#Monsterathon 2020 Recommendations Tag

So once again I'm participating in Monsterathon.  Bring on all things spooky!  As part of the challenge we are to complete a tag with recommendations for each category.  Now some of these are books I've read and some are books I think might work for the category.  Look for my actual challenge TBR later this week:

MAH SWAMP - A BOOK WITH A GOOD LOOKING COVER

This book is hauntingly beautiful and as a novella, it's perfect for a readathon.

WHISPERING WOODS - AN UNDERHYPED BOOK OR ONE YOU'VE NOT HEARD A LOT ABOUT

I read this one lately and don't think it's gotten a lot of buzz.  Cavendish writes great spooky, Gothic tales.

LAIR OF THE BABADOOK - A BOOK WITH LGBTQIA+ REP

 I think any book in the Wayward Children series would work but this one just happens to be my favorite.

HYDRA'S HANGOUT - A MYTHOLOGY BASED BOOK

I hope mermaids work for this one because I really did enjoy this book and am reading it's sequel as part of a book club in September as well.

UNDER THE BED - A BOOK BY A BIPOC YOU'VE BEEN SLEEPING ON

Actually this one has gotten a lot of buzz but I enjoyed it so much I couldn't resist recommending it.

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - LET A FRIEND PICK A BOOK FOR YOU

This book gave me serious Lost Boys vibe and takes place in the 80's.  I think EVERYONE needs to read it.

SECRET CRYPT - A MYSTERY BOOK OR BOOK WITH A MYSTERY ELEMENT

I loved the start of this mystery series and this one includes mysterious deaths in an abandoned asylum setting.

A MOMENT OF PEACE - A COMFORT READ

People don't usually associate horror with comfort reads but Hunter Shea is a must-read author for me and I've loved almost everything he's written so yea, I'm recommending a horror book.

AREA 51 - A BOOK FEATURING MUTANTS OR ALIENS

You asked for aliens, you got aliens.  And a pretty good fantasy/mystery tale as well.

REARVIEW MIRROR - INDIE BOOK OR BOOK THAT WAS PUBLISHED OVER 5 YEARS AGO

One of my favorite witchy books EVER and it was originally published in 1999.

THE UPSIDE DOWN - READ A RETELLING

I read this Island of Dr. Moreau retelling in 2014 and thought it was a solid read.

THE BUNKER - A BOOK WITH DISABILITY OF DEAF REPRESENTATION

Here's a recommendation for people that may want something that isn't actually horror.  The MC suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and has a learning disability.  I really enjoyed it and gave it 4/5.

WOW, I actually managed to use all books I've read.  That was easier than I thought!

A Book That Moved Me...and Totally Made Me Cry!

TITLE: As The Stars Fall
AUTHOR: Steve N. Lee
PUBLISHER: Blue Zoo
PUBLISHING DATE: August 25, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

When a young girl suffering with her own tragedy comes across an injured young dog, she can’t resist helping him. Both having braved the worst the world had to throw at them, the pair quickly form an unbreakable bond. They picture their future as an endless stream of adventures filled with love, laughter, and good times. 

But life has one last cruel trick to play… 

At one moment heart-warming, the next heart-breaking, this is the story of a desperate dog’s roller coaster journey to be the one thing every good dog dreams of being – a best friend. Through a touching tale, As The Stars Fall explores how compassion can make us whole again and friendship can heal even the most broken of hearts. 

For animal lovers, pet owners, and anyone who has ever had a four-legged best friend, especially those who enjoy dog stories and animal novels such as: 

• A Dog’s Purpose 
• The Art of Racing in the Rain 
• Marley and Me 
• The One and Only Ivan 

If you crave a story of love and loss, of compassion and belonging, of friendship that knows no bounds, you need to read As The Stars Fall.

MY THOUGHTS: Several months ago the author reached out to me to see if I would be interested in reading an upcoming release he had planned. He had clearly visited my blog as he even mentioned some reviews of other dog-centric books I've loved.  I said I'd be glad to and about two weeks ago, the digital copy arrived.  I knew it was probably going to be a tad difficult to read because face it, if you do a dog book well, there's bound to be some sadness.  However, knowing The Farm has totally embraced The Dog Days of Summer Reading Challenge, I dove right in.

I really don't want to talk a lot about the plot, because I feel that giving too much away would totally spoil the beauty of this book.  But I will say that the book is told from the dog's point of view.  The reader is taken on an adventure that spans Kai's puppyhood and on into adulthood.  We get to see Kai's struggles, confusion and joy.  And I say confusion because Kai spends quite a bit of time trying to figure human's out.  Kai is a wonderful dog and I have to admit, the bond he forms with his girl Mia is very comparable to the one I feel with my Boxer, Cassius.  As Kai moves on to learn about life, Mia is right by his side.  Lee knows how to capture that special human-canine bond without specific words, relay it to his readers.

Lee has done a great job of being inside a dog's mind.  I loved seeing Kai's perspective on things we humans see every day and take for granted.  Also, because we are seeing everything from Kai's POV, there are some things the reader isn't told up front.  Instead, Lee lets us figure out things much in the same way Kai has to.  This allows the reader to completely be wrapped up in Kai's world and feelings. 

So I guess you can tell I adored this book.  It's truly one I will cherish forever.  I rarely cry when reading but when I do, you know there is a dog involved.  I definitely need to seek out a physical copy of this book so it can proudly be displayed among all of my other favorite dog books.  If you love animals, this is definitely a book you want to add to your collection too!

RATING: 5 PAWS

Brace Yourself, I'm Probably Gonna Gush

TITLE: The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)
AUTHOR: Sarah Morgenthaler
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca
PUBLISHING DATE: May 5 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he's stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn't interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn't just the top item on Zoey Caldwell's bucket list. It's the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she's smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham's world, she may just find there's more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness.

MY THOUGHTS: So I don't read a lot of contemporary romance but I do enjoy it as a palette cleanser.  Knowing I'd be reading a lot of horror and thrillers in September and October, I wanted to work this one in while I can.  My hold came in on Tuesday, I started it on Thursday and I finished it a few minutes ago.  I loved it so much that I put other things aside to read it.  I can honestly say that it will almost certainly be in my top ten reads of the year.  Now here's why.

Zoey is a waitress who has saved years for her two-week vacation in Alaska.  She ends up going with her best friend, who is much more financially secure than she is because it allows her to stay in the famous Moose Springs Lodge.  On her first night there, they go to the Tourist Trap.  A local diner who is owned and run by a grumpy man named Graham who can't stand tourists.  In fact, he absolutely hates what they are doing to his small Alaskan town.  Zoey and Graham have a few more run-ins, some quite hilarious, and eventually they both realize they are starting to have feeling for each other.  However, Graham vows not to get involved with a tourist EVER and as much as Zoey loves Alaska, she sees no way to stay there past her vacation.

So Graham is awesome.  If you are a Gilmore Girls fan, he's like Luke except he serves beer and other drinks instead of coffee.  He even has rules for his diner.  He closes for four hours each day even if there are people in line, he refuses to hire any help because then he would feel more obligated to keep the diner afloat, and people are only allowed one of his signature drinks, the Growly Bear, each evening and then he cuts them off.  And on top of all that, he has a blind rescue dog named Jake.  He makes sure Jake has plenty of people to spend time with him and he dresses him up in scarves, hats and pajamas.  Oh and I almost forgot, one of his best friends is a moose named Ulysses who is in love with Graham's truck.

Now Zoey is great too.  She's kinds of nerdy and adventurous and doesn't take herself too seriously.  She also falls hard to Jake and is eager to see all Alaska has to offer.  However, her outing end up in disasters and often Graham has to save the day.  So this book does have another plot.  It ends up the lodge is in trouble and may need someone to bail it out financially.  This causes the town to get VERY upset because it means even more tourists. 

So I know I don't have to say it but I LOVED this book.  Zoey and Graham are the cutest non-couple ever and for those who might be concerned, there is no insta-love or love triangles here.  Zoey clearly does not NEED a man in her life, but she discovers she may WANT one.

I'm so glad I have an arc of the companion book as I think it will be a perfect Christmastime read.  If you love romance at all, then this is the book you need to read!

RATING: 5 PAWS and 2 MOOSE ANTLERS

A Wonderfully Dog-Filled Spin-Off

TITLE: The K Team (K Team #1)
AUTHOR: David Rosenfelt
PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books
PUBLISHING DATE: March 24, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

In David Rosenfelt's newest series - a spinoff of the much beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries - Andy's wife forms an investigative team with a former detective and his German shepard partner. 

Andy Carpenter's wife, Laurie, was a cop, a good one. Now she helps out on Andy's cases while also raising Ricky, their son. But she's been chafing to jump back into investigating on her own, and when her former partner and his German shepard K-9 partner come to her with a proposal, she's in. 

From the author of the bestselling Andy Carpenter mysteries comes a spectacular new series with a K-9 main character.

MY THOUGHTS: So I've never read the Andy Carpenter series and even though I intend to eventually, there are currently 22 books so it might take a while.  However, I thought this spin-off might be a decent place to dive in an wet my feet.  The K Team features Andy but only in a supporting role.  His wife Laurie, an ex law enforcement officer, has teamed up with two other individuals to form a private investigation agency called The K Team.  This book is told from the POV of one of those individuals, Corey.  Corey has just retired and doesn't know how to adjust so he figures this job will fill the void.  And along with Corey is his retired police dog, Simon Garfunkle, who he fought to keep and with Andy's help, managed to do so.  So seriously, how awesome is that name?  So obviously Simon is the 4th member of the team as he should be!

So in this first book, someone is blackmailing a prominent Judge and it is up to the team to figure out all the details.  I won't go much further into the plot other than to say it was a fun ride of twists and turns, some of which really threw me. Mentioning much more might be giving things away.  However, I will say that I love Corey.  He is somewhat sarcastic and his sense of humor is dry but great nonetheless.  For example, he is dating a woman throughout the book and he is occasionally mentioning how he will find a reason not to like her because that's what he always does, even though the reader can tell he really doesn't want to not like her.  Corey also has a great relationship with Simon and goes as far as almost killing an individual who tried to poison him.  That I can get behind.

So if you like mysteries and dogs, then I can't see how you could go wrong picking up The K Team.  It was a thrilling read and I'm very much looking forward to the next installment.

RATING:  5 PAWS

2 Bloggers 1 Series - Heartless

Stormi and I are almost finished with our buddy read of the Parasol Protectorate series.  Only one more book to go.  I'm just going to warn you that there will probably be some spoilers here.  There are just some things that I need to mention.  I will try to warn you though.  So read on for my thoughts and then make sure you visit Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!

TITLE: Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)

AUTHOR: Gail Carriger

PUBLISHER: Orbit

PUBLISHING DATE: July 1, 2011

FROM GOODREADS: 

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant. 

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

MY THOUGHTS: So I think this probably ended up being my second favorite book of the series so far.  Even though we started out with people once again trying to kill Alexia, that element was short-lived and I for one am very glad.  In this installment, Alexia is still incapacitated slightly (more about that in a minute).  A mad ghost comes to her and delivers a message which infers that the Queen is at risk of being murdered. Alexia takes on the task of trying to stop the murder before it occurs, all while dealing with all of our favorite, and not-so-favorite characters.

This book definitely featured more of my favorite people.  Lord Akeldama is a key player and I love this vampire just as much as I originally did - even if every time I read about him I can't help but picture Sir Elton John.  Lord Maccon is also very present and is dealing with some of the aftermath from the ending of the last book.  Ivy makes a small appearance and I am finding her less annoying and we mustn't forget Alexia's annoying family.  Her sister shows up on her doorstep seeking refuge but Alexia should have known there was more to the story than meets the eye.

Once again the book was pretty action-packed.  It read rather quickly and I'm super excited to see how the series wraps up.  Now for the SPOILER:  Alexia is 8 months pregnant while trying to do all of the above.  She is not a very maternal individual, being soulless and all, and I have to admit that picturing her doing everything she did while pregnant was rather amusing.  I also love how Alexia refers to the baby throughout the novel as the "infant inconvenience."

Definitely a strong addition to the series, I'm glad Heartless pulled the series out of somewhat of a rut for me.  Can't wait to grab the last one!

RATING: 4 Paws

Can't Wait Wednesday (286)

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:  Instagram-famous triplets Cecily, Amber, and Rudy—the children of home renovation superstars—are ready for a perfect summer. They’ve just moved into the site of their parents’ latest renovation project when they begin to receive chilling messages from someone called The Follower. It soon becomes clear that this anonymous threat is more than a simple Internet troll, and he can’t wait to shatter the Cole family’s perfect veneer and take back what’s his. The Follower examines the implications of what it is to be watched in the era of social media fame—as well as the lies we tell and the lengths we’ll go to uphold a perfect image, when our lives depend on it.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I'm reading some great thrillers this year and I hope that continues into 2021.  I really like when social media plays into books so we'll see how the author addresses it in this one.

CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS: It all started with a bet thrown down by my husband, Jimmy. If I ran thirteen miles, I could bring home our first family dog—any kind of dog I wanted. The perfect dog.

Like every other decision in my life, this required hours of research and planning, complete with a last-minute flight to Chicago in a blizzard. Countless emails to various breeders across the country eventually led me to Brody, a “show-quality” wire-haired fox terrier puppy with champion lineage. But my plans changed as Brody’s bad behavior and multitudinous medical mishaps took us for a wild ride.

BrodyMonster is a candid and heartwarming story that you’ll find at the crossroads of Marley and Me and The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k. How living with a “terrible” terrier taught me to embrace life’s imperfections. 

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  I can't wait to read all about this terrible terrier.  I bet he has NOTHING on Apollo!

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

Cassius's Corner - Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies

Welcome back to another review from me, Cassius!  I really like sharing Mom's blog during Dog Days of Summer.  Who knows, maybe I'll continue my activity some once August is over.  This time around I'm sharing the second book in Lily's series so read on my two-legged friends!

TITLE: Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies
AUTHOR: W. Bruce Cameron
PUBLISHER: Starscape
PUBLISHING DATE: March 17, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose's mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble.

In Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies, Maggie Rose and Lily meet two little piggies who are lost at a rest stop and need their mother. But no one knows where they came from. How will they ever find the piglets' mom? It's Lily to the rescue!

MY THOUGHTS:   This book was even more fun than the last!  All my favorite characters are still around - Maggie, her parents, and Casey the crow.  This time the team is called upon to rescue to baby pigs who have been dumped at a truck stop.  And once they are rescued, the whole family has to pitch in to feed Scamper and Dash every two hours which wears everyone out.  Not to mention how energetic the little piggies are.  But never fear, Lily is there to help and she'll make sure the piggies are guaranteed to have a happily ever after.

Once again this book itself is quite pretty.  They are wonderful grey-toned drawings which in this sequel, are mixed with orange to highlight the cover.  I am a pup who does love details.  My only complaint, and it has nothing to do with the book, is how many times Apollo has whined that he wants a baby piggy.  He doesn't listen to me because I keep telling him we have a baby piggy - HIM!

If there are kids in your home, are just people who are kids at heart, this is a wonderful tale full of fun animals and a great family.  Check the series out because I, Cassius Grey, say so!

RATING: 5 Paws (or maybe pig snouts)

Here Apollo!  Here's your baby pigs.  Now be quiet and let me read!

What's Happening (08-23-2020)...

So I'm doing things a tad bit differently this year and will be combining all of my regular weekend posts.  This will enable me to add more content on Fridays and it is just starting to make more sense.  I'll still be linking up with Stacking the Shelves at Tynga's Reviews and Sunday Post at Caffeinated Reviewer.  Both blogs are awesome so make sure you check them out.

Overall it's been a good week.  I've been working from home some which has been good and the boys are doing well.  We've managed to get a few more VA services linked for Gpa which I feel good about as well.  

I've been getting a lot of reading done and at least COVID-19 has been good for my Goodreads challenge.  We've watched a couple of movies but I have to admit, none of them have been overly great.  We did enjoy Deep Sea 3 but you really can't go wrong with sharks.  I miss movie releases!

So this week I'm sharing a few arcs I received.  I'm excited for all of them.  I'm also participating in Monsterathon next month so look forward to some spooky reviews.

Red Hands: Christopher Golden

In the Garden of Spite: Camilla Bruce

Dracula's Child: J.S. Barnes

If I Disappear: Eliza Jane Brazier

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses: Kristen O'Neal

Mistletoe & Mr. Right: Sarah Morganthaler

So as you can see, I'm getting ready for some scary and thrilling reads.  Hope you all are staying safe and thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

Dog Days of Summer - Cassius Spills the Tea

So, it's been a while since we've touched base on Apollo.  He's officially 9 months old and weighs about 75 pounds.  I thought in celebration of Dog Days of Summer I would take some time to update you on some interesting facts about my little bro.  As  you can tell, we do have moments where we like each other.  Mom snapped this picture just this week on one of the cooler mornings we've had.  

1.  Apollo has a variety of nicknames.  We all do when we are young and then one or two usually stick.  So far he has been called Satan (although Mom doesn't use it as much), Nosferatu (again, not used a lot now), Puppyman, 'pollo (because apparently it's too much work to add the a) Inky-Binky, Binx and the most used, Apollo-waka.  Mom and Dad watched too much Deadlands when he was a young pup.

2.  The dog will eat almost anything - and I mean weird stuff.  He loves boiled potatoes, green beans, strawberries, apples, peanut butter, and many other things.  In fact, Mom spends a lot of time looking up safe things to feed pups on the internet because Dad wants to try different things.  This annoys Mom and thus annoys me.

3.  He is NOT afraid of the sweeper.  Now neither am I but I am smart enough to move when Mom or Dad brings it out.  Apollo just sits right down in the way and looks at it like it's inconveniencing him or something.  This also annoys Mom.

4.  He will basically only drink from the left side of his mouth.  When Mom and Dad walk us, we have our own water bottles because they are good owners and keep us hydrated.  Apollo is VERY pick about how he drinks from his water bottle (basically it's a sport bottle).

5.  He loves our backyard.  When we are let out to do our business or explore or whatever, he has to sniff everything and then do it again.  Then he has to run laps and when that is done, if he finds one little bit of trash in the yard, he will pick it up and shred it into oblivion.  He WILL NOT come in for Mom, unless Dad is not at home.  If it's just her, he will.  See above statement about annoying Mom.

So there you have it.  But as you can see, he is growing on all of us and we really love him.  We can't imagine life without him...well, every ONCE in a while I think back on those days.  Nah, just kidding Apollo!

Retro Horror Vol. 4 - Horror Meets Dog Days of Summer?

Welcome back to round four of Retro Horror.  I'm really enjoying this feature and have books planned for many months to come - hope Stormi does too!  This time around I tried to incorporate horror into La La's Dog Days of Summer Challenge and the best I could come up with was two Goosebumps books.  I never read Goosebumps as a child so this was my first foray into the world.  Also, Stormi read pretty much my favorite horror book this month and I can't wait for everyone to read her thoughts.  Since Stormi's book was much longer, I'm sharing two reviews with you today.

So read on to see what I thought of my pick this month, and then go see how Stormi's pick worked out for her at Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!

TITLE: The Barking Ghost

AUTHOR: R.L. Stine

PUBLISHER: Scholastic

PUBLISHING DATE: June 1995

FROM GOODREADS: Cooper, a nervous newcomer to the town, and his friend Margaret are targeted by two evil dogs who cast a spell to switch bodies with the children as a way of wreaking further havoc.  

MY THOUGHTS:  Cooper's family has moved and are now living in a new home in the woods.  Cooper is afraid of everything - and I mean everything.  This makes him an easy target for his older brother.  One evening he starts hearing barking dogs.  He makes friends with a neighbor, Margaret, aka Fergie, and together they try to figure out why they are being terrorized by the ghosts of two Black Labradors.  

I know I'm not the targeted reader for a book like this, and while I found it okay, it really bothered me in some aspects.  First of all, Cooper was rather annoying.  I mean, I understand that he is a scaredy-cat, but he is scared of EVERYTHING.  Some exampled include a sprinkler, a rabbit and a bird.  He is constantly falling for his brother's antics when he should have caught on.  I did enjoy seeing Mickey, the brother, get what was coming to him in one scene though.  

The ghost dogs weren't really scary and the whole reason they were haunting Cooper and Fergie was a tad lame.  And the ending!  I read it and was like "really?"  I felt it was really no conclusion at all!

So overall, I'm glad I gave it a chance but I am glad it wasn't much longer.

RATING: 3 PAWS

TITLE: Frankenstein's Dog
AUTHOR: R.L. Stine
PUBLISHER: Scholastic
PUBLISHING DATE: July 2013

FROM GOODREADS: 

Kat is reluctant to visit her Uncle Vic Frankenstein because of all the rumors about him. People in the small town where he lives say he's a mad scientist like his great-grandfather, Victor Frankenstein, who created a monster that came alive and terrorized the town. But Kat is relieved to find that even though he lives in a dark, old castle-like mansion, Uncle Vic is a quiet, gentle man, a scientist interested in building robots with artificial intelligence. Also, Kat loves Poochie, Vic's small, adorable, fluffy white dog, funny and playful. But after an accident occurs in her uncle's lab, strange things begin to happen.

Has Kat created a monster? Or is something else responsible for the horror that is unleashed?   

MY THOUGHTS: I found this book a lot cuter than my first choice.  Kat is off to visit her Uncle who is a descendant of the original Victor Frankenstein.  When Kat arrives, she learns that her uncle is creating robots with artificial intelligence.  She starts exploring his old home and soon finds some things that don't make sense.  Victor's dog Poochie immediately warms to Kat and really plays a few key roles in the entire plot.  Will Kat be able to find out what is going on or will she become one of her uncle's experiments herself?

I liked Kat.  She was curious and rambunctious and she clearly loved her uncle a lot. And as I mentioned, I also liked Poochie.  The book made me chuckle in places and I could actually see it play out well as a kid's animated film.  And the ending to this one actually made sense.

Overall, I'm glad I ventured into the world of Goosebumps and while I now see that I really missed these books due to older than the targeted audience when they released, they might be fun to visit from time to time.

RATING: 4 PAWS

Can't Wait Wednesday (285)

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.

SYNOPSIS: Two years ago, Maria Fontana was the deciding vote on a jury that set alleged serial killer Wyatt Butler free. Now, she and her family are enjoying vacation on a two week long transatlantic cruise. But when passengers are discovered brutally murdered in a similar way to Butler’s ritualistic MO, the ship goes on lockdown. Maria, one of only twelve people in the world with intimate knowledge of the case, faces a perilous ticking clock. Is it a copycat? Or is she trapped on board with the bloodthirsty maniac she chose to set free?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I love the idea of brutal murders happening on a ship where no one can really escape.  Plus it seems like I'm collecting books by James S. Murray in case I decide I should ever read one!

CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS: These real-life stories of senior dogs who found forever homes through Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary will delight any young animal lover.

In this lighthearted, easy-to-read nonfiction chapter book, you’ll find

the true stories of how fifteen dogs found a home

doggy stats and fun facts

recipes for your own canine friend

information on adopting and owning pets, caring for aging animals, ideas for helping a pet with special needs, and ways kids can get involved with their local animal shelter or rescue

illustrated line drawings of each featured dog and a full-color photo insert

The stories of sweet, sassy, and sometimes hilarious old friends offer kids a unique reminder that no one is too old to give or receive love.

WHY CASSIUS CAN'T WAIT:  I think puppies are great, don't get me wrong, but the senior dogs out there need their recognition too.  I'm almost a senior and I know Mom and Dad will love me no matter what.  I can't wait to hear about these special pets!

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

Flame Tree Press Tour - The Apocalypse Strain

TITLE: The Apocalypse Strain
AUTHOR: Jason Parent
PUBLISHER: Flame Tree Press
PUBLISHING DATE: August 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

A multi-national research team, led by a medical genomics expert suffering from MS, study an ancient pandoravirus at a remote Siberian research facility. Called "Molli" by the research team, the organic substance reveals some unique but troublesome characteristics, qualities that, in the wrong hands, could lead to human extinction. The researchers soon learn that even in the right hands, Molli is a force too dangerous to escape their compound. But the virus has a mind of its own, and it wants out.   

MY THOUGHTS: I think I've read more books about viruses since the pandemic broke out than I ever did before.  Maybe it's easier to lose myself in a fictional tale rather than watch the real-life horror playing out right before our eyes.  Either way, The Apocalypse Strain was a great distraction. 

The story takes place in remote Siberia and you all know how I love my cold and arctic settings.  I immediately started to get a The Thing movie vibe.  This book features various characters who have been brought together for a common purpose and I really loved how Parent fleshed out all of the characters, and showed how each viewed what was going on and how they handled the crisis, flaws and all.  There are some pretty gruesome scenes so the book probably isn't for the faint of heart but if you are a horror lover, then I think you'll enjoy the ride.  Also, be aware that Parent isn't afraid to kill off characters.  While that may bother some, it just assists in setting up the tension for the reader and let's face it, it's horror so we know some people are going to die. 

This fast-paced action novel would lend itself well to the big screen.  Molli is an interesting "character" of her own and the ending lends itself to perhaps a sequel someday.  Don't let this one pass you by!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jason is an author of horror, thrillers,and science fiction, though his novels tend to blur the boundaries between genres. From his award-winning first horror/mystery novel, What Hides Within, to his widely
applauded supernatural thriller, Seeing Evil, Jason’s work has earned him praise from both critics and avid readers alike.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books That Should be Adapted for Netflix

The top 10 weekly meme used to be hosted by The Broke and the Bookish they  handed 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 that need to be adapted to Netflix series or movies.  That should be easy enough.  Let's go!

Hunter Shea's Slash is just begging for a summer slasher adaptation!

I think the world needs more Christmas horror to combat all the feel-good Hallmark movies (not that there's anything wrong with them).  If you've read this one, don't you agree that Snowball is a great starting point?

How about an urban fantasy series based on the Kate Daniels series? There are plenty of tales to work with in this wonderful series.

See, I can do feel-good movies too.  A Dog Called Jack is a great small-town tale with wonderful cast of characters.

Maybe wanting to see Bunny adapted to a movie is a tad selfish because I'm hoping it might make more sense if I could only SEE all the weirdness happening.  

What's a top ten list without Hollow Kingdom showing up somewhere?  Someone please, please, please adapt this!

Violet would make a great thriller movie!

V.M. Burns' Dog Club Mystery series would make such a great movie franchise for Netflix.  I mean, we need more dogs right?

A Wayward Children series anyone?  Come to think of this, I think someone is already adapting this one but I forget who it is. 

Netflix loves to adapt YA books so why is there no Undead Girl Gang series already?

So this was a lot of fun.  Do you think any of these would make great adaptations?  I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with this week.