tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87901303293921516482024-03-12T19:38:23.376-04:00Midnight Book GirlReading books until the midnight hour!Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215470960021838261noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-89724799952949690142022-11-26T09:41:00.003-05:002022-11-26T09:41:24.049-05:00My 2023 Christopher Pike Challenge<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> I'm baaaaaaack! We'll see for how long, but I won't be making a lot of noise about this unless I become consistent. Or I start Vlogging. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm also doing a self challenge to re-read and review all of Christopher Pike's books in 2023- although anyone can join. I've been busy scooping up old copies of titles I don't already have, and I think I have them all now or at least on their way. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqDky5r8TUi0tvcW1Q2uOEkYBaOChVI87p0BCT_BzsS0tqQH3U-o4RqmjCsjedAMMQ6YQkL-lyQqqDEu8-IiFEiNPwU3Tm_i_wIDY64inEuPO5FMjscViiHtl50CGDzvZk3clgXCQAD143lDzc0TUQlMwyFJ76hjaafMH_CvEobRMn1-oDBalriHl8A/s1080/Pikeathon2023%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqDky5r8TUi0tvcW1Q2uOEkYBaOChVI87p0BCT_BzsS0tqQH3U-o4RqmjCsjedAMMQ6YQkL-lyQqqDEu8-IiFEiNPwU3Tm_i_wIDY64inEuPO5FMjscViiHtl50CGDzvZk3clgXCQAD143lDzc0TUQlMwyFJ76hjaafMH_CvEobRMn1-oDBalriHl8A/w400-h400/Pikeathon2023%20(1).png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My plan is to read the books in order of publication year (not too concerned about necessarily reading them in month/year order because that would require more research than I feel like putting into the project). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Christopher Pike Books</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Slumber Party</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting Even (Cheerleaders #2)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Weekend</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Tachyon Web</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chain Letter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spellbound</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last Act</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gimme a Kiss</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Final Friends #1 The Party</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Final Friends #2 The Dance</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Final Friends #3 The Graduation</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scavenger Hunt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember Me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall Into Darkness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">See You Later</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sati</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Witch</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Die Softly</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bury Me Deep</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whisper of Death</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Season of Passage</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Master of Murder</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirteen (Collection)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Monster</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chain Letter 2: Ancient Evil</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Road to Nowhere</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Eternal Enemy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Immortal</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wicked Heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Midnight Club</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Listeners</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember Me 2: The Return</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire #2: Bad Blood</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cold One</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lost Mind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Visitor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember Me 3: The Last Story</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire #3: Red Dice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Starlight Crystal</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire #4: Phantom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire #5: Evil Thirst</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire #6: Creatures of Forever</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Star Group</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Execution of Innocence</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tales of Terror #1</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hollow Skull</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Magic Fire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tales of Terror #2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Grave </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Blind Mirror</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Falling</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirst No. 3</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Secret of Ka</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thrist No. 4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Witch World #1: Red Queen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thirst No. 5</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Witch World #2: Black Knight</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Strange Girl</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm not including the Spooksville books or the Alosha series, although I may read them. I prefer to focus on his YA and Adult novels. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you do want to join:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Participation Levels:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Slumber Party</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 1-3 Pike books</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chain Letter</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 3-8 Pike Books</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Star Group</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 8-15 Pike books</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spellbound</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 15-25 Pike Books</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fall Into Darkness</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 25-35 Pike books</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Midnight Club</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read 36 plus</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Last Vampire</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Read them all!</span></p>Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-53318593935961530292020-06-22T07:27:00.000-04:002020-06-22T07:27:54.188-04:00The Midnight Weekly Book Report 06/14-06/20<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCixwZSXg08Vr9HC7EbwzHRX0AEMYVcwk6eyzOVzV0T0dX6OFEipIs5LDwEAOqub3HB1A1wSpYkBnIH-LlykkKTkU3mJnTEdKOi1g77RbYjw6Hk9XsMvRRr5EJxupvYhzq440QKUYxQGD/s1210/WeeklyBookReport06202020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1210" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCixwZSXg08Vr9HC7EbwzHRX0AEMYVcwk6eyzOVzV0T0dX6OFEipIs5LDwEAOqub3HB1A1wSpYkBnIH-LlykkKTkU3mJnTEdKOi1g77RbYjw6Hk9XsMvRRr5EJxupvYhzq440QKUYxQGD/w625-h625/WeeklyBookReport06202020.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I skipped a few weeks, but I'll probably put them up at some point because I do have the lovely graphics already made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first book finished this past week was a TBR book- When You Were Everything that deals with the dissolution of a friendship. It's sad and honest and heartbreaking but also hopeful. Sometimes we lose friends, even best friends, and it sucks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I re-read My Friend Dahmer- a graphic novel written and illustrated by a high school friend of serial killer and cannibal Jeffery Dahmer- for our True Crime book club. It was a great discussion! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feral Youth was another TBR book, and it was good. It's about a group of kids at one of those camps they send troublemakers to, a kind of last resort. Turned loose in the wilderness, the kids begin to tell stories, and the cool thing is that the stories are all told by different authors. Most of the stories were good and a few were just so so. A very cool premise though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Waking Dead is a book I picked up at a past Book Expo because my friend Pam, Midnyte Reader, recommended it. Due to my ability to listen to audiobooks so much faster, I've been using Libby and Hoopla to get to my TBR. The Waking Dead was awesome and violent and reads a bit like a YA version of Under the Dome, but with a much better ending. Glad I made time for it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and White Supremacy was also on my TBR shelves- I had the physical book after attending an author dinner while at SIBA, and an audio version on my Libro FM TBR. The book is based on a series of Instagram posts Layla Saad did and is intended as a kind of workbook. So even though I listened to it, I'm now going back with the physical book to do the journaling aspects, and the actual work the author assigns. It's a tough read because it challenges the reader to really look at their complacency with white supremacy and white privilege, and do the work to do better. To become a better ancestor. As a human of this world, and particularly as a resident of the US in the present, I want to do my part to stamp out racism and leave a better future for all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If They Come For Us is another book from my TBR, and it's lovely, fierce, bold poetry. I listened to it on audio, but I'm glad I have an eArc to look up some of my favorite poems. And I'd probably recommend it in physical form although the narration is lovely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally finished the Jackaby series!! I really liked this series, although I'm sad to see it over. Again, this was also on my TBR. Love the audiobooks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, Exorsisters, Vol. 1. I had a spectacularly crappy week at work for the most part, so this is what I needed to end the week on. The comics feature Cate and Kate Harrow, who help rescue people from Hell and all manner of demon shenanigans. Think female Supernatural, but in this Cate and Kate aren't actual sisters- Cate's mom sold her daughter's soul, and years later Cate got it back in the form of Kate. Spending all that time in hell made the two fairly different, but together they make a hell of a team. Pun totally intended. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that was my week in books! How was yours?</div>Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-44855196832300433572020-05-30T23:36:00.001-04:002020-05-30T23:36:05.533-04:00The Midnight Weekly Book Report 5/24-5/30<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi723gzT5hcCqxKt8NaElJ_Bm9eZeno4mz4st8cXTdzyqT6CuUZqid0jv1yN0MXIxR0-AxqJqNriD3gmdU36v51s7koxRC-2frBWO5mEHRtFdUQjDO34dZLUwAhO0LdmhGdsAEmgk8IRKEG/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi723gzT5hcCqxKt8NaElJ_Bm9eZeno4mz4st8cXTdzyqT6CuUZqid0jv1yN0MXIxR0-AxqJqNriD3gmdU36v51s7koxRC-2frBWO5mEHRtFdUQjDO34dZLUwAhO0LdmhGdsAEmgk8IRKEG/w640-h640/WeeklyBookReport05302020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You're probably wandering 2 things. Like, what is she doing, posting twice in one month! And, does she know it's not Halloween? And she should probably stop referring to herself in third person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I didn't plan to read this many Halloween-ish titles, it just happened. But since it is my favorite holiday, I just went with that theme for the graphics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares was a fantastic book, and I'm mad at myself for not reading it sooner!! Is Esther's family truly cursed by Death to know how they will die, or just a mentally unstable group that needs intense therapy? It was quirky and funny and sad and lovely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires was a re-read, this time on audio (narrated by the amazing Bahni Turpin), and I loved it even more the second time around. I also realized that there are definitely members of my own book clubs that I could count on to slay vampires with me should the need ever arise (from the grave! Muhahahahaha). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Season of the Witch is an eArc that will be out September 1st. It's a great overview of the history of witches and witchcraft through the ages and through different civilizations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jar of Hearts was also a TBR read, and it is dark and twisted, ya'll! So, naturally, I liked it. It was my first Jennifer Hillier but it won't be my last! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Undead Girl Gang, another TBR read, and another book I'm kicking myself for not getting to sooner. I really loved the snark and mystery and the power of teenage witches and zombies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Low, Low Woods is a graphic novel eArc I finished, also coming out in September. I believe there are comics of the individual issues available, but I personally always wait for the collection. Set in the Pennsylvania town of Shudder-To-Think (I know it sounds like a ridiculous town name, but feel free to browse the terrible and wacky names of some actual Pennsylvania towns like Intercourse, Blue Ball, and Bird-in-Hand), El and Vee are besties in failed mining town. This is part horror, part sci-fi, and bad things happen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Companion comes out in August, and my coworker at the bookstore urged me to read it because of our shared love of all things V.C. Andrews. No, there's no rapey incest here, but the book hits the gothic high notes in just the right way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I finished The City in the Middle of the Night shortly before Saturday turned into Sunday. We're discussing it today for an online book club meeting for our new sci-fi/horror book club. I'm not sure I loved it, but I can't wait to talk about it, so I'm thinking that's all good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've barely started the 3 in progress, but we'll see if they show up on next week's report. I've been DNFing a lot more books lately. I just don't have time for boring reads right now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also signed up for a Litsy Challenge called #ReadYourSign and I put together a tentative reading pile for it: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dsgpBJ88wiot8unf8TDmkjo0MzeWvC4s0qe_WoWylLdZpflCiHlI1hsqgo-jDYMDMXmHzUKoZCONmz854nIXFQU75cymnFdj8uYB6-_YC1k6SV9NPH_r2zcRiE9xR4aLr9gRLHuMRzld/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dsgpBJ88wiot8unf8TDmkjo0MzeWvC4s0qe_WoWylLdZpflCiHlI1hsqgo-jDYMDMXmHzUKoZCONmz854nIXFQU75cymnFdj8uYB6-_YC1k6SV9NPH_r2zcRiE9xR4aLr9gRLHuMRzld/w640-h640/ReadYourSignTBR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's 15 prompts relating to your sign, and I've committed to trying to hit at least 7 of the 15. These are all of my TBR piles, so that's a huge win for me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font color="#3367d6" size="4"><b>Happy Reading! </b></font></div>Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-75904781724754280912020-05-26T07:23:00.003-04:002020-05-26T07:23:43.820-04:00The Midnight Weekly Book Report 5/17-5/23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnr22H1bnmnSx-OHPfxwlMpFY9_JqzH3MmXkn3O5n532UNpD67qgzGSbXTXDDO7Fej2t0vK7sdWRZWr2cVGpWVLdTvr8FWZ-hD08LeE6hlFz1nYRXblFt6ENvI5tkkeAjT_ZKb-S_WMMd/s1600/WeeklyBookReport05232020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnr22H1bnmnSx-OHPfxwlMpFY9_JqzH3MmXkn3O5n532UNpD67qgzGSbXTXDDO7Fej2t0vK7sdWRZWr2cVGpWVLdTvr8FWZ-hD08LeE6hlFz1nYRXblFt6ENvI5tkkeAjT_ZKb-S_WMMd/s640/WeeklyBookReport05232020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey, all! It's been a loooooong time. But I thought I might try at least posting my Weekly Book Reports that I make for Litsy. No promises though!<br />
<br />
This past week was my birthday week, and I took some time off from work. Since last I posted, I still work at the bookstore, but all of my job consists of online book clubs and reports because my full time job now is as an Activities Coordinator for a memory unit in an assisted living facility. We've been lucky since the Covid-19 outbreak, but you can probably guess that my job has been stressful as heck. So I rented the farmhouse the Hubs and I went to for our last anniversary, packed up the dog, and a whole lot of books!<br />
<br />
It was lovely! The first couple of days were cold, so I had a fire going, but then the sun came out. There's lots of farm animals around, and this time there was a peacock couple who strutted around the entire time. Peacocks are loud, ya'll, but so pretty!<br />
<br />
I finally made time for Illuminae and really liked it! It's been sitting on my TBR since May 2015! I hope to read the next book in less than five years from now. ;) I liked the sci-fi tale, but it was really the strange disease outbreak on the ship and the AI that made the story for me. Also, I liked that it was told through emails and reports and online communications.<br />
<br />
Almost Just Friends is the fourth Wildstone book and maybe my favorite. The main character is Piper, an older sister who has made sacrifice after sacrifice for her younger siblings and is just on the brink of doing something for herself when both her siblings return home. Each of them is dealing with their own issues, and it's just a great book. But still fun and sexy when it's not being poignant and sweet.<br />
<br />
Witchtown is another TBR lingerer- from Edelweiss. For the past few months I've been using Hoopla and Libby to get through my Edelweiss TBR... it probably doesn't help that I'm constantly adding new ones, but that's the bookwrym life ya'll. Although I feel like the cover screams Middle Grade, Witchtown is YA and I really liked it. Macie and her mom are the witch equivalent to grifters- they ride into towns, rob them blind, erase their existence, and move on. Only Witchtown feels different to Macie. It's here that she starts to question the way things have always been and tries to tap into her power to make a stand. <br />
<br />
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab doesn't come out until October, but, ya'll, it's AMAZING!!! I think it's Schwab's masterpiece, and that's saying a lot. Addie LaRue is born in France in the 1700's and accidentally prays to the wrong god at the wrong time, and ends up with the freedom she longs for with a healthy dose of immortality. But of course there's a catch- no one can ever remember her. As she goes through the centuries, she endures a lot, and her story is unputdownable. LOVED.<br />
<br />
I picked The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes for the bookstore's YA book club, but I had my reservations about a book featuring Snow. I ended up loving it. I really hope Collins writes more prequels. Please, give us Haymitch!!<br />
<br />
Likely Stories is a graphic novel of Neil Gaiman's that I've had awhile. It's good, a bit heavy on the dude side, but I loved the idea of the club where people go to drink and tell stories.<br />
<br />
Paperbacks from Hell was another Edelweiss TBR book, and I have a physical copy on my shelves as well. The audio is fun, even if you don't get the great book covers of horror's yesteryears. Hendrix is funny even while speaking of terrifying tales.<br />
<br />
Bites of Terror is a new addition to my physical TBR, but it was so cute and morbid. Loved it!<br />
<br />
And finally, Poppy Done to Death is the 8th Aurora Teagarden book. I stopped around book 5, and had to catch up because I have 9 and 10 on my Edelweiss TBR. I don't love this series- Ro is judgmental as hell, and the series is pretty heavy on the slut shaming, but I do like the mysteries. I'm sad that the whole True Crime Murder Club was dropped after book 1 though. I'm really hoping that the newer books are better since there's more than a decade between 8 and 9. <br />
<br />
So that was my week in reading, and it was a spectacular one. Audiobooks continue to be my main source of reading these days, but it was nice having time to sit and read as well. I hope to see you next week!<br />
<br />
<br />Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-31811598696594120792019-11-15T11:57:00.003-05:002019-11-15T11:57:37.441-05:00Where I Am<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXtnn7-2P-tqgN4nHW3clJQi0XmtIZa2dN485cUxE3ziYEqydOxF-q-M9f0QghdEiq8UaU2dyGBxb7GJ68cXkaU5LkpfhzSMFztP2qAlW8700-TiK4bW64jCFwlEspw8uwFGpCvCmUJJ9/s1600/20180829_093045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXtnn7-2P-tqgN4nHW3clJQi0XmtIZa2dN485cUxE3ziYEqydOxF-q-M9f0QghdEiq8UaU2dyGBxb7GJ68cXkaU5LkpfhzSMFztP2qAlW8700-TiK4bW64jCFwlEspw8uwFGpCvCmUJJ9/s400/20180829_093045.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oh, Midnighters. It's been awhile, right? I'm just not blogging these days, but I am still very much reading and talking about books! My life has just gotten busy and making time for blogging has not been a priority for me. <br />
<br />
I mostly talk/post about books on Litsy, which remains my happy place on the internet. I still use Goodreads, but I rarely interact on there, and Twitter and Instagram even less. Litsy just feels like talking to friends, friends who don't participate in Twitter Takedowns or Cancel Culture. I'm not hating on social media, it's pretty fantastic for many reasons, but it's not always a kind, nurturing place, and for me Litsy still is. <br />
<br />
So if you want to follow me on there here's the link:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.litsy.com/web/user/MidnightBookGirl">https://www.litsy.com/web/user/MidnightBookGirl</a><br />
<br />
If not, that's cool too. I know it's yet another app to learn to navigate. Although it does have a web based site now.<br />
<br />
Things I'm busy with: Book Clubs! I now run 3 book clubs for the bookstore, and help run a 4th, and I still have my personal book club too. Soon, I'll be starting another book club at the store, so reading is a huge chunk of my day. Thank God for audiobooks!<br />
<br />
Pinball! I joined a pinball league, and even though I'm not very good, I thoroughly enjoy playing. <br />
<br />
The Hubs! The Hubs and I recently celebrated 17 years of marriage and we still like one another. Since his new job in March and the changes to my schedule, we get to hang out even more. That's been amazing.<br />
<br />
My friends! I continue to have the bestest of friends (including Kim), and I love hanging out with them for book clubs, game nights, movie outings, or simple get togethers to talk. <br />
<br />
My health! So several months back, my anxiety ramped up to a point where deep breathing just wasn't going to cut it. I was losing sleep due to nightly panic attacks, and I couldn't take Xanex because I have anxiety about getting addicted to it. So, I finally found an amazing doctor thanks to my friends, and have started on medicine that has been life changing. Do I still have anxiety? You betcha! But do I stay in that anxiety, having it ramp up until I start Googling "What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like"? I'm proud to report, No! Staying off the internet only seems to help keep my anxiety down to more acceptable rates.<br />
<br />
I hope all of you are doing well. I miss you. But I really don't miss blogging like I once did. I'm okay with letting go of this blog, although I'll probably occasionally pop in to post and make sure it hasn't been hacked by some kind of Viagra drug scammers. ;)<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll see you on Litsy, but until then, keep reading books that keep you up until Midnight!<br />
<br />Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-47993721411204719082019-05-12T08:14:00.002-04:002019-05-12T08:14:40.371-04:00Sundays In Bed With... Royce Rolls and Full Throttle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg395cEOfYnjiDIovQSAxC2-yN-slPfrLoFs-eNlaloJYAZ4hO3ovsxp-NHJZtCdTTgfPqYY3U6QzbVtsI4wjpcFGHQ7RX-XHIoKEQnSvpOXzGaEyECgKJdvF1Fdp9BhUvy2bAquokKt49I/s1600/BookCoverRoyceRollsKimP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg395cEOfYnjiDIovQSAxC2-yN-slPfrLoFs-eNlaloJYAZ4hO3ovsxp-NHJZtCdTTgfPqYY3U6QzbVtsI4wjpcFGHQ7RX-XHIoKEQnSvpOXzGaEyECgKJdvF1Fdp9BhUvy2bAquokKt49I/s400/BookCoverRoyceRollsKimP.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31423549-royce-rolls" target="_blank">Royce Rolls </a></i></b>by Margaret Stohl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kate in for Kim: Kim is probably hanging with family today and/or recovering from some kind of bubble run thing she did yesterday. It's almost the end of the school year, so it's also possible (and actually, very likely) that she is also doing all the work to help get her kids over the finish line for the year. Hopefully summer comes quickly! </div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvzhJ0Dm9svWdegsI57RXSbZWYytYhSAklPkYg4YXrsZD3fUBBgqePKC4204HoTrG83PpmmcvI2UAL8qTPSDZr1IO3_CXGicpPoJTrRI56wrIWAMngMdXkeGmwDDG-KQ0OkYE76b2SeH5/s1600/BookCoverFullThrottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvzhJ0Dm9svWdegsI57RXSbZWYytYhSAklPkYg4YXrsZD3fUBBgqePKC4204HoTrG83PpmmcvI2UAL8qTPSDZr1IO3_CXGicpPoJTrRI56wrIWAMngMdXkeGmwDDG-KQ0OkYE76b2SeH5/s400/BookCoverFullThrottle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43801817-full-throttle" target="_blank">Full Throttle</a></i></b>: Stories by Joe Hill</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm about to go out to breakfast with the Hubs, but I'm currently enjoying this collection of stories from Hill's upcoming release. I've read a few before (and the first story is co-written by his dad, Stephen King), but I've liked them even better the second time around. I'm really just trying to finish this up because, ya'll, I score an eArc of Erin Morgenstern's book The Starless Sea!!!! I am beside myself with excitement, and I just needed to calm down before I dived in. I tweeted Erin and she's going to be a Book Expo this year, so I am THRILLED that I get to be there this year. I already have a Night Circus tattoo, so odds look good that I'll be getting a key tattoo from Starless Sea too. ;) </div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-42662714856828748622019-04-14T07:44:00.002-04:002019-04-14T07:44:23.747-04:00Sundays In Bed With... Origin and Battle Royale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDpLIQwB5SDBcDi8BD2PaYjVNK1TaAzZJI8wDoJ4U2ioCDv9TlKyrnYWGkfeIEUwwrNWH1TOkkqpQv7zhSQBji9wYd8tIj-FPaJJy4BkvU3oF5JFd5xy65smxz-m0ZneOHJb5dhfKlHlY/s1600/BookCoverKimOrigin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDpLIQwB5SDBcDi8BD2PaYjVNK1TaAzZJI8wDoJ4U2ioCDv9TlKyrnYWGkfeIEUwwrNWH1TOkkqpQv7zhSQBji9wYd8tIj-FPaJJy4BkvU3oF5JFd5xy65smxz-m0ZneOHJb5dhfKlHlY/s1600/BookCoverKimOrigin.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32283133-origin" target="_blank">Origin</a></i></b> by Dan Brown</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kate here in for Kim: So Kim is reading this book by Dan Brown... and sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who doesn't care for Brown's novels. But he sells books, which as a bookseller, I appreciate. This is another Robert Langdon book (Tom Hanks for you movie goers out there), book number 5. Looking over the summary, I might read this one- Langdon's student is an Edward Kirsch- Kirsch being a family name of mine. It's also the German word for cherry (random fact of the day!). Anyways, hope you have time to read, Kim! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIB23z2kJHmXMaUbjEWjx2phQ9ap6powtNRoQgaFqVFrbsmj42s5OBaAROG5s5FZdmvKjLQelVEfst5to4yFq-2s3bm4yAy67g4f9mYj9SGwmyqKBGnBLo4PAefPgQj2mP_0gk73wvhIG/s1600/BookCoverBattleRoyale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIB23z2kJHmXMaUbjEWjx2phQ9ap6powtNRoQgaFqVFrbsmj42s5OBaAROG5s5FZdmvKjLQelVEfst5to4yFq-2s3bm4yAy67g4f9mYj9SGwmyqKBGnBLo4PAefPgQj2mP_0gk73wvhIG/s1600/BookCoverBattleRoyale.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781442357501-battle-royale" target="_blank">Battle Royale</a></i></b> by Koushun Takami</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read this book many years ago after watching the movie (which at the time I had to do through back channels because the movie hadn't yet been allowed in the US). I've been wanting to do a re-read for awhile, so I assigned this to my book club... forgetting that's it's a chunkster. It's a fast reading chunkster, but still. It's also hard to get, so I ended up buying a bunch of used copies to share with book club members, but then I found it on audiobook through Libro.fm, so I'm doing both the audio and the physical book (SO MANY CHARACTERS). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When Hunger Games came out, a lot of people pointed out that it was very similar to Battle Royale, although Collins claims she had not heard about Takami's book until well after she wrote HG. I believe that it's possible she hadn't read the book or seen the movie- it is a Japanese novel that took some years to be translated into English, and Collins might be a good person who has never gotten their movies through dubious methods. But do I think she at least saw a blurb or a review on the book that planted the seed for Hunger Games? Yeah, I kind of do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, Battle Royale takes place in Japan under a fascist government who uses junior high classes to basically 1. Instill fear and obedience in the people 2. Military training shiz (their claim, I think it's just #1). Every year 50 classes are selected for Battle Royale, each taken to a remote area, and given weapons and stuff to kill each other until only one remains. Unlike in Hunger Games, all participants wear collars that can be blown up at any time, and it's not televised. If a class makes a pact not to kill? Whelp, then they all die. No one kills within a 24 hour peorid? Whelp, then they all die. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Battle Royale is the story of one class and their battle. There are 42 students, and you get to see how they die. Some are on page for only a brief time, others you really get to know and care about... until they brutally die. The main character's story, Shuya, is our every man to root for. He loves Bruce Springsteen, playing guitar, is an orphan, and he's trying to save the girl (Noriko) that his best friend has a crush on. And he's dealing with classmates who are running around an island with sickles and machine guns, and some of them are in it to win it. Seriously, there are at least 2 psychopaths in the mix. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Much more violent than in Hunger Games, and the deaths are much more emotional, because you can't help but start rooting for some of the kids who inevitably bite the bullet. I'm down to less than half the class left at this point, and I know how it ends... but I'm still gonna root for a few more students in case this is a different translation than the first one I read. ;) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-24190587976093668572019-03-03T08:13:00.001-05:002019-03-03T08:13:11.309-05:00Sundays in Bed With... The Towering Sky and You Owe Me a Murder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FFp657OCUUPSeJG_5SG4_iiZfCX0TyV9lHInz9EWiBDZhvN7Drip_ih36PwXNxpWk_8bh3eMWBIIYaE8sCwfGWgc5nT4WrDtwalMke6V-Sttsodhqzd_YBiuV0OftAi7OKLcbquroNa7/s1600/BookCoverKimTheToweringSky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FFp657OCUUPSeJG_5SG4_iiZfCX0TyV9lHInz9EWiBDZhvN7Drip_ih36PwXNxpWk_8bh3eMWBIIYaE8sCwfGWgc5nT4WrDtwalMke6V-Sttsodhqzd_YBiuV0OftAi7OKLcbquroNa7/s1600/BookCoverKimTheToweringSky.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36039298-the-towering-sky" target="_blank">The Towering Sky (The Thousandth Floor #3) </a></i></b>by Katharine McGee</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kate here for Kim- I didn't know there was a third book... did I know there was a 2nd book? I do want to read this series, but the timing hasn't worked out yet. I do remember loving the cover of the first book, and this one is also gorgeous. Happy reading, Kim! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Pn4XAkFucfSYa_bxXFGtCfjpiW3ZAvxP_boGA4T55QjQRdFJ48w__aGvR24-j3uT9khXE-wGL8ViKav4wOmlgE0iVR19tFTCDgMeKEaD2CkYhd0iy1hGpQ79Hs9aB-HlM_joo6nYHFY1/s1600/BookCoverYouOweMeAMurder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Pn4XAkFucfSYa_bxXFGtCfjpiW3ZAvxP_boGA4T55QjQRdFJ48w__aGvR24-j3uT9khXE-wGL8ViKav4wOmlgE0iVR19tFTCDgMeKEaD2CkYhd0iy1hGpQ79Hs9aB-HlM_joo6nYHFY1/s1600/BookCoverYouOweMeAMurder.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40142464-you-owe-me-a-murder" target="_blank">You Owe Me a Murder</a></i></b> by Eileen Cook</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am a huge fan of Eileen Cook's books! With Malice is still an all time favorite, and I very much enjoyed her The Hanging Girl. You Owe Me a Murder is a YA take on Strangers on a Strange, and I'm digging it. Also, it's set in England, so it gets extra points for that. And possible a unreliable narrator? Because that's my jam too. ;) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-4122824156064644762019-02-17T07:42:00.001-05:002019-02-17T07:42:32.446-05:00Sunday's In Bed WIth The Lying Woods and A Very Large Expanse of Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwul2zNrE4n6SctE_3dBBpUUNp8DZ1gEaxWZWqDOUPeDikq95g6S-6AWgEPlzIjY6lBzqdIBElb0gfSNdtAuCkQKd9feD9Z2tJ1g0ZpHE_ItK-GUYYV2ToA78Vgc4wHctNIszRqph4beDl/s1600/33803125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwul2zNrE4n6SctE_3dBBpUUNp8DZ1gEaxWZWqDOUPeDikq95g6S-6AWgEPlzIjY6lBzqdIBElb0gfSNdtAuCkQKd9feD9Z2tJ1g0ZpHE_ItK-GUYYV2ToA78Vgc4wHctNIszRqph4beDl/s320/33803125.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know how much I'll be reading today, I have a lot going on. This morning I'm heading to Fountain Bookstore for Kate's YA Book Club, then I have some work I need to do, then it's family game night!</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5dTXF7w3C8wLHZgrl7w7h3ytCKI9VpBu6iU0aw3T5XXrb9JOksMlnK-ziMC6QGSOa8a-0iT3cLlMLZNJpAUHfm-LWq_2WE2lEP343_yBpckjH4H8NLAUeRXgM4NrLMV3NL3r5NhS3pC5/s1600/38720939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5dTXF7w3C8wLHZgrl7w7h3ytCKI9VpBu6iU0aw3T5XXrb9JOksMlnK-ziMC6QGSOa8a-0iT3cLlMLZNJpAUHfm-LWq_2WE2lEP343_yBpckjH4H8NLAUeRXgM4NrLMV3NL3r5NhS3pC5/s320/38720939.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Kate is probably spending this morning finishing up A Very Large Expanse of Sea for her YA Book Club. I hope she's enjoying it as much as I did.<br />
<br />
Kate has also discovered the police active call websites, so I feel like she's going to spend a good chunk of her day doing this. ;)Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215470960021838261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-81500637067139705612019-01-28T07:20:00.000-05:002019-01-28T07:20:07.771-05:00Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry *Excerpt*<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43732" height="316" src="https://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/OnlyABreathApart_Tour_Banner-1024x390.jpg" width="830" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3366ff;"><b><i>Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be? </i></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3366ff;">“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), order your copy of ONLY A BREATH APART now!</span></h3>
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-43723" src="https://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/McGarry_ONLY-A-BREATH-APART_cover-683x1024.jpg" />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>About ONLY A BREATH APART:</b></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what <i>is</i> real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…</h3>
<br />
<img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-43735" height="314" src="https://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/OnlyaBreathApart_Tour_teaser1-1024x536.jpg" width="600" />
<br />
<hr />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3366ff;">“<b>Gritty and real</b>, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. <b>Beautiful, poignant, and fierce</b>.”<b>
―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series</b></span></div>
<hr />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39863269-only-a-breath-apart" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Add it to your Goodreads today!</a> </h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~SCARLETT~</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Evangeline fans herself. “That boy is hot.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hot isn’t exactly the word I would use for him. Hot somehow
feels…lacking. Hot is for some boy in our gym class who has recently grown
facial hair. Jess Lachlin is no boy. He has fire-red hair, a sun kissed tan
from all the hours working on his land, deep green eyes and a body made to
handle rough, rugged days. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I might have been ignoring Jesse for years, but I’ve seen
him. Every girl in this school has gone out of her way to drive or walk along
one of the country roads to watch Jesse as he works his land. Living across the
street, I’ve had a front-row view. His shirt off, drenched in sweat, muscles
rippling as he moves, the way he sometimes pauses in his front yard and looks
across the road as if he knows I’m watching. A fluttering in my chest and then—</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you date him?” Evangeline asks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.” Camila’s answer is swift. “And it’s not like he dates
anyone. Except for his friends, the boy is a recluse.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why wouldn’t you?” The kneejerk question surprises even me
when it pops out of my mouth. Camila and Evangeline look at me as if those were
the first words I’d ever spoken. If I could hide under the circulation desk
without making this moment worse, I would. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Besides the fact he’s cursed and anyone a Lachlin falls in
love with drops dead?” Camila walks toward me and Evangeline follows. Camila
watches me with more curiosity than I care for, but it’s nice that she’s moving
the conversation in my direction. “Jesse’s a train wreck, and he taints anyone
in his vicinity. Dating him would be a social, emotional and literal death
sentence.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m familiar with the curse, and it’s no truer than Glory
and her prophesies. “That sounds melodramatic.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s not.” Camila has a swear-to-God seriousness to her.
“Mom and Dad had Bible study at our house last night, and Pastor Hughes came.
Everyone thought I was in the basement, but I went to the kitchen for something
to drink, and I heard Pastor Hughes ask everyone what they knew about Jesse.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eavesdropping. How Camila.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you know that before Veronica started hanging with
Jesse that she was on track to be a concert pianist?” Camila says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Seriously?” Evangeline tilts her head in disbelief, and
I’ll admit to putting down my cell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Seriously. And Leo Wheeling was a star soccer player,
predicted to be the first freshman to play varsity for our high school, and
then he started hanging out with Jesse.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Faint middle school memories of hearing Leo’s name over the
announcements regarding soccer emerge in my mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then someone said that before Nazareth Kravitz moved here,
he had taken the ACT in the seventh grade and received a perfect score. He
moved here, met Jesse and the rest is history.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nazareth sleeps through most of our classes, that is, when
he bothers showing for school. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I nibble on my bottom lip as I’m not sure how much I like
the Jesse-is-the-devil enthusiasm. I may share the opinion, but that doesn’t
mean anyone else should. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, then there’s Jesse himself. Drinking, drugs.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The fights,” Evangeline pipes in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t forget the suspensions—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And he’s been arrested!” Evangeline finishes Camila’s
statement like the two share a brain. Her eyes sparkle like that precious piece
of scandalous gossip was just too good not to spread. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The boy is a walking disaster,” Camila continues. “Anyone
who hangs out with him <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wants </i>to
become a loser. It doesn’t matter he’s going to be a millionaire once he sells
his grandmother’s land. Anyone who spends time with Jesse is asking for hurt.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And</i> death.”</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
line-height:107%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<b><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-43727" height="300" src="https://www.inkslingerpr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Katie-McGarry-headshot-225x300.jpg" width="225" />Katie McGarry Bio:</b>
Katie is the author of the PUSHING THE LIMITS series, THUNDER ROAD series, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, and the upcoming YA novel, ONLY A BREATH APART. Her novels have received starred reviews, critical acclaim and have won multiple awards including being a multiple Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for YA Fiction, multiple RT Magazine's Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist for Best YA Fiction, including a win in the category, and she was a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick.
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.katielmcgarry.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/katiemcgarry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4575371.Katie_McGarry?from_search=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/katielmcgarry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://katiemcgarryauthor.tumblr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tumbler</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/katielmcgarry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></h3>
Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215470960021838261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-68513319298513534552019-01-27T08:10:00.000-05:002019-01-27T08:10:15.791-05:00Sundays In Bed With... Legendary and In Pursuit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfLIVHqvyZVrpotz49tL1NmvcTOcTAjn6qZUB7jIaSbjk3bI4FJlTOztBiuWhCLUPWZkgC4n4ZZC-w3RrmX6wINzWtybmNSK-b2VOIfrxurmuuHYxrTs36b_OQp5cNG8OCOMY3a-_yICi/s1600/BookCoverLegendary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfLIVHqvyZVrpotz49tL1NmvcTOcTAjn6qZUB7jIaSbjk3bI4FJlTOztBiuWhCLUPWZkgC4n4ZZC-w3RrmX6wINzWtybmNSK-b2VOIfrxurmuuHYxrTs36b_OQp5cNG8OCOMY3a-_yICi/s400/BookCoverLegendary.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36329818-legendary" target="_blank">Legendary (Caraval #2)</a></i></b> by Stephanie Garber</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kate here for Kim: I don't know how much time Kim has to read today, because I know she's trying to pick out a paint color for a redecoration project, but I hope she's enjoying this one as much as I did!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDopeSG34bz1ltyPIAbkiD6E5IcKyaWMf0E7ey9TRhGI40rJabw4nkSPdXloDuqqOr8oPLbvgkDs9zWa6qa_sVY7KDu2ltqvLZmMSVL6Jo_sz29_IuUnVRgASbrHcLWvJ5X712P1kUinq/s1600/BookCoverInPursuitBeltwaySnipers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDopeSG34bz1ltyPIAbkiD6E5IcKyaWMf0E7ey9TRhGI40rJabw4nkSPdXloDuqqOr8oPLbvgkDs9zWa6qa_sVY7KDu2ltqvLZmMSVL6Jo_sz29_IuUnVRgASbrHcLWvJ5X712P1kUinq/s400/BookCoverInPursuitBeltwaySnipers.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39396810-in-pursuit" target="_blank">In Pursuit: The Hunt for the Beltway Snipers</a></i></b> by David Reichenbaugh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I grew up in Northern Virginia, but by the time the Beltway Snipers were active, I was living in Oklahoma. I remember being terrified- one of my brothers and his family lived near the Manassas gas station (and in fact, it was their usual gas station stop) shooting location, and I still have NoVa family. And now I live in Richmond, where the snipers spent some time. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The author- who worked the Sniper case and was actually one of the first 3 responding officers when they found the snipers at a rest area- came to the store for an author event, and I was fascinated by his talk. I'm about half way through the book, so the cops are only now finally getting some evidence to work with. For the first 7 to 9 days, there were no good clues because of the nature of the shootings, and while there were hundreds and thousands of tips coming in, most of them were connected to White Van spottings, that turned out to be false leads. They even had a witness who lied about seeing the suspects, just for attention. The random killings and the familiar settings makes for a chilling read, ya'll. </div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-10016038979021451352019-01-22T07:00:00.000-05:002019-01-22T07:00:12.446-05:00Review * Playing for Keeps by Jill ShalvisI received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an
honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the
content of my review.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdC-rdy_3BqcNAFtehYn5thLA8_K2Sd4lvpDsGJDvQUrB8-Vnz6UC3553CdzLym0CqSOSy2SE7rJooZBKQeyHXQmHLt4Gcax-toaL20tQC4C63BqtCDYi-jcJTMTyyHnNLZ0T8juKveLj/s1600/40034882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdC-rdy_3BqcNAFtehYn5thLA8_K2Sd4lvpDsGJDvQUrB8-Vnz6UC3553CdzLym0CqSOSy2SE7rJooZBKQeyHXQmHLt4Gcax-toaL20tQC4C63BqtCDYi-jcJTMTyyHnNLZ0T8juKveLj/s320/40034882.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
<b>Playing for Keeps </b>by Jill Shalvis<br />
<b>Published on: </b>January 22, 2019<b> </b><br />
<b>Pages:</b> 384<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40034882-playing-for-keeps">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText8942411500865554477"><i>
<b>If you’re planning on falling in love…</b>
</i><br /><br />When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker,
Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other
the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But
after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie
sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.<br /><br /><i>
<b>you’d better be sure…</b>
</i><br /><br />Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s
learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for
business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it
before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to
fall.<br /><br /><i>
<b>… someone is there to catch you.</b>
</i><br /><br />Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete
opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they
ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each
willing to risk.</span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Thoughts</h3>
<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextreview2470447093">For
the last five years I have started the year with a Jill Shalvis book. I
love starting the year with a book I can count on to make me feel good,
laugh and start my reading year off right. <br /><br />Playing for Keeps
has a bit of a different undertone from the other books in this series.
Sadie has some serious issues, I don't want to go in to it for fear of
spoilers, but everything from her childhood issues to now have a edge to
them. <br /><br />Sadie's family is all over her as she doesn't meet their
expectations, she's working two jobs to make ends meet and has tattoo's.
I completely understand how annoyed Sadie was with her family as
everyone was always "What about Sadie?". Let her live her own life!<br /><br />Caleb
is one of my favorite heroes in the series. He's not perfect (the
utilities thing would have pissed me off something fierce) but he has
such great qualities. He's kind, looks out for his family, but isn't
afraid to say his mind to them. He truly wants the best for everyone in
his life. I adored his sisters and their roll in his life both in his
childhood and now.<br /><br />Sadie and Caleb were such a cute pairing. They
skirted around each other for awhile, but rescue dog Lollipop brought
them together and it was all downhill from there (not to say there
weren't some bumps in the road). I thought Caleb handled Sadie's trust
issues so well, giving her the space and time she needed, but also
pushing her when it was right.<br /><br />As always I loved seeing the
previous characters lingering around and seeing what they're up to. I
really hope that we get a book for Ivy. <br /><br />I highly recommend Jill Shalvis' Heartbreaker Bay series (and her others)!</span>
</span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z3LQS7n4BR7Xq5mCFihPEjePUBBstIvBb25yKl1m78dKiSzaYaltmn42IX4y2XlOIbm-9VjfNUoOr1XCL0w8EjcKga1NrLltKQLIFd-JWoQeDrO7B6xjs_c96_PwcHeeN593jCcCZF3K/s1600/midnight4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z3LQS7n4BR7Xq5mCFihPEjePUBBstIvBb25yKl1m78dKiSzaYaltmn42IX4y2XlOIbm-9VjfNUoOr1XCL0w8EjcKga1NrLltKQLIFd-JWoQeDrO7B6xjs_c96_PwcHeeN593jCcCZF3K/s1600/midnight4.png" /></a></div>
<br />Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215470960021838261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-52990582649024247542019-01-21T08:07:00.003-05:002019-01-21T08:07:50.229-05:00Sundays, er, Mondays In Bed With... West Cork and The Meaning of Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhu650DL5FAxbgVnNCJjZyLnDeMZX8Wpifd4TeIk2V8BYZP4j2PUHoAUrRznCXsNhjN014sK_d4mK3Iy5fCDACJT6PA_ee141csjdEexrTwtmG_uWYRD5j6nMkdPijlqPKlCuwNxAy6BV/s1600/BookCoverKimWestCork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhu650DL5FAxbgVnNCJjZyLnDeMZX8Wpifd4TeIk2V8BYZP4j2PUHoAUrRznCXsNhjN014sK_d4mK3Iy5fCDACJT6PA_ee141csjdEexrTwtmG_uWYRD5j6nMkdPijlqPKlCuwNxAy6BV/s1600/BookCoverKimWestCork.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38108759-west-cork" target="_blank"><b><i>West Cork</i></b></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Kate here for Kim! I forgot to post yesterday, because I was running around all day- but Kim is off this morning for MLK Jr. Day, so hopefully she'll have to snuggle up and listen to this audiobook (it's freezing here, ya'll!). This sounds cool, actually, so I might have to look into it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9p3gFA9gofmtslq8rNTCeZiCnle-euvWtHxnN9MYDmywMukxGjLxBdOh74kdWR9DC1CyLFU2vBLNbHfReVUoKEQkut_uO4yOLIuMC8rUbY31jtzp-U-7-i6fkfoOCeKdatpt9Yu2pKpj/s1600/BookCoverTheMeaningofBirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9p3gFA9gofmtslq8rNTCeZiCnle-euvWtHxnN9MYDmywMukxGjLxBdOh74kdWR9DC1CyLFU2vBLNbHfReVUoKEQkut_uO4yOLIuMC8rUbY31jtzp-U-7-i6fkfoOCeKdatpt9Yu2pKpj/s400/BookCoverTheMeaningofBirds.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37655502-the-meaning-of-birds" target="_blank">The Meaning of Birds</a></i></b> by Jaye Robin Brown</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I had a busy weekend even though I was mostly off. Late Friday night, Aaron and I went to see Glass (I LOVED it, but Unbreakable and Split are faves already, so I thought it was great). I worked a tiny bit both Saturday and Sunday at both my jobs, but I had my niece's 20th birthday. Pokemon Go exraid in the the park where my sister-in-law, 2 of my nieces and I made friends with three other women PoGoers and had fun, then I had book club with my Midnight Book Club friends (Kim was there) where we ate and talked, and then went to a desserts only restaurant and had delicious, decadent desserts... and ran into my brother, my sister-in-law and 2 of my nieces who were there celebrating Grace's 20th birthday. Then on Sunday, I hosted YA book club at the bookstore (Furyborn by Claire Legrand), which was fun. After that, I had a quick lunch with the Hubs and went to my friend J's house to hang out with her and our other friend J, to make candles and celebrate the Blood/Wolf Moon. All the business, but so much fun! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also made time to get almost half-way through The Meaning of Birds. I loved Brown's Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, and I'm enjoying this one. Jess, the main character, is dealing with the sudden death of her girlfriend, Vivi, and not dealing well with her anger issues (an ongoing problem for her, that had been mostly under control). It's emotional, obviously, because it switches between the past (Jess and Vivi falling for each other) and the present (Jess spiraling out after Vivi's death), but it's not a sobfest. Not sure how much time I'll have to read today, because I work all day at the bookstore. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-81497401366001748532019-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-16T06:00:11.075-05:00Short and Tweet Review of Fox 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnzxgs6A13Bkp2IkQhZ3WNPERCImwdVNx4oadTxvnSLt8YSH9IdGcT4wrMsnNWh2QFKjXo36_U5RatHrLXKpAcGYIAHj_0ClXu2T6E_XAyKa_nWzrOteMTmhEJxZkWRERyh3wSYn5c58u/s1600/BookCoverFox8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnzxgs6A13Bkp2IkQhZ3WNPERCImwdVNx4oadTxvnSLt8YSH9IdGcT4wrMsnNWh2QFKjXo36_U5RatHrLXKpAcGYIAHj_0ClXu2T6E_XAyKa_nWzrOteMTmhEJxZkWRERyh3wSYn5c58u/s1600/BookCoverFox8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>Fox 8</i></b> by George Saunders<br />
<b>Published on: </b>11/13/2018<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 64<br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984818027" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A darkly comic short story, a fable about the all too real impact that we humans have on the environment</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fox 8 has always been known as the daydreamer in his pack, the one his fellow foxes regarded with a knowing snort and a roll of the eyes. That is, until Fox 8 develops a unique skill: He teaches himself to speak “Yuman” by hiding in the bushes outside a house and listening to children’s bedtime stories. The power of language fuels his abundant curiosity about people—even after “danjer” arrives in the form of a new shopping mall that cuts off his food supply, sending Fox 8 on a harrowing quest to help save his pack.</span></div>
</blockquote>
In order to review as many books as possible without stressing ourselves out, these super mini- tweet style reviews are going to help balance our other review styles. All our Short and Tweet reviews will be 140 characters or less (except when they are a bit longer). 😉 Thanks to Tif from <a href="http://www.tiftalksbooks.com/">Tif Talks Books </a>for the idea!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
SHORT AND TWEET</h3>
Sweet, sad, and short. Will totally make you want to set up fox sanctuaries. Or maybe try to pass off a baby fox as a puppy so that the Hubs won't be all "no, you cannot adopt a wild animal just because you read a book about a cute, clever fox who learns to speak Yuman. That's not how reality works." Sigh.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadB_dPQUyYauyX8e7SNf8N0jNjBwfklPTREHYB46ghTBF6leHrEnTk5HNF9UDgPhPP-zy-9wLdhp8IZWmvKlJvDAOA90GAecN1WH08Yov-Ao-dmpBvPtJu2lO35W1nugBDfFHdz2QfNf1/s1600/midnight4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadB_dPQUyYauyX8e7SNf8N0jNjBwfklPTREHYB46ghTBF6leHrEnTk5HNF9UDgPhPP-zy-9wLdhp8IZWmvKlJvDAOA90GAecN1WH08Yov-Ao-dmpBvPtJu2lO35W1nugBDfFHdz2QfNf1/s1600/midnight4.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-56137609648826957872019-01-14T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-14T06:00:03.441-05:00Audiobook Review of Turn of Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyohcj6wjVYWFsnTuwiYwKPaq84MEo_e6pbfZJ0VTG_YA-K4DCkoSS2PHbrp2khl5wSOwV94WxgMsrvNyOfki8TrJK5DAMcytgxYMOgB-LIdFe1gtb5Ff-VIgdOJUUct5qq8Leem-HUUCS/s1600/BookCoverTurnofMind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyohcj6wjVYWFsnTuwiYwKPaq84MEo_e6pbfZJ0VTG_YA-K4DCkoSS2PHbrp2khl5wSOwV94WxgMsrvNyOfki8TrJK5DAMcytgxYMOgB-LIdFe1gtb5Ff-VIgdOJUUct5qq8Leem-HUUCS/s1600/BookCoverTurnofMind.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>Turn of Mind </i></b>by Alice LaPlante<br />
Published on<b>: </b>7/05/2011<br />
Hours<b>:</b> 9 hours and 45 minutes<br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802145901" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> bestseller, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Turn of Mind</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> is a literary thriller about a retired orthopedic surgeon suffering from dementia and accused of killing her best friend. With unmatched patience and a pulsating intensity, Alice LaPlante's debut novel brings us deep into a brilliant woman's deteriorating mind, where the impossibility of recognizing reality can be both a blessing and a curse.</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When the book opens, Dr. Jennifer White's best friend, Amanda, has been killed, and four fingers surgically removed from her hand. Dr. White is the prime suspect and she herself doesn't know whether she did it. Told in White's own voice, fractured and eloquent, a picture emerges of the surprisingly intimate, complex alliance between these life-long friends--two proud, forceful women who were at times each other's most formidable adversaries. As the investigation into the murder deepens and White's relationships with her live-in caretaker and two grown children intensify, a chilling question lingers: is White's shattered memory preventing her from revealing the truth or helping her hide it?</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A startling portrait of a disintegrating mind clinging to reality through anger, frustration, shame, and unspeakable loss, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Turn of Mind</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> examines the deception and frailty of memory and how it defines our very existence.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyMNpFW817zPj-_RkQ4oGHy0L2Q8C_mOYXMNamBtlLHMSDoC2Dub7hIjnWKqv7MfDRv4Ci_ah1qUxH2aVUUif7OPonwZieOOpT3NnSUy3z6x8BonitbhsvxJLuhxrv2liLf4rVgza4bYR/s1600/meaudioreview-273x3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyMNpFW817zPj-_RkQ4oGHy0L2Q8C_mOYXMNamBtlLHMSDoC2Dub7hIjnWKqv7MfDRv4Ci_ah1qUxH2aVUUif7OPonwZieOOpT3NnSUy3z6x8BonitbhsvxJLuhxrv2liLf4rVgza4bYR/s200/meaudioreview-273x3002.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
I love audio books. In the author's notes on the audio version of Joe Hill's <i>NOS4A2</i>, he talks about how the first stories we learn are read to us. I listen to audio books when I'm in the car, shopping, exercising (what? It happens!), cooking and playing semi-mindless games on my phone.<br />
<br />
In typical book blogger fashion, I already have a tbr shelf just for audio books. Reviewing them is a bit more difficult, because I don't take notes and I don't always know how to spell the characters names. So these reviews will be a little different from my book reviews.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Thoughts</h3>
This audiobook has been on my Audio TBR shelf since October of 2014, and I'm so glad I finally made time for it! <br />
<br />
Listening to thrillers always works better for me, because it prevents me from peeking at the ending... which allows me to make wild guesses as to whodunit... and I was wrong about this one. Which, naturally makes me happy. <br />
<br />
Told from the point of view of a woman, Jennifer, nearing the late stages of Alzheimer's, makes for a very unreliable narrator, as she flits back and forth from memories, to hallucinations, to being totally aware (or aware-ish) of what is happening to her. I feel like LaPlante really captured the day to day, moment by moment, shifts of a person with cognitive impairment. As someone who has worked over 10 years with clients with dementia, most of what Jennifer goes through seems terrifyingly legit. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Narrator Thoughts</h3>
Jean Reed Bahle narrates, and this is my first experience with her. I think she nailed Jennifer's voice and personality. I would totally believe that Jean Reed Bahle had been a brilliant former doctor, that she was a woman of financial means, and that she was suffering from dementia- that's how perfect her narration was!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z3LQS7n4BR7Xq5mCFihPEjePUBBstIvBb25yKl1m78dKiSzaYaltmn42IX4y2XlOIbm-9VjfNUoOr1XCL0w8EjcKga1NrLltKQLIFd-JWoQeDrO7B6xjs_c96_PwcHeeN593jCcCZF3K/s1600/midnight4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z3LQS7n4BR7Xq5mCFihPEjePUBBstIvBb25yKl1m78dKiSzaYaltmn42IX4y2XlOIbm-9VjfNUoOr1XCL0w8EjcKga1NrLltKQLIFd-JWoQeDrO7B6xjs_c96_PwcHeeN593jCcCZF3K/s1600/midnight4.png" /></a></div>
</div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-80823005642045585432019-01-13T07:52:00.001-05:002019-01-13T07:52:25.987-05:00Sundays In Bed With... Three Little Words and Enchantee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbUrJwJDQNm6VKGza503u9OiRgwHqzDjAx0xbMhMA1qd9gq_8YsnF2gp2DYPvOo9gj2bOFlbPGtNyuPdr5z7oMo16BRXxPV2tsU2vCKd_g0HmgyTDR082GhoH8Zn-01cXZ0z-G4kmmal5/s1600/KimBookCoverThreeLittleWords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbUrJwJDQNm6VKGza503u9OiRgwHqzDjAx0xbMhMA1qd9gq_8YsnF2gp2DYPvOo9gj2bOFlbPGtNyuPdr5z7oMo16BRXxPV2tsU2vCKd_g0HmgyTDR082GhoH8Zn-01cXZ0z-G4kmmal5/s400/KimBookCoverThreeLittleWords.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40057347-three-little-words" target="_blank">Three Little Words</a></i></b> by Jenny Holiday</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kate here for Kim: It's a snowy/rainy/sleety day here, so hopefully Kim is curled up reading... and she might be tomorrow depending on how bad the roads are. This actually looks adorable, Kim! I've been reading more romances lately, and Kim normally recommends good contemporary romances for me- hope this one is good! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQbmDTxLiDE3_Ahl7AKV8TNQB0gI4_blDX74Hk2jo5gacJAYppghN9an74prNqj99nX0aWtJV2juKH31nJTdRqQZNlkgZDNVMcEk4nHo5l_S9n9yuA-0pVa8YMNQaZ6yga_EYzymNOGv-/s1600/BookCoverEnchantee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQbmDTxLiDE3_Ahl7AKV8TNQB0gI4_blDX74Hk2jo5gacJAYppghN9an74prNqj99nX0aWtJV2juKH31nJTdRqQZNlkgZDNVMcEk4nHo5l_S9n9yuA-0pVa8YMNQaZ6yga_EYzymNOGv-/s400/BookCoverEnchantee.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36613718-enchant-e" target="_blank">Enchantée</a></i></b> by Gita Trelease</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Magic and Revolution! Well, I haven't got to the revolution part yet, but the extreme poverty of main character Camille's world vs. the extreme wealth of Marie Antoinette's court is staggering. Camille is the oldest sister (and middle child), struggling to keep her little sister fed and healthy and housed, while her older brother gambles, drinks, and turns violent. Throw in a gorgeous young man and a hot air balloon, Camille's growing use of forbidden magic, and royal gambling halls, and you have this gorgeous book! Loving it so far, and I'm hoping to make some time for it today... but I'm working at the bookstore, so it's harder to get any reading done. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-9473405669899157752019-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-12T06:00:11.808-05:00Short & Tweet Review of The House with a Clock in Its Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGgZpBDD-RG__cpgoA26EbyjF9YrhBPNa7CEW8yG2XwQT7-VE7u_QEyh2RqZ3QKH9x_MJQeRA10KoIOA_-QA6_kQLUCj-2lErgCh4g3Nleo7qToiTet2uH5XSCgA1aOMdmiXYkxBNzsYP/s1600/BookCoverTheHousewithaClockinItsWalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGgZpBDD-RG__cpgoA26EbyjF9YrhBPNa7CEW8yG2XwQT7-VE7u_QEyh2RqZ3QKH9x_MJQeRA10KoIOA_-QA6_kQLUCj-2lErgCh4g3Nleo7qToiTet2uH5XSCgA1aOMdmiXYkxBNzsYP/s400/BookCoverTheHousewithaClockinItsWalls.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Lewis Barnevalt #1) </i></b>by John Bellairs<br />
<b>Published: </b>6/27/1973<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 179<br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780142402573" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When Lewis Barnavelt, an orphan. comes to stay with his uncle Jonathan, he expects to meet an ordinary person. But he is wrong. Uncle Jonathan and his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Zimmermann, are both magicians! Lewis is thrilled. At first, watching magic is enough. Then Lewis experiments with magic himself and unknowingly resurrects the former owner of the house: a woman named Serenna Izard. It seems that Serenna and her husband built a timepiece into the walls--a clock that could obliterate humankind. And only the Barnavelts can stop it!</span></div>
</blockquote>
In order to review as many books as possible without stressing ourselves out, these super mini- tweet style reviews are going to help balance our other review styles. All our Short and Tweet reviews will be 140 characters or less (except when they are a bit longer). 😉 Thanks to Tif from <a href="http://www.tiftalksbooks.com/">Tif Talks Books </a>for the idea!<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
SHORT AND TWEET</h3>
It's not often that I reread a childhood favorite and discover that it still holds all of the old magic. Thankfully, John Bellairs did not disappoint! Lewis is overweight, insecure, and a complete bookworm, and he still gets to be the (flawed) hero, which is something little Kate needed to know as a kid... and possibly needed to be reminded of as a grown ass woman too. Hope to continue the series through out the year! <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlEMGy9btsMpuDJmnL35yHqqSUVwf6L97KUrQEVe621FOAFh6z5rdP28fY5n6pgADcg0feMcberOGhArw_0PDGaEGoTyUVDruIf_yrMAgnl-7aTrYXWWen5ut0rYk7_hdIJaF9dpH-ctd/s1600/midnight5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlEMGy9btsMpuDJmnL35yHqqSUVwf6L97KUrQEVe621FOAFh6z5rdP28fY5n6pgADcg0feMcberOGhArw_0PDGaEGoTyUVDruIf_yrMAgnl-7aTrYXWWen5ut0rYk7_hdIJaF9dpH-ctd/s1600/midnight5.png" /></a></div>
</div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-85545320522889437522019-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-10T06:00:06.823-05:00The Baltimore Book of the Dead Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOmhT1hqnmBaJ_ya8PFXkN2Sh1mSdoDp_c8tDWrgFwZbj4lO51AHMGcDK0oON4c5PELjMqL3HUL93ZJ-OIYzl5vr9Q3xSsKcOw2BzCbsa1V1Y7LI9S8LpjK6rA7hBi9BueYg4VH0mTyaF/s1600/BookCoverTheBaltimoreBookoftheDead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOmhT1hqnmBaJ_ya8PFXkN2Sh1mSdoDp_c8tDWrgFwZbj4lO51AHMGcDK0oON4c5PELjMqL3HUL93ZJ-OIYzl5vr9Q3xSsKcOw2BzCbsa1V1Y7LI9S8LpjK6rA7hBi9BueYg4VH0mTyaF/s400/BookCoverTheBaltimoreBookoftheDead.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><i>The Baltimore Book of the Dead</i> </b>by Marion Winik<br />
<b>Published: </b>10/9/18<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 160<br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=The+Baltimore+Book+of+the+dead" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Approaching mourning and memory with intimacy, humor, and an eye for the idiosyncratic, the story starts in the 1960s in Marion Winik's native New Jersey, winds through Austin, Texas, and rural Pennsylvania, and finally settles in her current home of Baltimore. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Winik begins with a portrait of her mother, the Alpha, introducing locales and language around which other stories will orbit: the power of family, home, and love; the pain of loss and the tenderness of nostalgia; the backdrop of nature and public events. From there, she goes on to create a highly personal panorama of the last half century of American life. Joining the Alpha are the Man Who Could Take Off His Thumb, the Babydaddy, the Warrior Poetess, El Suegro, and the Thin White Duke, not to mention a miniature toy poodle and a goldfish </span> </div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Thoughts</h3>
Morbid and moving, grief-filled and gorgeous, this is a tiny book of lovely remembrances. Each chapter is dedicated to someone (or in a few cases, something) that has passed away. For such a short page count, the book is packed with weight and substance. It's not a book you rush through, as each chapter- just a page or two- begs to be read with care and emotion. Winik has lead a very full life so far, and she's known, and lost, many amazing human beings. It was hard not to think what my own Book of the Dead would look like. Would I strive for humor or sadness when talking about those that I have lost.<br />
<br />
Winik is coming to the bookstore later this month, but I didn't realize that when I bought the book. I just liked the title. I had no idea what the book was about, but the cover called to me. It's nothing like most of the books I read- the thrillers I fly through, or the YA I devour. TBBotD made me think, and feel, and Winik's way with words had me snapping pictures of her quotes to remember and treasure later. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book, and I can't wait to read her other books- in particular her The Glen Rock Book of the Dead and the book about her first husband, First Comes Love. And I really need to make time to listen to NPR's All Things Considered (Winik is a frequent commentator).<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYO6VNaj06r0nJYi7uJvL7hNH0rwKuDvF7F97ipudhjQsKEBGNtc8BHpKAdPCcuvwtHhFasTCmgvmecq1QrTIQyk3D7qjKeWnJi-7lBAsQv6E1hwxgyN2scvJE_yjFKjdLypmvHbHgJkc/s1600/midnight5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYO6VNaj06r0nJYi7uJvL7hNH0rwKuDvF7F97ipudhjQsKEBGNtc8BHpKAdPCcuvwtHhFasTCmgvmecq1QrTIQyk3D7qjKeWnJi-7lBAsQv6E1hwxgyN2scvJE_yjFKjdLypmvHbHgJkc/s1600/midnight5.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-10192790089406301462019-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-07T06:00:02.502-05:00Slave to Sensation Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRclt73cCm6SFmvc_oX4YFKstmejPUo24LonGRYlvxTCXOh0SSt-MRc6ljBZYnnkPebQFRqnHQEfWBnbenSIZsPtxIb8hfvTOp7HHHbv2j72GTuxs6pGvo0fugcKvM-GXH8kMJ9iDcVMzN/s1600/BookCoverSlavetoSensation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRclt73cCm6SFmvc_oX4YFKstmejPUo24LonGRYlvxTCXOh0SSt-MRc6ljBZYnnkPebQFRqnHQEfWBnbenSIZsPtxIb8hfvTOp7HHHbv2j72GTuxs6pGvo0fugcKvM-GXH8kMJ9iDcVMzN/s1600/BookCoverSlavetoSensation.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) by Nalini Singh<br />
<b>Published on: </b>09/5/2006<br />
<b>Pages:</b> 334<br />
<a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780425212868" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="freeText7062958897430823573" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.<br /><br />In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...<br /><br />Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Thoughts</h3>
This was the first book of the year for the Fountain Flirt book club- the diverse romance book club that meets at the bookstore I work at. I ended up not going to the discussion because of my other job, but dammit, I did finish the book! Also, it ended up being my first book read of 2019!<br />
<br />
So, this is kind of urban-romance, which is not usually my jam. And Slave to Sensation did not end up being my exception to the rule jam. I bought the paperback version of the book, but ended up listening to it mostly on audio because I knew that otherwise I might not finish the book.<br />
<br />
First of all, I love a good alpha male (or a bad one?) as long as their fictional, but an actual Alpha pack leader is a little too much alpha for me, usually. Seriously, do Betas never get the girl? Ugh.<br />
I just never really felt the connection to Sascha and Lucas, and wasn't all that invested in their romance. Plus, it's hard to feel the fear that Sascha and Lucas might die at any moment when it's so obvious that they'll be fine by the end of the book.<br />
<br />
Secondly, I thought the whole Psy thing was stupid. The whole "we are vastly superior because we have no emotions" and yet they still had family type relationships was just eye-rolling. So smart, and yet we think feelings are dumb and destructive, and oh, let's ignore all the rampant psychopathic Psys running around because maybe they're good at making money or some shiz? And the Psy network just seemed flat. An interesting idea that didn't translate all that well (I kept having flashbacks to the virtual reality network in the movie Disclosure featuring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore, which is also a book, which I read but don't remember all that well.).<br />
<br />
Not that the book was all bad for me (and I am just talking about me, because the author seems hugely popular, and I've been told that the series gets so much better). I liked the narration and the serial killer subplot. I just hated that the serial killer subplot, which ends up being a bigger plot, gets tied up super neatly and off-screen. It was just clunky and poorly timed, but I wish the book had focused more on that, because it was interesting.<br />
<br />
I'm probably being harsher in retrospect than I was when I read it, but I have no interest in reading more. Thankfully our next book is a historical romance, which is much more my style.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Midnight Rating</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqofg-xLahWrB5OS08zK58GFKkeU4ecgefJlP82qN4Lv7551KIe9RSp5noKfngjMxj0pJFUdWdkuuptbj7vOD-HQoh3DRE079oc0joqzu_ZVgnR14XBtmq-flw8aC9_xfcC-FlTpQfyVT/s1600/midnight2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqofg-xLahWrB5OS08zK58GFKkeU4ecgefJlP82qN4Lv7551KIe9RSp5noKfngjMxj0pJFUdWdkuuptbj7vOD-HQoh3DRE079oc0joqzu_ZVgnR14XBtmq-flw8aC9_xfcC-FlTpQfyVT/s1600/midnight2.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-72195484165882818512019-01-06T08:04:00.002-05:002019-01-06T08:05:21.327-05:00Sundays in Bed With Furyborn and Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMHjVOMUgHkqBBqeUcsULQhEaDvuKt72GnsQpENNSrRdHV7NPZ8NN3ZLFnNz6BGDhawXOESGFPUxQ770GzvA7Y7cv1BNcVX17Jrg9Xa-p_bSDUSZqgbDuLVO1fJ81vew9KyQjkQWG5aFz/s1600/34323570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMHjVOMUgHkqBBqeUcsULQhEaDvuKt72GnsQpENNSrRdHV7NPZ8NN3ZLFnNz6BGDhawXOESGFPUxQ770GzvA7Y7cv1BNcVX17Jrg9Xa-p_bSDUSZqgbDuLVO1fJ81vew9KyQjkQWG5aFz/s320/34323570.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Hello everyone! I've been MIA for awhile, it's been a tough school year for me, not a bad school year, just tough. And I'm working on my fourth cold of the school year. <span class="emoji">🙄</span><br />
<br />
<span class="emoji">I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done today as I have a few work things to do and plan on taking a nap or two to fight this cold. But I plan on spending a little time with Furyborn. It's the Fountain Bookstore YA pick of the month and if I plan on finishing this giant book I need to start now.</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyjFlFZa7U2e7Qnra8O1nmDD7GU9BCl-8mNMdcLDgGb8eVP80uqs36rBckLYXcl8rIX31c-OOgbGQ-mT0T04Y7q9Ot7TGtIwjTAaILEpBpGX851Oa-4-osEOLjebSRWZ-nBnCRf1eoD7y/s1600/41068144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyjFlFZa7U2e7Qnra8O1nmDD7GU9BCl-8mNMdcLDgGb8eVP80uqs36rBckLYXcl8rIX31c-OOgbGQ-mT0T04Y7q9Ot7TGtIwjTAaILEpBpGX851Oa-4-osEOLjebSRWZ-nBnCRf1eoD7y/s320/41068144.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
Kate is probably working at the bookstore today, but I hope she gets some time to enjoy this book. I know how much she loves this podcast.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone had a great weekend!Kimberly @ Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17215470960021838261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-77219604924791901762019-01-01T08:48:00.001-05:002019-01-01T08:48:05.905-05:002019: First Books and Bookish Resolutions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfYBKE0hl1mHIvbm0yKDtI0L_WulzG-a-PI-p8wXK0kgy9BbHutC-8PoOABMs37ehrFUS2ajH9InmCblLaZYG86kXdsEdLaWf92JVyY0FzxZaEHmOV0FOJiK_L2q9sJaK622xvWzO5oxe/s1600/new-years-eve-3891889_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="960" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfYBKE0hl1mHIvbm0yKDtI0L_WulzG-a-PI-p8wXK0kgy9BbHutC-8PoOABMs37ehrFUS2ajH9InmCblLaZYG86kXdsEdLaWf92JVyY0FzxZaEHmOV0FOJiK_L2q9sJaK622xvWzO5oxe/s640/new-years-eve-3891889_960_720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy New Year to all you beautiful bookish beings!<br />
<br />
Kate here: Sorry that we've been ghosting you these many months. But 2018 was a bit rough on both of us. Kim's super busy during the school year and the million other commitments in her life. My mom falling ill in March and then passing on April 4th cast a huge pall over my life. Blogging was just the easiest thing to put on the back burner. Which I don't feel guilty about, although I missed this part of the book community terribly.<br />
<br />
Every December as we gear up for a new year, my mind turns to books. Trying desperately to finish up all my current reads before the clock strikes midnight (seriously, ya'll I finished my very last book of the year- Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig at 11:47pm, phew!), looking at reading challenges, and planning my First Book of 2019.<br />
<br />
<b><u>First Book</u></b><br />
<br />
For years now, my blogging friend Sheila of Book Journey has encouraged fellow readers to send pictures of themselves holding the book they plan to kick the year off with. Until Sheila introduced me to the concept, I didn't much think about my first read of the year. And that was perfectly fine, but I actually love the concept of choosing your first read with deliberation.<br />
<br />
Check out Sheila's post <a href="https://bookjourney.net/2019/01/01/the-first-books-of-2019/" target="_blank">The First Books of 2019</a> to see what books other people are starting today. But here's the book I started today:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWWRMPGMVy61lDJh4SX7uq_uJz-mGSjweZe296MccwterZMeLL1E_aRsx2Ex_CfeAWzNq_ZHBUNcqfp6x3ZxZ9VKxuX6e_CN3HbkM87nYRJ7Rfoapzz0SDlzT7FhkDY6sKUYwhnYdmEs6/s1600/PicsArt_12-30-05.00.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="622" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWWRMPGMVy61lDJh4SX7uq_uJz-mGSjweZe296MccwterZMeLL1E_aRsx2Ex_CfeAWzNq_ZHBUNcqfp6x3ZxZ9VKxuX6e_CN3HbkM87nYRJ7Rfoapzz0SDlzT7FhkDY6sKUYwhnYdmEs6/s400/PicsArt_12-30-05.00.48.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I need a hair cut soooooooo bad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was having trouble picking my first physical read of the year. But then on the 28th, the arc for Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered came to the bookstore and my amazing co-worker Andi snagged it for me! It's a fitting book to start with, as it was my mom who got me into True Crime and with whom I had watched countless hours of Forensic Files and Women Who Kill and Unsolved Mysteries. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>Bookish Goals</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know that Kim set her Goodread challenge for 2019 as soon as it opened (we nerd hard here at Midnight Book Girl), and I set mine shortly after midnight. That might be the only challenge I truly do, although there are others I might attempt. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's my goals:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Read about 200 books (I know this seems a lot, but I like to record all the books I read, and that includes a dozen or so Children's books I read for my job, and ya'll know I devour audiobooks like they are air). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Organize my TBR- cull what no longer interests me, and catalog once again. I did it a few years ago, and it was awesome, but then I got lazy about it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Make time for books I want to read- I run a lot of book clubs, and I have to read arcs for the bookstore's newsletter and just to keep up with what's popular for our bookstore customers. But I need to continue to make time for books that don't fit into any of those categories. As crappy as 2018 was for personally, bookishly it was pretty great. I discover M.C. Beaton and her Marion Chesney Victorian Romances and went on a massive listening binge. I needed the fun and the distraction, even if the books didn't "count" towards my job. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continue to read outside of my own experience! 2018 brought a Romance book club to the bookstore, with an emphasis on diversity. I also finally started the YA book club for adults. I want to continue reading authors of color, authors from other countries, authors who open my mind and expand my understanding of this global community we share. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And my final goal is to blog more. Maybe just a bit more, but still more. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>What are your first books? What are your goals? </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-80927535955206567692018-12-09T08:34:00.001-05:002018-12-09T08:34:59.788-05:00Sundays In Bed With... Snow Day Reading Introvert Party! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHDrJ4PcaHWoKQtOaIDOAIRXZl_fEbVD-WCIaeet428uwk-gEOPzjmd4uESCyeMPDhG9lH1n5IGLGkpC83uLfJUuFcmI-ws4XfsyTrj0_rx11zdKweiIxvC9rLx7wjtW4z644djurkf6/s1600/BookCoverTimesConvertKim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHDrJ4PcaHWoKQtOaIDOAIRXZl_fEbVD-WCIaeet428uwk-gEOPzjmd4uESCyeMPDhG9lH1n5IGLGkpC83uLfJUuFcmI-ws4XfsyTrj0_rx11zdKweiIxvC9rLx7wjtW4z644djurkf6/s1600/BookCoverTimesConvertKim.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully Kim is curled up reading this book, because it's Sunday and a snow day, and hopefully school will be canceled tomorrow so she can enjoy another day off!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to read this too! I actually just re-read A Discovery of Witches, so Marcus (who is the main character in this book) is very much on my mind. Although... I was hoping for Gallowglass's story. Maybe it's coming? Hope this book is good so far, Kim! </div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx2PqnuFUn2EGf_deLymLn63tx9Z5l7kZCWQM0AHr6ZVKdZpmFMA724LKJLSb9_9l69azWPVQOvyVmYJXzHT3rrA-n6gs-cAjO7Ih9_ImT3q1Q_OaP6Lh8bvUCfuAMyDxwkF3EXCu-OiQ/s1600/BookCoverTheSecretBookandSconeSociety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx2PqnuFUn2EGf_deLymLn63tx9Z5l7kZCWQM0AHr6ZVKdZpmFMA724LKJLSb9_9l69azWPVQOvyVmYJXzHT3rrA-n6gs-cAjO7Ih9_ImT3q1Q_OaP6Lh8bvUCfuAMyDxwkF3EXCu-OiQ/s1600/BookCoverTheSecretBookandSconeSociety.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>The Secret Book & Scone Society</i></b> by Ellery Adams</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Despite the title of the post, and despite the snow coming down, I'll actually be at work today. But since it's at the bookstore, I'm not sad about that. I don't know how busy it will be, but I'm hoping that all the people at the hotel next door come in for an impromptu Snow Day at the Bookstore Party (and by party, I mean shopping!). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started this cozy mystery yesterday, and I actually got pretty far into the audiobook. I love the plot and the characters- Nora, our main character, runs a bookstore and lives in a remodeled tiny house train caboose. She has burn scars from a tragic accident, and emotional scars as well. However, she found comfort and hope during her physical recovery through a kind nurse and several good books. Now, Nora uses books to help her customers with their problems- so basically a book therapist. Which I love, because isn't that what books do? They help us grow and learn, heal and laugh, or at the very least they give us a safe place to experience so many different and amazing things. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Along with 3 other ladies in town, Nora forms the Secret Book & Scone Society after the women meet and bond over a mysterious death in town. One of them lands up in jail over their investigation, so the need to find the killer becomes much more personal.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Any of ya'll want to start a mystery solving book club with me?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-34193251762208182112018-12-02T08:10:00.002-05:002018-12-02T08:10:38.303-05:00Sundays In Bed With... Pride and Someone Like Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqn73Ep1gzZdTQNn8VbYw043HSU7-Oisa8i39hBwt5-ul8P1Epo42f_H__zdaNX4ZV2fH9B_P9dNATHh2JktsfZ5draAQ1hqGPOqIEpxMwv_JC1H7vGi2xlLmdNiaDaCgykZCi1s0g02F/s1600/BookCoverPride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqn73Ep1gzZdTQNn8VbYw043HSU7-Oisa8i39hBwt5-ul8P1Epo42f_H__zdaNX4ZV2fH9B_P9dNATHh2JktsfZ5draAQ1hqGPOqIEpxMwv_JC1H7vGi2xlLmdNiaDaCgykZCi1s0g02F/s1600/BookCoverPride.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Pride</i></b> by Ibi Zoboi</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kim is reading this take on Pride and Prejudice (and I will be reading it starting later today too) for our Fountain Flirt romance book club at the bookstore. I've heard nothing but good things, and I don't know that this picture does justice to how gorgeous the cover is. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn52G3MiCIFEhyphenhyphencVsXaVGJLO9pDBePcGEFLvqCnlKKJzwuGQvgZJ7ZnHzxl6VPung0QPc3T7DLTXUKkjRt5wfK2yhfWlvLXMLIRqKvjSvpVIcbHNKMWGvLXoF3oQtKKyMeCsGhHSxz_ty/s1600/BookCoverSomeoneLikeMe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBn52G3MiCIFEhyphenhyphencVsXaVGJLO9pDBePcGEFLvqCnlKKJzwuGQvgZJ7ZnHzxl6VPung0QPc3T7DLTXUKkjRt5wfK2yhfWlvLXMLIRqKvjSvpVIcbHNKMWGvLXoF3oQtKKyMeCsGhHSxz_ty/s1600/BookCoverSomeoneLikeMe.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Someone Like Me</i></b> by M.R. Carey</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am almost done with this one, since I've been listening like crazy to it. The narration is great, and the plot is like Split and Black Mirror got together and brainstormed this book. As soon as I'm done, I'll be starting the audiobook for Pride. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Happy first day of Hanukkah to those that celebrate! </b></span></h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-7351054768860326182018-11-27T05:30:00.000-05:002018-11-27T05:30:01.446-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Friendship Goals<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLnHVKARWp5rD2rUkX7jqWj7d7X3Mf1E7lNgv7IQf3wV8eH6pVwTpuOxh6g2rq7UP91Z56avU4LL4sggJoe0karijxVEEhCzsUZptQBvlygN50KfzYtwP56QHwc8XRbVpyQZB5iW_7wEt/s1600/TopTenTuesdayThatArstyReaderGirl.jpg" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by <a href="http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/" style="background: transparent; color: #083f53; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">That Artsy Reader Girl</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Today's Topic is: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><b> Platonic Relationships In Books</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: blue;">Kate's pick</span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD_YNQgnV3TPApXFSE2gxmxRpJM-X5WAjcs_3Z5B4QSLcyQq9fmjw4i7Dbol70aMH3jH7GJfNy5geaQGpw_WFxw1Rt9MeEZ5AK1ExjBk3T5jzOLl02JI2r7WfijGHlkWMDDrmAIHOmyY_/s1600/TTTPlatonicFriends1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD_YNQgnV3TPApXFSE2gxmxRpJM-X5WAjcs_3Z5B4QSLcyQq9fmjw4i7Dbol70aMH3jH7GJfNy5geaQGpw_WFxw1Rt9MeEZ5AK1ExjBk3T5jzOLl02JI2r7WfijGHlkWMDDrmAIHOmyY_/s1600/TTTPlatonicFriends1.png" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
1. Karou and Zuzana in the Daughter of Smoke and Bones series. Mostly because Zuzana is the best. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
2. Jane and Zeb (or really Jane and any of her many awesome friends) in the Jane Jameson series. I strive to be the Jane Jameson in my group of best bookie friends, but I will never be that wonderfully snarky. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
3. Benny and Eve in Circle of Friends. Through thick and thin, first loves and first heartbreaks, these girls are there for one another. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
4. Harry and Hermione (or Harry and Ron) in the Harry Potter series. Harry's a pretty great friend, even if trouble does follow him around. And Hermione is the friend you would pick to always be on your team when it comes to group work, ammiright?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
5. Poppet and Widget from the Night Circus. Yes, they're twins, but they also have a true and real friendship that seamlessly folds Bailey into their family. It's lovely that Widget never gets his nose bent out of shape once romance comes into play for Poppet and Bailey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmFblW9CzBYsT-q8QdHpE1LvB-oBlrCmYwEoFANraywR2MP2_b8ggSVGh9U-45YSOfsufm9dK3PDNDOq98GVfZgKaTTD4pEIZLkLJH1dfY7dIg0okmDF8xvMtJXAXa1KibFvXbN6d7Uxy/s1600/TTTPlatonic2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmFblW9CzBYsT-q8QdHpE1LvB-oBlrCmYwEoFANraywR2MP2_b8ggSVGh9U-45YSOfsufm9dK3PDNDOq98GVfZgKaTTD4pEIZLkLJH1dfY7dIg0okmDF8xvMtJXAXa1KibFvXbN6d7Uxy/s1600/TTTPlatonic2.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
6. The Losers Club from It. I mean, come on, tackling your childhood monsters together and then making a blood pact is pretty much badass friendship goals. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
7. Lula and Stephanie in the Stephanie Plum series. Yeah, I am a little tired of the lack of character devolpment, and yes, some of the characters are a little stereotypical, but I love that Lula is mostly always down to do some crazy shiz with Stephanie. Not only will these two help you bury the body, but most likely, they'll take you out to eat afterwards.<br />
8. Atticus and Oberon from the Iron Druid series. Who wouldn't want to be besties with their dog and be able to communicate through thought?! Also, Irish Wolfhounds are legit the best.<br />
9. Chester and Harold from the Bunnicula series. Sure, Chester is awful to Harold a lot of the time, and yes, he may have tried to go all Van Helsing on poor Bunnicula, but he and Harold go through a lot in the series, and even learn to put up with an annoying puppy. I am 100% sure that their friendship inspired me to want both cats and dogs in my house.<br />
10. Jazz and Howie from I Hunt Killers series. So Jazz is the son of a famous serial killer and has enough murderous issues to fill a news-stand, and Howie is a lovable, easily injured doofus. Somehow they make sense. We all need friends that know how to gut someone and also ones that can make light of the fact that we have murderous tendencies. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8790130329392151648.post-32310039978247052552018-11-25T08:26:00.000-05:002018-11-25T08:26:02.243-05:00Sundays In Bed With... Illegally Yours and A Discovery of Witches <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s1600/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="768" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfOr82682qwWyoWP34PZ7BXKTOS4xdsskN91QkTckA-sNju1Xmsr4CHRA9ithc0IYbGZn5UYji3Oz_ph3sieVqzAFfFkExjvkfyXeyrUQlT_JTgBTysBf_B5u_MtRbXTxi8t7Fg3lnK9i/s320/SundaysInBedWithBig-768x442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Welcome to our Sundays In Bed With… Meme! The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We’re done trying to make this a blog hop, but still feel free to participate! Maybe someday we’ll try to make it happen as a blog hop again, but right now we feel like Gretchen trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kim is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tf3-PYnniKmrQXGuVdvo8sZf01IElR3s2d7xnv0kX5saD5RzRKY3o0Li7Zh728JiJrq5XeRb1NWDQPBK4uLADhEYpsZt-KkuT0i2sDqorxHO5T13HVGUx3Reh1y1gWXHHVtbMJXYWQYB/s1600/BookCoverKimIllegallyYours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tf3-PYnniKmrQXGuVdvo8sZf01IElR3s2d7xnv0kX5saD5RzRKY3o0Li7Zh728JiJrq5XeRb1NWDQPBK4uLADhEYpsZt-KkuT0i2sDqorxHO5T13HVGUx3Reh1y1gWXHHVtbMJXYWQYB/s400/BookCoverKimIllegallyYours.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Illegally Yours by Kate Meader</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is what Kim hopefully has time to read this morning. It sounds super adorable (Badass Divorce lawyer falls for his client's soon to be ex-sister-in-law who happens to be a whiskey sommelier). And it's a series, which I feel like I now need to check out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This morning Kate is reading:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfXvlqKJsArkGCKPHfQVOtThyfpf0B7SaVSs7YTZ4wdXy23CDYIL8pI5IEvdfNtga_Ctdi4Ys0lEOq-4QjjbwMtTosTdbhxhe3BZS7S8FBjBHmne5wRDQua5fP1seZOmK_Vm3kHSiLKrY/s1600/BookCoverADiscoveryofWitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfXvlqKJsArkGCKPHfQVOtThyfpf0B7SaVSs7YTZ4wdXy23CDYIL8pI5IEvdfNtga_Ctdi4Ys0lEOq-4QjjbwMtTosTdbhxhe3BZS7S8FBjBHmne5wRDQua5fP1seZOmK_Vm3kHSiLKrY/s400/BookCoverADiscoveryofWitches.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a re-read for me, I chose it for November's book club for the bookstore. I forgot how heavy on the romance was in the book, but I'm hoping all of the history and action intrigue the members of our book club who aren't into romance. It's also weird re-reading this, because I've read all three books, and so much happens in all three that I honestly couldn't remember what all happened in what book. And the whole comparison to "It's like Twilight, for Adults!" definitely seems appropriate now and then. So much angst, so much wine! I still love the audiobook narration, and look forward to the new book... even though it has a different narrator. It should make for a good book club discussion!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And I know that November has been a bit of a fail for us and this blog. Kim is super busy with school, and I've been working a lot as well. With the nights seeming to come so early, all I want to do when I come home is snuggle up and get ready for bed. But December is coming up, and I almost always start blogging a lot before the new year, as it seems to re-invigorate me. I'd like to challenge myself (and maybe you) to post more in December. So I'll be sharing favorite books of the year, and maybe doing Top Ten Tuesdays again. I am ready to say goodbye to 2018!</b></div>
Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.com0