Saturday, August 4, 2018

Arrg-ust Graphic Novel Review of Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter's Companion by Dugald A, Steer

Read for: Arrgust & Graphic Novel Challenge

Synopsis: "Aar! Hoist the sails for a lavish new discovery filled with treasures — a magnificent resource for pirate lovers everywhere. The eagerly awaited new title in the best-selling ’Ology series — more than 5 million sold worldwide!

Step lively, pirate foes and fanciers! Mysterious booty found inside a long-lost sea chest, hidden for hundreds of years off the coast of Newfoundland, has just been uncovered for your enjoyment. Within these covers is the fascinating eighteenth-century journal of Captain William Lubber, an earnest soul who sailed the seas in search of the vicious female pirate Arabella Drummond. Prepare for a mesmerizing tale of the golden age of piracy — from storm-tossed sailing ships to tantalizing treasure islands, from pirates’ flags and fashions to their wily weapons and wicked ways. An extraordinary find for pirateologists, here is a true and complete companion for the dedicated pirate hunter.

Pirateology’s special treasures include:
— a stunning cover bearing a working compass and glittering gems—treasure map with a missing piece — for the canny reader to find 
— multiple flaps, maps, charts, and booklets harboring codes and clues
— intricate drawings of ships’ interiors
— a packet of gold dust — a pocket sundial
— a cache of pirate letters, pieces of eight— and a jewel as a final reward"


My Review: I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book, but I had thought it was going to be more of a book for children. Kids could certainly enjoy it but they would need to be able to read cursive so probably 8+. For me this falls more under the category of Graphic novel, though it is a fun interactive format. The book is beautifully put together with so much to look at on each page and a lot of information, and as I said interactive elements. It does a great job of introducing both ship and seafaring terms as well as how pirates came to be and a few of their stories. All of these tidbits are woven into a story of chasing down pirate Arabella Drummond and bringing her to justice, the chase circles the globe and is a fun adventure.

My Rating: This was an entertaining book and I really enjoyed all the interactive elements. It also helped to clear up some of the terms I was running across in some of the other books I read recently (in particular parts of a ship). I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Arrg-ust Early Reader Bedtime Story: Riff Raff the Mouse Pirate by Susan Schade

Read for: Arrgust & Early Reader Challenge

Synopsis: "Ahoy, mateys . . . and mice! Riff Raff the Mouse Pirate is setting off on a treasure hunt with his cheese-loving crew, but before they can find the treasure, the bold swashbucklers must find the missing clue!

With colorful, detailed illustrations from Anne Kennedy and lively text from Susan Schade, Riff Raff the Mouse Piratestrengthens reading skills for beginning readers and young buccaneers. The mouse pirates use rhyming words to find their destinations, which help early readers recognize phonics sounds!"

My Review: I was on the hunt for some fun pirate books for Munchkin that he could read on his own but weren't to scary, Riff Raff really fit that bill. This was entertaining for both myself and Munchkin. It was easy enough for him to read mostly on his own with only a little assistance with some of the pirate terms (and what they meant). It had simple words and focused on a particular set of letters, but without sounding like teaching. The rhyming and repetition also really helped Munchkin gain confidence as the story went on. Parents will get a kick out of each of the mice being named after a type of cheese. This was a fun story to share and I hope to track down some more Riff Raff books.

My Rating: We both had a lot of fun with this book, it was quirky and fun but still easy enough for Munchkin to read mostly on his own. We give it a rating of Four Paws!


Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Arrg-ust Kick Off



I have been hinting at this for a while now, that I had big plans for August, and now it is finally here! Throughout the month of August I will be sharing a variety of pirate themed books, everything from Children's books to Fantasy to Romance to Classics and more!

I will have a few other non-pirate books scattered throughout the month for blog tours too for those of you who aren't into pirate stories. 

So I hope you will all stop and enjoy!

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

July 2018 Challenge Update & August TBR

Yikes! Summer is almost over already for me! We are already in August which is an especially busy month with vacation, our annual summer party, Munchkin's birthday party and Munchkin starting 1st grade! With preparing for everything coming up in the next few months, I was actually really surprised with how much reading I got done in July.  Shall we take a look?  (I am still really behind on reviews but I will list them all and add links to the books I have reviewed).

Children's Book Challenge: COMPLETE
30 - 40 books


35. Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse
36. It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
37. The Cookie Fiasco


Early Reader Challenge:
30-40 books


Graphic Novel Challenge:
23-28 books

Audio Book Challenge: COMPLETE
28-32 books

Classics Challenge: COMPLETE
5 books (1 re-read)
NONE


Series Challenge: COMPLETE
4 full series & 6 duologies
Memoirs of Lady Trent Series (5 books & 1 novella): Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 3.5Book 4Book 5 - COMPLETE
Butler VT/Green Mountain Series (9 books & 2 novellas): (Books 1-3 read in 2017) Book 4Book 4.5Book 5Book 6Book 7Book 8 Book 9 - COMPLETE (currently through 2018)
Nevernight Chronicles (2 books so far): Book 1Book 2, - COMPLETE (currently through 2018)
Winternight Trilogy (3 books): Book 1Book 2
Unicorn's Secret (8 books): Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 4
Ree Verakai Duology (2 books): Book 1Book 2 - COMPLETE
Ixian Chronicles: Book 1
The Selection Series (5 books & collection of novellas): Book 1Book 2Book 3
Kingdom of Wrenly (13 books so far): Book 1Book 2Book 3Book 4Book 5Book 6Book 7Book 8Book 9Book 10Book 11Book 12Book 13 - COMPLETE (currently)
Compass Boys Series (4 Books): Book 1Book 2Book 3
Daughter of the Pirate King ( 2 Books): Book 1Book 2 - COMPLETE
Six of Crows (2 Books): Book 1Book 2 - COMPLETE
Mask of Shadows (2 Books): Book 1,
Sin du Jour Series (7 books & 1 novella): Book 1Book 2Book 1.5Book 3Book 4, Book 5
Wayward Children Series (3 books currently): Book 1Book 2Book 3 - COMPLETE (through 2018)
Girl from Everywhere Duology (2 books): Book 1Book 2 - COMPLETE
High Seas & High Stakes (2 books): Bind Up - COMPLETE



Requested Reviews:
No more than 25
14. Fawkes
15. Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse


TBR Challenge:
50-75 books that I already own as of 12/31/2017


Books Added to Shelves in 2018:
As I read the books I purchase this year I will add a link (I will also note the month they were purchased/ read)


1. Plague of Giants (Jan./April)
2. Moonsilver (Jan./ Jan.)
3. Silver Thread (Jan./Jan.)
4. The Silver Bracelet (Jan./ Jan.)
5. Mountains of the Moon (Jan./ Feb.)
6. Practical Magic (Jan./)
7. I Love My Love (Jan./ Feb.)
9. Gods of the North (Jan./March)
10. We Have Always Lived in a Castle (Jan./)
12. Heart on Fire (Jan./ Jan.)
13.To the Sky Kingdom (Feb./ )
15. Letters from Wolfie (Feb./March )
16. Ketchup Clouds (Feb./ )
17. Dead Man's Walk (Feb./ )
18. Luck Love and Lemon Pie (Feb./ )
19. Beartown (Feb./ )
21. Listen, Slowly (Feb./March) - DNF
22. Ravenous (Feb./ ) - UNHAUL
23. Monstrous (Feb./March )
24. The Astounding Broccoli Boy (Feb./March )
25. Terrier (Feb./ )
26. Lonesome Dove (Feb./ )
27. As Brave as You (Feb./ March )
28. Smuggler's Run (Feb./Feb. )
29. The Lost Stone (Feb./March )
30. The Scarlet Dragon (Feb./ March)
31. Sea Monster (Feb./March )
32. Daughter of the Pirate King (Feb./May )
33. The Wolves of Winter (Feb./ May )
34. Heaven on Earth (Feb./ Feb. )
35. Into the Fire (Feb./ March)
36. Still Waters (Feb./April )
37. Red Sister (March/March)
38. Reflections of Yesterday (March/)
39. Sleeping Giants (March/May)
40. Heir to the Jedi (March/April)
41. Jedi Search (March/)
42. Heart of Iron (March/April)
43. Here Comes the Sun (March/April)
44. Hermes: Tales of the Trickster (March/ March)
45. The Witches Curse (March/March)
46. Emma's Dream (March/May)
47. Eko (March/June)
48. Star Wars: Moving Target (March/May)
49. Caging Merrow (March/)
50. The Fifth Season (March/)
51. His Dark Endeavor (March/)
52. The Traveling Cat Chronicles (March/July)
53. Greedy Pigs (March/ July) *
54. Lustlocked (March/June)
55. Black Powder War (March/)
56. Throne of Jade (March/)
57. The Scandalous Mackenzies (March/)
58. The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (March/)
59. The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (March/)
60. Lady Castle (March/May)
61. Frankenstein Alive, Alive (March/)
62. Frankenstein Alive Alive Trio (March/)
63. Long Walk to Valhalla (March/April)
64. Hard to Serve (March/)
65. Mastering Her Senses (March/)
66. Theirs to Take (March/)
67. The Sapphire Affair (March/May)
68. The Joy of Less (April/May)
69. Nightblade's Vengeance (April/)
70. Circe (April/ May)
71. Tomorrowland (April/)
72. The Wolf (April/)
73. My Lady's Choosing (April/)
74. Sweet Dreams, Sweet Death (April/May)
75. Sky in the Deep (April/April)
76. Beyond the Darkened Shore (April/)
77. Defiant Heir (April/)
78. True North (May/)
79. The Sorting Room (May/ )
80. Lost Stars (May/ )
82. Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day (May/)
83. Frankenstein Dreams (May/)
84. The Belgaraid (May/)
85. The Rhode Island Short Story Club presents The Club (May/June) *
86. Death Sworn (May/)
87. Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr. Moreau (May/)
89. Prince of Persia (May/July)
90. Zenith (May/ )
91. In the Heart of the Sea (May/ )
92. The Queen of Sorrow (May/ )
93. I Capture the Castle (May/ June)
94. Cruel Prince (May/)
95. Onyx & Ivory (May/) Unhaul
96. Princesses Behaving Badly (May/)
97. Fight for Everything (May/)
98. Catching Stars (May/)
99. Light as Air (May/)
100. Marriage Arrangement (May/May)
101. Furyborn (May/)
102. Sweet Tea & Sympathy (May/)
103. Half Drowned King (May/)
104. A Reaper at the Gates (June/June)
105. The Orphan Queen (June/ )
106. The Mirror King (June/ )
107. The Thief (June/ )
108. The Queen of Attolia (June/ )
109. King of Attolia (June/ )
110. A Conspiracy of Kings(June/ )
111. Pride's Spell(June/June)
112. Idle Ingredients(June/June)
113. Guardian of Whills(June/ )
114. Such Wicked Intent(June/ )
115. The Girl From Everywhere(June/July ) 
116. The Ship Beyond Time(June/July ) 
117. And I Darken(June/ )
118. Frostbite(June/ )
119. The Assassin's Curse(June/ )
120. The Pirate's Wish(June/ )
121. Pirateology(June/July)
123. Memoirs of Elizabeth Frankenstein(June/ )
124. Every Heart a Doorway(June/ July)
125. The Tiger's Daughter (July/July)
126. Grace & Fury(July/July) 
127. LifeL1k3(July/)
128. Sweet Black Waves(July/)
129. The Bird and the Blade(July/)
130. The Slow Regard of Silent Things(July/)
131. The False Fairy(July/July) 
132. The Sorcerer's Shadow(July/July) 
133. The Thirteenth Knight(July/July) 
134. Waking Gods(July/)
135. Alone(July/July) 
136. You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone(July/)
137. Now I Rise (July/ )
138. Gunslinger Girl (July/)



March Reading Stats:
I read a total of 32 books this month
5,011 pages read and 0 days, 19 hours and 30 minutes of listening


Resolutions Check in:
1. Read Less Books: I definitely read far more books this month than I did last year, oops - :(
2. Be More aware while reading: I have really been getting better at this, sometimes I am not able to sticky the physical books but I have been taking pictures of favorite quotes. Also buddy reading really helped this month too.- CHECK
3. Read More Chunky Books (12 books over 450 pages in 2018): Tome Topple finished up at the beginning of the month so I finished Tiger's Daughter at 500+ and then at the end of the month I finished the audio books for the Girl From Everywhere Series, both of which are 450+ books- CHECK
4. Use Library & Overdrive more: I borrowed 1 book that I did not own from the library but Munchkin has used the library like crazy with over 10 books!- CHECK
5. Purge & Re-organize shelves: I have started reorganizing some of my shelves this month and have collected most of my signed books on their own shelf. I have also been selling or trading a few books through Facebook, I may do a big #booksfortrade post here at the beginning of September to clear out my shelves a bit more. - CHECK


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really haven't stuck to my TBR in the last month but this month will probably be a little different since much of the time will be spent using audio books and on vacation so my selection will be somewhat more limited.  I also have a couple of Challenges and Readathons going on this month. First is the BibliophilePrints on Instagram has a month long readathon/challenge happening, and then Bout of Books is scheduled for the week of the 20th-26th (which coincides with vacation and summer party & munchkin's birthday so my participation will be limited and I won't be posting updates here, maybe on instagram depending on wifi). But anyway I still have a big ole stack of books to read in August!


 Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller
Books 6 & 7 of the Sin du Jour Series by Matt Wallace
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker
The Assassin's Curse and The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Isle of Blood and Bone by Makiia Lucier
Through the Fire by Katie Ruggle
Brave Enough by Kati Gardner
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster by Jonathan Auxier
World Mythology in Bite-Sized Chunks by Mark Daniels
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
Letters to Sam by Daniel Gottlieb
Sierra by Ray K. Anderson
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
The Conquerer's Saga by Kiersten White
The Queens of Renthia Series by Sarah Beth Durst


  What books are you reading this month? How are your challenges progressing? Any one you are going to focus on?




Monday, July 30, 2018

Monday Reading List



Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!




Reviews Posted Last Week:
Links will take you to my review

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
The Tiger's Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera
Snail Mail by Samantha Berger (Bedtime Story)


 Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

Waiting for Unicorns
The Girl from Everywhere
Greedy Pigs
False Fairy
Sorcerer's Shadow
The Thirteenth Knight
Traveling Cat Chronicles
Riff Raff the Pirate Mouse
Alone
Nate the Great
Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse


Currently Reading:

Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller - Print - on page 36 of  416
The Ship from Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig - Multiple Formats - on page 192 of 456




Pages Read/ Time Listened
373:50 Hours Listened (10:08 listened this week)
26,371 Pages Read (1,616 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson
To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi
Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry
Luck Love and Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Reflections of Yesterday by Debbie Macomber
Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson
Eko by Loren Walker
Caging the Merrow by Heather Rigney
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Opel
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
Greedy Pigs by Matt Wallace
Lustlocked by Matt Wallace
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
The Scandalous MacKenzies by Jennifer Ashley
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
The Stolen Mackenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley
Frankenstein Alive! Alive! Trio by Steve Niles
Frankenstein, Alive! Alive! #4 by Steve Niles
Hard to Serve by Laura Kaye
Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye
Theirs to Take by Laura Kaye
Nightblade's Vengeance by Ryan Kirk
Circe by Madeline Miller
Tomorrowland by Steven Kotler
The Wolf by Leo Carew
My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran & Larissa Zageris
Beyond the Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
Defiant Heir by Melissa Caruso
True North by Marie Force
The Sorting Room by Angelina Singer
Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
Frankenstein Dreams by Michael Sims
The Belgaraid by David Eddings
The Rhode Island Short Story Club presents The Club
Death Sworn by Leah Cypess
Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr. Moreau by Guy Adams
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
Prince of Persia by Jordan Mencher
Zenith by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsay Cummings
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett UNHAULED
Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
The Marriage Arrangement by Jennifer Probst
Fight for Everything by Laura Kaye
Catching Stars by Cayla Keenan
Light as Air by Mari Carr
Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Sweet Tea and Sympathy by Molly Harper
Half Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner
Pride's Spell by Matt Wallace 
Idle Ingredients by Matt Wallace
Guardian of Whills by Greg Rucka
Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Opal
The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig
And I Darken by Kiersten White
Frostbite by Joshua Williamson
The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Pirateology by Dugald Steer
Polly and the Pirates: Vol. 1 by Ted Naifeh
Memoirs of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Theodore Roszak
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
The Tiger's Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera
Grace & Fury by Tracy Banghart
LifeL1k3 by Jay Kristoff
Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Perez
The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
The False Fairy by Jordan Quinn
The Sorcerer's Shadow by Jordan Quinn
The Thirteenth Knight by Jordan Quinn
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel
Alone by Chaboute
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, I had quite a reading week last week! I wasn't expecting it to be such a great one with everything going on but the relaxed tone of the Dewey's Reverse Readathon on Friday night - Saturday really gave me the boost I needed.  Now I really need to get caught up on reviews! I have let that slide a little bit over the past couple of weeks.  I also had a sudden influx of emails from authors and publishers that I need to respond to (if you are waiting for a response please be patient I will do my best to respond to all messages this week).

In the mean time, I have a bunch more reading to get done over the next week or so and a lot of posts to schedule for while I am on vacation.  I have some really great plans for August for the blog and I hope it will keep you all entertained while I am away for a bit on a family vacation.

Now I have to get back to work to finish my big projects and files there so I can actually go on vacation!