Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

A few weeks ago I was tagged by Ann and Clare at Dual Reads to do this tag.  I knew I wanted to get around to it, but was waiting until it was closer to mid-year.  Bet that pug is freaking out too!  Anyway, here we go.

1.  Best Book You've Read So Far in 2017

I'd say it's a close tie between these two but "Certain Dark Things" probably has a tad bit of an edge.  If you haven't read either of these, do so now and then send me a link to your gushing reviews (I'm THAT sure you'll like them).

2. Best Sequel You've Read So Far in 2017

I love the Veronica Speedwell mysteries and already can't wait for the next one (which I don't think even has a cover or a title yet but I may be wrong).

3. New Release You Haven't Read Yet But Want To

I can't wait to see what Dru and her friends are up to next.

4.  Most Anticipated Release for Second Half of 2017

It's Stephen King...need I say more?

5. Biggest Disappointment

This book created a phenomenon I now call "The Little Heaven" effect - when you are anxious to read a book, want to love it, but find it boring as hell and it triggers a massive reading slump.

6. Biggest Surprise

I figured the odds were good I'd like this one but I had no idea how much.

7. Favorite New Author

I liked "The Jersey Devil" when I read it last year but "Just Add Water" cemented Shea in the "have to read everything he writes" category.

8. Newest Fictional Crush

Definitely Martin the dog!

9. Newest Favorite Character

Not really a NEW favorite, but definitely one worth mentioning!

10. Book That Made You Cry

Still a huge loss and so sad that such a talented man is gone.

11. Book That Made You Happy

How can a book which feature a dog who thinks he's Elvis reincarnated AND who writes his own chapters NOT make me happy???

12. Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation You've Seen So Far in 2017

They are supposedly making a movie adaptation of this graphic novel series so does that count?

13. Favorite Review You've Written So Far in 2017

It's also gotten the most "likes" on Goodreads.

14. Most Beautiful Book You've Bought So Far This Year

It's hard to tell from the picture but the cover is a collage of all things Prince (pictures, album covers, people in his life, etc) put together to make his picture.

So I'm not really going to tag anyone but if you are interested in doing this, please leave me a link so I can check out your post!

Stacking the Shelves (115) / 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. I'm hoping to discover some new blogs to love.

This week I have a few Kindle acquisitions and a few digital ARCs.  And oh yeah, I fell victim at Walmart the other evening so there's that book as well.

I'm pretty sure I featured "Good Karma" on a Waiting on Wednesday post eons ago so when I saw it at Walmart the other night, I knew this puppy was going home with me.  What can I say, sometimes I'm just that predictable.

The next four were additions to my Kindle.  "The Ghost of Molly Holt" was free and all I can say is I better enjoy thus author because I think I grab a new free book by her each week.  "The Freak Show Below" was also free but may have already went back up in price.  I thought for sure I owned "Blood Kiss" but I didn't so when I saw it as a deal for less than $3.00 I jumped on it and at the same time bought "Shade of Honor" which was the same price as well.

I was thrilled to get a copy of "Optical Delusion" by Hunter Shea especially given how much I loved "Just Add Water."  The 80's child in me came out when I requested "99 Red Balloons."  Does anyone else recall that song?  Everyone knows I love my dog books so "The Dog Walker's Diary" was a given.  Finally "Dead Lines" has a blurb on the cover by Stephen King - that's all it took.

So what books did you add this week???

Weekly Reads (06/16/17)

So it's been a pretty hot week here at The Farm.  We've had some popup showers but nothing major and at least no real storms so I'm grateful for that.  Last Saturday we did some work in the backyard which needed done and then Sunday hauled some cut-down tree away and I'm glad to say that project is finished.  I've felt a tad under the weather and think my iron is low again so I'm trying to change that.  Also, I cut out soda this week (well, I'm limiting myself to 3 a week max) because I am pretty much a pop-a-holic.  So far so good. However, I have to drink flavor packets in my water for breakfast which have caffeine or I get a headache from caffeine withdrawal.

We finally managed to watch a few decent movies.  Now don't get me wrong, these aren't that awesome and I pretty much wouldn't go as far as recommending them, but they were at least entertaining.  We watched "The Drowning" which was a decent thriller. We mainly ordered it because I like Julia Styles.  I think Mr. Barb may have fallen asleep during this one.  Then we watched " Be Afraid" and I would have to admit that I may actually recommend that horror movie.  Never heard of it before but it's new and on the most part, well made.  Next was "Awakening the Zodiac" - another thriller. Finally we broke down and watched "Split."  Mr. Barb wasn't convinced we should watch it but neither of us regretted it and the main actor did an awesome job portraying someone with DID.  Oh and how could I forget, I watched "Jaws:Revenge."  I didn't really remember that one at all and actually wasn't cheering on the deaths of anyone in this one.

I finished some books over the weekend and have been knocking some graphic novels out of the way in preparation of COYER Summer Reading List Challenge.  That means I have a fresh stack of books on my choose-from list this weekend.  Here's what's up next.

And last but not least - YAY PENGUINS!!!! Back-to-back Stanley Cup Winners!

What are your plans for this upcoming week?  Have you read any of these books or seen any of the movies I mentioned? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Downward Dog - Everyone Needs Their Own Martin

TITLE: Downward Dog, Very Serious Haiku from a Very Serious Dog
AUTHOR: Samm Hodges and Phinehas Hodges
PUBLISHER: Animal Media Group, LLC
PUBLISHING DATE: May 16, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: A book of haiku and illustrations from the mind of Martin, the talking, angst-ridden, introspective dog from the ABC TV series, Downward Dog.

MY THOUGHTS:  So after watching the first four episodes, I'm convinced Downward Dog is one the best new shows on TV.  That's probably why I'm awaiting news of its cancellation.  It always seems the shows I really enjoy never last.

Anyway, when I saw this book for offer on Netgalley, I immediately had to request it.  It's a short book filled with Martin's thoughts and illustrations on the important questions in his life.  I loved it and as soon as I can, I'm ordering a physical copy.  It's that cute and a perfect book to read when you need a pick me up.  Here's one of my favorite Martin thoughts and the one which my pups probably appreciated the most.  He wrote it about a local cat:

"My enemy lifts his head from behind the fence - where I will bury him."

Classic Martin.  If you love the show or dogs in general, do yourself a favor and check this one out!

I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

RATING: 5 PAWS

BOOKER T'S THOUGHTS:  Martin is actually Ned, a dog who spent over a year in a shelter in Chicago before being rescued and becoming the star many of us could become if only given the chance.  All we want is a loving family and people to care about us and given that, there's no end to the joy we can add to lives.  I love Martin/Ned and hope you do too!

Can't Wait Wednesday (110)

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:  Colt Harper hates it when you pat a cat the wrong way, or when you upload their faux pas to YouTube. In fact, he'll probably kill you for it.

As a self-proclaimed master vampire cat, Colt never imagined he'd be sent to community service at a revolting community theater. And for what? Killing humans who don't buy the expensive brand of cat food? Talk about unfair.

Still, working with a nervous werewolf and a monster addicted to tickling wasn't on his to-do list.

What's worse, is he's falling for a human. Sure, she has green eyes. Sure, she fosters stray cats. But she's still a disgusting human.

So why is he risking his own life to save her from the chasers?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  So last week's choice was pretty heavy and I've been eyeing this one for some time so I figured I'd go ahead and share it.  Just for God's sake, don't tell Booker T or Cass it features a cat! I think this one sounds humorous and definitely unlike some other things I've read so I can't resist.  At least it comes out soon.

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

 

TTT - Father's Day Freebie!

This top 10 weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and can be found HERE.  Each week they focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. 

This week is a Father's Day freebie.  Now I can be a smart-alec and say that parents rarely show up in YA books, and often aren't needed in adult books, so that's why I'm not tackling my favorite books dads, etc.  I lost my Dad almost 4 years ago and he is where I got my love for all things horror.  So this week I'm sharing 5 of my dad's favorite movies and 5 movies or shows I've seen and said to myself "Dad would have loved this."

FAVORITES

The first time I saw this movie was a local drive-in with my mom and dad.  Dad loved it (so did i) but Mom hated it.  You will see a theme here.

I never actually watched this with my dad, but he always told me a funny story and I know how much he liked this one.  When Mom was pregnant with me, Dad took her to see "Rosemary's Baby."  She thought it was going to be a romantic movie and didn't forgive him for weeks.  Dad and I always joked that I started loving horror from the womb.

Dad loved all of the "Planet of the Apes" films, new and old.  I remember watching the originals with him and then the remake in 2001. 

Dad and I always loved this and it's probably one of the reasons I STILL love horror movies and books set in cold winter settings.

Dad and Mr. Barb actually went to the theater and saw this together.  I don't do snakes (especially on the big screen) and Mom wouldn't go to this anyway, so we saw something else.  I remember Dad joking that someone in the theater thought he and my husband were a couple and he was attempted to put his arm around him during the entire movie.  Plus,  it was the first real time he and Mr. Barb were ever together alone and he wanted to prank him.

DAD WOULD LOVE THESE!

Dad was pretty sick by the time "The Walking Dead" was released but I KNOW he would have loved this. In fact, at least once a season, Mr. Barb and I mention it.

Likewise, my father would have totally been swept up in this one as well.

This franchise is consistently one of the best out there in my opinion and I would love to be able to marathon them and share them with my Dad.

Although not a well-known horror film, this one sort of game me "The Thing" vibes so I know Dad would have loved this one as well.

Mr. Barb and I thought this one was awesome too and I'm sure Dad would agree.  Another chilly horror-fest!

I'm glad I was able to honor my father in some way on the blog.  As Father's Day approaches, know that you are always on our mind Daddy, on this day and every other (yep, I'm a daddy's girl!)

#COYER Summer Reading List Challenge (sign up post)

So a few years ago I signed up for COYER on a whim and I'm really glad I did.  I've met some truly wonderful bloggers and have this challenge to thank for one of my best blogging buds - Stormi.  The rules for 2017 are a little more lax and there are two directions a reader can go.  They can either come up with a reading list or do a "read everything" version.  I've decided to do the reading list because I'm a glutton for punishment.  Seriously, that's how it feels after working and reworking this list for several weeks now. COYER consists of more than just a challenge though.  There's daily interaction on a COYER Facebook page and several twitter parties as well.  HERE is the link for the complete rules.

So I had to come up with a list of 30 books to read from over the next 3 months which really felt like I was creating a 3 month TBR - and it was hard.  The only plus is that for every 5 you read, you can add 5 more.  That's the saving grace for mood readers (or people constantly asking for review copies) if you ask me.  Anyway, here's my final list:

1. Missing - Kelley Armstrong
2. Saga Vol. 6
3. Skitter - Ezekiel Boone
4. The Right Side - Spencer Quinn
5. Summer at the Dog & Duck - Jill Steeples
6. Final Girls - Riley Sager
7. See What I Have Done - Sarah Schmidt
8. Only the Dead Know Brooklyn - Chris Vola
9. Murder on Black Swan Lane - Andrea Penrose
10. Gork the Teenage Dragon - Gabe Hudson
11. Lost Boy - Christina Henry
12. A Kiss Before Doomsday - Laurence McNaughton
13. Strange Alchemy - Gwenda Bone
14. Gwendy's Button Box - Stephen King
15. Hollywood Homicide - Kellye Garrett
16. MAD - Chloe Esposito
17. The Luster of Lost Things - Sophie Chen Keller
18. The Coven - Chrissy Lessey
19. Empty Threat - Danny Bell
20. Rise of the Sea Witch - Stacey Rourke
21. Slither - Melody Steiner
22. Spill Zone - Scott Westerfeld
23. Of Jenny and the Aliens - Ryan Gebhart
24. Shark Island - Chris Jameson
25. Kiss Me Kill You - Larissa C. Hardesty
26. Slaves of the Switchboard of Doom - Bradley W. Schenck
27. A New Leash on Love - Debbie Burns
28. Unsub - Meg Gardiner
29. Einstein - Miles Gibson
30. The Bookshop at Water's End - Patti Callahan Henry

If you are interested in joining COYER this time around, there's still plenty of time.  Hope to see you there!