Recent Reads: Camp Red Moon by R.L. Stine

Camp Red Moon by R. L. Stine
Publisher:  Audible Audio
Publication Date:  October 3, 2019

 

Format: Audible Audiobook
Source: October Audible Subscriber Freebie

Rating:






Goodreads Synopsis: 

Creepy fun for ages 9-12!
Camp nights or camp frights?
Every sleepaway camp promises memories that last a lifetime. But the memories from Camp Red Moon might give you nightmares!
The campfire appears to dim when the moon turns blood red and strange creatures prowl the forest.Do you find a total lookalike at camp? Is it coincidence or is he a shapeshifter trying to take over your life?Why don't your competitors at the robotics competition seem exactly...human?And why do campers do anything to avoid Cabin 6?The master of the scary story, R.L. Stine, has handpicked a staff of storytelling counselors - Dan Poblocki, Ellen Oh, and Justin Reynolds - to help him tell the creepy campfire stories that swirl around Camp Red Moon.
No matter how bright the campfire, get ready for some CHILLS!

Review: 
Camp Red Moon was a young adult horror anthology put together by Audible Originals. It was read by a full cast and had 4 stories. The stories, while the title credit goes to R.L. Stine are all by different authors but are based in the same setting, Camp Red Moon. R.L. Stine's story is first and he also provides intros to the divisions of the book. His story was about Werewolves, followed by the stories from other authors, one about a new camper, one about robots, and the last a classic ghost tale. My favorite of the four was the new camper tale.

In the story a new camper arrives and starts acting a lot like the first friend he has made, then he starts slowly taking over his life at camp. The story was simple but had a lot of character development for such a short story and it was very spooky. 

Stine's story was also a lot of fun and I got goosebumps from the ghost story, the only one that I might skip over next round it the robots one, I am not big on sci-fi generally but this story just didn't really do it for me. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I just felt wigged out over the other tales more.

Overall I really enjoyed this listen and think that I will listen to it again this summer as a good campfire read.

Building the Book Pile #316

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

Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 

Happy Sunday! I hope you are all well. I have been so busy as you can probably tell... from the lack of content and book pile posts. (sorry) I had this week off from school so I have been able to catch up a bit, but am back in it starting tomorrow. I am hoping to get a few more reviews prepared before jumping back into schoolwork.

Other than school, work is in a busy season too - really Sept - Jan are busy (lol), so we will start our slower time now but I get to travel for work too which is great! I am going to NYC, Boston and Chicago on short trips and hopefully New Orleans for a conference. 

The hubs and I actually booked a vacation for FL in a few weeks too! I am SOOOOOO excited for that!

What have you been up to? Any great books I should know about because I am hiding under a pile of schoolwork?

OH! And I am an AUNT! My sister gave birth in December to a beautiful baby boy, he is so fricken cute and I cannot wait to get the time to meet him!

--

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!

 

No Current Giveaways


Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: Camp Red Moon by R.L. Stine (YA, Audio)
Trailer Release - Green Lantern: Legacy 
Early Reader Review: A Little Courage by Taltal Levi (Youth)
Recent Reads: US Destinations That Spark our Fascinations by Gene Lipen (Youth)


Books Received Recently...
For Review

        

The Princess in Black and the Bathtime Battle by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale (MG) - From Librarything Early Reviewers and Candlewick Press for review.

A Little Courage by Taltal Levi (Youth) - From Netgalley and NorthSouth Books for review

Have you missed anything lately?

Here is what has happened in the New Year so far:

Recent Reads: Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan (Adult, Audio) - 3 stars
Love you Like no Otter by Rose Rossen (Youth)- 3 stars

Recent Reads: Summer of '69 by Todd Stasser (YA) -2 stars 
Foreverywhere by Steve Burns, Steven Drozd, Gabe Soria (MG, Audio) - 4 stars
A Grown Up Guide to Dinosaurs (Adult, Audio) - 4 stars
Early Reader Review: Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale (MG, GN) - 5 stars
Recent Reads: Charlie Brown: All Tied Up by Charles M Schulz (GN) - 3 stars
Recent Reads: Outlaws by Jen Calonita (MG) - 4 stars 
Book News! Next Installment of Teen Titans Announced

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: I Love you Like No Otter by Rose Rossner

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

I Love you Like No Otter by Rose Rossner

Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Publication Date:  January 1, 2019

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:







Synopsis: 

Give hedgehugs and kisses to your little squeakheart with this pun-tastic book! Purrfect for anyone you love beary much.
There's no better way to say "I love you" than with a sweet and heartfelt animal pun! I Love You Like No Otter combines a warm message of love with beautifully illustrated animals, making it the perfect gift for Valentine's Day and all year round!

I love you like no otter,You truly are the best.My special little squeakheart,A step above the rest.

We make the purrrfect pair,Together every day.Pawsitively amazing,In every single way.

Review: 
I have feelings about this book... more than I should I think (haha). The book is an adorable rhyming book about love for your little one with cute animals and puns about how they love their babies.

So my feelings - 

1) LOVE THE PUNS! I am a huge fan of puns, think they are hilarious and often get scolded because they are dumb and 'dad-joke-esq', don't care, still LOVE them.

2) really enjoyed all of the images and the very cutesy rhyming scheme that the book used. I think parents and kids will enjoy it too.

But...the reason it did not rank higher is because I am not the biggest fan of books that misspell or use made up words with the intention of being read to smaller children learning to talk and/ or read. I think that it can be confusing and send the wrong messages, that might just be me though, and I know baby-talk is a thing and parents sometimes need something different, but I was a bit turned off by the number of "pawsitively" bad spellings to make the puns.

Regardless of that feeling, this would be a fun read and since Valentine's Day is coming up it would make a great gift.

Recent Reads: Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come: One introvert's year of saying yes by Jessica Pan

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  May 28, 2019

 

Format: Audible Audiobook
Source: Bought

Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she’d normally avoid at all costs? Writer Jessica Pan intends to find out. With the help of various extrovert mentors, Jessica sets up a series of personal challenges (talk to strangers, perform stand-up comedy, host a dinner party, travel alone, make friends on the road, and much, much worse) to explore whether living like an extrovert can teach her lessons that might improve the quality of her life. Chronicling the author’s hilarious and painful year of misadventures, this book explores what happens when one introvert fights her natural tendencies, takes the plunge, and tries (and sometimes fails) to be a little bit braver.

Review: 
As a fellow introvert this title was very appealing. Jessica's book is about her year of trying to be more extroverted and being that she is a shintovert or a shy introvert, this made it a little difficult.

I liked that she goes way outside of her comfort zone for a lot of the things she was determined to try, like talking to strangers all the way to improv. She really pushed herself through her year. I really enjoyed hearing about her experiences and how she came to her  decisions but really did not connect with her fully. I found that I am an introvert but that I could do a lot of these things and be perfectly fine so only some of it was relateable. Granted, I will never do stand up comedy or improv and that is ok, I know that I won't like those things, but I can stand in front of a crowd and give a presentation and that is all that I need. 

I think that while I liked her tales of adventure into extroversion there was a lot more in this book that I just couldn't get into. Part of that was her why... I am perfectly fine being an introvert and I know my needs because of it, a lineup of parties, activities, and people time... well I need a week sitting in PJs after work to recoup. I have accepted that and I think my family and friends understand too. 
I think that it is weird that introverts are always so pressured to be extroverts but maybe extroverts need to calm down and have some alone time if we have to go talk to people we don't want to... jus sayin.

I enjoyed the book, I really did. It was a lot of funny moments and the author does a wonderful job telling her story.

Recent Reads: Summer of '69 by Todd Stasser

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers and Candlewick Press. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Summer of '69 by Todd Stasser
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date:  April , 2019

 

Format: Paperback ARC

Rating:






Goodreads Synopsis: 

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and the remarkable summer that led up to it. Featuring Sir Lucas of the Round Table(t). Astonishingly autobiographical. Remarkably personal. Profoundly irresponsible.

Drawing from his teenage years, Todd Strasser's novel revisits a tumultuous era and takes readers on a psychedelically tinged trip of a lifetime.

With his girlfriend, Robin, away in Canada, eighteen-year-old Lucas Baker's only plans for the summer are to mellow out with his friends, smoke weed, drop a tab or two, and head out in his microbus for a three-day happening called the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. But life veers dramatically off track when he suddenly finds himself in danger of being drafted and sent to fight in Vietnam. If that isn't heavy enough, there's also the free-loving (and undeniably alluring) Tinsley, who seems determined to test Lucas's resolve to stay faithful to Robin; a frighteningly bad trip at a Led Zeppelin concert; a run-in with an angry motorcycle gang; parents who appear headed for a divorce; and a friend on the front lines in 'Nam who's in mortal danger of not making it back. As the pressures grow, it's not long before Lucas finds himself knocked so far down, it's starting to look like up to him. When tuning in, turning on, and dropping out is no longer enough, what else is there?

Review: 
Summer of ’69 was an interesting book, it is young adult historical fiction of sorts and it just wasn’t really my style of book.
The book follows Lucas, a teen who is trying to spend his summer like any normal teen, going to shows, hanging with friends, and just relaxing; but it is the summer of ’69 and the threat of being shipped off to fight in a war he does not believe in is getting to him. 

As far as characters go, Lucas goes through a lot in this book. His girlfriend breaks up with him via snail mail letter, not even a phone call, for another guy, he gets his draft letter and his ‘sorry no thank you’ letters from universities, and now he is trying to cope with it all. On top of all that his parents have some weird separation in the same household things going on too and his life is in shambles. The characters were realistic, and their growth was well thought out, but the overall story just fell flat for me.

While there were some climaxes in the plot, they were short and throughout the story, which meant that there wasn’t a big build up anywhere for the readers (me) to look forward to as something to spur reading. I found the story overall interesting but the motivation to keep reading it was lacking and it was not really my jam. 

I think if you like a male point of view and the hippy vibe that this book pulls, this might be one for you, but it is more of a monologue than a plot driven book. 

Audible Audiobook Reviews - Some Earlier Freebies

Foreverywhere by Steve Burns, Steven Drozd, Gabe Soria
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date:  August 1, 2019

  

Format:  Audiobook
Source: August Audible Freebie for Subscribers

Rating:





Goodreads Synopsis: 

Foreverywhere tells the tale of a young unicorn (perhaps the last unicorn in existence?!) and his quest, along with a Giant named Rick, a spider named Betsy and the guitar-shredding Princess Rainbow, to form the best band in the fantastical world of Anyville. But first, they’ll have to contend with the increasingly strange weather that seems to follow Princess Rainbow everywhere, and a rival band determined to bring them down. Will this group of misfits be able to rise above?
Created by Steve Burns (Blue’s Clues, The Moth) and Steven Drozd (Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist for The Flaming Lips), this musical odyssey explores themes of friendship, building self-confidence, and overcoming obstacles to follow your dreams and rock out!

Short Review: 
This was a fun and funny listen. The hubs and I always have a jigsaw puzzle going and the other day while were were puzzling we turned this on and I think he enjoyed it just as much as I did. 

The story is told from the point of view of the last unicorn who has a love for music, but he would love to form a band, so that is what he does. There are readers for all the different characters and the full cast makes this book even more entertaining. It was a very fun story that had enough mystery to keep us listening and wanting to learn more about what was going on. There is music throughout as well and it made for a great listen.

This book is intended for a middle grade audience but we enjoyed it as well. Would be especially great for a car ride!

A Grown Up Guide to Dinosuars

Publisher: Audible Studios
Publication Date:  July 4, 2019

  

Format:  Audiobook
Source: July Audible Freebie for Subscribers

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Most children go through a dinosaur phase. Learning all the tongue twisting names, picking favorites based on ferocity, armor, or sheer size. For many kids this love of ‘terrible lizards’ fizzles out at some point between starting and leaving primary school. All those fancy names slowly forgotten, no longer any need for a favorite.

For all those child dino fanatics who didn’t grow up to become paleontologists, dinosaurs seem like something out of mythology. They are dragons, pictures in books, abstract, other, extinct.

They are at the same time familiar and mysterious. And yet we’re in an age of rapid discovery—new dinosaur species and genera are being discovered at an accelerating rate, we’re learning more about what they looked like, how they lived, how they evolved and where they all went.

This series isn’t just a top trumps list of dino facts—we’re interested in the why and the how and like all areas of science there is plenty of controversy and debate. 

Short Review: 
It has been a long time since I listened to this Audible freebie, but I have to say I was impressed. I love learning and learning more about dinosaurs is fun no matter what age you are. 

If you have an interest in dinosaurs but aren't keeping up with all the things that they have learned about them, this would be a great listen for you. It is a great, short, and easy listen to dip your toes back into you love for dinos.

Early Reader Review: Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale

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

Diana: Princess of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale,  Illustrated by Victoria Ying

Publisher: DC Entertainment
Publication Date:  January 7. 2020

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

Cut off from the rest of the world, Diana had an idyllic childhood on Themyscira. But now 11-years-old, she's beginning to feel more and more isolated. Though she has many "aunties" and a loving mother, she is an only child. THE only child, in fact.
After an escapade goes wrong, Queen Hippolyta chastises Diana for not living up to the Amazon standard. Diana just can't seem to measure up, no matter what she does! Literally every other person on the island is an adult proficient in their trade and mighty in body, while she is gangly, sometimes clumsy, and not particularly proficient in anything. She's not Wonder Woman yet. What Diana needs is a friend; someone her own age whom she can talk to. But when she decides to take matters into her own hands — she may just make a monster instead.

Review: 
Diana is the princess of the Amazons, which is amazing but also kind of lonely. While she is strong and brave, her mother doesn't have time for her and everyone is always busy completing their chores and tasks on the island of Themyscira. 

This was a great middle grade graphic novel. Diana is a strong female character that all young girls and even young boys will enjoy. She is just a bit lonely, so she turns to a friend who might not be the best for her. When her friend leads her into trouble she now must choose between who she can be or her feelings of loneliness, luckily for all of Themyscira she is strong and strong-willed. 

The images are very pretty and lend well to the story and the dialog is kept concise and simple enough at a glace to read through. The overall story was interesting and I liked following Diana's story. Her growth as a character was quick but meaningful and I think that all young readers will enjoy this graphic novel. 

Recent Reads: Charlie Brown: All Tied Up by Charles M Schulz

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

Charlie Brown: All Tied Up by Charles M Schulz
Series: PEANUTS AMP Series Book 13
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date:  October 15, 2019

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

This year, Charlie Brown is determined to turn around his bad luck, lead his baseball team to victory, and fly his kite without interference from the dirty rotten kite-eating tree. 

While Charlie Brown is all tied up, the rest of the gang doesn't hold back on having fun. Pig-Pen unexpectedly charms Peppermint Patty at the Valentine's dance, Marcie and Snoopy run a commercial airline, and Lucy tries her hardest to win Schroeder's affection. Whether you're safe on the ground or tangled up in a tree like Charlie Brown, you won't want to miss the fun in this latest Peanuts for kids adventure. 

Review: 
When I saw that they put out another installment of Charlie Brown, I was like, why not? But what can I say about it? Charlie Brown comic strips are classics, and this collection keeps to that classic feel. Charlie Brown is still getting bullied by Lucy, they are still trying to win a baseball game, and Snoopy still wants dinner. The comics are easy to read in this style, you can pick it up and put it down easily since it is not a long story, just snippets, and the colors are bright as they have been in the past when it was available in color.

If you are a fan of Charlie Brown and you like to have a fun coffee table book, this would be a great addition to your collection.

 

Recent Reads: Outlaws by Jen Calonita

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

Outlaws by Jen Calonita
Series: Royal Academy Rebels #2)
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date:  October 1, 2019

 

Format: Ebook
Rating:







Goodreads Synopsis: 

The second installment in a brand-new series from Jen Calonita, set in the world of Fairy Tale Reform School! Not everyone born royal is meant to rule…
After being banished to the Hollow Woods following their discovery of Headmistress Olivina's secret villainy, a note from an ally urges Devin and her friends to go in search of Red Riding Hood, who they believe can help them figure out what to do next.
Instead, they come across a troupe of fairytale vigilantes, including a former Royal Academy princess, Robin Hood, a pirate named Corden, and more. Alongside their new vigilante friends, Devin and her crew come up with a plan to expose the truth about Olivina to all of Enchantasia, or risk their homeland falling under villainous rule once and for all…

Review: 
Oooooooh things are getting interesting in Enchantasia. Outlaws is the second book in the Rebels series which follows Calonita's Fairy Tale Reform School series. I loved the first series and love that these books are in the same world that she built. 

In this installment we follow Devin as she is kicked out of school and has to find her way back, but she also has to tell the world that the beloved fairy godmother is evil, very evil - not an easy task. Devin is just as strong-willed as she was in the first book and her love for creatures continues in this book, albeit a bit on the softer side than in the first one. While Devin is still strong, the cast of characters with her all have their own issues and they all come to view and together they have to hep each other to solve them. It was a great portrayal of friendship and the need to work as a team.

The plot of this book is very intense, there is a lot of running and trying to figure out how to overturn Olivina with people trying to kill them. Because the plot moves so quickly it was a pretty quick read, and like the others in the series the continuing world building is spectacular. If you have enjoyed any of the books in this series or Fairy Tale Reform School you are bound to like this one as well.

[All that said, the cover is not calling to me as much as the older ones, see below]

Royal Academy Rebels #1 Review

Fairy Tale Reform School Series Reviews

      

 

Book News! Next Installment of Teen Titans Announced

Acclaimed creative team Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo announced that the next installment of their New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling Teen Titans young adult graphic novel series, Teen Titans: Beast Boy, is now available to pre-order. 

Teen Titans: Beast Boy

Written by Kami Garcia
  Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo
  Colored by David Calderon Lopez

  Lettered by Gabriela Downie

On sale 9/8/2020

MSRP $16.99

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures) and artist Gabriel Picolo, the creative duo behind the smash hit Teen Titans: Raven, take you on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, while reminding us the value of true friendship--especially when life gets wild.

Garfield Logan has spent his entire life being overlooked. Even in a small town like Eden, Georgia, the 17-year-old with green streaks in his hair can't find a way to stand out--and the clock is ticking. Senior year is almost over. If Gar doesn't find a way to impress the Chosen Ones--the social elite at Bull Creek High School--he will never know what it's like to matter. Gar's best friends, Stella and Tank, don't understand why he cares what other people think. They miss their funny, pizza-loving, video game-obsessed best friend.

Then Gar accepts a wild dare out of the blue. It impresses the Chosen Ones and his social status soars. But other things are changing, too. Gar grows six inches overnight. His voice drops and, suddenly, he's stronger and faster. He's finally getting everything he wanted, but his newfound popularity comes at a price. Gar has to work harder to impress his new friends. The dares keep getting bigger and the stakes keep getting higher.

When Gar realizes the extent of his physical changes, he has to dig deep and face the truth about himself--and the people who truly matter--before his life spirals out of control.

In this series: 

Cover2CoverBlog Review of Teen Titans: Raven