Books Finished: 3

Total books read: 5

I finished "Neanderthal Seeks Human" and it was cute all the way through. She's not your typical romance novel heroine and I loved her. 

"Dorothy Must Die" was an interesting take on the Dorothy mythos. Sort of a "what happened next" novel. I liked it. Enough to read the next book? eehhhh not sure on that one yet. 

"Dinosaur: 65 Million." 
OMGosh. This book was awful. Downright awful. Like, I stayed up late to finish reading it just so I wouldn't begin my day with such awfulness. I wrote a review on Goodreads here. I was nice...ish. 

Today I'm reading my graphic novel and an online comic my husband recommended (strongly...strongly recommended) 

I can't decide if I want to read a new book (not currently on my TBR) or start in on my horror anthology. 

Probably the latter. Mother Nature arrived today with her monthly dose of pain (30-ish days, skank, and I won't ever see you again) so I think shorter bites of reading are in order. 

Books Finished: 2

I felt kinda stressed out yesterday. Surgery apprehension is creeping in...the kids started the day with fights and fits. So I did what I did best. 

I hid in the pages of a novel. 

I finished "Burned" and it was, of course, fantastic. Now I have to wait anxiously for her next installment.

"Unhinged" (2nd in the "Splintered" series) was also great. I put "Ensnared" on my Amazon wishlist. (Not quite ready for a $10 price tag when I have over 400 books on my TBR)

I started, and nearly finished, "Neanderthal Seeks Human." I'm enjoying it so much. The protagonist is awkward and weird. Her naivety bothers me at times but it's well explained with her background and general personality. She's not just a dumb kid (*cough*50Shades*cough*) It's more that she shuts people and experiences out on purpose. 

When she gets nervous, she spouts off random bits of trivia. It's awesome. I love her so. 

So today's goal is to finish "Neanderthal" and begin "Dorothy Must Die." I have zero expectations for "Dorothy" and have seen a few posts where people wonder if it's any good.

When you read as often as I do, you get a reputation. 

I tend to be the go-to for book recommendations. 

It's actually pretty fun for me. I get to dig into my lists and pull out my favorites that fit a specific mold. 10 year old boy that hates reading? 15 year old girl that thinks she's ready for heavier topics? Dirty books? *wink* 

I'm the book addict. 

If you don't give me specifics to follow, I have a few books/series that I fall back on for recommendations. 

1) The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
Seriously, my favorite series of all time. Moning is an excellent writer. The story is compelling and the characters are rich and developed. There's enough sexual tension to keep things interesting without being too smutty. I'd classify it as Urban Fantasy (paranormal elements in a modern world). 

2) The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward
When this was first recommended to me I rolled my eyes...because vampires. It's vampire romance. Vampire smut if we're being honest. 
But these aren't sparkly, broody vamps. The Brothers are warriors. Their personalities are fully fleshed and realistic. The dialogue is PURE GOLD. I love these. 

3) The Demonica series by Larissa Ione
Okay...I'll be honest. This one isn't my favorite. It's pure fluff and smut from the start (heavy on the smut). If you like Paranormal Romance, these need to end up on your list at some point. Pure entertainment.

4) Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
Erotic romance with plenty of hilarious banter and sarcasm? Here you go. This is one of the few books that had me laughing out loud from the start and kept me giggling throughout. It's the first in a series (apparently...I haven't read more than the first) but it's great as a stand-alone.

5) White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter
It's a new and different take on zombies. I'll admit, I've only read "Alice in Zombieland" thus far (and how awesome is that title? dude) but I loved it and just haven't gotten around to reading the rest. That will be remedied soon, trust me. 

6) The Darc Murders series by Carolyn McCray and Ben Hopkin
This is one of my favorite Indie series ever. Actually, these are at the top of my fave author lists. I beta read for Hopkin I love his stuff so much! If you like thrillers and police procedurals, put this on your list for sure. And then check out the rest of their books. They're mostly awesome. 

7) Dark Carousel series by Anya Allyn
I originally got the first book (Dollhouse) for free. It sucked me in like no other. Holy crap. If you want creepy and weird in your library...these fit the bill. They're bone chilling without being overly graphic on the freaky elements. I can't tell you much without spoiling but trust me...you'll love it (if creep and weird is your thing)

8) Splintered (series) by AG Howard
If you like to see fairy tales turned on their heads and pushed darker than Disney, grab this one. 
Alice In Wonderland based. The cover is gorgeous and what drew me to the book originally. It sullies up what you remember from Wonderland in a fantastic way. I've only read the first book but Book2 is on my Read-A-Thon list. 

9) The Shells of Chanticleer by Maura Patrick
This was another I got when it was free. It's a fun Young Adult novel about life after death (or during a coma). There's enough suspense to keep you reading but it's more of a "coming of age" and "self discovery" style novel. 
It was easy to read and just a nice book all around. There is a book 2 and I did enjoy it but not as much as the first one. 

10) To Be Continued
Slot 10 is going to have to be my place-holder for "There will be a follow-up post on recommendations because I can't cut it off at JUST TEN." 

However, that above list is like 50 books so you're more than covered for now....I hope. 

Each title is also a link to the book on Amazon!

I decided to make a decently sized TBR (To Be Read) and have a LARGE backup if I finish early. 

Without further ado...

Burned by Karen Marie Moning
It's quite nearly a sin that I haven't read this book yet. Seriously. I'm a rabid "Fever" fan and it came out in JANUARY. I'm about to lose my membership card here!

Unhinged by AG Howard
This is the second in the series. Oddly enough, I read "Splintered" (first in the series) during the last Read-A-Thon so this is fitting.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
I've heard whispers about this book (mostly people asking who has picked it up) but nothing concrete. I'm willing to give it a try!

Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
(STILL FREE)
I've heard a few good things about this. Mainly that it's witty and funny. Every read-a-thon needs a light-hearted entry. 

Dinosaur: 65 Million
Okay, I got this for free (I think...or really cheap) and it looks goofy as hell. Reality TV where you have to survive in a land of dinosaurs? I saw that movie. 
But, I love reality TV and am willing to give it a go.

Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 1
This is actually a graphic novel. My cover is also a lot for, uh, graphic than this one. It'll be my first comic book read EVAH so I'm excited to include it. 
I've heard "Fables" is more "female market friendly" whereas this is geared toward men....whatever. Fairy tales. 

My Backup!
Psychos anthology
It's a collection of short horror stories. I figure I can just start reading and feel good about "finishing things" if it's in short bursts like that. 

Ready?

Shhhh.....I'm reading.

Last year I participated in the Bout Of Books 11.0 Read-a-thon

I missed the 12.0 edition (I can't remember what I was doing) but I'm jumping in for 13.0. 

This is my official declaration that I'm participating! I'll make up a To Be Read list and have posts for the challenges throughout next week. (When I'll also be on my period...crap....)

What's Bout Of Books?

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 11th and runs through Sunday, May 17th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 13 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

This was a blast. I'm really glad I participated!

Over the course of the week, I read 6 books. 

SIX.

Six. Whole. Books. 

AND I parented. 

Okay, I didn't clean much. But I parented. 

The books I read will have their own reviews coming soon. Be sure and check the "Review Section" for those. 

I read:
- Cinder and Scarlet (Book 1 and 2 of the Lunar Chronicles)
- Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children
- The Devil Stood Up
- Fable (Book 1 of the Lorn Prophecy)
- Splintered

Overall, I enjoyed everything I read. I didn't *love* Miss P. But the others were fantastic. 

And now...I'm actually approaching reading burn out. But not enough to stop reading.

Day FIVE of the read-a-thon closed out yesterday. 

And with it, another book! 

Seriously go pick up "Fable - Book 1 of the Lorn Prophecy." It's so awesome. If it got made into a major motion picture I'd be all too happy. 

Today I'll be picking up "Scarlet." The goal is to finish that one today and start in on "Splintered" so I can finish it tomorrow. 

I have errands to run later today (human and kitty food) and church stuff tomorrow. 

I'm approaching burn out. It was bound to happen. 

I also, surprisingly, forgot to pack my Kindle when I left the house yesterday. 

I took the kids to the park and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT the library is right there. So I picked up "Scarlet" and "Splintered." I'm excited. 

Today I'm reading Fable ~ Book 1 of the Lorn Prophecy. I think you'd consider this an indie novel. I'm pretty pumped because I know one of the co-authors. Like, I was friends with her daughter in gradeschool and she ran an after school group I was part of! It's exciting! 

It's over 400 Kindle pages. My GOAL is to finish by the end of the day. 

That way I can finish Scarlet and Splintered this weekend. 

I didn't do much reading yesterday. I was in a bad headspace and couldn't focus. I got a few pages in to "The Devil Stood Up" and it's going to be interesting. 

My copy of "The Anything Box" arrived yesterday! It's funny to see "75 cents" on the cover when I actually paid like $7 for it. That's what happens when books go out of print, y'all. SO READ READ READ. Books tend to go out of print when demand goes down!

That book was my introduction into the world of Sci-Fi. I was given a brown bag FULL of random books and several were old school sci-fi books like that one. (Lots of Zenna Henderson and Ray Bradbury) 

So if you get a chance, pick up some of her work. You may have to order it. But I SWEAR it's worth it. "The Anything Box" and "Holding Wonder" are short story collections. Some are really freaky! It's great! 

Okay, moving on! 

Because I don't have a lot of updates I'll do a quick recommendation post! This was an official Bout of Books Challenge as well. 

And you all know I love giving recommendations! 

If you liked Alice In Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Then you would probably enjoy Dollhouse by Anya Allyn 

They're both in the YA genre. Each features a female protagonist that doubles as a strong heroine. There's enough supernatural/fantasy to qualify as paranormal but not so much that it's full of world building explanations. 

I loved both. They aren't so similar that it's boring, no worries! 

Until tomorrow! READ. 

Day Two wrapped up last night. 

I read Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children. 

It was definitely a neat concept and the pictures were a fun addition. However, I was one of those people that didn't love it. I'm not sure if I'm going to read the next in the series...at least not right away. 

I have two books on Kindle on my list right now. "The Devil Stood Up" and "Fable." I know both of the authors so there is a theme there. 

I have a book on hold ready to pick up at the library. I have another that I requested last night so here's hoping it's ready soon. 

I'm trying to avoid burn out. 

It's hard. Which is SO WEIRD. I didn't used to experience reading burn out. I think screaming kids changes things....and the constant interruptions. 

So today I'm reading "The Devil Stood Up" and we'll go from there! Happy Reading!