Here Be Monsters

Duration: 1st October – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 35
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

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Here Be Monsters

He was drawn to the edge of things. To the places old mariners knew, and warned, “Beyond here be monsters.”… He stepped into the beyond, and found the monsters hidden deep inside all the reasonable, gentle, laughing people. He went where even they were afraid to go.

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Beyond here be monsters

Duration
October 1st – December 31st

Rules
Complete at least five tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count
One book per task

Levels
Mermaid: 5-15 books
Kraken: 16-25 books
Cthulhu: 26-35 books

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1. Read a book with zombies or vampires.Working Stiff by Rachel Caine
2. Read a book with a goddess/god in the story. – Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
3. Read a book with green/gold/blue on the cover. – The Pregnancy Test by Erin McCarthy
4. Read a book with blood or something red on the cover. – Truth or Beard by Penny Reid (red beard)
5. Read a book with shapeshifters. – Stray by Rachel Vincent
6. Read a book set in a cold place or during winter.The Cowboy’s Lady by Debbie Macomber
7. Read a book with one person on the cover. – The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

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8. Read a book with a page count over 100 pages. – Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
9. Read a book with a scientist or a character in the medical profession. – Houston, We Have a Problem by Erin McCarthy
10. Read a book with monsters. – The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
11. Read a book part of a series that has been made into a comic book/TV show/movie/game.Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood
12. Read a book with demons or an evil character. – The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
13. Read a book tagged ‘paranormal’. – Death’s Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner
14. Read a book tagged ‘mystery’ or ‘horror’. – Dracula by Bram Stoker

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15. Read a book with an immortal being. – A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski
16. Read a book with a male main character/author/narrator. – Looking for Alaska by John Green
17. Read a book set in a mountainous region or woods. – The Sheriff Takes a Wife by Debbie Macomber
18. Read a book set at sea for a portion of the story. – Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
19. Read a book over 300 pages long. – Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn (384 pp.)
20. Read a book with more than one creepy character. – Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (all the suspects are kind of creepy)
21. Read a book with a character that has fangs. – Marley and Me by John Grogan (Marley)

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22. Read a novella/short story or listen to an audiobook.Bad Boys in Black Tie by Lori Foster, Erin McCarthy & Morgan Leigh
23. Read a book with a female main character. – Feels Like Family by Sherryl Woods
24. Read a book with a sexy character. – Bad Boys Online by Erin McCarthy
25. Read a book with a gross cover. – Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay
26. Read a book with two people on the cover. – Her Secret Agent by Paige Tyler
27. Read a book with a female villain. – Dead and Dateless by Kimberly Raye
28. Read a book with a magic user (witch, wizard, elemental, etc.). – The Stone Mage and the Sea by Sean Williams

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29. Read a book tagged “Fantasy”. – Home Improvement edited by Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner
30. Read a book with a dark cover. – The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison
31. Read a book with a villain who is a magic user. – Red Winter by Annette Marie
32. Read a book you’ve been meaning to read for awhile. – Becoming by Michelle Obama
33. Read a book over 500 pages long. – Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
34. Read a book that doesn’t have a happy ending. – I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
35. Read any book you want! – The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

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4th Quarter Challenge 2020

Duration: 1st October – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

4th Quarter 2020
Duration: October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020
Rules:
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post a link to the book, date you finished and rating
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~If you don’t have a book that matches the option on the list, pick any book on your TBR.
~Copy the blank template below and paste into a new comment to start your challenge. Update as necessary.

Completed 8/8

1. Read the longest book on your TBR – Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

2. Go to Random.org and type in the amount of books you have on your TBR List. Then read the book that matches the random number it gave you. – The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

3. Read a book published under 10 years ago – Looking for Alaska by John Green

4. Read the lowest rated book on your TBR – The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (3.92 stars)

5. Ask a friend to recommend you a book from your TBR – Becoming by Michelle Obama

6. Read the oldest book on your TBR – Dracula by Bram Stoker

7. Read the newest book on your TBR – Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood

8. Catch up on a Bookworm Bitches selection or read a book you have been meaning to read for a long time – I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

Fall Challenge

Duration: 1st October – 31st December 2020
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

Bookworm Bitches Fall Challenge 2020

Rules
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post the date you finished the book.
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.

1. Falling leaves – Read a book with a red, yellow and/or orange cover – More Than Words: Volume 6 by Joan Johnston, Robyn Carr, Christina Skye, Rochelle Alers & Maureen Child
2. Back to school – Read a book with a school setting or featuring a teacher – Looking for Alaska by John Green
3. Hot Drinks- Read a book with a hot beverage – Houston, We Have a Problem by Erin McCarthy
4. Halloween – Read a horror or thrillerDracula by Bram Stoker
5. Tailgating – Read a book featuring a game/competition – Ice and Embers by Melanie Karsak
6. Cuddle Up – Read a book with a romance (does not have to be the main plot) – Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
7. Holidays – Read a book with a strong family (can be found family) – I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
8. Elections – Read a book with a political theme OR a book that makes you forget about politics.Becoming by Michelle Obama

Into the Dark

Duration: 1st October – 31st October 2020
Number of books: 3
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

October 2020: Into the Dark
Duration: 10/1/2020-10/31/2020

There are 3 tasks, you only need to read three books to finish this challenge. Or pick one task and read 3 books for that one task.

October- darkness
1. Read a book with a dark cover – Looking for Alaska by John Green
2. Read a book with a morally grey character- Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh (Raphael)
3. Read a book set at night. – Dracula by Bram Stoker

August 2020

giphy-downsized

August was…great. I had a new job, worked on reconnecting with old friends, joined a book club and just generally got my life feeling a lot more sorted. I also found out that two of my closest friends were pregnant… both due within the same month. It made for a FANTASTIC ending to the month… although left me feeling a little baby obsessed…

Non-fiction

Series

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Short stories

Image source: School Library Journal

Through This House by Seanan McGuire

Overview
Image result for home improvement undead edition book cover

Title: Through This House
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #4.5
In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th August 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: It liked them.

Synopsis

It’s hard enough doing home improvements. But attempting home improvements on a sentient house that doesn’t really want you… that’s a whole other level of difficulty.

Thoughts

I’ve read a few books in which there is the subject of fae property. It’s always fluid and responsive. But this is the first time I’ve read a story of any kind in which someone has to try and reclaim the fae property. And, in this circumstance, the fae property is not overly happy with being claimed. Leading to one hell of a home improvement job and moving in day…

I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting October Daye in my reading of novels (this shall soon be rectified). And so I really enjoyed not only her characterisation, but also all of her many sidekicks. I loved this odd bod bunch that just want to find a home that can keep them safe… it was quirky and a little zaney. Humorous and just generally thoroughly enjoyable.

I absolutely adored this short story. It was funny and cute. Filled with great drama and world building. And now I just can’t wait to sink my teeth into this series…

<- Woolsley’s Kitchen NightmareThe Path ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Wrecking Party by Alastair Reynolds

Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Wrecking Party
Author: Alastair Reynolds
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Cyborgs, Weird western
Dates read: 29th August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s like a disease.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

A series of wrecks of the trains have left the town confused and angry. But when the local sheriff is told the truth by his friend… it’s seriously unexpected and more than a little dangerous.

Thoughts

I’m not sure if I just wasn’t paying overly much attention when I was reading this. Or whether it’s just not my kind of story. But, regardless, I did have to keep flicking back through this story to check out what on earth was happening. And although I love this premise, I really wasn’t all that hooked by it. Which was, honestly, a bit of a pity.

One of the things I did really love about this short story was the idea of cyborgs and this kind of massive conspiracy that reared its ugly head throughout this story. It was somewhat brilliant, and probably why I’m so disappointed that I didn’t get so hooked into this from the very beginning – the premise and conspiracy theory theme was just dang awesome.

This was a nice and easy read, but definitely one that I will try and revisit when I’m not in such a funky mood I think. Just to make sure that it was my mood and concentration which made me score this kind of low… or if the writing was really just not my style…

<- The Man With No HeartHell From the East ->

Image source: Amazon

The Colt by Wallace Stegner

Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Colt
Author: Wallace Stegner
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 27th August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Hello, Bub.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

This short story is about a colt that is dearly loved. But maybe not quite destined for a happily ever after…

Thoughts

I was kind of expecting a bit of a happy ending here. After all, this is a whole short story about a boy and his colt. And I was thinking that his love for the horse would be one of those that overcame all obstacles. That wasn’t the case. The end of this was a bit sad and gross. But it was still a good little short story.

I did struggle a little to get through this. I kept on getting confused as to how the colt broke his legs in the first place. I may have to read this again to make sure I didn’t just completely miss the point. But I honestly probably won’t. I love that this was about a boy and his horse (effectively), but I’m not really that emotionally engaged like I would have been normally.

This was a somewhat nice and cute short story. But it wasn’t really one that I felt was unforgettable and glorious. It was just… pleasant. Even though it ended kind of sadly.

<- Burn Him OutA Man Called Horse ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Overview
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Title: Everything is Illuminated
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Historical fiction, War
Dates read: 24th – 27th August 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: It was the same reason that I would not be able to repose.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man — also named Jonathan Safran Foer — sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.

Thoughts

I really wasn’t a fan of this novel. The best word to describe my response to it – confused. Just. Seriously confused. I had to read this for a book club, so after discussing it for over an hour, I felt less confused. But not really… mostly our discussion was on how much we didn’t enjoy this and how confused we all felt to be quite frank.

One thing I can say about this book is that it is very well written. I loved the technical talent that was being shown. But I think that this technicality drowned out the story that I wanted to read / hear. It also made it a well written book technically, but one in which I really didn’t bond with any of the characters. I finished this and felt…. “eh”.

There was some really good humour and I did like how the language was written. It was written in a way that highlighted the language barriers and differences in translation that non-native English speakers use. It was well done and highlighted Foer’s understanding of being a non-native English speaker.

To be honest, my absolute favourite thing about this book was simply the dog – Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. I like the idea of Seeing Eye Bitch to a man who isn’t even blind. But really, that was the main redeeming factor in my mind…

<- More contemporaryMore historical fiction ->

Image source: Goodreads

Bury Me in Satin by Seanan McGuire

Overview
Bury Me In Satin (InCryptid, #0.11) by Seanan McGuire

Title: Bury Me In Satin
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #0.11
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th August 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Seanan McGuire
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Alice would have pursued her amphibious quarry, but was stopped by her mother’s arm being suddenly wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground.

Synopsis

Things are starting to hit an easy sort of groove at the Healy house. Alice is growing up, a little spitfire of a girl who adores her father and idolizes her mother. Johnny and Fran have mostly put their ghosts behind them, and are focusing on the future, which has never seemed brighter, or more guaranteed.

Sadly, for some people, the future has already ended.

Mary Dunlavy has been Alice’s babysitter almost since the girl was born. When her father stops showing up for work, it falls to Fran to go and see what’s going on. What she finds changes everything.

There is no right and there is no wrong in some situations: there’s only the way things should have been, and the way things are.

Not everyone gets out alive.

Thoughts

It was pretty obvious that this story was going to feature Mary a little more… after all, her unique condition is hinted at in Oh Pretty Bird. But I didn’t quite expect her condition to be what it was. It was great. And I’m hoping that we get more of her as the story unfolds.

I love how even though a few curveballs are thrown Fran’s way, she just continues to take it all in stride. There is something seriously loveable and adorable about how she just goes yup… Mary’s not quite human. Cool. We’ll help her. She can continue taking care of my infant. I want ot be this unflappable in my life…

Alice is just steadily getting so, so, much bigger throughout this whole series. I can’t wait to start reading stories in which she’s an adult (or a teenager) and beginning to take the world by storm. Plus, the Healy household is just plain nuts. So I love how they can’t even find a “normal” babysitter.

<- Oh Pretty BirdSnakes and Ladders ->

Image source: Goodreads