Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

I'm looking forward to this one. For the Foodies Read Challenge.

I read about this on The Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. It sounded good.

Sounded good.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.


Monday, July 25, 2016

Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M Valente

Despite it's graphic novel-esque cover, Six-Gun Snow White is a short story, not a graphic novel. And one definitely for adults. Valente's Snow White retelling isn't for kids. Valente moves Snow White from the dark forest to the Old West. And it's amazing. I would have never thought of this kind of retelling.

Valente weaves the Snow White tale with Native American folklore.  Snow White is so much more than a Disney princess here. In fact she's no princess at all. And there's no prince and no rescuing. Definitely a more feminist retelling. Sometimes the story is hard to understand with all the magic and mysticism thrown in but still very beautifully told. Despite it's shortness, I took my time reading it. Valente's a beautiful writer and I enjoyed every word. I highly recommend this for fans of retellings especially if you like when other cultures get mixed in. Others who shared their thoughts on Six Gun Snow White: Book Swoon, Mermaid Vision Books, and The Literary Omnivore.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan

When I saw LaCour and Levithan had teamed up to write You Know Me Well, I immediately added it to my library queue. I was not disappointed. I expect top notch writing and wonderful characters from both of these authors and got it. You Know Me Well was hard to put down.

Mark is a baseball player and has lately been fooling around with his best friend, Ryan. Since Ryan isn't out yet, their romantic relationship is secret. Mark is ready for them to be out in the open. Kate is anxious to meet the love of her life as soon as she stops running away. Mark and Kate, who have known each other all school year but never really talked, run into each during pre-Pride festivities in San Francisco, just when they needed each other the most.

Ok, I adored Mark and Kate. Kate is scared. Life is moving too fast. Unlike other high school seniors, Kate isn't anxious for college. She's terrified. In fact she's terrified of a lot. She wants to meet Violet who she's pinned her romantic hopes on. Kate runs away and finds Mark who's in love with his best friend who doesn't appear to be in love with him. Kate and Mark band together to discover themselves and their true loves. I love it when you meet the right person at the right time. And despite not knowing them forever, it feels like you have. Mark and Kate help each other without all the drama of lifelong friends. They have no baggage and are able to really help each other during a tough time. You Know Me Well was an adorable read, a lot like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist or Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Others who shared their thoughts on You Know Me Well: Ninja's Read  Too, Pen To Paper, and Lia's Bookish Obsession.
This was my fifth read for the LGBTQIA reading challenge.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.


This is my most anticipated book of 2016. I read The Rook back in 2012 and have been anxiously awaiting the sequel. 

For The Foodies Read Challenge. 

What did you get this week?  Share your loot below!

Monday, July 18, 2016

Full House Reading Challenge Mid Year Update



By Author You Wish Was Better Known:
Had Laugh Out Loud Moments: Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Way Out of Comfort Zone:
Self Challenge:
New Author To You: Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

Published in 2016: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
Book Club Worthy: At The Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
Family Relationship in Title:
Memoir:
Would Make A Good Movie:

Book from series you love: Staked by Kevin Hearne
Color Word In Title: A Red Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire
Book You Bought:
First in a series: The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Library Book:

Debut Novel:
Author's surname starts with same letter as yours: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
Setting beings with a B:
You'd Like To Change the cover: The House You Pass on The Way by Jaqueline Woodson
Published in 2015: Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole

Thought Provoking Book:
You didn't want to put it down:
Author outside own country:
A dominant color on cover: The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman (blue)
Been on TBR list "forever":

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Mid Year Book Challenge Update

I've read 7 graphic novels this year but only reviewed 2. I think this will start improving. 


I'm aiming for 6-12 and I've read 3 so far. I've got more LGBTQIA books in my library queue so I think I'll wrap this one up before year's end.


I signed up to read 9-13 and I've read none so far! I love this challenge and I used to have no problem completing it. I do have a couple of foodie related books on the way from the library including a book about Shiro

I've only read one book out of the six categories. So much harder this year!

How are you doing on your challenges?

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

I'm really enjoying this series.

A friend recommended Persepolis to me. It's been on my radar forever. I'm looking forward to actually reading it.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week!

Monday, July 11, 2016

Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson

I spotted Gena/Finn on one of those must read YA lists. I'm glad I did. Gena/Finn hit on so many things I like in a book-love, a fandom, mental health issues. A fantastic book for older teens and adults about so many life issues.

Gena is a senior in high school. She's looking forward to college. College will be better than high school. No one gets Gena in high school. Finn has moved to California to be with her boyfriend. Finn isn't sure this what she wants but she really isn't sure what she wants. Both Gena and Finn are fans of the tv show, Up Below, about 2 cops. Gena and Finn bond through the miracle of the internet about their love of Up Below. Gena writes fan fiction and Finn draws the characters. Slowly both start talking about their lives beyond Up Below and become best friends.

I loved that the story was written through emails, texts, blog posts, and journal entries. It felt very appropriate for this story. I really liked both Gena and Finn. They felt very relatable to me. I had a hard time putting Gena/Finn down. I wanted to see where things were going. I wanted to hear more of their stories. I would recommend Gena/Finn. Others who shared their thoughts on Gena/Finn: Books for A Delicate Eternity, Pretty Deadly Reviews, and Rocket Reads.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

The second of the Hellions of Havisham. I like this series.

I don't remember where I heard about this one. It's huge, nearly 500 pages. 

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

June Book Tally

Ant-Man vol 1 by Nick Spencer
Bloodline by Claudia Gray
The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries
Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater


This month wasn't as good as last month. But I read some good books. Looking forward to a good July.


Stats:
Graphic Novel Challenge: 1 (Ant-Man vol 1)  YTD: 7
Foodies Read Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 0
What's In A Name Challenge: 0 (none this month)  YTD: 1
LGBTQIA Reading Challenge: 1 (The House You Pass on The Way)  YTD: 2
Total: 38

Friday, July 1, 2016

Five On Friday

Tai bought an Echo a while ago but we were waiting til we moved to unbox it. I love it. She tells me the weather, plays my playlists, looks up stuff for me on the internet. Pretty cool.

Yoga
I love yoga. But I haven't done it in months. I haven't found a studio I like. I need to just find a way to do it. My body and mind need it.

Timehop
I love Timehop. It's an app that shows you what happened on the same day years before. It syncs with Swarm so I know where I went, with Instagram so I can see pictures, with Facebook and twitter so I can posts and pics. It's pretty fun.

Rainier Cherries
Tai and I are  crazy about Rainiers. We've been eating some every night. I'll be sad when the season is over.


Fuzzy Socks
I have a dozen pairs of fuzzy socks. I love to wear them around the house. I hate sleeping without socks and these are fun and comfy.