Musings of a Bookish Kitty: 50/50

Showing posts with label 50/50. Show all posts

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Where Is Your Bookmark? 05/22/2020

I am in the middle of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. I had not intended to dive into a book that falls on the dark side given my current mood, but upon the heels of my finishing Deanna Raybourn's A Curious Beginning, it seemed a serendipitous choice. I was on Twitter one evening and Deanna Raybourn commented on how much she enjoyed the book, and so I decided to read it. It really is hard to put down!

Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend.

Patricia Campbell had always planned for a big life, but after giving up her career as a nurse to marry an ambitious doctor and become a mother, Patricia's life has never felt smaller. The days are long, her kids are ungrateful, her husband is distant, and her to-do list is never really done. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a group of Charleston mothers united only by their love for true-crime and suspenseful fiction. In these meetings, they're more likely to discuss the FBI's recent siege of Waco as much as the ups and downs of marriage and motherhood.

But when an artistic and sensitive stranger moves into the neighborhood, the book club's meetings turn into speculation about the newcomer. Patricia is initially attracted to him, but when some local children go missing, she starts to suspect the newcomer is involved. She begins her own investigation, assuming that he's a Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy. What she uncovers is far more terrifying, and soon she--and her book club--are the only people standing between the monster they've invited into their homes and their unsuspecting community. [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

This story ends in blood. [opening of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying]

My thoughts: Talk about a hook! What does Hendrix mean? I need to know more!

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

"I wasn't . . .," she said, genuinely trying to explain, "I didn't want to die. I was just so angry. You wanted me to take those pills so badly, so I took them."

His face instantly closed up, and a steel door came down. "Don't you dare put this on me," he said. [excerpt from 56% of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying]

My thoughts: I have not reached this point in the novel yet, and so am not sure what is going on, but knowing what comes before, I can guess it has a lot to do with a certain someone . . .

What do you think? Does this sound like something you would want to read? Have you read it? If you have, what did you think?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

If you own an e-book, would you also purchase a print copy as well? (submitted by Tabatha @ Broken Soul Reviews)

I sometimes will buy a print copy of a book I own in e-format, particularly if I want to have a hard copy of that book for my keeper shelf. It does not happen often, but you know the book means a lot to me when it does.

On the flip side, I have been known to buy e-copies of books I own physical copies of just for of the convenience of reading them on my e-reader--especially if it is a big book (for example, War and Peace).

What about you? Have you ever purchased a print copy of an e-book you own?

Everyone has a favorite and then we also have something we dislike. Like a coin, there are two sides to every question. Each week, Carrie at The Butterfly Reads and Laura from Blue Eye Books ask participants to list what they like and don't like about that week's topic.

This week's topic is My Favorite/Least Favorite Board Game!

My favorite board game (at least today) is Clue Master Detective. I guess it is no surprise since I enjoy reading mysteries so much.

My least favorite board game is Monopoly, which probably puts me in the minority given its popularity.

What is your favorite and least favorite board game?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to! Stay safe and well.

© 2020, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, May 07, 2020

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Murder in Bellamy Bay/Favorite & Least Favorite Required Reading)

I am nearly finished reading A Spell for Trouble (An Enchanted Bay Mystery #1) by Esme Addison, which has turned out to be a delight to read. It has really hit the spot.

Alexandra Daniels hasn't set foot in the quiet seaside town of Bellamy Bay, North Carolina in over twenty years. Ever since her mother's tragic death, her father has mysteriously forbidden her from visiting her aunt and cousins. But on a whim, Alex accepts an invitation to visit her estranged relatives and to help them in their family business: an herbal apothecary known for its remarkably potent teas, salves, and folk remedies.

Bellamy Bay doesn't look like trouble, but this is a town that harbors dark secrets. Alex discovers that her own family is at the center of salacious town gossip, and that they are rumored to be magical healers descended from mermaids. She brushes this off as nonsense until a local is poisoned and her aunt Lidia is arrested for the crime. Alex is certain Lidia is being framed, and she resolves to find out why.

Alex's investigation unearths stories that some have gone to desperate lengths to conceal: forbidden affairs, family rivalries, and the truth about Alex's own ancestry. And when the case turns deadly, Alex learns that not only are these secrets worth hiding, but they may even be worth killing for. [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

The house at 136 Cypress Lane didn't look like trouble--quite the opposite. The seafoam-green Queen Anne was well kept, with rows of purple tulips blooming beside the wraparound porch and daffodils leading up to the brick walk to the front door. Alex stepped out of the SUV and onto the sidewalk. Everything about this place was lovely. So why had her father insisted for years that she not set foot within miles of Bellamy Bay?

My thoughts: Why indeed? What is it about that side of her family that set her father on edge? What kind of trouble is implied in that opening statement? This opening paragraph makes me eager to find out.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

Minka and Kamila made faces, while Lidia snorted out a most unladylike laugh. "That witch would rather see me hang than exonerate me from anything." [excerpt from 56%]

My thoughts: Poor Aunt Lidia. Accused of a murder she didn't commit. Obviously this "witch" she is referring to is not a friend.

What do you think? Does this sound like something you would enjoy?

What platform do you use for your blog? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

I use Blogger. It's been my home ever since I began blogging in July 2006.

What about you? If you have a blog, what platform do you use?

This week's topic is Favorite/Least Favorite Book You Had to Read for School

Favorite:

I fell in love with Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë the first time I was assigned to read it in high school, and again when I had to read it at the university. Even now, having re-read it on my own, I still take great pleasure in the book.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Least Favorite:

I was one of those rare students who actually enjoyed most of the assigned reading in high school, and so it was rare that I came across something I did not enjoy. There was one writer whose work I always dreaded reading, however. Shakespeare. I can appreciate his influence on modern culture and his contributions to literature, and can even speak fondly of them now. But when it came to reading his plays in school, I would have rather been stuck in a waiting room with nothing to read.

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” ― William Shakespeare, Hamlet

What was your most favorite and least favorite book you had to read for school?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

Saturday, May 02, 2020

Weekly Mews: Out with April and In With May/May TBR List Poll (Please Vote For My Next Read!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants discuss what they are reading and other bookish topics. I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post, where any book bloggers who write monthly wrap-up posts can link up and visit other bloggers to see what they have been reading. I am linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

New to the Shelves:

The Easter Bunny leaves books in our baskets each year, and this year was no different:

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott (for me)

The Magic of the Unicorn (Choose Your Own Adventure #51) by Deborah Lerme Goodman, illustrated by Ron Wing (for Mouse)

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook (for my husband)

A preorder purchase with a gift card (I was waiting for the paperback):

Circe by Madeline Miller

And a couple of just because purchases in support of our local bookstores:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Best Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (for Mouse)

Have you read any of these? Did you add any new books to your shelves this past month? If so, which ones? Would you recommend them?

What I Am Currently Reading: I currently am reading A Spell for Trouble (An Enchanted Bay Mystery #1) by Esme Addison. I read the first chapter during my lunch break yesterday and am sure I will enjoy it. I had hoped to get in another chapter or two before bed last night, but I was so tired and could barely keep my eyes open. I think this may just be the right book for me right now. I'm looking forward to reading more later today.

Mouse is deep into Best Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. I bought the book for her on a whim, knowing she liked Hale and Pham's Princess in Black series. I had not realized it was a second book in a series at the time. Mouse is loving Best Friends, and so I have put in an order for the first book, Real Friends, through out local indie bookstore. They are struggling right now, and I want to do what I can to support them.

What I Am Watching: We are continuing through the Marvel movies, albeit slowly. We most recently watched Thor: The Dark World movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers: The Age of Ultron movie. I think next up for us is Antman. We are caught up with the Masked Singer for the time being. I finished watching the Vampire Diaries series a couple weeks ago, and really liked how things were wrapped up. I cannot remember if there was any controversy surrounding the ending. I had not paid that much attention at the time since I was not watching the show at that point. I want to watch The Originals next, but think I need a break from that world for the moment.

Off the Blog: It was a rough week on all fronts. I will just leave it there.

We finished our third week of distance learning. I worked from home all but one day of the week, in which I had to go into the office (does anyone else who has to wear a face mask all day feel like they are still wearing one long after they take it off?). Dance classes and rehearsals continue online.

Some positives: I finally got a good night of sleep last night. I fell asleep right away, didn't have any bad dreams that I remember, and did not wake up frequently. Mouse and I received a couple of books in the mail that I had ordered. The biggest surprise of all was the early Mother's Day gift my husband gave me--a new laptop. My previous laptop served me well for 9 years, but the hard drive was tired and did not want to work anymore. So far I am loving the new one.

The coworker who prefers to nap on the wall of her cubicle
(she purposefully knocks it down so she can lay on the netted window)

Lunch break visit--maintaining social distancing, of course

My supervisor

Nina is making sure the cuddle gang is in place for when the girl makes an appearance.

Here is what I finished reading in April:

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Dog Songs by Mary Oliver
Sticks and Stones (Upside Down Magic, #2) by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins
Girls Like Us by Elizabeth Hazen
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhaa Lai
Starbreaker (Endeavor, #2) by Amanda Bouchet

It was a dismal reading month number's wise. Although, that is not fair to the great books I actually did manage to read.

This Past April In Reading Mews:

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your April? Do you have anything planned for this month?

This week's topic is Best/Worst Read of April 2020

I did not dislike anything I read in April. I want to be clear about that. Of all my reads, the one that left me a bit disappointed was Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. I think it was a combination of the timing as well as my expectations given how many people I know loved it. I still enjoyed Big Little Lies and would recommend it. I just did not love it.

Choosing a "Best of April" is harder because there were two that particularly stood out. If I had to pick one, I am going with Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. I will be reviewing this one later this month, but both my daughter and I really enjoyed reading it together.

What were your favorite and least favorite books read it April?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Quote your favorite author. (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

I am terrible when it comes to remembering quotes, and I really do not have one favorite author. That makes it hard to answer a question like this.

Two of my all time favorite quotes are by authors I have never read before. I know that wasn't the question, but I will share them with you anyway:

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." - Anais Nin

and also

"Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures" by Jessamyn West

A favorite quote from an author who I greatly admire and enjoy (although I have not read the book it is taken from) is

“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ― Neil Gaiman, Coraline

What about you? Are you good at remembering quotes by your favorite authors? What are some of your favorite quotes?

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise).

My reading has been so off course these past two months. I am hoping May will be better. I went with a fairly random selection this month for you to choose from. I have read books by each of the authors before, and enjoyed them. I hope you will help me decide which one to read next!

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1) by Deanna Raybourn

London, 1887.

After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.

But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth. [Goodreads Summary]

Bayou Moon (The Edge #2) by Ilona Andrews (Penguin Berkley Ace, 2010)

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…

Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.

But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.

When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive. [Goodreads Summary]

The Forgotten (Krewe of Hunters #16) by Heather Graham

Murdered by a dead man?

A woman named Maria Gomez is murdered in Miami, apparently by her husband—who'd been presumed dead, slain by a crime boss. FBI agent Brett Cody can't believe it; dead or alive, the man had loved his wife. He also can't help feeling guilty, since he was responsible for protecting Miguel and Maria Gomez.

A few miles away, Lara Mayhew has just begun working at a dolphin research facility. She loves her new job—until a dolphin brings her something unexpected from the deep. A human hand. More body parts show up, and when Brett looks into the situation, he discovers that the dismembered corpse is Miguel's.

Soon, rumors of crazed zombies abound in the Miami media, and the Krewe of Hunters, an elite FBI unit of paranormal investigators, is called in. Brett and Lara find themselves working with the Krewe—and working closely together. An elderly crime boss who's losing his memory seems to be key to solving this case, but…there's no motive. Unless Brett and Lara can uncover one in the Miami underworld. And that means they have to protect themselves. And each other.

Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Reading!

© 2020, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Where Is Your Bookmark? (Featuring Inside Out & Back Again/My Favorite DC Characters/Do Ratings Matter When Buying a Book?)

As I write this, I see a lizard scurrying across the back fence. I can hear the birds starting to sing in the trees as the sun begins to rise. I want to hold onto this peaceful moment for a little while before I have to log in for work. Soon my daughter will be awake and, after breakfast, we will start on her school work for the day, me all the while hoping work isn't so busy I cannot juggle it and schooling at the same time (and hoping the little one wakes up on the right side of the bed this morning).

Most of you will likely be reading this on Friday when I am back in the office, face mask on as required, and armed with my little bottle of hand sanitizer, which I wear hooked on my lanyard along with my work badge. There will not be many people in as my coworkers and I are rotating in and out for social distancing purposes. It is a bit eerie, really. I am working from home most of the week, but required to go in every Friday.

Mouse and I currently are reading my April TBR Poll winner selection, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. This is Mouse's first free verse middle grade novel, and she seems to be enjoying it, even if she finds it sad. We are taking turns reading to each other.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2011)

For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by...and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.

But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape...and the strength of her very own family.

This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next. [Goodreads Summary]

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the wonderful Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

1975: Year of the Cat

Today is Tết,
the first day
of the lunar calendar.

My thoughts: The book opens with a celebration, although one that is shadowed by war. As the verse continues, the reader gets to see a hint of rebellion in our 10-year-old protagonist. My daughter and I instantly feel connected to Hà.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.

I choose my doll,
once lent to a neighbor
who left it outside,
where mice bit
her left cheek
and right thumb.

I love her more
for her scars.

I dress her
in a red and white dress
with matching hat and booties
that Mother knitted.

My thoughts: This is actually from page 55 & 56. It is one of my favorite excerpts we have read so far. This comes from a poem called "Choice," which describes what Hà chooses to take with her as they prepare to flee Saigon. It's the lines "I love her more for her scars" that gets to me every time I read it.

What do you think? Have you read Inside Out & Back Again? Does it sound like something you would like to read?

Do the star ratings a book receives on Goodreads or retail sites affect whether you buy the book or not? (submitted by Flora @ Flora's Musings)

When ratings might matter in my decision to buy a book:

I am on the fence about a book.
I am buying a book I have not read as a gift for someone.

In those two cases, I sometimes will turn to Goodreads or LibraryThing to help me decide. Goodreads reviews tend to be less critical than the reviews I find on LibraryThing, and so it gives me a good cross-range of the type of reader attracted to--or hating--a particular book. Frankly though, I never look just at the ratings. They do not tell me very much. Not to mention ratings leave a lot of room for interpretation. Besides, not everyone likes the same books.

I like to read a cross-section of reviews that fall under different ratings to get a good feel for the book I am on the fence about or thinking of buying as a gift for someone else. A lot of two star and below reviews are probably going to make me hesitate. Three stars--it all depends on what other readers have to say. Maybe they liked the book except for the romantic thread--something I would not mind in a book. Maybe they did not like that the book was preachy--something I would not like either. I am suspicious when I come across a book with all five start reviews. How many reviews are there? Who is reviewing the book? How new is the book (because praise tends to be posted faster than the less than favorable opinions)? What do the reviews say? I prefer it when a book does not have all five star reviews. It keeps my expectations about a book realistic. Mostly, anyway.

Ultimately, ratings matter very little in my overall decision to purchase a book unless it is for one of the two reasons mentioned above--and even that is with the caveat that I read the reviews that go along with the ratings. I am more likely to buy a book based on my interest level in reading it.

What about you? Do star ratings influence whether or not you purchase a book?

This week's topic is Favorite/Least Favorite DC Character

Admittedly, I am not too familiar with DC (or even Marvel) characters. I only know the ones I see on the popular or well-known television shows or movies. And even then, I probably do not know a quarter of them.

My least favorite DC Character is

Chesterfield Cobblepot (aka the Penguin), specifically the one in Batman Returns.

My favorite DC character is

Wonder Woman. I used to pretend to be her when I was a child (sometimes I would pretend she was my mother), and, even as an adult, I get excited whenever mention of the Woman Woman movies are made.

I missed out on last week's topic of Favorite Marvel Character and seeing as my husband and I are re-watching all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, I could not help but add in those too. Keep in mind my knowledge of Marvel characters is maybe just slightly broader than it is for DC, but still pretty slim.

My favorite Marvel character is

I think my husband wishes I would not go on about Captain America so much. There's just something about him--the time period he comes from, his strong moral fiber, and, well, Chris Evans does look good in that costume (embarrassingly, I had to ask my husband what his name for this post). So, yeah, Captain America is my favorite.

My least favorite Marvel character is

My least favorite was much harder to come to because I like all the superheroes (can Scarlet Witch please get more air time? She might be my favorite if she did), and the Marvel villains are all interesting. In the end, I am going with a group as opposed to a single character. They are insidious and evil, and sometimes I hear echoes of their belief system in real life people today, which is really scary.

Do you have favorite DC and Marvel characters? If so, please share!

I hope you all have a good weekend. Stay safe and well. Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!