Monthly Re-Cap: May 2018

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Happy almost Summer!

It is going to be JUNE already and I am freaking out a bit, months are flying by! In May there were a lot of Spring chores - we finally got our veggies in the garden and we starting additions to the deck we put up - we added little built-in bars to eat at. 

We helped clean out a storage unit with my family for Mother's Day (gift to the Meme) and I got a bunch of great stuff including more fake X-mas trees (YEASSSSS) and a sombrero (because why not?...), we also got the top part of a buffet we have had from my parents house so now we have the shelf that goes on the table (so adulty). 

I did SO MUCH reading this month. I had a spurt where I needed to read 4 books in a little over a week and thankfully got them all done (1,328 pages!). Then I read so many other things! Work is starting to get slower so I have had a bit more time during the day to pick up books, I love that.

What else - oh Family dinner holds true, our friend Jason hosted this month and I am still LOVING doing this. If you are new - we have a 'family' dinner every month with our friend group, ensuring we all get together at least once a month. There is a shared spreadsheet and everything! (Nerdy people Unite!)

June brings vacation days and the 4-day work week back at the end of the month. I am excited!

~~Books I Read in May~~
              
                           

How did I do on my May TBR?
Just a note - my TBR was so not complete when it went up. I added 3 more books to it 😳😳 so here is the final count .... 7/7 and I managed to add another one that has been on my TBR pile for a bit as well and some shorter easier reads!!! 🤓
NAILED IT!
 

~~Links to Some Reviews~~
The Third Kind of Magic by Elizabeth Forest (MG) - 4 stars
Deadmen Walking (Deadmens Cross #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Adult) - 5 stars
Death Doesn't Bargain (Deadmens Cross #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Adult) - 4 stars
Unbreakable (Unblemished #3) by Sara Ella (YA) - 4 stars 
Damselfly by Chandra Prasad (YA) - 3 stars
Saga Volume 6 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN) - 3 stars
The Fishing Lesson by Heinrich Boell (Youth) - 5 stars
Saga Volume 7 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN) - 4 stars  
Glow by Megan Bryant (YA) - 5 stars
Saga Volume 8 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN) - 5 stars 
Switched (Fairy Tale Reform School #4) by Jen Calonita (MG) -4 stars
I Hate Fairyland: God Girl (Volume 3) by Skottie Young (Adult, GN) - 4 stars

~~Reviews Up This Month From Previous Re-Caps~~
This is a Taco! by Andrew Cangelose (Youth)-5 stars
Today I'll be a Unicorn by Dana Simpson (Youth)-5 stars
The Golden Glow by Benjamin Flouw (Youth) -5 stars

The Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow (YA, Novella) -4 stars

Reviews still on their way to you:
 Coming soon in 2018 ...

Helm of Darkness by A.P.Mobley (YA)
Buni: Happiness is a State of Mind (Adult, GN)
Fox and Racoon by Lesley-Anne Green (Youth)
Pop! by Jason Carter Eaton (Youth) 
Chilly da Vinci by Jarrett Rutland (Youth) 
The House of Lost and Found by Martin Widmark (Youth) 
A Fall Ball for All by Jamie Swanson (Youth)

Recent Reads: I Hate Fairyland Vol 3 Good Girl by Skottie Young

I Hate Fairyland Vol 3: Good Girl by Skottie Young
Series: I Hate Fairyland Volume 3
Publisher: Images Comics
Publication Date:  October 27, 2017

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from a friend.

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Gert finally realizes that being such a murderous maniac might be the reason she's not been able to find her way out of the candy-coated world of Fairyland that has been her nightmare for over forty years. She sets off on a new quest to redeem herself and tries to earn her way back home with good deeds and kindness and love and whatever other mushy, touchy-feely things she can manage.
The epic and hilarious fantasy quest continues from fan favorite cartoonist SKOTTIE YOUNG.

Collecting issues 11 through 15. 

Volume 1 Review /  Volume 2 Review / Issue #11 Review / Issue #12  Review

Review: 
I have already read the single issues  of #11 and #12 (links above) so this is really just a review of Issues 13-15. 

Gert is attempting to become good in order to finally make it home and her attempts are hilarious and just as backwards as you might imagine. She has tried to save a baby and that didn't go as planned, now she is on to her next adventure for good completing a labyrinth in order to get the balls of redemption. Before getting there we have a nice dream sequence from Larry about how his life might have been different without Gert. Once they make it to the labyrinth they are met buy a creepy dude (not going to elaborate because that is half the fun, but I still feel icky) he offers Gert a deal. Gert doesn't wait to hear the full terms before she agrees and we are into the maze. 

I really really loved these issues, Gert trying to be a good girl is hilarious in so many ways and the ending to this collection is shocking and the ultimate cliff-hanger. Gert is not as violent in these last few issues and is really trying to redeem herself. The last issue was so weird having known Gert for this long and I am very interested to see what happens next.

Building the Book Pile #255

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Another week gone in 2018... it is kind of surreal how this year is flying by so quickly. I took Friday off last week (to give me a 4 day weekend with the holiday tomorrow) and loved having the day off. The hubs and I went around town and visited some motorcycle shops and had a nice lunch out. 

It is starting to get very warm here in Vermont. We skipped right past Spring and jumped into Summer. My gardens are coming in nicely though with the humidity - this year I have cherry tomatoes, peas, beans, arugula, different lettuces and spinach. growing. I really enjoy gardening. I have flower gardens too, they are pretty much all set with perennials that seem to still come back even after sitting under 4 feet of snow. Do you garden? Let me know your favorite plants and any fun tips you might have.

Lastly, I need to brag a little on myself - my TBR is huge for this month and I am ROCKING it!! I have one more to go... lets see if I can do it!?

How was your week/weekend?

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!
  

Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: I Hate Fairyland: Good Girl (Volume 3) by Skottie Young (Adult, GN)
Monthly Re-Cap: May 2018
Early Reader Review: Helm of Darkness (War on the Gods #1) by A.P. Mobley (YA)

Books Received this Week
       

A Fall Ball for All by Jamie Swenson from Netgalley and Lerner Publishing Group for review.
Art Boss by Kayla Cagan from Netgalley and Chronicle Books for review.
I Hate Fairyland: Good Girl (Volume 3) by Skottie Young- Borrowed from a friend
Jake, Lucid Dreamer by David Naiman from the author for review consideration 
Harry Moon: Professor Einstone by Mark Andrew Poe from the publisher for review consideration

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of May 20 - May 26

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 7 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN) - 4 stars

Recent Reads: Glow by Megan Bryant (YA)- 5 stars

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 8 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN)- 5 stars

Recent Reads: Switched (Fairy Tale Reform School #4) by Jen Calonita (MG)- 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: Switched by Jen Calonita

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

Switched by Jen Calonita
Series: Fairy Tale Reform School #4
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Publication Date:  March 6, 2018

 

Format: Ebook
Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

Things at Fairy Tale Reform School are great. Rumpelstiltskin has been ousted, and everyone is buzzing about the fact that Beauty and Prince Sebastian (a.k.a. the Beast) have joined the teaching staff. Everyone, that is, except Gilly, who can’t seem to focus on anything but Anna. How is it that her beloved sister somehow went bad and joined up with Rump? And why doesn’t anyone seem to care? Sure, the Royal Court says they’re working on it, but they’ve got exactly nothing to show for it.

But when new kid Jack joins FTRS with tales of his own family being snatched by Rump, Gilly knows she’s in good company. Jack wants answers, just like Gilly. And if the Royal Court can’t get the job done, then maybe it’s time to break some rules...

Review: 
Switched is the fourth book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series and I have been loving them. They are a middle grade series about a girl who is sent to reform school to become 'good', she uses her smarts and sometimes some dumb behavior to help save the school and her classmates. Throughout the series so far she has made lasting friendships, really began to think of the school as home, and continues to grow as a character in each book.

This book is also a continuation of the last one more so than the others have been. We left off with Rumpelstiltskin trying to take over and that is where we pick up again, a few of the circumstances have changed but Gilly is out to save the day again. 

I loved the fairy tale characters brought into this one more then I have in the others - Beauty and the Beast have joined the staff at FTRS and Beauty runs the library (squeeee - so excite). It was a great addition and I really loved it. I am trying to keep this review spoiler free so I won't say too much more. If you haven't picked up the series yet and like retellings and middle grade books, I highly recommend this series! 

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 8 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Saga Volume 8 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Publisher:  Image Comics
Publication Date:  December 27, 2017

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from a friend

Rating:


 





Goodreads Synopsis: 

After the traumatic events of the War for Phang, Hazel, her parents, and their surviving companions embark on a life-changing adventure at the westernmost edge of the universe.

Collecting: Saga 43-48.

Volume 1 Review /Volume 2 Review / Volume 3 Review /  

Volume 4 Review / Volume 5 Review/ Volume 6 Review  / Volume 7 Review

Review: 

Spoilers if you have not read the last few issues 

Note: Lots of Adult Content in this one

Another really sad and emotional issue for me. The family is trying to find a place to insure that Alana does not get sick (not going into more detail because I don't want to spoil big things).  Hazel makes a few new friends and it is so great to see her actually acting like a kid - being in this war has not been good for her.

This issue had a lot of really funny things mixed into it's heavy violence and just overall content. A fidget spinner reference is always funny, even more so because the fad has died down. Overall this issue really brought it back for me. I was having some reservations about continuing the series in the middle books but I am glad that I stuck it out. These aren't for everyone though- there is a  lot of sex, violence, and graphic content.

Recent Reads: Glow by Megan Bryant

Source: From Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Glow by Megan Bryant

Publisher:  Albert Whitman & Company
Publication Date:  March 6, 2018 (first Sept 1, 2017)

 

Format:  Ebook

Rating:


 




Goodreads Synopsis: 

Lydia is thrilled to join the working girls in the factory, where they paint luminous watch dials for the soldiers fighting in World War I. In the future, these girls will be known as the tragic Radium Girls: factory workers not only poisoned by the glowing paint, but who also had to fight against men who knew of the paint's deadly effect. One hundred years later, Julie, whose life is on hold after high school, becomes intrigued by a series of mysterious antique paintings she finds in a thrift store. When she discovers their hidden-and increasingly nightmarish-glowing images, Julie is determined to learn more about them. As Julie's obsession mounts, truths about the Radium Girls-and her own complicated relationships-are revealed. Can she uncover the secrets behind the paintings before she puts herself and everyone she loves at risk? 

Review: 
When I was offered this book for review I was very interested in the synopsis - the Radium Girls are not something I was overly familiar with but wanted to learn a bit more. This is a fictional story about a girl named Julie, that is going through some things in her life, she finds a painting and realizes that it glows in the dark. She makes it her summer mission to figure out how and why it does this.  

The author uses Julie's story alternating with letters from a young girl in 1918 to portray both the present tale and the past in some detail. While Julie is uncovering the mystery of the paintings in her story, the reader is also learning about girls working in a Radium factory painting dials on watch faces for men at war. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of Julie throughout the story - I was more interested with her leading me through the paintings and how she was finding them and trying to recreate them. I really loved reading the letters from Lydia in 1918 to her war hero Walter. They were interesting and it is where I learned about the Radium factory and what they did there. The author even has a note at the end of the book talking about the actual Radium Girls and how this story differs from the history but it was all very intriguing. 

I really, really enjoyed this book for the brushes with history and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something like this. It was still fiction but very good. It is also a coming of age story and in Julie's tale there is a lot of life lessons that come out of her locating the paintings. It was a quick read because I was so enthralled with it all.

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 7 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Saga Volume 7 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Publisher:  Image Comics
Publication Date:  April 4, 2017

 

Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from a friend

Rating:


 



Goodreads Synopsis: 

From the worldwide bestselling team of Fiona Staples and Brian K. Vaughan, “The War for Phang” is an epic, self-contained Saga event! Finally reunited with her ever-expanding family, Hazel travels to a war-torn comet that Wreath and Landfall have been battling over for ages. New friendships are forged and others are lost forever in this action-packed volume about families, combat and the refugee experience.

Collecting: Saga 37-42

Volume 1 Review /Volume 2 Review / Volume 3 Review /  

Volume 4 Review / Volume 5 Review/ Volume 6 Review 

Review: 

Spoilers if you have not read the last few issues 

Note: Lots of Adult Content in this one

Volume seven of this series was a very sad one, but it was very good too. Alana and Marko are together and have Hazel too. There are new characters sharing their home too and it is a mix of cultures and races working together to survive. There are some struggles though and it is a very sad issue in the last few chapters but they are holding themselves together well enough.

I am a little upset about where this issue will lead in the next one but we will see. I have enjoyed this one a lot more than the last few volumes - there was more relationship building than straight violence.

Building the Book Pile #254

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

It is a rainy weekend but we still managed to get a lot of chores done and this week was a pretty productive one as well. I read a few more books and got a bunch of reviews up :) 

Yesterday I also had some fun painting pottery with my friend and today is a family dinner night with the friend group - I'm excited.
 

How was your week/weekend?

Share about your week with me in the comments below!

 

  Giveaways  on Cover2CoverBlog!
  

Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 7 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN)

Recent Reads: Glow by Megan Bryant (YA)

Recent Reads: Saga Volume 8 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN)

Recent Reads: Switched (Fairy Tale Reform School #4) by Jen Calonita (MG)

Books Received this Week

   

The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr from Libarything and Chronicle Books for review.

Have you missed anything lately?

Week of May 14 - May 19

Blog Tour: Giveaway and Review - Death Doesn't Bargain (Deadmen's Cross #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (with a review of Deadmen Walking  - book 1) - 5 stars and 4 stars
Early Reader Review: Unbreakable by Sara Ella (YA)- 4 stars
Recent Reads:  Damselfly by Chandra Prasad (YA)- 3 stars
Recent Reads: Saga Volume 6 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Adult, GN)- 3 stars
Recent Reads: The Fishing Lesson by Heinrich Boell (Youth)- 5 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!