Bedtime Story: The Boring Book by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Read for: Children's Book Challenge 2019

Synopsis: "The Boring Book is a humorous picture book that follows the story of one particularly bored boy.

As the story progresses, our protagonist discovers there's actually more to boredom than what meets the eye—more questions, more theories, and heaps of humor.

This exploration of boredom from acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake playfully—and hilariously—unpacks the ways in which a seemingly stagnant state is actually a portal into a dynamic, life-enriching experience.

• Embraces the topic of boredom—an ever-so-popular kid complaint—and runs with it

• The unique comic format, fast pace, smart humor, and narrative approach makes it ideal for reluctant readers

• A universally hilarious book that will amuse children ages 5 to 8, as well as adults

In addition to banishing boredom, Yoshitake's distinctive illustrations promote visual literacy and show young readers what the process of creative thinking looks like.

This smart, laugh-out-loud picture book just might change your child's perspective on the state of boredom forever.

• A wonderful gift for parents, teachers, educators, librarians, caregivers, and anyone who has to answer to the statement "I'm bored!"

• Perfect for readers of early chapter books

• Great for fans of the Fox & Chick series by Sergio Ruzzier, Waiting Is Not Easy! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems, and I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black."

My Review I don't know about anyone else, but my kid has hit this point in the holiday vacation, not even all his new toys, books or games can keep him entertained. I picked up this book thinking it would be a great way for him to think about why he is bored and how to stop being bored on his own. It wasn't quiet what I expected but it did spark some conversations about what he thinks is boring and why it is boring but didn't quite get into how to go about not being bored. It is a cute book with cute illustrations but not quite what I was looking for and honestly didn't lead to any less boredom in my house.

My Rating: The synopsis of this book really promises a lot and it didn't quite deliver. It is a great book for beginning the process of thinking about boredom and what makes kids bored but it doesn't really offer any solutions or ideas.  It also is set up like a picture book but is far beyond that target audience's comprehension.  Sadly, I give it a rating of Two Paws.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Review of Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Read for: Requested Review/Netgalley

Synopsis: "Game of Thrones meets Red Rising in a debut young adult fantasy that's full of rivalry, romance... and dragons.

Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders.

Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn’t be more different. Annie’s lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee’s aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.

But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.

With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he’s come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.

From debut author Rosaria Munda comes a gripping adventure that calls into question which matters most: the family you were born into, or the one you’ve chosen."

My Review:  This book sounded so intriguing, I don't think we get enough books that take place after a revolution, that difficult time with changing views and power struggles. This was a bit of a slow story to read, even for being a fantasy book with dragons and a decent amount of action. It did get a bit confusing with the flash backs and different points of view. With that said once I was able to really settle in and fully immerse myself in the story, I really enjoyed it. I loved the way Munda brought in blood family versus found family and the differences of class both before the revolution and after. The conclusion is satisfying and could be read as a standalone but I want to know more because you know there is more coming.

My Rating: I really struggled to get into this book, it was slow moving with a lot of jumps in point of view and flash backs.  It didn't quite deliver on what it was compared to but it is still a solid debut fantasy.  I wish it hadn't been so focused on the romance element that wasn't even really a romance. With that said it was still a good book once I was able to find the time to really immerse myself in the world and story.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Rosaria Munda and her Aurelian Series on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Fireborne was released in October 2019 and you can now obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

It's Not 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

Let it Snow by Nancy Thayer
One Wild Christmas by Nicholas Oldland (Bedtime Story)
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman
Heartsong's Missing Foal by Whitney Sanderson
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy (Graphic Novel)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Fireborne
The Boring Book
Dreaming the Bear

Currently Reading:

By Design by J. Boykin Baker - Audio - 10%
Risk It All by Katie Ruggle - Ebook - on page 26 of 352

Pages Read/ Time Listened
571:19 Hours Listened (None listened this week)
34,439 Pages Read (664 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
WarDance
Warsong

Year One
Girl Who Drank the Moon
King of Scars
Dactyl Hill Squad
The Darkdeep - UNHAUL
Lord of the Fading Lands

 Crown of Feathers

 Argos: The Story of Odysseus as told by his Loyal Dog

Shadow of Doubt
Gates of Stone
A Conspiracy of Truths
Viper
Vortex Visions - UNHAUL
Through the White Wood
Descendant of the Crane
Dark Harmony
The Sea Queen
The Mountain of Kept Memory
Metamorphica - UNHAUL
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 1
Misfits of Avalon Vol. 2
The Sea King
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Force of Attraction - UNHAUL
Primal Force - UNHAUL
Rival Forces - UNHAUL
A Rogue by Any Other Name
A Scot in the Dark
The Day of the Duchess
The Pirate Bride
Man Made Boy
Dear Santa
An Endless Christmas
Christmas Magic
Falling Softly
Christmas Town
The Christmas Star
We Hunt the Flame
Romanov - UNHAUL
Dreaming the Bear
Monsters
Ghostly Tales from the Lost Summer of 1816
Storm and Fury - UNHAUL
Honeybees and Frenemies
Master & Apprentice
The Chosen
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Mortal Engines
Evvie Drake Starts Over
Merciful Crow - UNHAUL
The Bridge Kingdom
Darkdawn
A Crash of Fate
Black Spire
The Testaments - UNHAUL
The Warrior Moon
Ink
Molly and the Cat Cafe
Plum Crazy Vol. 2
Plum Crazy Vol. 3
Plum Crazy Vol. 4
The White Christmas Inn
There Will Come a Darkness
Shadow Frost
How to Love a Duke in 10 Days
How to Catch a Wicked Viscount
Faker
Three Days on a Train
Destiny of the Wolf
Leave the Lights On
Marshmallows and Mistletoe
Cocoa & Carols
The Prince's Son
At Last
The Last Huntsman
Forgotten Love
Mae's Cafe
Within the Captain's Hold
Elusive Dreams
Christmas & Cannolis
Fated Mates
Take My Breath Away
Stolen by the Viking
Destroyed by Magic
Abducted by Magic
Rise Like a Goddess
Out Like a Goddess
Finding Her Dragons
Freeing Her Dragons
When the Lady Lies
The Bromance Book Club
Christmas Camp
Cowboy, It's Cold Outside
His Cowboy Heart
Pride and Prometheus
Stone Cold Cowboy
Sugar
The Belgariad Vol. 2
The Mad Scientists Daughter
The Season of Us
The Way Home
The Good Ones
The Christmas Keeper
Royal Holiday
A Royal Christmas Wish
A Piece of the World - UNHAUL
All I Want for Christmas is a Werewolf
The Boy The Mole The Fox and the Horse
The Very Very Far North
Little Women
Secret Sisters
Love and Other Consolation Prizes - UNHAUL
Not the Girl You Marry
For the Killing of Kings
Something Red
Darien
Shiang
Spine of the Dragon
The Blackest Heart
The Queen of Swords
The Stone in the Skull
The Winter of Ice and Iron
Black Storm Comin'
Dragonshadow
Skinner Luce
The Summer Dragon
Winter of the Witch

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I know it isn't Monday, but I had the day off yesterday and while I had planned on getting on here to post, Munchkin kept me far too busy!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday week last week.  While I enjoy the holiday season, I am so glad to see this one done and over with.  I am ready to get back to a somewhat normal schedule and house. 

I know we are also on the brink of the new year, and normally I would be posting my end of year wrap ups and plans for the new year this week, but I did a really poor job of tracking my reading this year and have yet to compile all of the stats.  I also haven't really finalized my plans for next year yet either.  I hope in the coming week I will be able to get all those much awaited posts up for you. 

In the mean time, I have a few reviews to post.  I definitely took on a lot of requested reviews for January and February, more than I had intended but so many of my highly anticipated books are coming out in these months! So I have a lot of books to read very quickly. I also went on a bit of a shopping spree on Boxing Day, thanks to Book Outlet and while the order hasn't come in yet, I have added those books to my purchased list for this year (I honestly didn't want to mess up my new year purchasing plan right out of the gate).


Wishing you all a safe and wonderful New Year!