Graphic Novel Review of Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur Vol.1: BFF by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare & Natacha Bustos

Read for: Graphic Novel Challenge

Synopsis: "LUNELLA LAFAYETTE IS AN INHUMAN PRETEEN GENIUS WHO WANTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD! 

That job would be a lot easier if she wasn't living in mortal fear of her latent Inhuman gene. There's no telling what she'll turn into - but Luna's got a plan. All she needs is an Omni-Wave Projector. Easy, right? That is, until a red-scaled beast is teleported from the prehistoric past to a far-flung future we call...today! Together they're the most Marvelous Team-Up of all - the Inhuman Moon Girl and time-tossed Devil Dinosaur! But will they be BFFs forever, or just until DD's dinner time? And Lunella soon learns that there are other problems with a having a titanic T. Rex as a pet in the modern-day Marvel Universe. School, for one. Monster hunters are another - especially when they're the Totally Awesome Hulk! Then there's the fact that everyone's favorite dino didn't journey through time alone. Beware the prehistoric savages known as the Killer-Folk - New York City's deadliest tourists! Can Lunella handle all this turmoil... and keep herself from transforming into an Inhuman monster?"

My Review: I found this idea intriguing, a genius girl teaming up with a dinosaur. It was fun and weird, but the right kind of weird. A different take on the super hero and I loved that idea. I was a little confused by the science/math element with the genetic element and what exactly is going on with that plot line, I am sure more will be explained in the next volume. I also was not a fan of the cavemen, nor was I entirely sure what they were after in their story line. But I am happy with the focus on Lunella and Devil Dinosaur, whom I absolutely love! The art style was a little busy for my liking but the bright colors really draws the eye.

My Rating: There were definitely parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't enjoy in this one, but all in all Lunella & Devil Dinosaur totally won me over.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Bedtime Story: RI Author Feature of Aine's Winter Walk by Ana S. Coffey & Gregory Coffey

Read for: RI Authors & Children's Book Challenge

Synopsis: "Join Aine on a wintry woodland adventure as she makes new friends, learns new things, and traces her path back to the greatest place of all ... home. This beautifully illustrated book features animal friends, colors, and memory elements to inspire early readers."

My Review: I picked this book up at a local author function, I was really attracted by the art style of the book. I kept waiting for the perfect time to read it with Munchkin but he ended up growing up too fast (doesn't that always happen), so I read it with one of my nieces. This story seems to take some inspiration for Going on a Bear Hunt, as Aine travels through the woods following a little red bird, she comes across various features and animals. It is a simple story, perfect for young readers, it does a great job of introducing colors and the names are written in the color as well to help make that connection. The illustrations are beautiful and soft with a pretty watercolor like effect. This is a great winter bedtime story to read with little ones.

My Rating: I wish I had read this with Munchkin right away when I had picked it up, I think it would have become one of his favorite books. I love the illustration style and the animals. The story is simple and soothing, perfect for bedtime.  I give it rating of Four Paws!

Ana S. Coffey is one of my local authors here in Rhode Island and the first to be featured in my RI author series for 2019 (in place of the RI Author Month).  

You can find out more about Ana S. Coffey and her book on her Website.

You can also purchase Aine's Winter Walk for yourself or a little one in your life at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or you can ask for your favorite independent bookstore to obtain a copy for you.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Review of Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Read for: Borrowed Books 

Synopsis: "In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary."

My Review: Katherine Applegate hits it out of the park again! I really loved the two previous books I have read, Home of the Brave & Wishtree, so really wanted to give this one a try and I am so glad I did. I loved the idea behind it, an imaginary friend returns to help Jackson through a tough time. I loved this look at how adult issues actually affect the whole family and the stress it puts on kids not to know what is going on. I really enjoyed the family connection between Jackson, his sister and their family, there are struggles within the family but they are still a unit. Crenshaw seems like a great imaginary friend, goofy yet serious when needed. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to share it with Munchkin!

My Rating:  I am officially adding Katherine Applegate to my favorite author list! I loved this one so much, it is a great one for parents and kids to read together, there is so much packed into this story, emotions, lessons, family connections, struggles and strengths. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!!

Top 5 Wednesday: Top Books on My TBR

Top 5 Wednesday is a group on Goodreads hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes on Youtube.

This week's topic is about the top 5 books on our TBR.  I am now doing a quarterly TBR on my living room bookshelf, I used to put a full year TBR on it but I have found that after seeing the same books all year, I would loose interest in them.

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A post shared by EasternSunsetReads (@easternsunset9) on Jan 1, 2019 at 4:28pm PST

So of those books on my TBR here are the Top 5 (that I haven't read yet since that picture was from January 1st).

This series has been hovering in the back of my mind for nearly 2 years now. Covers constantly caught my eye in the bookstore, then I broke down and purchased the first 3, then I started seeing people raving about them everywhere, and finally my husband gave me the 4th and final book in the series for Christmas. Time to pick up this intimidating series, but one I feel like I will really enjoy.



I received this one in a book box early last year and it seemed like a perfect fit for me, but it ended up getting buried on my shelves and forgotten.  I am not going to let that happen this year!

I picked this one up late in the year last year and it seems like a great way to break up all these big fantasy books, and that cover is just adorable!

Again, I received this in a book box (possibly 2 years ago), and I did a try a chapter on it last year and decided to keep it but save it for winter, well it is winter now and time to read it! Maybe pick up the second book too!

I can't remember what brought this book up, but I was recently talking about it here, and I suddenly found myself super hyped to read it again!




What books are screaming at you to pick them up?

Monday Reading List

It is Monday again, and time to update with what I read last week, what I am currently reading and what to look forward to next week.

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Royals by Rachel Hawkins
Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst
Birthright Vol. 1: Homecoming by Joshua Williamson (Graphic Novel)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Crenshaw
I'd Rather be Reading
Fire & Heist
Aine's Winter Walk
Rocket Writes a Story
Shadows from the Past
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Vol. 1

Currently Reading:

Deadly Identity by Lindsay McKenna - Kindle - 24%
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik - Audio Book - 36%

Pages Read/ Time Listened
40:31 Hours Listened (9:49 listened this week)
1,656 Pages Read (980 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
Dragon of Ash & Stars
The Snow Gypsy
Book Nerds & Boyfriends
WarDance
Warsong

The Only Harmless Great Thing

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I am finally getting back into the swing of things with my reading, I think I am almost over that post slump hump and back to my usual love of reading.  I haven't been as good about posting on here, I still have several reviews and discussions to post but I am trying to be okay with having days without posts, I hope you are all okay with that too. 

In other news, I am caught up at home and work for a change and with today being a holiday I am hoping to get caught up on my card orders! Finally feeling like I am nearly back on my feet!  After that winter storm yesterday, which we were fortunate and avoided the brunt of the storm, Munchkin and I are hunkering down for a warm day in our pjs.


Are you a winter weather lover or do you prefer to stay indoors once the snow starts falling?