Building the Book Pile #297 - A Late Edition

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Late Late Late .... sorry I have been sick and trying to get back in to the sing of things.

Blarg! Sunday (the 7th) was such a gorgeous day last weekend. It was warm out and I got a leaf blower and go most of the leaves up into the back of the yard and out of the way and we cleaned up the porch area. The hubs even got a motorcycle ride in. Then the rest of the week...on Monday I woke up with a cough and a sore throat. I ended up leaving work early and was out until Thursday with a horrible horrible cold. The cough is still lingering and it won't let me sleep... I hate being sick. 

It also sleeted and snowed a bit more (yay.....NOT!), we are so done with this and I am sad. Saturday was nice though, I just hope it stays nice now that it is officially Spring. 

My week was pretty much useless last week, how was yours?

This week (Monday) I still have a horrible cough that I hate, but I rand a bunch of errands - I went to the DMV and renewed my license, I got a car inspected, I cleaned our porch off a bit, and I went to the dentist - I also took a nap in there because I am still sick but I call it a win! 

This Friday is the Hubs and I's anniversary and then we have a friends birthday and Easter brunch so hopefully I get enough rest this week and the cough goes away so I can enjoy all the festivities.

If you enjoy the blog and want to share some love and caffeine, you can buy me a coffee via Ko-fi

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog! 

  Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: A Mind of Her Own by Paula McLain (Audiobook, Adult)
Early Reader Review: The Story of AND by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (Youth)
Early Reader Review: Unicorn Bowling by Dana Simpson (MG, GN)

Books Received Recently...

The Story of AND: The Little Word that Changed the World by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - From Librarything Early Reviewers program and Flyaway Books for review.

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of  April 7 - April 13

Recent Reads: Witchcraft and Monsters by Kala Godin (Poetry)-4 stars

Early Reader Review: The Door to Witchcraft by Tonya Brown (NonFiction, Adult) -4 stars

Recent Reads: Killer by Nature by Jan Smith (Audiobook, Adult)- 1 star

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: Killer by Nature by Jan Smith

Killer by Nature by Jan Smith
Publisher:  Audible Studio
Publication Date:  November 30, 2017

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Freebie with Audible account

Rating:








Goodreads Synopsis: 

Dramatic and dark, with an immersive—and dare we say killer SFX soundscape that will have you checking the windows and bolting the doors at night—Killer by Nature is a gripping psychological thriller that puts you on the trail of a psychopath. Katherine Kelly (Mr Selfridge) and Rob James-Collier (Downton Abbey) head an all-star cast from the UK that includes Thomas Turgoose (This Is England ‘90), Angela Griffin (Cutting It), and Will Mellor (No Offence). 

In this Audible Original production by Jan Smith, Kelly is utterly convincing and riveting as Dr. Diane Buckley, the forensic psychologist sent to interview Alfred Dinklage, The Playground Killer. She is well-matched by the unnerving performance of James-Collier as a serial killer—the man can make nursery rhymes sound sinister and creepy. 

It’s up to Buckley to figure out if she is dealing with a serial killer who can seemingly walk through prison walls or a copycat determined to carry out Dinklage’s violent legacy. Not only must Buckley navigate the crime scenes, and correctly read the clues concealed there, but to learn the truth she also must enter the twisted and terrifying mind of Dinklage, and wonder if serial killers are born or made. 

Please note this contains violence and adult content and language.

Review: 
I was able to get this Audible Original from Audible with my subscription as a freebie in February and they only offer 6 every month so I choose this one along with a young adult read - free books yay! The synopsis sounded interesting and I like books about psychology related things, but it fell short and I was not a fan.

The audiobook is broken up into episodes and there is a full cast of readers, which is kind of fun. Each character is a different voice to listen to. The book is about a serial killer and a forensic psychologist and a copy-cat killer, so it is a murder-mystery coupled with a drama. 

While the main story was interesting and I liked the murder-mystery pieces, because of the sub-plots I found it hard to get into. The pacing was a bit weird and that might have been because there were so many characters to keep track of and with all the voices it was an added layer of difficulty. The sub-plots about Buckley and her family were weird additions and I found her to be a horrible mother - so it was not surprising that she is having issues with her teen daughter. The there is the inspector who I think had a thing with Buckley at one time but I can't be sure because all the voices sounded the same as I got more into it.. and I felt like they should have started to distinguish themselves.

Part from the sub-plot issues, I had a few other dislikes with this one: First, the story is broken up into episodes, which is fine, but when it breaks before each one there is louder music and the title again - every time I felt like the book was coming to a close rather than diving in deeper.  Secondly, all the sound effects; on top of a cast of readers there were sound effects - some made sense (doors closing) and some were just background noise and obnoxious. I think that this made it feel too real and with a book I want to zone out and into the story and because I was checking my surroundings when these sounds happened I couldn't focus.

So, this was not for me, but it was free so I gave it a chance and now I know.

Early Reader Review: The Door to Witchcraft by Tonya Brown

Source: From Callisto Publishing Club in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Door to Witchcraft: The New Witch's Guide to History, Traditions & Modern Day Spells by Tonya Brown
Publisher: Althea Press
Publication Date:  April 9, 2019 - TODAY

 

Format: Paperback


Rating:







Synopsis: 

Channel the witch within―a beginner’s guide to history, tradition, and modern-day spells.
Imagine a door between the world you know and a world where tradition, ritual, and the occult lie. The key to unlocking it is in this book. Open it―and invite magic into your life. 

The Door to Witchcraft teaches new witches everything they need to know to start their witchcraft practice. From harnessing your natural psychic abilities to manifesting your desires with timeless spells, this book guides you through every step of the magical process. 

Inside The Door to Witchcraft you’ll discover:

• Witchcraft through the ages―Learn the history of the craft and the evolution of the practice up to the present day.  
• How to tap into your powers―Decide what kind of witchcraft you want to practice and master fundamental techniques for traditions, rituals, and ceremonies. 
• The art of casting spells―Manifest your intentions with witchcraft spells for love, health, career, friends and family, spiritual work, and protection.  

Cross the threshold to the world of witchcraft and let this book be your guide to becoming the witch that you are destined to be.

Review: 

I have love books about witches and witchcraft ever since I can remember and so when this book came around, I was curious, mostly about the history aspect it had to offer. I ended up really enjoying it as an informational piece even if I don't plan on moving forward with this as a practice. 

The Door to Witchcraft is a book about just that, it is written for beginners who have no clue what they are getting into and why. The beginning is more of the history and different types of practice, then there is information about the different ways to harness energy, and then a section of spells which includes spells for love, work, family etc. The book is organized very nicely and was easy to read and the flow was good. It included small illustrations throughout, some that helped with definitions and others just there for visuals. And the author threw in  a lot of witch-esq pop-culture references which were fun and refreshing.

What I liked about this book is actually something that I have been reading a lot about in other self-development books lately - and that is the power of positive thinking and the harnessing of energy, mostly positive energy to accomplish your goals. While this book is taking it in a different direction than the others in utilization, I think it has a lot of similarities to the overall idea, an example begin meditating and bringing energy to yourself.

I thought that for what this book aims to be, and as a "beginner" in that I don't know anything about the practice, this book was a great starting point. I would have liked some more details before having access to the spells that were included, but I also like to learn as much as possible before jumping into the doing bits. However, if you are interested in learning more, you may enjoy this book.

[This may not be for you, and your religion may not agree with this as a practice, however please be respectful of the fact that some people practice religion differently and/or just enjoy learning new things.]

Recent Reads: Witchcraft and Monsters by Kala Godin

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

Witchcraft and Monsters by Kala Godin
Publisher: Patchwrk Press
Publication Date:  January 21, 2019

 

Format:  Ebook

Rating:








Goodreads Synopsis: 

If there's anything Kala knows, it's monsters.Witchcraft and Monsters is a debut poetry collection by Kala Godin.
Kala understands that the human body can be its own kind of monster. She knows the way strangers both see her and don't. 

There is magic in everything we do.And there are monsters in each of us. 

This collection is broken into five parts.Witchcraft.Fairytales.Bodies.Bad ideas.Endings. 

Review: 
I am not a huge fan of most poetry, and it isn't for lack of trying. This cover called to me and the synopsis pulled me in the rest of the way and I requested it for review. 

I adored this poetry book, it was not what I was expecting and it was strong and emotional and I felt every word of it deep in my insides. Kala did such a beautiful job pulling me in as a non-poetry reader and her words resonated so strongly. It may because I understand being/ feeling broken and overcoming that feeling. The way that she expressed herself was simple yet deep and I did't feel like I was missing a bigger picture, I felt like I was there with her. 

All that being said this is a very emotional read - at least it was for me, and there my be trigger points or words that cut and that is part of it, but if  you are not prepared it may not be for you. 

I do recommend this book, but as a casual poetry reader not an expert :).

Building the Book Pile #296

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Work trip 2 is done! WOOOO back to a normal routine for a while now. It was fun though. This past week I was in Chicago for the first time, and while most of it was spent working, I also had some fun while there. 

I also made a bigger dent in the pile of books I have been meaning to get to and written up a few more reviews, so yay for being on top of things... but I am feeling a bit burnt out with all the work, blog, and school stuff. I may need a blog break soon - we will see. 

How was your week? Is April nice where were you are living? I was gone for a few days but we are starting to warm up in Vermont, which means rain instead of snow, but I am thankful we are wrapping up the snow and ice portion of the year for now. I am excited to get my yard back into a decent state, and to start my seeds for the garden. They have to be started inside and can't be put out for a while, but I love this process :) YAY SPRING! 

It is also officially my birthday month (My bday is the 29th, so I get all month :P )... I may be putting together and 'it's my birthday but I want to share' giveaway - how do we feel about that? What should I giveaway? Share your ideas in the comments!

If you enjoy the blog and want to share some love and caffeine, you can buy me a coffee via Ko-fi

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog! 

  Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: Witchcraft and Monsters by Kala Godin (Poetry)
Early Reader Review: The Door to Witchcraft by Tonya Brown (NonFiction, Adult)
Recent Reads: Killer by Nature by Jan Smith (Audiobook, Adult)

Books Received Recently...

I went to Netgalley to post a few reviews... that is the danger zone because while I was there I grabbed these...

     

The Artist Who Loved Cats by Susan Schaefer Bernardo - From Netgalley and Inner Flower Child Books for review.

A Small Zombie Problem by K.G. Campbell - From Netgalley and Random House Childrens for review.

April Freebies from Audible
Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemaker by Chris Grabenstein

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of  March 31- April 6

April 2019 -TBR Pile
Early Reader Review: Mera -Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige (GN) -2 stars
Recent Reads: Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson (MG) -4 stars
Early Reader Review: The Mutts Summer Diaries by Patrick McDonnell (GN)- 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!

Early Reader Review: The Mutts Summer Diaries by Patrick McDonnell

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

The Mutts Summer Diaries (Sampler) by Patrick McDonnell
Series: The Mutts
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  April 9, 2019

 

Format:  Ebook Sampler

Rating:








Goodreads Synopsis: 

Put on your swim trunks and hit the beach with Earl and Mooch—the dog (and cat) days of summer are here!
It’s summertime, and the living is easy, the ice cream is cold, and the temperature is so hot your brains will melt right out of your head. Mooch and Earl are eager to make the most of it, lounging in the backyard pool, building sandcastles on the beach, and exchanging knock-knock jokes with a dolphin. From whales and tsunamis to lemonade and Bermuda shorts, this Mutts collection is packed full of summer fun! 

Review: 
Note: My review is based on a 22 pages sampler provided by the publisher, not the whole book.

I have read a few of The Mutts compilations as full books in the past and was excited to see this one and have a review copy. I was sad to find out that they were only offering it as a sampler, but that is better than nothing. 

From the 22 pages that were offered, I found them fun and in the spirit of The Mutts. Mooch and Earl are themselves and planning for a hot summer with other animals and a pool. 

These books are make up of comic strips that can be read as on-offs but also as the book is set up, as their summer months all together. It is a creative way to  encompass all the summer issues in one place and I found them fun.

They have me longing for warmer weather.

Early Reader Review: Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson

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

Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson
Series: Ben Braver #2
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Publication Date:  March 5, 2019

 

Format: Paperback ARC

Rating:











Goodreads Synopsis: 

The Super Life of Ben Braver: The Incredible Exploding Kid is jam-packed with art and comic strips. It's another wacky adventure from Marcus Emerson, the author behind the hit Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series! 

“A crazy fun ride—action packed and loaded with laughs!” —Max Brallier, The Last Kids on Earth 

Even though Ben Braver saved Kepler Academy from total destruction last year, he knows he still doesn't fit in at his secret middle school for kids with special abilities. Ben's been hiding his lack of super skills, but it's getting harder as his classmates' powers are getting stronger. 

Will Ben be able to power up before his enemies at school take him down? And will he risk everything to become the ultimate superhero? 

Review: 
It is another school year and Ben Braver is back at super power school, and it wouldn't be super hero school without super villains. 

Ben is an ordinary kid who was accepted into a school for kids with super powers, they are taught to hide their powers or at least control them. Sadly Ben doesn't know what his power is yet and he is really hoping that this year he will figure it out. He is pretty popular though, because last year he helped save the school.  It all comes crashing down on him and his lack of powers might just be a bigger problem than he realizes. 

These books are a lot of fun. Ben is super stubborn and very human and it is refreshing to see a plain kid having to deal with all of this friends having a super power. He is kind of a jerk at times, but that is just the situation he is in, I think part of his defenses. Luckily, his friends have his back and they are awesome. They call him out when he is an idiot and help him when he needs it. They are a great support group.

The build up in this installment was really well paced and the ending was very surprising. I liked the twists that it took, they kept me on my toes as a reader and I love when a book can do that. 

I find these books HIGHLY entertaining and strongly recommend them to all readers, but they are meant for the middle grade age group. I think both boys and girls will really like these. 

Early Reader Review: Mera Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige

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

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige
Publisher:  DC Ink
Publication Date:  April 2, 2019

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

From Danielle Paige, the New York Times best-selling author of Stealing Snow, comes a Mera and Aquaman origin story that explores Mera's first steps on land as well as her first steps as a hero or a villain, forcing her to choose to follow her heart or her mission to kill. 

Mera is teenage royalty, heir to the throne of Xebel, the other not-so-lost colony under the sea. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown, that of Atlantis. When the inhabitants of Xebel plot to overthrow their homeland of Atlantis, Mera is sent to kill the heir to the throne, Arthur Curry. As the unrest between their colonies grows, Mera and Arthur unexpectedly fall in love...will Arthur Curry be the king at Mera's side in Atlantis, or will he die under her blade? 

Mera by Danielle Paige is an astonishing story that explores themes of duty, love, heroism and freedom, all through the eyes of readers' favorite undersea royalty.

Review: 

Mera is the origin story of Mera meeting Aquaman. At this time, Xebel and Atlantis are feuding over reign in the kingdom. Mera is the princess of Xebel and has taken it upon herself to go after Arthur (Aquaman). Mera is looking to kill him and he has no idea that he is even part of her world. 

I really enjoy graphic novels, but the are more than words and images on paper, there is a way to do them and do them right (in my opinion) and this one was ok but fell short for me. 

I really love seeing things adapted into graphic novel form, but what that means is that the author should be telling the story with more image than text, and this one was VERY text heavy. So much so, that it was hard to stay focused. I read these on my phone and so when there is so much text I have to zoom way in and it takes away the experience of seeing a whole page come together. 

As far as the plot goes, it was a good book. I liked Mera's determination and stubbornness. I liked the struggles that were portrayed and I really liked the illustration that brought it into graphic novel form. 

If you enjoy DC comics and the Aquaman story line though, you may get a lot more from this than I did. I was hoping for a good starting point, and I think that this graphic novel does that but it was more reading than I expected from a graphic novel.

April 2019 - TBR Pile

THE BOOKS
Still working on some past ones...

            
 

  

What do you want to read this month?
Have you read any of these yet? 
If so, let me know what you thought! 

Building the Book Pile #295

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Work trip 1 is done --- yay!!! I was in Boston Thursday - Saturday and it was great and I am glad to have one work trip under my belt. I have another one at the end of this week. 

All that said, the blog is looking great for this week. I have a bunch of reviews ready to go and I am so excited that I have gotten some reading done. Now I just need to finish my next homework assignment.... :) 

If you enjoy the blog and want to share some love and caffeine, you can buy me a coffee via Ko-fi

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog! 

  Coming up on the Blog

April TBR Pile
Early Reader Review: Mera -Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige (GN)
Recent Reads: Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson (MG)
Early Reader Review: The Mutts Summer Diaries by Patrick McDonnell (GN)

No Books Received Recently...

But that is ok because I have a list to get through.

  

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of  March 24- March 30

Blog Blast: The Rebel Mages by Laurie Forest (YA)
Recent Reads: The Minimalist Way by Erica Layne (Non-Fiction) - 3 stars
Early Reader Review: Muddy by Griffin Ondaatje (Youth) - 4 stars
March Re-Cap (WOW it is almost April)

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!