TTT - This Needs a New Title

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 I'd give different titles to. I honestly don't know how this one's going to go so who knows if we will actually hit 10 or not!

"Slow Ride"

"The Racist Pervert Gets a Dog"

OR

"This Dog Isn't in the Book"

"Beware the Pink Devil"

"Boring Cannibals on the Prairie"

"IT"

(oops that one's already taken!)

"Pure Hell"

"Poor Max"

"Oy With the Poodles Already"

So that's about all I can come up with. I'm sure I'll see some stellar examples while blog hopping today.  Wish I could have came up with better.

**** So I looked at the wrong date so I guess I'm just giving you a preview of what to expect next week - oops!

So My Babysitting Jobs Weren't That Bad....

TITLE: The Babysitter's Coven (Babysitter's Coven #1)D
AUTHOR: Kate Williams
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press
PUBLISHING DATE: September 17, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it's kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she's good at it. 

And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let's just say she owes some people a new tree. 

Enter Cassandra Heaven. She's Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria cooking. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme's babysitters club? 

The answer lies in a mysterious note Cassandra's mother left her: "Find the babysitters. Love, Mom." 

Turns out, Esme and Cassandra have more in common than they think, and they're about to discover what being a babysitter really means: a heroic lineage of superpowers, magic rituals, and saving the innocent from seriously terrifying evil. And all before the parents get home. 

MY THOUGHTS:  Basically I can sum this book up in one word - fun.  Esme lives alone with her father and her pit bull, Piggy.  Her mother has been institutionalized the past few years and no one has been able to get through to her.  Esme and her best friend babysit local children which usually goes off without a hitch.  However, things are starting to get a tad strange.  Let's just say Voldemort just tried to kidnap one of her charges.  The new girl in school also wants to join the babysitter's club but it becomes quite evident that she doesn't have as much experience as she says.  Soon Esme and Casssandra discover there is more to babysitting than meets the eye.

As I said, reading this novel was just a lot of fun.  I love Esme as a main character.  She is witty and sarcastic and she and her best friend Janis dress in a theme each day and some of the themes were downright riotous.  And it has to be no surprise that I loved Piggy - such a wonderful addition to the book.  As the book progresses the reader gets a lot of backstory on Esme and Cassandra's lives and the last third of the book is pretty much all action.  I also like that Esme actually has parents who are present in the book, even if her mother is institutionalized.  The author did a wonderful job of showing some of the struggles Esme's father faced raising a teenage daughter alone.

When I started this book, I really had no idea it was the beginning of a series.  However, at the conclusion of it, I was glad to see that another one is coming in 2020.  Honestly, if you are looking for a serious read or even a scary one, you won't find it here.  But if you want something that's a lot of fun and dabbles on the idea of witchcraft, you should seek "The Babysitter's Coven" out.

RATING: 4 PAWS

2019 Halloween Creatures Book Tag

I actually ended up doing this tag two years ago here at Booker T's Farm and I thought it would be fun to revisit it.  This wonderful tag was created by Anthony @ Keep Reading Forward.  I see that he has Anthony has since created a 2.0 version so I'm doing his new one instead.  

WITCH - A magical character or book.

I have to go with "Rules of Magic," the prequel to "Practical Magic."  The whole book was magical and I enjoyed it so much more than the first one, which is now technically the second one.

🐾

WEREWOLF - The perfect book to read at night

"The Chrysalis" will definitely make you wonder what that sound coming from your basement might be.

🐾

FRANKENSTEIN - A book that truly shocked you

I'm still not over the Pink Devil from "The Mouth of the Dark."  Those of you who have read this HAVE to understand.

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THE DEVIL - A dark, evil characters

There are a lot of dark, evil characters in "A Discovery of Witches" but for some reason, the first one who popped into my mind was Baldwin.

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THE GRIM REAPER - A character that never should have died

Good Dog Max from "My Best Friend's Exorcism" did not need to die and I STILL haven't fully forgiven the author

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ZOMBIE - A book that made you "hungry" for more

"Gwendy's Button Box" was too short and I'm thrilled I'm finally getting a sequel.

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GARGOYLE - A character that you would protect at all costs

Buttons the Beagle from "Creature."

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VAMPIRE - A book that sucked the life right out of you

"The Hunger" - enough said!

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GHOST -  A book that still haunts you

"Little Heaven" and not for good reasons.

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DEMON - a book that really scared you

I don't scare easily so I'll go with "We Sold Out Souls" which is a very demonic book.

🐾

SKELETON - A character you have a bone to pick with

How about an author?  CJ Tudor, I really want to like you so why don't I?

🐾

MUMMY - A book you would preserve throughout time

What's Winnie doing in a Halloween tag 😊

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CREEPY DOLL - A cover that's scary to look at

Pearl and his messed up eye from "On this, the Day of the Pig" is pretty creepy.

🐾

THE MONSTER MASH - It's fun to be friends on Halloween

I don't really like to tag people but I want to encourage everyone who visits to participate and make sure to link back to Anthony.

What's Happening...(10-12-19)

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.  

So I ended up not doing a post last weekend.  I didn't get one up Friday, had every intention of getting one up Saturday and then was under the weather all day Sunday.  So bear with me if this one is a little long.

Pretty much all is well at The Farm.  We're in full Halloween mode which means we are trying to watch tons of scary stuff, and then there's football, and books and well, you get the idea.  We managed to watch "Annabelle Comes Home" this week.  I really enjoy the movies in The Conjuring world and this one was no exception.  There was a teen in it that seriously needed some brains, but it made for some great scares and some good entertainment.  We're still enjoying "AHS:1984" but was kind of disappointed in the second episode of "Creepshow."  

My Grandfather made a trip this week to see his brother who lives 4 hours away.  One of his nephews took him which was really nice.  I'm glad to see others doing things with him even if Stupid Uncle is still an unreliable as ever.  Mom is still grieving her pup which is also to be expected.  And speaking of pups, Cass got a new blanket and is enjoying cozy nights sleeping now.  I have two pictures to share of him this week since I didn't post last week.  The first is his weekly bandana instagram shot where he is sporting his Joker support and the second one is his best, most miserable looking impression of Loki.

So I've been running to the library for holds and getting books for review and since I didn't share any last week, I think I'll just focus on review books.  Oh, and I did place an Amazon order.  I couldn't find "Full Throttle" in my local bookstore so I had to order it.  And places wonder why Amazon is taking over.  And then I was really curious about the Agatha Christie book.  And then The Beautiful was a gift from Mr. Mike.

So I will be reading this weekend and here's what's up next on the stack.  "The Time Police" is for a blog tour, the author very kindly sent me "Scavenger Hunt," and yep, that's a women's fiction book thrown right in the middle of Halloween season????  I also need to be working on "Slash" and "Magic Shifts" before the end of the month as those two are buddy reads with Stormi.  And in case you don't know, Stormi has been creating some awesome videos over on Booktube/Youtube so make sure to check her out HERE.

And now for the review books I received from the publishers and Netgalley.  "Separation Anxiety" is not a book you'd typically see here BUT there is a dog.  I'm preparing for some Christmas reads with "A Very Scalzi Christmas" and "Christmas Past." I'm definitely getting some creepy vibes from "The Poor and the Haunted," "Conjure Women," and "Blood Countess" which involved Lady Dracula.  "No Man's Land" is a continuation of a thriller series and I've seen lots of buzz about "Darling Rose Gold" and "The Sun Down Motel."

So there you have it. If you've made it through all of this, thanks.  Are you reading any good books or watching any movies or TV I have to see?

Random Things Blog Tour - The Winter of the Witch

I want to thank Random Things Blog Tours, Katherine Arden and Ebury Publishing for allowing me to take part in a wonderful blog tour today.  Hope you enjoy!

TITLE: The Winter of the Witch (Winternight Trilogy #3)

AUTHOR: Katherine Arden

PUBLISHER: Del Ray (Ebury Publishing)

PUBLISHING DATE: October 3, 2019 (paperback)

FROM GOODREADS: Moscow is in flames, leaving its people searching for answers – and someone to blame. Vasilisa, a girl with extraordinary gifts, must flee for her life, pursued by those who blame their misfortune on her magic. 

Then a vengeful demon returns, stronger than ever. Determined to engulf the world in chaos, he finds allies among men and spirits. Mankind and magical creatures alike find their fates resting on Vasya's shoulders. 

But she may not be able to save them all.  

MY THOUGHTS:  Let's get the obvious out of the way.  Is that not one of the prettiest covers ever?  I'd like to say that I'm not obsessed with covers but then really, aren't most of us.  I don't actually own any of the physical copies of this series but I can see myself venturing to Book Depository one day so I can possess this lovely one! 

So now that that's out of the way.  People who know me well know that I can be quickly sucked into the atmosphere of a book and this series has been all about the atmosphere for me. Yes, I love some action as well but I feel this series really has read like a beautifully written fairy tale - one I thoroughly enjoyed.  While I don't want to give a lot away about the plot, especially since is the third book and the conclusion of the series, I will say that I loved Vasya as a character.  Her character growth throughout the whole series culminates in this final installment and let me say, she will do whatever is necessary to keep those she loves safe and to protect her world. 

Anyone who loves fantasy and fairy tales really has to consider giving this series a try.  I believe each book has been better than the last which is a rare feat nowadays and Arden is an author I will be watching out for in the future.  She is well on her way to becoming a fave.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 5 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Austin, Texas, Katherine Arden spent her junior year of high school in Rennes, France. Following her acceptance to Middlebury College in Vermont, she deferred enrollment for a year in order to live and study in Moscow. At Middlebury, she specialized in French and Russian literature. After receiving her BA, she moved to Maui, Hawaii, working every kind of odd job imaginable, from grant writing and making crêpes to serving as a personal tour guide. After a year on the island, she moved to Briançon, France, and spent nine months teaching. She then returned to Maui, stayed for nearly a year, then left again to wander. Currently she lives in Vermont, but really, you never know. She is the author of The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower. These novels make up the first two parts of The Winternight Trilogy.

So It Wasn't As Depressing as I Thought

TITLE: Death and Other Happy Endings
AUTHOR: Melanie Cantor
PUBLISHER: Pamela Dorman Books
PUBLISHING DATE: July 9, 2019

FROM GOODREADS: Jennifer Cole has just been told that she has a terminal blood disorder and has just three months to live--ninety days to say goodbye to friends and family, and to put her affairs in order. Ninety days to come to terms with a diagnosis that is unfair, unexpected, and completely unpronounceable. Focusing on the positives (she won't have to go on in a world without Bowie or Maya Angelou; she won't get Alzheimer's or Parkinson's like her parents, or have teeth that flop out at the mere mention of the word apple), Jennifer realizes she only has one real regret: the relationships she's lost. 

Rather than running off to complete a frantic bucket list, Jennifer chooses to stay put and write a letter to the three most significant people in her life, to say the things she wished she'd said before but never dared: her overbearing, selfish sister, her jelly-spined, cheating ex-husband, and her charming, unreliable ex-boyfriend--and finally tell them the truth.

At first, Jennifer feels cleansed by her catharsis. Liberated, even. Her ex-boyfriend rushes to her side and she even starts to build bridges with her sister Isabelle (that is, once Isabelle's confirmed that Jennifer's condition isn't genetic). But once you start telling the truth, it's hard to stop. And as Jennifer soon discovers, the truth isn't always as straightforward as it seems, and death has a way of surprising you.... 

MY THOUGHTS: I remember seeing this book online somewhere, reading the title, and saying to myself "Yep, I have to read that one day."  So when I saw it at one of my local libraries it was no surprise it went home with me. What was a surprise was how much it interrupted my TBR because I picked it up on a whim one weekend and finished it rather quickly.

Jennifer has been feeling tired and rundown and like most of us, she put off going to the doctor.  When she finally did, she finds out that she has a terminal blood disorder and that she basically has 90 days to live.  She ends up writing letters to three people in her life she feels she has unsaid things to and over the course of the next few weeks, becomes quite shocked at their responses.  Thank heavens she has her best friend, who is getting married, to help her navigate everything as well as keep her mind off of things. 

So let me say first of all I kind of felt this book was pretty predictable. I knew where it was headed before we got there and although there was  slight curve ball thrown at the end, I was dead-on with where Cantor was headed.  Normally that might interfere with my enjoyment of a novel but once again SURPRISE!  It didn't.  I really liked Jennifer.  She was flawed and human and down-to-earth and I thoroughly enjoyed her out-of-character romp at the park.  She sometimes wallowed in her diagnosis, which was expected, but she also wanted to live life to its fullest.  I also enjoyed the relationships in the book. Jennifer's best friend is one we all wished we had and her sister is probably one some people actually ended up with. However, over the course of the novel, even the despicable characters showed growth and a few of the much-liked ones fell from grace.

I also have to note the author's formatting. Instead of chapters going up in number, as almost all seem to do, the ones in this book counted down the days Jennifer had left.  It was an interesting touch and really moved the progression of the book.

So overall picking up this book was the right choice.  It's a genre I don't read a lot of and I read it in the middle of my horror/monsterathon heyday so it must have been the break I needed.  It does have some British humor which sometimes is hard to immediately take to, but on the whole, I would recommend it, especially to people who enjoy books like Bridget Jones.  Which ironically enough, I did not enjoy.  Oh well, if you want to - read the book!

RATING: 4 PAWS

Can't Wait Wednesday (231)

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.

So the public has spoken - Cass is now a full-time contributor to Can't Wait Wednesday.  That means each week you'll see two books here. Of course Cass is already lobbying for an increase in salary (at least he works for treats - and bandanas).

FROM GOODREADS:  A collection of four stories:

"Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”

“The Life of Chuck”

“Rat”

“If It Bleeds”

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  So there isn't much here but it's a new King book and it's the spooky month and I am excited for it.  It's been billed as Holly Gibney #2 and I was a tad upset we weren't getting a while book about her.  Unless I guess each story involves her.  With him, who knows.  A lot of peope don't like this cover but it really doesn't bother me.

CASSIUS'S PICK:

FROM GOODREADS:  An innkeeper who reads minds. An ornery detective. And a trail of bodies. Cider Cove is the premiere destination for murder.

My name is Bizzy Baker, and I can read minds—not every mind, not every time but most of the time and believe me when I say it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

A doggie fashion show is afoot at the local shelter and hopefully each cute pooch will find a home to call their own. I’ve been enlisted to help out with the endeavor and I’m more than happy to do it. But trouble seems to follow me wherever I go and that body I stumbled upon quickly complicates everything. Not to mention a certain someone is determined to out my ability to read minds—and this time, they just might succeed.

Bizzy Baker runs the Country Cottage Inn, has the ability to pry into the darkest recesses of both the human and animal mind, and has just stumbled upon a body. With the help of her kitten, Fish, a mutt named Sherlock Bones and an ornery yet dangerously good looking homicide detective, Bizzy is determined to find the killer.

The Country Cottage Inn is known for its hospitality. Leaving can be murder.

WHY CASS CAN'T WAIT: So Mom's all in Halloween mode but this week I'm focusing on Christmas.  I've been good all year and have been frantically working on my list. I've seen Mother carrying in some bags and hiding them so I know Santa is hard at work.  Anyway, this sounds really fun and it's supposed to be humorous. The dog on the cover kind of reminds me of Pedro down the street who comes and barks at me and then runs off though.  

Speaking of, I don't think his name is Pedro.  Mom calls him something different each time she sees him.  He must have an identity crisis.

Hey Mom, you better not be buying me that dog's outfit!!!!!

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