Stacking the Shelves (167)/Sunday Post

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves or TBR piles, may it be physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in a physical store, online, books you borrow from the library or friends, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks! The original meme was started over at Tynga's Reviews. And it now has a new co-host where individuals can link up as well - Marlene from Reading Reality.  Clicking on the book (or title) should take you to the Goodreads page.  I'm also now linking up with the Sunday Post which is hosted by Kimberly@Caffeinated Book Reviewer. 

Sorry for my absence last week but you know how June has been and I just couldn't bring myself to blog over the weekend.  So needless to say, I have quite a few books to share.  Just remember this is technically 2 weeks worth.

So first up I had to go 2 different local libraries and pick up 2 different holds.  So you can guess other things went home with me.  "Death Below Stairs" is one Stormi talked me into trying and of course, while there, I grabbed "The Piper." I've heard good things about a new MG book, "Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow" so I put a hold on it and then I've been wanting to give "The Humans" a try so we'll see how that goes.

I saw a few books on sale at Amazon and Paul Anka was hungry so I grabbed them.  I've always been curious about "The Last Policeman." I couldn't resist "The Hymn" as I've been collecting some horror books for the spooky season.  And of course there has to be dogs  "The Vampire's Pet" is just a short story but it was free and come on, isn't that the best cover ever? And "A Hell of a Dog" will go nicely with the first two in the series I own.

And last but not release, I have some review copies.  I've been seeing "Foe" everywhere so I was anxious to jump on that bandwagon. "The Winter Riddle" was pretty much a cover grab - but it sounds good too.  It's been so long since I requested "Dracul" that I had forgotten about it and then "The Dog Who Would Be Prime Minister" sounded just up my alley.

So what did you add to your shelves this week?

July 2018 Summer Comment Challenge Partner

So last year was my first year participating in this great challenge and I met some wonderful bloggers who, a year later, I still follow on a regular basis.  I found this a great way to make some new blogging friends and knew I'd have to sign up again this year.  Hosted by Flylefand A Kernal of Nonsense, it runs June, July and August and you can sign up for one month or all three.  Basically you sign up and commit to posting comments to your blogging partner for the entire month.  You can chose the 5 comment category or the 10.  I went with the 10.  So my June partner was another great pairing and now I'm pleased to announce my July partner.  So let me present ..................

Erin @ Undercover Binge Reader

I can't wait to learn more about Erin and share my love of reading with her.  

Hi Erin!

Weekly Reads (06/29/18)

So hallelujah tomorrow is the first day of July.  And the first day of my stay-cation and am I ready for the tides to change.  So Gpa is home and on the mend.  He basically went home last Friday, but but Saturday was back but he was released Wednesday so we're hoping for the best. 

Next, Booker T's eye ulcer healed.  He had a checkup Wednesday and the vet said it was healed, but we need to use another medication now to help with any infection and scarring.  He seems much happier but is having to take Benadryl for his allergies so he is a sleepy puppy at time.  

I think I'm hanging in there for the most part.  We spent all weekend, Monday evening and Tuesday evening watching Luke Cage Season 2.  Some of it was really good but I'm not sure about other parts, especially the ending.  It will be interesting to see where it heads in Season 3.  

So I need to do a June reading recap and see what a disaster that was :)  However, I know I've gotten some reading done.  Since I'll be at home, I have a pretty ambitious stack for this weekend and coming week.  Here's hoping!

So I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Check in tomorrow for a pretty decent haul since I didn't do one last week :)

Two Bloggers One Book - Vacationing in Florida This Year???

So thank heavens it seems like Stormi and I have finally started a good run on buddy reads.  Last month we scored big with "MEG" and this year we reverted back to one of our favorite authors.  I haven't counted but I know Stormi and I have read a lot of Hunter Shea books together.  So venture below to see my thoughts on one of his newest titles "Jurassic Florida" and when you are done, hop over to Stormi's @  Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! for her thoughts as well!

TITLE: Jurassic Florida (One Size Eats All #1)

AUTHOR: Hunter Shea

PUBLISHER: Lyrical Underground

PUBLISHING DATE: June 19, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: FLORIDA. IT’S WHERE YOU GO TO DIE.

Welcome to Polo Springs, a sleepy little town on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s a great place to live—if you don’t mind the hurricanes. Or the flooding. Or the unusual wildlife . . .
 
IGUANAS. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE. 
Maybe it’s the weather. But the whole town is overrun with the little green bastards this year. They’re causing a lot of damage. They’re eating everything in sight. And they’re just the babies . . .
 
HUMANS. THEY’RE WHAT’S FOR DINNER.
The mayor wants to address the iguana problem. But when Hurricane Ramona slams the coast, the town has a bigger problem on their hands. Bigger iguanas. Bigger than a double-wide. Unleashed by the storm, this razor-toothed horde of prehistoric predators rises up from the depths—and descends on the town like retirees at an early bird special. Except humans are on the menu. And it’s all you can eat . . .

MY THOUGHTS:  I devoured this book in one day (pun intended) and had tons of fun while doing it.  Shea has a way with creatures and someone in Hollywood, pay attention and option some of these for movies.  Especially summer creature-features!  

So the town of Polo Springs has a problem and while they initially just think they are being overrun by small lizards, they soon learn they have a giant problem- a giant iguana problem.  Add to it a hurricane on the way and a pretty competent 18 year-year-old mayor trying to save the town and you have a fun romp called "Jurassic Florida."  

Shea always manages to amuse me and I have a soft spot for his titles.  In fact, whenever I see new ones coming out, I start stalking Netgalley trying to get my hands on the latest as soon as possible.  This book is novella length and my only complaint is the abrupt ending - I could have thoroughly enjoyed a much longer book.  However, I already have his next release "Rattus New Yorkus" on my TBR so I have something more to satisfy my creature feature urge.  If you want an "out-of-the-box" summer read, grab "Jurassic Florida" now!

RATING:  4 Paws 

Can't Wait Wednesday (164)

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

FROM GOODREADS: In Havana, Cuba, a widow tries to come to terms with her husband’s death―and the truth about their marriage―in Laura van den Berg’s surreal, mystifying story of psychological reflection and metaphysical mystery.

Shortly after Clare arrives in Havana, Cuba, to attend the annual Festival of New Latin American Cinema, she finds her husband, Richard, standing outside a museum. He’s wearing a white linen suit she’s never seen before, and he’s supposed to be dead. Grief-stricken and baffled, Clare tails Richard, a horror film scholar, through the newly tourist-filled streets of Havana, clocking his every move. As the distinction between reality and fantasy blurs, Clare finds grounding in memories of her childhood in Florida and of her marriage to Richard, revealing her role in his death and reappearance along the way. 

Filled with subtle but striking meditations on grief, marriage, art, misogyny, and the loneliness of travel, The Third Hotel is a singular, propulsive, brilliantly shape-shifting novel from an inventive author at the height of her narrative powers.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I can tell right now this one is probably going to be hit or miss for me.  In fact, it's one I'll try to snag from the library.  However, I am intrigued by her dead husband standing outside a museum and the fact that he is a horror film scholar.  

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

TTT - Will I or Won't I? A Series Overview

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish but starting this week, they are handing over the reins to ThatArtsyReaderGirl who can be found HERE.  Each week she will focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. 

This week we're looking at series and ones we will or won't finish.  Of course, I decided to mix it up and do a little of both.  

THE WON'TS

I made it to book #8...but they kept getting more and more far fetched.  I can't see me ever picking these up again, especially since #25 is coming out soon.

I couldn't stand this book and since I've heard many people say book #1 was the best, I don't have high hopes for the rest.  

I can't even remember what this one was about, so I can assume I'm not interested in continuing.

There's only two so far but I think more are planned.  However, one was enough for me!

People rave about this graphic novel series  but I just didn't get all the hype.  I only had to read #1 to determine the rest weren't for me.

THE WILLS

I still need to read #8, #9 and #10 but I LOVE this series so it's just a matter of making time for them.

The first book in the Devil's Isle series was really good and I definitely plan on catching up before I fall much further behind.

Another series I read the first two books of and loved, but never got around to picking up the rest.

I've always enjoyed this series - even if I don't think she dresses the best for vampire fighting.  

So technically I haven't started this series yet but I do plan on doing so.  Plus, I needed a series to feature that wasn't urban fantasy :)

So there you have it. Have you read any of these?  Can you sway me to move any of the won'ts to the wills list?  (Don't even try with the Anita Blake ones though)/

You Guys Did What? (The Intermission Review)

TITLE: The Intermissiom
AUTHOR: Elyssa Friedland
PUBLISHER: Berkley Books
PUBLISHING DATE: July 3, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: Have you ever had a secret so gut-wrenching you couldn't share it with anyone, not even the person who shares your bed? Told from the alternating perspectives of a husband and wife who both have something to hide, this incisive novel pulls back the curtain on a seemingly-happy marriage, posing the question: how much do we really know--and how much should we want to know--about the people we love the most?

After six years of marriage, the unshakeable confidence Cass felt on her wedding day is decidedly gone. Jonathan, on the other hand, is still smitten with Cass. It's true that the personality quirks he once found charming in his wife--her complexity, her high standards, her refusal to clean the dishes--are beginning to grate. But for him, these are minor challenges in an otherwise healthy relationship. So it comes as a complete shock to Jonathan when Cass suddenly requests a marital 'intermission': a six-month separation during which they'll figure out if the comfortable life they've built together is, in fact, the one they both want.

After Cass and Jonathan devise an absurd and jet lag-inducing plan to swap custody of their beloved dog every thirty days, they decide that (aside from their monthly canine exchange) the intermission will be a time for self-reflection--and not a time for talking. But, as the months pass, Cass and Jonathan begin to see that the very worst of their problems are rooted in just these kinds of calculated silences--and in a delicate web of blistering secrets they may never be ready to share 

MY THOUGHTS IN A NUTSHELL:  These two idiots, with more baggage than someone their ages should have,  should never reconcile and Puddles the pup needs new owners!

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS:  Every once in a while I like to read different genres and let's be honest, I was super curious about the pup on the cover, do I decided to give "The Intermission" a chance.  Cass and Jonathon have been married 5 years. They live in NY and to be honest, come across as a very posh, upscale couple.  However, neither have been quite honest with each other.  So one day, when Jonathan thinks they are finally going to try to start to conceive a family, Cass instead tells him she wants a break.  She proposes they take a 6 month "intermission" from their marriage to make sure they are compatible before bringing a new life into the world.

I think one of my main issues with this book is I didn't really like Jonathon or Cass.  Now once they took the intermission, I saw some glimmer of hope regarding liking Jonathon, but it never lasted long.  The both acted so immature and when Cass moves to California, they even exchange their poor dog Puddles, every month so they can each have their turn.  I felt they both did things during the intermission which should have indicated to them they should not be together, and which to be honest, in my opinion, could never be forgiven (and I can be pretty forgiving at time - I know, shocker!).

There was nothing wrong with the writing in this book, but overall, I just felt "meh" about reading it.  I don't read a lot of contemporary and in the end, Puddles just wasn't in the book enough for me to find it enjoyable.  I'm sure there are lots of people out there who will enjoy this book and I do think it was fall into the category of an enjoyable "summer read."  I just couldn't deal with stupid people and at one point I remember telling my BFF that I was seriously cheering on them divorcing, and I don't think that was the point the author was trying to make.

I received this book from the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 3 PAWS

Mid-Year Freak Out Tag (2018)

So I know this tag has been going around for quite some time but I am using the one I saw at Kristin Kraves Books.  Sorry I can't credit the originator.  

BEST BOOK YOU'VE READ SO FAR IN 2018

It's hard to narrow it down but this one was pretty terrific!

BEST SEQUEL READ SO FAR IN 2018

I just love this whole series so darn much.

NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN'T READ YET BUT WANT TO

Someday....

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Again, there's so many to choose from.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Come on, was there ever any doubt???

BIGGEST SURPRISE

FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR

Nicky Drayden

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Socrates the Basset Hound

NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

Mila Flores

BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

I rarely cry but I did feel sorry for MEG (yep, I'm weird)

BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

FAVORITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATION

I got nothing :(

FAVORITE POST YOU'VE DONE THIS YEAR
I've really enjoyed participating in the Blog All About It Challenge this year.  In January we talked about Winter and I was pleased with how it came out.

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU'VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR

I don't know about you but it doesn't get much cuter than this and I think dogs are beautiful so definitely Atticus.

WHAT BOOK DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

All of them!!!!!

So there you go.  Hope you've had fun reading my answers.  I hate to tag people but would love to see more people do this one.  If you do, leave me a link and you can feel free to use my graphic if you want.

Weekly Reads (06/22/18) - June Needs to End Already!

 So can June just end already?  I've never had June be so mean to me in the past and I don't know what I did to piss it off.  So instead of arriving at work this morning as planned, I had a detour - to the vet.  Apparently Booker T now has an ulcer on his eye.  Poor guy.  At least his regular vet squeezed us in - which he is apt to do when I just show up (I love Dr. Sullivan).  He has drops and numbing stuff and has to go back Wednesday for a checkup.  

Good news though - Gpa has made a turnaround and is going home today or tomorrow.  They ended up doing a scope Tuesday, which worried us because of his age and vitals lately, but he was still requiring blood.  They went in, found out he had an ulcer but it was healing so they didn't need to do anything.  Well the good news cheered him up and he started acting more like his old self.  

On the reading front - yep, I'm reading.  When I can at least.  I don't even know what I'm planning on reading this weekend...probably info about ulcers.  Hopefully I can get back on track on next week's post!

Thanks so much for all the well wishes, kind words and prayers.  You guys are the best!

Books to Bark (and Crow) About #5 - Mom's Life's a Mess!

So we kept telling Mom we were due a blog feature and she kept ignoring us (however, we can cut her a break because June has been kind of traumatic for her).  Finally, one day at lunch, it dawned on her and then she was all dog treats and apologies.  This week, Cass and I are each sharing a book we think Mom ought to purchase, as well as one which is already on her shelves.

BOOKER T'S PICK:

There's a new dog next door which is driving me crazy.  Personally I could care less about him because I know firsthand if he keeps snapping at me, Cass will take care of him.  (yea Mom, I hear ya, it's not him, it's his OWNERS....blah  blah blah).  So in honor of Rodney, I'm featuring some Doggy-horror.  You know that is completely unlike me so you can only imagine the stress I'm under!  "Dog Days O'Summer" is what they call a coming of age story and I think it's about werewolves but the cover looks more like the "Shaggy DA."  Or at least Mom thinks it does.  "Rodney" oops I mean "Hell Hound" is a book Mom's had on her shelf for some time.

CASSIUS' PICK:

  So since brother went all dark and twisty, I'm going to share two mysteries books with you.  Dogs are popping up all over the place in mysteries and for good reason - we're darn smart.  Plus we can be both sneaky and cute - both which can be used to get what we want.  I think both of these would be good books to take our mind off of Rodney and unlike Booker T, I'm pretty sure Mom ALREADY owns both of them.

So there you have it guys.  Our very late 6th Edition of Books to Bark (and Crow) About.  Wish Rodney (oops, we mean us) luck!

Can't Wait Wednesday (163)

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

FROM GOODREADS:  Cainsville, Illinois. A town founded by fae escaping the Old World. A town both part of the world and cut off from it. A town that a young woman will run to, fleeing her past, only to discover that her past extends further than she ever imagined, into the distant history of Cainville itself. Collected in this volume are the stories of the town’s past, of the people and the fae she will eventually meet. 

A child tormented by visions of fae castles and fierce dragons. 

A hobgoblin who strives to avoid his role in an ancient prophecy. 

A boy who wants the perfect Solstice gift for his aunt. 

A writer who discovers all publicity is not good publicity after all. 

A much-maligned orange cat who won't quite stay dead. 

Another cat with more than his nine lives, one continually reborn to right an ancient wrong. 

And, finally, a story of the young woman who ran to Cainsville, now running away, searching for answers she can’t quite find. 

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I love Armstrong and especially enjoyed her Cainsville series.  In fact, it has one of the most satisfying conclusions for me.  However, I never managed to read any of the short stories she shared through various means so I'm thrilled to see them here is one collection.  Plus it means new materials and spending time with some of my favorite characters again.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

TTT - Review Books I WILL Read This Summer

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish but starting this week, they are handing over the reins to ThatArtsyReaderGirl who can be found HERE.  Each week she will focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. 

This week's topic is books to read by the pool or at the beach.  I do neither.  I prefer "Porchville."  I nice shady place where the dogs can relax and Mr. Barb and I can share a drink or two.  In addition, if there is too much heat, Porchville has an electrical socket so I can always BYOF - Bring Your Own Fan.  So I'm going to share some review books I must make time for this summer - perhaps will relaxing in Porchville - not to be confused with Margaritaville, though they might be neighboring countries.

I love this cover and you guys know I love Hunter Shea so "Rattus New Yorkus" is a definite must-read.

Gotta have at least one dog book - although I'm sure they'll be more.  "In the Dog House" is the start of a new cozy series.

Described as a Gothic read, "Girl at the Grave" is a historical mystery I'm super excited for this summer.

I think summer is perfect for some middle grade and "Rules of the Ruff" fits that bill.  Plus, I never tired of seeing that adorable cover.

Since thrillers seem to be popping up around every corner, I might as well as "Sister of Mine" to the summer TBR.  It's about two sisters bound together by murder.

I'm hoping "The Mermaid" sits better with me than "To Kill a Kingdom."  I'd hate to give up on mermaids altogether.

Hailed as a combination of Sharp Objects and Stand By Me, "Big Woods" has some mighty big shoes to fill.

"You Lucky Dog" is on standby for when I need a lighter read.  Plus, the cover just reminds me of summer.

So many people are already raving about "The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle."  I can't wait to get started.

I can't believe I haven't read "Trail of Lightning" yet so I must remedy that this summer.  

So there you have it.  Of course, there will also be more mystery, horror and dog books as well as library books abound - looks like it's shaping up to be a good summer.