Thursday, December 31, 2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Uprooted by Naomi Novik, 438 pages

One of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. A magical forest that devours the surrounding area, a wizard that takes a young maid tribute once a decade and the young girl determined to save the her friend.

Dead Boy by Laurel Gale, 247 pages

What's a young boy to do, when he's pretty much confined to his house with no friends, because he's dead? This was a really good read, I'm hoping the author continues on with the story in another book.

Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George, 322 pages

The final book in the Dancing Princess series. It's been a fun trilogy, filled with lots of fairy tale references.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Hand Drawn Jokes for Smart Attractive People by Matthew Diffee, 241 pages

One of the funniest cartoon collections I've seen in a long time. I was guffawing out loud at times.

Grimm's Last Fairy Tale by Haydn Middleton, 249 pages

I love the Grimm fairy tales, especially the history and darkness behind them. So I was excited to pick up this fictional look at the life of Jacob Grimm. But this was kind of convoluted, jumping between time periods in his life and never really seemed to gel into an enjoyable read.

The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell, 311 pages

A very dark book featuring 2 sisters who must figure out a way to survive in Glasgow, Scotland, without attracting the attention of the authorities after their abusive and neglectful parents die. This was a very heart-wrenching read at times.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by Alexander McCall Smith, 213 pages

I've been a fan of this series since the very first book. I've even seen all the episodes of the way too short tv series. Many times once a book series hits 16 books, it feels played out or just not enjoyable. But these books prove the exception. The characters continue to grow and develop, and I really like how their interactions have stayed true to who they are and how long they've known each other. This has to be one of my favorite books so far because of one particular scene. Precious Ramotswe has always described herself as a "traditionally built" lady, but she uses that traditional build to subdue a angry woman by sitting on her. I was so glad that I wasn't reading the book in a public setting because I was laughing during that whole scene. I have come to consider the characters family and hope that author continues with many more outstanding books.

Garfield Food For Thought by Jim Davis, 128 pages

A nice way to relax before bedtime.

I Had a Frightmare! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Reminds me of when my kids were small.

Garfield By the Pound by Jim Davis, 128 pages

Doesn't matter if they were wrote 10 years ago or last year, still funny.

Garfield Sits Around the House by Jim Davis, 128 pages

I'm getting closer to finishing up the big box of books I bought for Renee, lol.

Monday, December 14, 2015

The Awesome by Eva Darrows, 246 pages

This was an extremely fun read. Imagine not only being a 17-year-old who feels like she doesn't fit but also being a monster hunter. Maggie has to deal with all that baggage and more, especially when she needs to lose her virginity before she can start hunting vampires. What's a girl to do?

The Scottie Barked At Midnight by Kaitlyn Dunnett, 278 pages

Another slightly Scottish themed murder mystery set in Maine. A reality talent show competition ends up with Liss MacCrimmon competing with a pair of dancing Scotties after their owner dies. Liss must try to figure out if it was murder, and if so, who's the guilty party. Hopefully Liss can nose out the truth or she may dance her way to death.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

97 Orchard, An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement by Jane Ziegelman, 253 pages

A look at the dishes immigrants brought into the American kitchen as seen through 5 families that lived at an address in New York City over the years. I would have liked more family history but this was still a really interesting look at how food tastes have changed over the years, especially as immigrants came into the country.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Manifest Destiny: Flora & Fauna by Chris Dingess, Matthew Roberts, and Owen Gieni, 128 pages

The Comics and Cocktails book club I'm in read this for November. Imagine if Lewis and Clark's mission to explore the Louisiana Territory was really a cover to look for and wipe out monsters. This was a superbly done graphic novel.

Zombies Need Love Too by Mark Tatulli, 128 pages

Another fun comic collection.

Reheated Lio by Mark Tatulli, 128 pages

Lio is one of the funniest and most twisted comics out there.

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger, 298 pages

While I don't enjoy this as much as the Parasol Protectorate Series it's still really fun.

Monday, November 23, 2015

I Dressed Myself! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

I always said I'd make a fortune selling stickers that said "I Dressed Myself" or "Daddy Dressed Me".

Granddad! It's Morning! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Sad to see characters who are now gone.

Happiness is a Squishy Cephalopod by Mark Tatulli, 128 pages

Lio is one of the most twisted comics out there
, that's why I love it so much.

Where Did the Summer Go? by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Still funny.

He Followed Me Home! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Always sweet and funny.

Oops! We're Out Of Juice! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

These are timeless.

Garfield Makes it Big by Jim Davis, 128 pages

I'm going to have to read faster if I'm going to finish all of these before Christmas.

There's Corpses Everywhere by Mark Tatulli, 128 pages

Everyone in my family loves the Lio comics, so we were glad to see my husband get some for his birthday.

The Big Chili by Julia Buckley, 293 pages

A hilarious and sweet murder mystery that I was glad to get as a review book.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua, 237 pages

Looking at the parenting differences between Chinese and Western parents. I wouldn't have picked this up unless it was for book club, but it was a very entertaining read.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

We're Home by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Fun read.

Can I Have a Cookie by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Nice book

It's Muddy Out Today by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Always a great way to relax before bed.

Dolly Hit Me Back! by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Good, clean fun

We Didn't Do It by Bill Keane, 128 pages

Family Circus really is a timeless comic.

Dr. Mutter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, 371 pages

A really interesting read that features a doctor who changed the face of plastic surgery in the 1800s, and helped introduce the use of ether in surgery. All in all, a good read, especially for a nonfiction book.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Game of Queens by India Edghill, 386 pages

I love historical fiction that is religious based, and this retelling of Esther was outstanding.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, 200 pages

My daughter had told me that in the original book, Peter Pan killed Lost Boys and I had to read for myself. Definitely different from the Disney Peter Pan I grew up with. A very good read, though I did find Peter very irritating in his cockiness and selfishness.

Garfield at Large by Jim Davis, 128 pages

Interesting to see how Garfield has changed since the beginning.

Betty and Veronica Digest Magazine, No. 53, 128 pages

I think I'll always like these.

Betty and Veronica Double Digest Magazine, No. 30, 256 pages

Fun reading

Betty and Veronica Annual Magazine, No. 4, 128 pages

Light-hearted reading.

Betty and Veronica Digest Magazine, No. 52, 128 pages

Betty and Veronica are still fighting over Archie.

Laugh Comics Digest Magazine, No. 85, 128 pages

Archie comics are always a fun read.

Garfield Life in the Fat Lane by Jim Davis, 128 pages

A fun comic.


Garfield Takes His Licks by Jim Davis, 128 pages

A nice way to relax before bed.