Round-up/ STS/ Weekly...anything, post and I will happily stop by and say hello!

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads: Unraveling by Sara Ella

Source: From Book Look Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Unraveling by Sara Ella
Series: Unblemished #2
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson/ Harpercollins
Publication Date: July 11, 2017  

 

Format:  Hardback

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

What happens when happily ever after starts to unravel?

Eliyana Ember doesn't believe in true love. Not anymore. After defeating her grandfather and saving the Second Reflection, El only trusts what's right in front of her. The tangible. The real. Not some unexplained Kiss of Infinity she once shared with the ghost of a boy she's trying to forget. She has more important things to worry about--like becoming queen of the Second Reflection, a role she is so not prepared to fill.

Now that the Verity is intertwined with her soul and Joshua's finally by her side, El is ready to learn more about her mysterious birth land, the land she now rules. So why does she feel like something--or someone--is missing?

When the thresholds begin to drain and the Callings, those powerful magical gifts, begin to fail, El wonders if her link to Ky Rhyen may have something to do with it. For light and darkness cannot coexist. She needs answers before the Callings disappear altogether. Can El find a way to sever her connection to Ky and save the Reflections--and keep herself from falling for him in the process?

Review: 
First off, this cover is gorgeous. I liked the first cover too but this ones colors are so vibrant. Secondly, that is a long synopsis, so there isn't much more detail I need to go into there. Third, this might be a lengthy review... sorry about that - all the feels.

This book, much like book one, took a little while to speed up. I thought that we would pick up right were we left off, and we sort of do but it does have a very lazy-pace feel. The book is told from a few points of view - Eliyana, Joshua, and sometimes we get a bit from Ky. We follow the three as they all try to save the reflections and their love. This is the ultimate love triangle, so if you aren't a fan of those - this book will not be for you. Eliyana is not really sure who she loves, but both boys are in love with her and the fate of the Reflections (or Worlds) has a lot to do with that love and the connections they have. Eliyana holds the Light and the boys share the Dark and they cannot be connected - thus the problem.

This book like the last, had SO many plot twists, luckily they are throughout versus just at the end like last time, so it gave me more time with them. I found myself wanting to shake El/Em most the time, she is so down on herself and needs reassurance from her male counter-parts in order to feel worth and that is very troublesome to me. I wasn't a fan of that aspect. I thought that with her new role she would be more assured in this installment.

Even with twists throughout, there was still a cliff-hanger of an ending!  I cannot wait for the next book to find out what happens. Even though I want to shake her El/Em and the love triangle really are the plot of this book and the author has you swooning/ wanting to kick each of the boys at one point or another. The fantasy and the worlds that are built in this book are wonderful and you get so much more of them here than in the last book.

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what happens to Eliyana, Ky, and Joshua in Unbreakable. 

Recent Reads: I Hate Fairyland #11 by Skottie Young

Con Girl by Skottie Young
Series: I Hate Fairyland #11
Publisher:  Image Comics
Publication Date:  March 15, 2017

 

Format:  Comic
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:
 


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

NEW STORY ARC “CON GIRL” Gertrude is back in her hit-comedy/fantasy/all-out bloodbath of a comic, I HATE FAIRYLAND. Gert and Larry take a break from their normal questing and killing for some fun at Fairyland’s annual Dungeon Con.

  

Review: 
I know I have mentioned it before but this is a very violent adult comic series and it is hilarious and wonderful.  In the last two volumes Gertrude has been trying to return home from fairyland, she is a 27 year old stuck in a 6 year old's body and she is pissed-off about it and that may even be an understatement. 

In this issue, Gert puts her search on hold to go to the annual Dungeon Con - it is the only thing she enjoys about Fairyland and this year she is going to meet her hero. As things normally go with Gert, it does not go as planned, BUT there is a different surprise - she has a fan. 

Gert brings her on as her apprentice and it seems to be going well for the both of them but Gert is a loner by nature.

Like the other issues and volumes in this series, Gertrude is rude, violent, and self-centered and it makes for a very entertaining comic and story. The contrast between the light and fluffy Fairyland and Gert's violent nature really takes the cake. I love this series for all of its demented action scenes.

Recent Reads: Rebirth Harley Quinn #22 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner

The Family Circles Part I by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
Series: Rebirth Harley Quinn #22
Publisher:  DC Comics
Publication Date:  June 21, 2017

 

Format:  Comic
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:
 


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

“Red Roses” part two! Poison Ivy’s back in town, and she’d like to patch up the friendship with Harley that she damaged in the Bahamas…but sadly for poor Mr. Tool, Ivy’s got some strong opinions on his courtship of Harley! And in “Harley Loves Joker” part six, Harley’s sure she’s got a foolproof plan to get back in Mistah J’s good graces, but when have Harley’s plans ever ended up the way she imagined? 

Mini Review: 
In this issue we follow Harley as her parents visit her. She takes them around but also still has to deal with her normal crazy popping out, in this case Harley Sinn again. Harley tries to have a nice calm visit, but that was bound to be messed up.

This episode has some very interesting dream panels - but are they... it is hard to tell really. I really enjoyed this issue, I like the parents popping in and family things coming up - it is interesting to get some of Harley's non-Joker past.

Building the Book Pile #152 - late

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!  A Weekly meme inspired by Stacking the Shelves

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

I have been doing a horrible job with my Book Pile posts this summer - sorry about that. I have been busy I guess. Last week was busy at work again, I am waiting for 'summer' to really kick in and it to be boring with nothing to do, so that I can read and blog during the day. It doesn't look like that is going to happen though. 

I got so many books in the mail this past week for blog tours and fun things! ...and because I feel like I am on a roll with this reading kick. Trying to stay strong.  

We also bought Kayaks last weekend and so this weekend we went out on a lake in them. My whole body is hurting but we had a blast :) Do you have a summer sport you enjoy? 
 

And another self promotion: Use code SUMMERSAVER for 10% off winter gear at my Etsy shop, click on the image below to link over and see what is available. More will be added soon.

How was your week? Any book recommendations for me?

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!

Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #21 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic) 
BUILDING THE BOOK PILE #152- LATE EDITION
Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #22 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic) 
Recent Reads: I Hate Fairyland #11 by Skottie Young (Comic) 
*HOPEFULLY*  - Recent Reads: Unraveling (Unblemished #2) by Sara Ella (YA)

 

Books Received this Week       

         
   
Made to Kill (Ray Electromatic Mysteries #1) by Adam Christopher - From Tor and Nerd Tours for Blog Tour/Review

Killing is my Business (Ray Electromatic Mysteries #2) by Adam Christopher - From Tor and Nerd Tours for Blog Tour/Review  
Mighty Jack (Mighty Jack #1) by Ben Hatke  - From First Second books for Blog Tour/ Review
Mighty Jack and the Goblin King (Mighty Jack #2) by Ben Hatke  - From First Second books for Blog Tour/ Review
The Third Coin by J.A. Howard - From the author for review
Deadman's Tome: Monster's Exist by Various - from one of the authors for review

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of July 9  - July 15

Recent Reads: In the Springtime Everything is New All Over Again by Esmerelda Q. Jones (Adult) - 2 stars

 Recent Reads: The Treasure of Isian (Isian #1) by Serena Clarke (YA) -3 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell (YA)

Early Reader Review: Suit your Selfie by Stephan Pastis (GN) - 4 stars

Recent Reads: Harley Quinn #20 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Comic)- 4 stars

Comment and leave me a link to your Round-up/ STS/ Weekly...anything, post and I will happily stop by and say hello!

Happy Reading!

Recent Reads: Rebirth Harley Quinn #21 by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

Right Back At Ya! (Blast from the Future Part II) by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Series:Rebirth Harley Quinn #21
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication Date:  June 7, 2017

 

Format: Comic
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

“Red Roses” part one! Red Tool is done waiting for Harley to take him seriously—the poor sap’s hopelessly in love with her, and it’s time he made his move! Unfortunately, he’s picked a moment of peak distraction for Harley! And in the backup, “Harley Loves Joker” part five, Harley crosses paths with an old pal—Jenna Duffy, the crook known as the Carpenter! There won’t be much palling around, though…Jenna’s convinced Harley’s trying to scam her out of one of the biggest scores of her career! 

 Mini Review: 
 ... and the Red Tool saves the day...? or does he?

I really like the Red Tool in these comics he is a comic-relief more than anything and he LOOOOOOOVES Harley which is cute, even though she keeps passing him up. 

In this issue we continue with the Bat Fan arc and she and Harley are kidnapped in the process of fighting - strange right?! it all comes together really well though. 

Even funnier is the fact that Harley's parents are coming to visit her - I am very interested to see how that goes and can't wait to read the next issue.

Recent Reads: Rebirth Harley Quinn #20 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner

A Blast from the Future! Part 1 by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
Series: Rebirth Harley Quinn #20
Publisher:  DC Comics
Publication Date:  May 17, 2017

 

Format:  Comic
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:
 


 


Goodreads Synopsis: 

“FUTURE KILL” part one! You’ve seen her story begin to unfold in prior issues…who in the world is Bat-Fan, and why does she think Harley Quinn must die to save existence itself?! And in the backup story “Harley Loves Joker” part four, Harley’s mistakes have forced her to hide out with The Joker in a low-rent motel…unfortunately, they’ve had to bring their entire goon squad—and a pack of very poorly behaved hyenas—along!

Review: 
Harley comics are finally getting back on my good side...slowly....

In this issue we finally get the confrontation between Harley and this Bat Fan we have been seeing in the future AND there is a Harley Sinn appearance as well, so it is all coming together again. But sadly all the story chains are coming together in these issues, so we have both the Bat Fan and Sinn to deal with in this comic and I think that they could have expanded them a bit more. 

I did enjoy the issue though and I didn't even mind that we are still getting the Harley Loves Joker backup story, they are starting to grow on me I guess. Harley is he usual kick-butt self and I like that.

Early Reader Review: Suit Your Selfie by Stephan Pastis

Source: From Netgalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Suit Your Selfie by Stephan T. Pastis
Series: A Pearls Before Swine Collection
Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  July 18, 2017

 

Format:  Ebook
Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Gather ‘round the smartphone, kids! Stephan and the Pearls gang are back with a whole album's-worth of jokes, jabs, and cringe-worthy puns.

Even Rat cracks a smile in this fifth Pearls Before Swine collection tailored for middle-grade readers. Witty, wacky, and occasionally wise, Suit Your Selfie is more kid-friendly fun from the New York Times best-selling author of Timmy Failure.

Review: 
Suit your Selfie is a Pearls Before Swine collection of 1-2 page comic strips following a grouping of wacky animal characters and their lives. There is Rat, Pig, and Goat as the mail characters but also Zebra and Crocodiles as well, even the cartoonist makes appearances. 

These comic strips are laugh out loud funny but aimed at a younger audience than me - still funny though. Some of the panels hit really close-to-home and they are either very realistic events or quite crazy ones. For example, explaining a corded phone to the younger generation (hint: it really freaks them out), or a zebra running around as a unicorn and scaring crocodiles.

There were some life lessons, and notes about happiness, but many involved pizza - but that is the answer anyway right?! It was a great collection, I think younger readers will enjoy the humor in it, I did too, so this is a good one for many. If you like comic strips, definitely pick it up.