Monthly Re-Cap: September 2017

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people!

Wow, can you believe that  September is done?! Where is this year going!?

In September, went to Pirate Weekend at the New York Renaissance Faire, I got my back tattooed... the first part of a bigger piece, we built storage into our water collection barrel stand, we saw IT (OMG horrifying!), and we (this one is really an "I" lol) started decorating for Autumn :)

My reading was mostly children's books this month but that was ok by me, they are adorable and it is a good way to stay out of reading slumps.

How was your month? What did you read?

~~Books I Read in September~~
        

How did I do on my September TBR?
I was a slacker...and only only finished 2 from my list, but I did make a good dent in the audiobook and only have about 5 hours left so maybe I will finish it today/ tomorrow and it can still count!


~~Links to Some Reviews~~
Rewordable- Card Game - 4 stars
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz (MG) - 5 stars 
Doris Morris and the Invasion of the Neighbors by Janet Kelly (Youth) - 4 stars
I Am Bat by Morag Hood (Youth) - 4 stars
The Rusty Old Postbox by Susana Sanchez Gonzalez (Youth) - 3 stars
The Third Coin by J.A. Howard (MG/YA)  - 4 stars


~~Reviews Up This Month From Previous Re-Caps~~
Click'd by Tamara Ireland Stone (MG) - 4 stars
The Call of the Swamp by Davide Cali (Youth) - 4 stars
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (GN) - 5 stars
Lady Mechanika La Dama de la Muerte by Joe Benitez (GN) - 4 stars
Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman by Loryn Brantz (GN) - 5 stars
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas (YA) - 5 stars

Reviews still on their way to you:
Coming in October...
Welcome Home, Beaver! by Magnus Weightman (Youth)
Phoebe and her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson (GN/MG) 
Quantum Entanglement for Babies by Chris Ferrie (Youth)
Quantum Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie (Youth)
Optical Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie (Youth)
Rocket Science for Babies by Chris Ferrie (Youth)
Shark Lady by Jess Keating (Youth) 
Crib and the Labours of Hercules by Gerald Vinestock (MG)


Coming in November...
Nick the Knight, Dragon Slayer by Aron Dijkstra (Youth) 

Coming in 2018 ...
Crafty Cat and the Great Butterfly Battle (Crafty Cat #3) by Charise Mericle Harper (MG, GN)

Recent Reads: The Third Coin by J.A. Howard

Source: From the Author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Third Coin by J.A. Howard
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication Date:  July, 2014

 

Format:  Paperback

Rating:


 




Goodreads Synopsis: 

Finally a girl-powered fantasy adventure packed with action, mystery and true friendship. Great for Harry Potter and Percy Jackson lovers!

"VERY ORIGINAL" "FULL OF MYSTERY AND DELIGHTFUL CHARACTERS" "A GREAT READ"

Brilliant Bea Brightman has popularity down to a science. After attending eight schools in as many years, she's a master at making friends. That is until her father, a world-renowned archaeologist, moves them to New York City to pursue an ever-elusive coin. There, she meets the decidedly unpopular Nisha Lakewood who may hold the key to finding it - only Nisha wants nothing to do with her. Nisha Lakewood doesn't fit in anywhere. The kids at school say she's a witch able to make children fly. Yet at home, her fortunetelling Aunt finds her disappointingly normal. However, as Nisha approaches her thirteenth birthday, things begin to change. The magic she never believed she had is suddenly showing up when she least expects it, and the nosy new girl, Bea Brightman, is on to her secret. As different as the two girls are, they soon find they share a mysterious connection. And when Bea and Indy, a good-natured boy from the neighborhood, decide to pay Nisha's Aunt a visit, the three are set on an adventure that includes a mysterious prophecy, an unbreakable oath and one amazing coin. The Third Coin, has been described as "fun, funny, inventive, with delightful characters and plot twists that will surprise you." According to Kirkus Reviews, it is a "fantasy novel for young readers that blends classic Arthurian legends with a teen drama...the quest-driven plot will keep young fantasy fans engaged."

Review: 
Pitched as a great book for Harry Potter and Percy Jackson fans, this was a wonderful read and it did not disappoint! It has fantasy, magic, mystery, friendship, and adventure all rolled into a nice neat package. 

The book follows two girls, Bea and Nisha, who have to come together to find a mysterious, lost coin - that if not returned could end the world as they know it. This was such a great story, it had friendship and issues, it has problem solving and mystery and it was a grand adventure.The book took a little while to pick up and get going but once you hit the half way point, the plot just chugs along. 

The characters were all very interesting, I think I related most with the misfit - Nisha versus Bea -who seemed to have things figured out. Indy was a great addition to their group, he was a great personality and I loved that he wrangled the girls when they needed it. My only disappointment here was that the by was cast as the protector and I think a girl would have been just as capable. BUT overall it was a wonderful character dynamic and I enjoyed them all together.

The plot was a bit strange and took a good amount of build up but it came together well and there were a few twist at the very end that I really was no expecting and really enjoyed them.

I think that original pitch stands true - if you were/are a fan of Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson series, this is a wonderful book.

Recent Reads: The Rusty Old Postbox by Susana Sanchez Gonzalez

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

The Rusty Old Postbox by Susana Sanchez Gonzalez
Publisher: Bobaloo Books
Publication Date:  June 2017

 

Format:  Paperback

Synopsis: 

The Rusty Old Postbox harbours a number of secrets, not least the story of two boys who have different ambitions and morals. When they write their letters to Santa, the postbox is party to their highest dreams and
desires – and the efforts the boys will go to reach them.

The postbox is also witness to the lengthy career of Mr Barsky, the postman, and the letters of all the people living around him.

Then one day, this little boy put a letter through his mouth and everything changed. Luiggi di Maggio was a bully. He had bullied James Connor for as long as he remembered, and James could remember a lot. He was brainy, you see, and good at remembering things. The old postbox could see with his little, googly eyes that something was going on with these two, something terrible and unfair, but he wasn’t sure what it was or how to stop it.

Rating:

If you know anything about me, you might know that I have a weird obsession with the mail. I LOVE IT. Everything about it. I should really work for the post-office...Anywho, when I saw this adorable book online I was so excited to read it and was very surprised when it arrived and the story was quite long.
The story follows the postbox who has googily-eyes attached to him so now he can see and read and watches the world around him as be helps with the mail. You learn about the postbox and how he got eyes and his observations but then there is a story about two kids that the postbox helps to become friends.

This was a very cute story - first off, I loved that it was told from the postbox's point of view. I also really enjoyed all the illustrations throughout the book. I found the story to be entertaining and I think that kids will enjoy it. The only downside for me was the length though. I was surprised that it was SO lengthy, it wasn't really a sit/read/go type of book, you needed to invest some time in it and let the story build. There were large blocks of text - whole pages even so I think that some listeners might become easily bored with it even though the story is cute. 

If you don't mind a bit of reading, this is a youth book for you/ your kids, but if they are easily distracted - maybe not so much.


About the Author:
Born in Madrid, Susana has spent the last fifteen years dedicating her spare time to writing. 
With a background in arts, she has worked in Waterstone’s managing the YA and Children’s literature section which she says she loved from day one. 
From there she moved to public libraries, delivering story time for children and running reading groups for all ages before securing a position as the co-ordinator of the Manchester Book Award and then starting her own business as a Reader Development Consultant. 
Apart from continuing to write, Susana has started a career in Rare Book Librarianship and hopes to become a book curator.
As if winning a writing competition in her second language isn’t enough, she now also wants to be able to speak Dutch and Latin, bend like a professional yogi and identify species of trees and flowers with just one look.

 

Early Reader Review: Lady Stuff by Loryn Brantz

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

Lady Stuff: Secrets to being a Woman by Loryn Brantz
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  September 26, 2017

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

A collection of Loryn Brantz’s vibrant and relatable Jellybean Comics about her everyday experiences as a lady

Home manicure tips, awkward seduction techniques, scoping out the snack table, and—most important—prioritizing naps: Lady Stuff reveals these womanly secrets and more. In sections like "Grooming and Habitat Maintenance," "Mating Habits," and others, these brightly colored, adorable comics find the humor in the awkwardness of simply existing.

Like the work of Sarah Andersen, Gemma Correll, and Allie Brosh, Loryn Brantz’s Jellybean Comics are accessible and funny; lighthearted takes on the author's everyday experiences and struggles being a woman.

Review: 
I have seen Loryn Brantz comics online before requesting this book from Netgalley and I can say, this book did not disappoint. I read it in my office over lunch and was laughing out loud like a lunatic alone in the room - people were giving me funny looks from the hallway and I didn't even care. 

Lady Stuff is a hilarious compilation of  comics about being a woman and the many facets of our lives - I particularly enjoy anything about autumn coming and freaking out about it, being antisocial and following your dreams of being a blanket burrito or being a professional napper. These comics all really spoke to me and I shared them with my officemate and my hubby and they chuckled while I was cry-laughing ... 

If you have enjoyed Brantz comics online, you will love this book. It is fun, bright, and will make any day better by being honest. It was wonderful!

Early Reader Review: Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani

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

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date:  October 3, 2017

 

Format:  Ebook

Rating:


 




Goodreads Synopsis: 

Pashmina tells the story of an Indian-American girl who struggles to fit in at high school, then discovers more about her family's history with the help of her mother's magical pashmina.

Review: 
First off, I love Graphic Novels for younger audiences, I know I have said it and I am saying it again. They are a wonderful way to get reluctant readers  started, they are visually appealing, and they can teach a lot though those images and limited words. I find that some graphic novels do a wonderful job taking what has meaning and preparing it in a concise way so that the reader is able to take it in easier and it ends up having more impact. 

I think that this is one of those graphic novels. Nidhi Chanai uses magical realism to tell the story of a young girl who wants to know more about her mothers past and where she came from, the Pashmina scarf is her way to see India in all of its splendor. But when she gets the chance to visit India, she learns that while, yes, there are beautiful bits, you have to take everything in context. India is gorgeous through the lens of the Pashmina but India in real life, while still beautiful has some flaws. 

Priyanka, the main character, learns a lot about her heritage from these trips with the Pashmina, and from her visit with an aunt. The tale is heartwarming and reflective and for those of us who have never experienced India, it is a good way for us to learn about the culture and its difference from living in the US and how people that are coming from these backgrounds do things a certain way for a reason.

The book also includes a glossary in the end of words used that non-Indian readers will find very helpful. Overall, I think this book is wonderful for SO many reasons, if you have a young reader, reluctant reader, or one that likes to learn about cultures, this is definitely a book to grab. 

Building the Book Pile #252

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

I can't believe we are already in the last week of September :/ I really need to finish up/ start that TBR pile (slacking with that lately)... so I wasn't reading, instead I watched Bones (the series expire on Oct 21 on Netflix and I need to finish it), I watched the new season of Fuller House, and I started watching Hannibal on Amazon - that is a good one. I also have been cooking some dinners lately which is a bit different around here and I finally got around to paining the baseboard heater covers in the living room - its been about a year since we painted the rest of it.

I's a little meh lately - it is officially the beginning of Autumn now and it is 90 degrees here in Vermont! COME ON! I want fall, leaves, blankets, sweaters, warm drinks, and cozy book time darn it!

Anywho...I have been reading children's books, they make me happy - obviously I need to up my game back to MG and YA - lol

The shop has scarves, cowls, hats and baby booties now... :)
Go take a look and if you have requests let me know.

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!


Giveaway for $100 gift card

Coming up on the Blog

Early Reader Review: Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (GN)

Early Reader Review: Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman by Loryn Brantz (GN)

Recent Reads: The Rusty Old Postbox  by Suana Sanchez Gonzalez (Youth)

Recent Reads: The Third Coin by J.A. Howard (YA)

Monthly Re-Cap: September 2017 

Books Received this Week   

     

Glow by Megan Bryant from Netgalley and Albert Whiman and Company

Helped Sourcebooks and won a blogger giveaway - wanna see the books? 
Watch the video HERE 


One Christmas Bear by Anne Vittur Kennedy from Booklook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson for review.

 

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of  September 18 - September 23

Early Reader Review: The Call of the Swamp by Davide Cali (Youth) - 4 stars
Blog Blast w/ Giveaway: The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby by Jenny Lundquist (MG)
mini Bloggiesta To Do List - Runs Sept 21-24
Early Reader Review: Lady Mechanika la Dama de la Muerte (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: Lady Mechanika La Dama de La Muerte by Joe Benitez

Source: From Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors in exchange for an honest review. this in no way alters my opinion or review.

Lady Mechanika: La Dama De La Murete by Joe Benitez
Series: Lady Mechanika
Publisher: Benitez Productions
Publication Date:   September 26, 2017

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


 




Goodreads Synopsis: 

After suffering a tragic loss, Lady Mechanika takes a trip to a small Mexican village just in time for their DIa de los Muertos celebration. But the festivities turn truly deadly after the arrival of the Jinetes del Infierno, the mythical Hell Riders. Collects the complete Lady Mechanika Day of the Dead special, La Dama de la Muerte.

Other Volumes - click the images for reviews

   

Review: 
This installment of Lady Mechanika is a weird one - it kind or sits outside of the volumes but you should have read volume 1 for a little bit of backstory. In this book, Lady Mechanika goes off on her own and ends up in Mexico. She finds out that there are some evil men running around scaring towns into providing tithing.  She takes it upon herself to seek them out and teach them a lesson for their wrongdoings. 

This was a pretty violent installment, there was a lot of shooting and blood, but there was also a lesson about Dia de los Muertos and what festivities take place to celebrate and show that death is not to be feared. There is a little bit of Mechanika's flashbacks but not much still, I am still waiting to learn more about her origins so I will continue to read these.

Mini Bloggiesta To Do List: Sept 21-24

"The idea behind Bloggiesta is to spend four days working on perfecting your blog and connecting with other bloggers who are doing the same thing. Spread the word and get all your friends to come and fiesta with us!"

-Join in using the Button Below-

Mini Bloggiesta Fall 2017 Officially Starts TODAY September 21st and will run until the 24th. Get your To-Do Lists ready!

YAY it is another Bloggiesta!!! Now to do all the things I avoid normally :/

So for my list I would like to:

• Back up the blog
  
• Update my "Reviews by Author" Tab  
• Update my TBR spreadsheet with recent books in/out 
• Clean up my inbox 
• Participate in the Twitter Party 
• Here are the deets (#bloggiesta @bloggiesta): 
• Saturday, September 23 @ 2pm EST! (was there briefly)
  
• Do a mini challenge  - read through and took some notes to pursue for Blog Ahead plans
  
• Briana @ Pages Unbound: Creating a Discussion Post Strategy
• Prep some October reviews  - did NOT get to these :(
• Visit as many Bloggiesta blogs as possible (IF NOT ALL) to cheer people on :) If I found a spot to comment I did :)
  

 

Added Items:
If I think of anything else, I will add as I go and strike trough as I complete tasks. 

• Plan Blog Ahead schedule/list of posts to do.  got some planning done :) yay
• Check footer, fix any issues, dates etc.

Blog Blast w/ Giveaway!: The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby by Jenny Lundquist

 

The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby by Jenny Lundquist

Violet Barnaby searches for the joy in life after losing her mother in this sweet and funny follow-up to The Charming Life of Izzy Malone. Violet Barnaby is a having a blue Christmas. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother, and to make things worse, her dad has just married Melanie Harmer, a.k.a. the meanest teacher at Dandelion Hollow Middle School. But on the day Violet and her dad are packing up and moving into the new house they’ll share with Melanie and Melanie’s two children, Violet finds a letter her mother wrote to her before she died, asking Violet to enjoy Christmas, along with a Christmas Wish List—things her mom wants her to do during the holiday season. On the list are exactly the kinds of things Violet doesn’t want to do this year, like Be Someone’s Secret Santa; Give Someone the Gift of Your Time: Volunteer; and Bake Christmas Cookies. Violet shows the letter to her friend Izzy’s Aunt Mildred, who calls a meeting of the Charm Girls, a club Izzy and Violet belong to along with their friends, Daisy and Sophia. Aunt Mildred decides she will give them each a charm to put on their bracelet if they do all of the tasks on the Christmas Wish List, which Violet is not too happy about. She’d rather forget about the list completely, but feels compelled to honor her mother’s wishes. And when Izzy’s crush confides a big secret to Violet, Violet feels like she is stuck between her best friend and the boy who she just might have a crush on, too… 

   

Praise for The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby

"[an] emotionally perceptive novel of grief and recovery." - Kirkus 

You'll fall in love with Violet and love every minute of living in her wondrous world! - Stephanie Faris 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * IndieBound

About the Author
Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, where she spent her time unsuccessfully learning how to surf. When she was younger, she wanted to be either a rock star or a published author. After she taped herself singing and listened to it on playback she decided she'd better opt for the writing route. Jenny is the author of multiple YA and Middle Grade titles including Seeing Cinderella, The Charming Life of Izzy Malone, The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby and the forthcoming The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams (2019). 

Find the Author

Website * Facebook * Twitter

     

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway 

Ends 10/10/17 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway