Dewey's Readathon Vlog

This weekend I participated in my first Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon. I've planned to participate before but it never worked out. This time I got a decent amount of reading in and I even vlogged some of it!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon

Comic Mash Up Review - Lumberjanes/Monstress

 

 

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Lumberjanes Vol. 8: Stone Cold

by Shannon Watters

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: February 2018

BOOM! Box

Add it / Buy it

Rating: 3.5/5 

Once again with this series I love the characters, but the plot is quite weak. We still have action, adventure, diversity, and magic involved so I'm still having fun. The characters continue to grow and we learn even more about them as the series goes along. I enjoyed the return of Greek mythology for this volume and how old enemies are reexamined.

Lumberjanes 33-36:

by Shannon Watters, Carey Pietsch (Illustrator)

Ebook Issues: 24-29pgs

Published: December 2016-March 2017

BOOM! Box

Add it / Buy it

Rating: 4/5 

This series of issues (that will probably be volume nine eventually) is my favorite of the past few volumes. Though this one was a little sillier, I really enjoyed the competitiveness the girls displayed in this one. There was a feeling of being at camp in this arc which I've missed recently in this series.

Monstress Vol. 1: Awakening

by Marjorie M. Liu (Writer), Sana Takeda (Artist), Rus Wooton(Letterer, Designer), Jennifer M. Smith (Editor)

Ebook Trade - 192 pgs

Published: July 2016

Image Comics

Add it / Buy it

Rating: 4.5/5 

This first volume was incredibly beautiful and incredibly gruesome. The art is stunning and the full page spreads were difficult to move past. I could stare at them for a long time and sometimes the detail of the art distracted me from the story. I did find myself rereading parts of this complex fantasy. The panels were confusing at times not just because I was distracted, but overall the story was lush and beautiful. It is full of gods, humans, and supernatural beings that fight against one another.

My Last Review ---> More Comic Reviews

T5W - Favorite Fandom Items

This week we are talking about one of my favorite things on Top Five Wednesday! Fandom items! I decided to split this Top Five into different categories rather than different specific items. Today I talked about candles, buttons, bookmarks, Pop Funkos and prints. What are your favorites?

Comic Mashup Review - Lumberjanes & Paper Girls

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Lumberjanes Vol. 7: A Bird's-Eye View

by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh,Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrations), Ayme Sotuyo (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (With), Brooke Allen

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: December 2017

BOOM! Box

Add it / Buy it

Rating: 4/5 

Once again the campers plan on a non-magical day at camp, but magical creatures destroy those plans! I adore all the characters in this series as I've mentioned before and the group is more cohesive in this volume. I'm so glad the girls are working together again and I was glad we focused on the group rather than individuals. The magical kitten adventures were adorable. I loved all the kitten powers!

After two volumes that disappointed me, I really enjoyed this one and I continue to recommend it to everyone looking for fun female-positive comics.

Paper Girls Vol. 2

by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Colorist), Jared K. Fletcher (Letterer) 

Ebook Trade - 128 pgs

Published: November 2016

Image Comics

Add it / Buy it

Rating: 4/5 

This volume really packed a punch. The girls travel forward in time and they face themselves and their futures. The concept is fascinating. I think the plot and time travel could have been explained more. Time travel is messy and confusing in general. Having minimal text to explain multiple plot lines in time travel could be disastrous. Instead this is fairly coherent and a mystery is mixed in so there is intentional confusion. Overall, I still really love the girls and how they are both scared and badass throughout the story.

Last Review --> Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Movies I Watched This Year (Jan - Mar)

There are a few goals I set every year even though I don't anticipate completing them. My movie goal is one of those goals. I never seem to reach the goal I make for myself to watch twenty five movies. This year I am making serious progress early in the year so I decided to post a recap of the movies I've watched so far!

Top Ten Books I Want to Read Set in the Victorian Era

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Please visit her for future topics and ways to participate.

This week we had a freebie topic. I've been obsessed with supernatural influenced books set in the Victorian Era for ages. I absolutely love Gail Carriger's books and anything with just a hint of steampunk in the description will catch my eye. These are the books I'm hoping to read someday taking place in the Victorian Era. Some of these I own. Some of them I am drooling over.

Amazingly they all have similar covers? Very very interesting.

  

  

  

My Last TTT----> Top Six Books I Enjoyed but Doubt I'll Reread

Currently Reading - April

So far in April I am enjoying a lot of different things. My library loans are out of control, but I still want to read some of the books I have on my shelves. Right now I've finished a few books and am getting ready

Books Mentioned: 

Rebel Rising by Shanna Swendson 

Liselotte and the Witch's Forest by Natsuki Takaya 

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery 

Two Princess of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

Review - Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Series: Alpha and Omega #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Age Group: Adult

Mass Market Paperback - 295
Source: Purchased 

Published: 2008 by Ace Books

Add it // Buy it

Rating: 4/5

TW: Mention of Rape, physical abuse, self harm, suicide attempt.

*I highly recommend reading Alpha and Omega before reading Cry Wolf. The introduction is essential to understanding this book*

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she'd learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer—and son—of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.


Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna's inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf—a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack.

As a confirmed Urban Fantasy junkie I had to check out Patricia Briggs second series set in the Mercy Thompson universe. After reading the first short story about Anna and Charles (Alpha and Omega), I immediately needed more story about these two. Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved the introduction to Anna's life and character in that short story. Overall the romance took me by surprise in the novella and in this book. I'm shipping these two really hard.

Anna is a fantastic character who is struggling to overcome a bad situation and adjust to a new life.  She had been through a lot of trauma and abuse before the events of this book. Those events are referenced quite often so if you are sensitive to the topics of sexual assault, physical abuse, self harm or attempted suicide you may want to consider this series carefully. Overall, Anna is written as a strong character who slowly comes out of her shell throughout the book and I loved her just as much as I love Mercy. Obviously the story also focused on Charles, but I was more invested in Anna's story and her growth. Charles is fairly secure in his place and life except for Anna. Their relationship comes across as an evolving partnership and they are still trying to find their balance.

Stepping into the pack atmosphere in Montana was really interesting. Since we hear so much about these characters in Mercy's series, I was excited to learn more about the infamous Bran and his family. The book focuses heavily on Anna and Charles, but there is a lot of broader world building mixed in and more back story on Bran. 

It shows that Briggs has been writing this world for a while and she knows the rules. It makes this first book stronger than the first book in the Mercy Thompson series. I really enjoyed it and plan to read this alongside the other series.

My Last Review ---> His Second Chance by Stephanie Lake

2018 Goals Update #1

It has been an exciting four months of 2018 already. I feel like I've made a lot of progress on my goals for this year even though I lost my list! Making another one really helped me focus in on the ones I know I've been working on and the ones I had totally forgotten about. Are you making headway on your goals for the year or have you given up?

Top Ten Tuesday - Six Books I Loved but Doubt I'll Re-Read

Check out That Artsy Reader Girl for more topics and a full run down of the people who are participating.

This week I only have six books for you. I love to reread books so it takes a lot for me to rule out a book for a reread. These however are books I don't have copies of myself or they were long. In the case of Goldenhand I love that book, but I loved the other books in the series more.

  

  

My Last Top Ten Tuesday --> Books That Take Place in Another Country

Day Trip to Philadelphia - Vlog

Last week I took a train ride to Philadelphia for a work meeting so I vlogged a little bit of my day and what I was reading. Enjoy!

Review - His Second Chance by Stephanie Lake

Series: Second Chances #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Age Group: Adult

Ebook - 96 pgs

Source: Purchased

Published: May 2016 by Loose ID

Add it // Buy it

Rating: 2/5

The Seventh Viscount of Torring, Randall Blair is more than disgusted with unfaithful lovers. When his last lover announces his engagement to the current reigning belle, Randall decides to suppress his true nature and follow suit. He is determined, once and for all, to forget the dark sailor who slipped in and out of his life five years before.

Lady Prudence Wedgewood has, for a member of the fair sex, unquestioned beauty, and shows a surprising wit, which will entertain Randall, even if her well-proportioned body does not arouse his desires. The marriage should at least be, bearable. The Blair and Wedgewood wedding plans unfold flawlessly, until Lady Prudence’s brother returns.

Lieutenant David Wedgewood has always been beyond discreet with his unnatural attraction to men. An attraction, which years ago, nearly set Randall’s bed aflame for a blissful, torrid week. David returned for only one reason: to save his beloved sister from a marriage destined to bring nothing but pain. He will kill Randall if that’s what it takes to stop the wedding. And he is willing to seduce Randall, to prove that this marriage can only end in disaster and heartbreak.

TW: Vivid description of hanging, flash backs, panic attacks

This novel suffers from a lot of faults.  The concept of the story was good itself and I think the author had all the right elements there. I wanted to like this book and I was excited by the prologue and the first few chapters. Unfortunately things fell apart after that.

The characters are meant to live in 18th Century England, but their dialogue and inner monologue is very modern except for a few words and phrases that are thrown in. The modern words really disrupted my reading and overall the pace was too fast. The pace was fast, which I normally like in a romance, but the breakneck speed was too much. I couldn't connect with the characters. There are so many romance books that I adore and am very attached to the characters. The length and the pace really hurt my connection with this book.

Perhaps the biggest fault is connected to the pace At the end of the story the resolution is forced forward extremely fast without any pause for tension to build. I didn't fear for the characters at all because the person who had leverage over them, had their own secret that the author revealed earlier in the book. Overall, I didn't have time to worry about them and my only reason to worry about them had been neutralized earlier in the book!

Overall, I was really disappointed in this.

My Last Review - Comic Mashup Review

March Wrap Up (pt 2/2)

Once again this month I've had to split my wrap ups into two parts because I read too much for my computer to handle my long winded videos. If I try to edit a video longer than about fifteen minutes, my computer has a fit and doesn't process it. Therefore, I tend to split the videos once they get over ten minutes. I'm glad I'm reading so much, but I wish I didn't need to split these videos.

March Favorites (2018)

Once again I have left a long gap between my favorites posts. I doubt I have enough media and products to do one of these every month, but I think I could make them more often. Hopefully I remember to write them out on a more regular basis. Because it has been so long, I have more than just my March favorite. 

Favorite Books: The Horimiya Series by Hero and The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles. I had very strong feeling about both of these this month. Horimiya was an incredibly cute manga that I borrowed from my library. I've only been able to access the first six. I'm just dying for more. This is a contemporary series about two classmates who find they both have a side to themselves they don't show many people.

The Secret Casebook was another animal entirely. I've enjoyed a lot of Charles' books. This book is something special. The characters really touched me. They borrowed themselves under my skin and I had a hard time moving onto the next book because I was so attached to them. This is a M/M historical paranormal fiction about two men who go on incredible adventures and fight all manner of supernatural creatures together and who come back to each other in the darkest moments.

 

Favorite Audiobooks: The Diviners Libba Bray. This was an incredible audiobook. The narrator had so many different characters to voice and she sang several times. She did an amazing job and I'm so excited to listen to the next one.

March Book Haul (2018)

This month I've been good and purchased just a few books. Even so, I need to pick up my own books. I've been borrowing a lot of books from the library and it is hurting my plans to reduce my TBR. Instead, the number of books I own is creeping back up!

Books Mentioned:

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman 

Bygone Badass Broads by MacKenzie 

The Wicked Deep by by Shea Ernshaw 

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff