2017 Thankfully Reading Weekend Kick-Off!

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Jenn

ThankfullyReading

 

It’s time!!

This is the official kick off post for Thankfully Reading!  Instead of braving the crowds and shopping this weekend, we’re spending our time curled up with a book!

Feel free to link up your kick-off post below, as well as any update posts you have. Don’t have a blog? Don’t worry! You can keep us updated on your progress in the comments below, on Instagram  or Twitter (use #thankfullyreading or make sure you tag me so I can see it!) Haven’t signed up yet to participate? Not to worry! There is still plenty of time!

If you don’t know what to post, here are some ideas. But remember there are no rules; feel free to post as little/as much as you like!

  • How will/did you celebrate Thanksgiving?
  • What’s in your TBR pile for the weekend?
  • How much time do you think you’ll have for reading?
  • What book are you starting out with?
  • Are you reading print, ebooks, or audio? Maybe a bit each?
  • What books will you be talking about during Thanksgiving dinner? Be sure to keep track of any recommendations you receive and share when you have the time.If you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, don’t worry, this is a weekend for everyone throughout the world.
  • Pictures and/or vlogs are a great thing to add to your kick-off posts!

Throughout the weekend, feel free to post about your progress or even get some reviews up. Be sure to come back and link up your posts. Then take a break and check out everyone else’s posts. We’re looking forward to seeing how everyone else is celebrating Thankfully Reading Weekend.

Oh and don’t forget that some of your fellow readers will be on Twitter. You can search for Thankfully Reading Weekend tweets and hook up with others by using the hashtag #thankfullyreading.

On Sunday afternoon, we’ll post another link-up for your wrap-up post. Tell us how your Thankfully Reading Weekend went. You could give mini-reviews of your books, tell us how many books and which books you read, number of pages, number of hours, and so on. This is a rule-free, contest-free event, so you can wrap up the weekend however you’d like.

Posted in Thankfully Reading Weekend | Leave a comment

Thankfully Reading Weekend Begins Tomorrow!

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Jenn

ThankfullyReading

 

Thankfully Reading Weekend starts tomorrow!! I’m so excited!  We’re heading to my parents for Thanksgiving; the road trip allows for several hours of quality reading!

What books do you have selected for your Thankfully Reading Weekend?  Post in comments below, or in a post of your own.  You can also use Twitter or Instagram, just use the hashtag #thankfullyreading!

Posted in Thankfully Reading Weekend | 1 Comment

2017 Thankfully Reading Weekend!

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Jenn

ThankfullyReading

 

Thanksgiving is just right around the corner. With that comes the dreaded Black Friday (well, now lately, it’s Black Thursday, too!).

I’m pleased to announce that I will once again be hosting Thankfully Reading Weekend, November 22-26th! Yes, that’s a long weekend, but I figure people have time off for the holidays and, therefore, time to read! Want to avoid the crowds & shopping on Black Friday? Plan on spending a nice, quiet holiday at home? Join us!

Just what is this Thankfully Reading Weekend I speak of?  Here are the details:

There are no rules to the weekend, we’re simply hoping to devote a good amount of time to reading, and perhaps meeting some of our reading challenges and goals for the year. We thought it’d be fun if we cheered each other on a bit. If you think you can join in, grab the button  and add your sign up post to the link-up below. If you don’t have a blog, you can sign up the comments or sign up using a link to your Twitter account or Facebook page!

Want to host a challenge? Email me directly at jennsbookshelf@gmail.com.

We’ll also be checking in on Twitter and Instagram using hashtag #thankfullyreading. Join in for the weekend or for only a single day. No rules, no pressure!

Stay tuned; more details to come!


Posted in Thankfully Reading Weekend | 4 Comments

Review: Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Jenn

I 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.

Review: Seven Days of Us by Francesca HornakSeven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak
Published by Penguin on October 17, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Women, Family Life, Fiction, General, Humorous
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
This is the first Christmas in years that the entire Birch family will be under one roof.  This is a rare occasion for Emma and Andrew, to have both their grown daughters in one place. Olivia, a doctor, is usually in some foreign fighting some epidemic, but this year she'll be home.  It's not by choice, however.  She's just returned from treating the horrific Haag epidemic and is under forced quarantine for a week.  Her family is encouraged to do the same, so they've reunited at Weyfield Hall, the family's country estate.

For the next week, the Birch family is on lock-down, permitted from making physical contact with anyone outside the home. The weak WiFi signal exacerbates their feelings of isolation.  Each are focusing on their own struggles, but due to the isolation are unable to enjoy any sort of privacy in order to deal with them.  Andrew and Emma both have secrets that will turn the family's world upside down.  Youngest daughter Phoebe is fixated on her upcoming wedding, writhing in jealousy and irritation at Olivia's presence.

Without a reprieve from the quarantine, it's no surprise that the secrets rise to the surface, making this the most memorable Christmas in Birch family history.

Told in alternating viewpoints, this title is one of the most engaging and heartwarming books I’ve read in some time; the perfect book to read around the holidays.  Sure, many of us kid about the drama of family holidays and the insanity that ensues, but in many cases they are memorable reunions.  In the case of the Birch family, they have quite a bit of latent issues that must be resolved in order to deal with the secrets that are revealed.

Hornak does an outstanding job of developing her characters.  As each chapter is devoted to one of the family members, from their point of view, we get a realistic and accurate glimpse of their character and personality.  Hornak alternates between humor and drama (some pretty tear-jerking scenes, I might add), picking up on the genuine feel of this family.

This isn’t a novel about a perfect family that has some challenges they overcome in just a matter of days, but one in which a truly dysfunctional family must come to terms with secrets that come to light that will ultimately change their future, their family dynamic, their outlook on life.  To me, this is the more realistic story. Captivating, humorous, witty.  A truly engaging read.  Highly recommended!

Posted in General Fiction, Review | 1 Comment

Dewey’s October 2017 #Readathon Update Post

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Jenn

dewey

Happy Read-a-thon Day!  I can’t wait!

This will serve as my update post for the read-a-thon.  Rather than inundate you with dozens of update posts, I’m going to limit it to just one.  Below I’ll link my updates (which will be posted on Tumblr).

 

My updates will follow this format:

 

Currently Reading:

Books Finished:

Pages read since last update:

Running total of pages read:

Total time spent reading:

Snacks:

 

Updates

Kick-Off Post!
Update #1: Hour 2
Update 2: 2:00 PM
Update #3: 4:00 PM
Update 4: 10:30 PM

 

 

 

Good luck to all you readathoners!!

Posted in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon | 1 Comment

Dewey’s 24-Hour #Readathon: October 2017

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Jenn

dewey

 

I just love Fall!  Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon is just one of the many activities I look forward to! I mean, Fall brings perfect reading weather! Cool brisk temps leave me wanting to burrow up under some blankets and read all day!  I did a calculation and this makes the 15th Dewey’s Readathon I’ve participated in! Wow!

I have my snacks lined up, including the traditional cinnamon roll breakfast I’ve become known for.  My comfortable reading attire has been selected (LuLaRoe leggings and bookish tees, of course!)

Photo Oct 18, 8 38 29 PM

 

I started requesting books from the library for my readathon stack; that pile (or tower) quickly lost control. I certainly won’t read all of these (I generally read 5-7 books), but I like to have options! As you can see, I’m drawn to the spooky books!

Photo Oct 19, 8 28 23 PM

I’ll only be posting one general update post here tomorrow morning. All updates will be done via Tumblr or Instagram and then linked to that blog post. I don’t want to inundate everyone with dozens of blog posts!

 

Are you participating? What books do you plan to read?

Posted in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon | 2 Comments

Review: Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Jenn
Review: Wylding Hall by Elizabeth HandWylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand
Published by PS Publishing Limited on July 1, 2015
Pages: 146
Format: eBook
It's the summer in the early 1970s.  A group of young musicians in a British acid-folk band are taking a break from the world and spending the summer focusing on their album.  They stay at Wylding Hall, an aged remote country home.  There, they are able to record the album that makes them famous, but at a considerable cost.

Years later, each of the surviving musicians tell their story of what transpired that summer.  Each experience, each version is slightly different than the next.  The question is, which version can be trusted? Which one most accurately portrays what really happened?

This was quite the read! Perfect for someone interested in a quick, scary read, but not one so terrifying that you are left haunted for days following!

The setting Hand created was magical, deeply rooted and drawn from the local folklore. The addition of a bunch of young musicians relishing in a host of recreational drugs makes for quite the interesting scene building!

At just over 100 pages, this was a fast read, but one that was expertly crafted and relayed. The format, each segment dedicated to the story of one of the surviving musicians or someone else close to the group, was quite compelling as well.

My only wish was perhaps some ephemera added to the novel, perhaps the photographs mentioned near the end? They play such a key role in the “reveal” that I feel readers would get a lot out of the experience if they were included as well.

Ultimately, however, this is THE perfect read for this Halloween season. Highly recommended.

Posted in Horror, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review | Tagged | 3 Comments

Audiobook Review: The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Jenn
Audiobook Review: The Shadow Land by Elizabeth KostovaThe Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova
Published by Text Publishing on April 11, 2017
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 504
Young Alexandra Boyd still feels tremendous guilt after the disappearance and assumed death of her brother.  She's traveled from the US to Bulgaria, hoping that a change of scenery will help get her mind off of her loss.

Shortly after her arrival in the city, she meets an elderly couple entering a taxi.  The woman is frail, and Alexandra provides a hand of support.  Upon her departure in her own taxi, she learns she has accidentally taken one of their pieces of luggage. Upon looking inside, she finds an ornate box carved with a name: Stoyan Lazarov.  Within the box lay an urn filled with human ashes.

Aided by her extremely knowledgeable and helpful taxi driver, she begins a search for the family so that she may return this precious cargo.  In doing so, she uncovers the history of Stoylan Lazarov; one that many in power have attempted to keep secret.

I originally discovered Kostava’s writing with her dark and epic novel, The Historian.  Though it has been some time since I experienced her talent, that didn’t lessen my anticipation.  As my reading time is rare, I opted to listen to the audio version.  A smart decision, for I was immersed within just a few minutes of the audio book.

Those who have read Kostova know that her books are not meant to be rushed, but savored and celebrated like a fine wine; this rings quite true with this most recent piece of work.  She builds up characters expertly, revealing one’s history in due time, not to be rushed or done haphazardly.  In doing so she crafts characters so realistic and genuine, making it easy for readers to become immersed their story.

The history that Kostova reveals is dark, heartbreaking and painful. What I assumed would be a simple mystery turned into an elaborate exploration of this country’s past, highlighting the power of endurance, of courage and compassion, despite the pain and suffering.

Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review | 2 Comments

Audiobook Review: Nights of the Living Dead-An Anthology

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Jenn
Audiobook Review: Nights of the Living Dead-An AnthologyNights of the Living Dead by Jonathan MaberryGeorge A. Romero
Published by St. Martin's Press on July 11, 2017
Genres: Collections & Anthologies, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Occult & Supernatural
Format: Audiobook
In 1968, the world experienced the uprising of a new and terrifying horror.  George A. Romero's movie Night of the Living Dead was releasing, launching a craze that has touched every aspect of our culture, with no hint of dying away.

Romero's work has inspired a host of creative talent, in both screen and on the pages.  Fans of zombie fiction and film have been witness to all sorts of zombie outbreaks, from before that fateful day in 1960 to zombies in the stars.

In this anthology, the great Jonathan Maberry takes us back to where, and when, it all began.  Joined with the godfather of zombies himself, they have pulled together brand new tales that take place within 48 hours of the outbreak.

 

Though the release of Romero’s Night of the Living Dead took place before I was born, it’s release definitely had an impact on my love of the horror genre and of zombies in particular.  I recall watching the film, and all of the other horror classics, with my father on Sunday afternoons. Saddened by Romero’s passing, I was thrilled to see the release of this anthology and that his passion, much like zombies themselves, continue to thrive beyond the grave.

The audio production was phenomenal, the cast full of truly talented narrators, including my favorite, Ray Porter. Together, they relay a series of tales full of terror, a must listen (or read) for any fan of zombie fiction.

Anthologies can be known to be hits or misses; this was definitely a hit.  There wasn’t a single story I didn’t enjoy. Each was incredibly unique, the piece that brings them all together is the incredible talent of Romero, a talent so rich and inspiring it continues to influence writers, decades later.

Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Audiobook, Horror, Review | Leave a comment

Review: Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction by Grady Hendrix

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher (egalley) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction by Grady HendrixPaperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix
Also by this author: My Best Friend's Exorcism, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Published by Quirk Books on September 19, 2017
Genres: Horror
Pages: 256
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher (egalley)
Horror fiction boomed in the 1970s and 1980s, a clear response to the terror and anxiety that existed in society at that time.  From shocking and descriptive covers to terrifying plots, this boom brought horror fiction (and film) to the forefront of society.

In this title, Hendrix spotlights the many titles that graced the shelves of bookstores around the country during this boom.  For many horror fans (this one included), reading this title is a blast to a past, reuniting with titles that forever shaped our passion in the horror genre.

My first taste of horror was, no surprise, IT by Stephen King.  I spent summers with my grandparents, spending the day at the library where my grandmother worked. I always picked the biggest and thickest books to read.  I remember the day, age 12, when I first pulled that Stephen King tome from the shelf.  It was the chilling cover with the storm drain, so vague yet so haunting.  That afternoon launched my passion for horror fiction.

Following, I devoured every bit of horror I could get my hands on. Smack-dab in the middle of the horror boom, it was easy for me to become immersed into all things chilling and terrifying. I subscribed to all the horror book of the month clubs (oh, how I miss Leisure Books).

So, when I learned Hendrix was publishing this title, I knew I had to read it.  Flipping through the egalley for me was like going through an old photo album or yearbook.  I was taken back to those titles I read so many years ago, and also introduced me to several I wasn’t familiar with.

91aLRjSBbBL

Hendrix organizes the books by theme or subject matter, also reflecting back to the parallels on what was happening in Society at that time. My fondest attribute of horror fiction is how it reflects on the status of society (particularly in the 1970s and 1980s), of its fears and anxieties, and brings it to life through chilling characters and creatures.

There hasn’t been a boom like this in horror since. Unfortunately, rather than standing out as a strong and powerful genre, it’s often classified as “thriller” for those in marketing.  How is it that a genre that boomed a few decades ago has to be marketed under a different name to get readers? One shouldn’t be ashamed for reading horror, for I guarantee you are getting a stronger sense of our society by reading that particular title. Ignoring it means you are missing out on a truly cerebral reading experience.

All this said, this title is a must-read for all fans of horror, and those new to it wanting to experience titles that forever shaped the genre.  Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Horror, Murders, Monsters, & Mayhem, Review | Tagged , , | Leave a comment