Tuesday, October 24, 2017

*Top Ten Tuesday* Unique Book Titles


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Joood - Hooligan of Platypire reviews bossed me into doing this, so I guess this is a thing I do now. 

This weeks theme is unique book titles. So this could be a super easy topic because you just go check out Chuck Tingle's Amazon page and pick ten of his book titles and you have a list. But I'm not all about that kind of wham, bam, thank-you-ma'am post for this week, so I'm limiting myself to just one Chuck Tingle selection to allow for a bit more variety. It should probably be noted that I have probably not read any of these books (once I actually compose the list I'll know for sure, but I'm going to be just as surprised by it as you are.) Without further ado and bloviating, here we go.

1: Pokebutt Go: Pounded by 'Em All by Chuck Tingle - I'm a Pokemon Go player (still) so this book has been on my wishlist for a while because reasons (mostly I'm hesitant to pay $2.99 for 33 pages and don't use KU).
2: Ass Goblins of Auschwitz by Cameron Pierce - Fun fact, J. Hooligan of Platypire Reviews owes me a review of this book, still. Once I get the review that I owe her done, I'm gonna' have to insist she get on that.
3: The Human Santapede by Adam Millard - Bekah the Awesome owes me a review for this book, and again, once I get the review done that I owe her, I'm going to start nagging about it.
4: Spermjackers From Hell by Christine Morgan - Not going to lie, this title makes me think of the tracker jackers from Hunger Games.
5: The Lesser Swamp Gods of Little Dixie by Jonathan Raab - I wonder if there is a book about the greater swamp gods of little Dixie too.
6: Frostitute by Glen Frost - I know I shouldn't be picture Queen Elsa of Arendelle as the MC of this book based on the title alone, but I am. Largely because the idea of a scantily clad Frosty the Snowman is somehow worse.
7: The Jewish-Japanese Sex and Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves by Jack Douglas - I want a copy of this book, but it's a wee bit expensive, so it's going to have to wait until some holiday where someone wants to really make my day (my birthday is in December in case you're looking for a present for me!)
8: Beard in Mind by Penny Reid - Honestly, just about any of Penny Reid's books could have made this list because the titles are eye-catching (that's a thing, right). They are at least titles that you don't forget easily.
9: You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day - I've read this one (well listened to the audiobook and you should absolutely spring for the audiobook on this one). It's also a super unique title, you don't get any other results when you search this on Amazon.
10: My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen by David Clawson - I won a copy of this book through Goodreads, but haven't read it yet. It's on my To-Be-Read-Sooner-Rather-Than-Later list though. 

So there you have it. Ten of the most unique book titles I could find. I think it would be best for everyone involved if we don't ask me how I found most of them. Deal. 

What are some of the most unique book titles you've seen? - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to leave a link to your post so I can stop by and check out your list too.*

Have you joined the 12 Books of Christmas Challenge yet? Find out more details and sign up here!

Monday, October 23, 2017

*Deja Revu* 23 October 2017

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Déjà Revu is a weekly review round-up that is open to all book review blogs.
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Original
Meme
Response
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Fantasy
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Contemporary
Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic
Fantasy
Paranormal
Romance
Science Fiction
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Romance
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Contemporary
Historical
Horror
Non-Fiction
Romance

#MadLibMonday - The Ghost Files by Apryl Baker

When I was growing up, I loved Mad Libs. The excitement of sort of writing your own story really appealed to me. So I thought it would be fun to mesh that love with my love of books by turning blurbs into mad libs and letting you guys write your own book blurbs. 

For anyone that doesn't know how Mad Libs work, I will ask you for certain parts of speech or other specific things (i.e.: date, age, color, etc.) which you will write down. After you have completed your list, scroll down below the cover image to find the redacted blurb. Then read through it substituting your words where applicable. Try not to laugh. (Laughing is actually strongly encouraged, because this is supposed to be funny.)

Some brief definitions of the parts of speech.
Noun: Person, place, or thing.
Verb: Describes or indicates action.
Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb expressing manner, place, time, or degree (gently, here, now, very).
Adjective: Names an attribute of a noun (pretty, blue, large)
Pronoun: A word that can function as a noun (I, we, they)
Preposition: a word that combines with a noun or pronoun to form a phrase that usually acts as an adverb, adjective, or noun (on, after, for)

And with that, here we go.

1: Plural noun
2: Number
3: Verb
4: Plural noun
5: Adjective
6: Verb ending in s
7: Noun
8: Adjective
9: Adjective
10: Noun


Genre: Horror
Published: August 13, 2013
Pages: 275

Cherry blossom lipstick: check
Smokey (   1: Plural noun   ): check
Skinny jeans: check
Dead kid in the mirror: check
 

For (   2: Number   ) year old Mattie Hathaway, this is her normal everyday routine. She’s been able to see ghosts since her mother tried to (   3: Verb   ) her when she was five years old. No way does she want anyone to know she can talk to (   4: Plural noun   ). Being a foster kid is hard enough without being labeled a freak too. 

Normally, she just ignores the ghosts and they go away. That is until she see’s the ghost of her (   5: Adjective   ) sister… Sally. 

Everyone thinks Sally’s just another runaway, but Mattie (   6: Verb ending in s   ) the truth—she’s dead. Murdered. Mattie feels like she has to help Sally, but she can’t do it alone. Against her better judgment, she teams up with a young (   7: Noun   ), Officer Dan, and together they set out to discover the (   8: Adjective   ) truth behind Sally’s disappearance. 

Only to find out she’s dealing with a much bigger problem, a (   9: Adjective   ) killer, and she may be the next victim… 

Will Mattie be able to find out the truth before the (   10: Noun   ) finds her?

Now that your fun is through, here is the real blurb for The Ghost Files by Apryl Baker.

Cherry blossom lipstick: check
Smokey eyes: check
Skinny jeans: check
Dead kid in the mirror: check
 

For sixteen year old Mattie Hathaway, this is her normal everyday routine. She’s been able to see ghosts since her mother tried to murder her when she was five years old. No way does she want anyone to know she can talk to spooks. Being a foster kid is hard enough without being labeled a freak too. 

Normally, she just ignores the ghosts and they go away. That is until she see’s the ghost of her foster sister… Sally. 

Everyone thinks Sally’s just another runaway, but Mattie knows the truth—she’s dead. Murdered. Mattie feels like she has to help Sally, but she can’t do it alone. Against her better judgment, she teams up with a young policeman, Officer Dan, and together they set out to discover the real truth behind Sally’s disappearance. 

Only to find out she’s dealing with a much bigger problem, a serial killer, and she may be the next victim… 

Will Mattie be able to find out the truth before the killer finds her?

If you enjoyed this mad lib, please comment with your list below so the rest of us can get a chuckle out of it as well, and be sure to share with your friends! - Katie 

Have you joined the 12 Books of Christmas Challenge yet? Find out more details and sign up here!

Saturday, October 21, 2017

*Stacking the Shelves* 21 October 2017


(Titles link to Amazon via Amazon Affiliate links)

Stacking The Shelves is a feature/weekly meme created by Tynga’s Reviews in which you share the books you are adding to your shelves, both physical and virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Now, I already have a monthly post I do featuring the books I get in the mail (and it's a lot because I have a serious Goodreads First Reads giveaway addiction), and I'm going to try to start posting my monthly Read-A-Thon posts again too (even if none of the Platypires will be joining me), which will cover the books I receive through Netgalley. But I also go to my thrift store at least once a week, and often leave with a bag full of books. It's such a common occurrence that I'm known as The Book Lady to the frequent volunteers (and I suspect that they've started scheduling their $1 bag of books sales for Thursdays simply because that is the day I usually visit.) So my Stacking the Shelves posts are going to focus on my thrift store hauls, because this is my blog and I do what I want. 

On that note, here are the books I picked up this week.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke - I was intrigued by the cover. 
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok - My copy of this book has a whole lot of underlining in it. I also discovered 30 euro when flipping through the pages. I'm in shock right now. 
My Booky Wook by Russell Brand - I enjoy memoirs, and I typically enjoy movies starring Russell Brand, so this should be a win. 
Frognapped by Angie Sage - This looks like a fun but slightly creepy book for kids. ($.10)
The Slime that Would Not Die by Laura Dower - This is the kind of book that I would have enjoyed as a kid, so I hope my kids will like it as well. ($.10)
Freeze Frame by Ellie O'Ryan - This is a Phineas and Ferb chapter book. Phineas and Ferb is one of the few kids shows that I actually enjoy watching with my kids. 
I'm Gonna Wreck It by Barbara Bazaldua - A Wreck It Ralph chapter book for early readers. 
The Rape of Europa by Lynn H. Nicholas - This is a book about the fate of artwork and stuff during WWII, so I think it sounds fascinating. 
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris - I know I'm probably in the minority in the book community, but I've never read any of the Sookie Stackhouse books...I own several of them though, and I don't think this was one of them before today. 
Villette by Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre was one of my favorite books when I was younger, it's probably high time I read something else Charlotte Bronte wrote. 
Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - This is another Sookie Stackhouse book that I'm pretty sure I didn't already own. 
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda - This book has reading group discussion questions in the back. And it seems intriguing as well. 
The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble - Sure, I was drawn to the title of this book because of the similarly titled book by Victoria Aveyard...the two books are not related in any way, but this one sounds interesting nonetheless. 
The Jewels of Paradise by Donna Leon - I pretty much fell in love with the cover of this book. 

So that's all the books I picked up at the thrift store this week. It was a really small haul this week, and it only cost me 45 cents, but since I found 30 euro in one of my books, I'm up by like 29,60 euro (once you factor in the exchange rate between US dollars and euros, and that's a very rough estimate because I'm not mathing right now.)

So what books did you add to your shelves this week? - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to leave a link to your post so I can see all your new books too!* 


Have you joined the 12 Books of Christmas Challenge yet? Find out more details and sign up here!

Friday, October 20, 2017

*Review* The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See


Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: March 21, 2017
Pages: 384


A thrilling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See explores the lives of a Chinese mother and her daughter who has been adopted by an American couple.

Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. There is ritual and routine, and it has been ever thus for generations. Then one day a jeep appears at the village gate—the first automobile any of them have seen—and a stranger arrives.

In this remote Yunnan village, the stranger finds the rare tea he has been seeking and a reticent Akha people. In her biggest seller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, See introduced the Yao people to her readers. Here she shares the customs of another Chinese ethnic minority, the Akha, whose world will soon change. Li-yan, one of the few educated girls on her mountain, translates for the stranger and is among the first to reject the rules that have shaped her existence. When she has a baby outside of wedlock, rather than stand by tradition, she wraps her daughter in a blanket, with a tea cake hidden in her swaddling, and abandons her in the nearest city.

After mother and daughter have gone their separate ways, Li-yan slowly emerges from the security and insularity of her village to encounter modern life while Haley grows up a privileged and well-loved California girl. Despite Haley’s happy home life, she wonders about her origins; and Li-yan longs for her lost daughter. They both search for and find answers in the tea that has shaped their family’s destiny for generations.

A powerful story about a family, separated by circumstances, culture, and distance, Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane paints an unforgettable portrait of a little known region and its people and celebrates the bond that connects mothers and daughters.


I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a couple other books by this author, so when I saw it was available at my library I immediately put a hold on it. Thankfully the wait wasn’t too long, because I was quite eager to get into this one.

Out of everything that happened in this book, I think the part that appealed to me the most was learning about the ethnic minorities in China. I knew a little about them, but there's so much that I really did not comprehend before reading this book… and it only dives in a bit. It’s definitely a topic I’d like to do more research on.

Amusing thing… I don't even like tea, but I have found a whole new respect for it. I still think it’s yucky though.

The whole full circle thing going on in the book, absolutely loved it. And I found it interesting reading about how some people handle adoption from outside of their ethnicity and the feelings of the children involved was also an important factor.

I found certain parts to have been glossed over more than I believe they should have, probably because they weren’t considered an important part of the story. I am especially talking about Li-yan’s first relationship.

Things did get a little slower toward the end, making it feel like it was dragging a bit. And the end felt like it was a bit too sudden - I’d have loved to read more.

Not that this wasn't completely unexpected, but Lisa see wrote yet another beautiful story rich in Chinese culture. Highly recommend her books.

4.02 9/283rds Platypires - Joood - Hooligan



Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, Dreams of Joy, and China Dolls. Her most recent novel, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, will be released by Scribner in March 2017. Booklist has said of the new novel, “See’s focus on the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters, by birth and by circumstance, becomes an extraordinary homage to unconditional love.” Ms. See has also written a mystery series that takes place in China, as well as On Gold Mountain, which is about her Chinese-American family. Her books have been published in 39 languages. Ms. See was honored as National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women in 2001, was the recipient of the Chinese American Museum’s History Makers Award in 2003, and is slated to receive the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California in 2017.
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This Confession Gets Two Birds

Disclaimer: IABB Confessions are submitted anonymously and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of either IABB or the graphics artists who design them. IABB and the graphics artists merely provide the platform for the airing of the anonymous confessions. 
I've taken a week or two (or four) to sit on this confession, just to let my thoughts percolate a little bit more before hitting you with my thoughts on it, and because I have to start writing reviews again now that Joood - Hooligan of Platypire Reviews has had some time to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, I figured this was as good a time as any to address this particular pile of garbage. 

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the standard book rating system has 5 stars. That's what we get on both Goodreads and Amazon, and so it's what many bloggers also use as the standard. But sometimes using a 5 star rating system just doesn't adequately represent your feelings on a book. Sure, you have to pick a full star rating on Amazon or Goodreads, but you can use any sort of star fraction you want within the text of a review. And speaking as a reviewer, sometimes you just have to use star fractions in your reviews.

There are a ton of reasons why a reviewer might love a book, have nothing bad to say about it in the review, be a new fan, and still only give a book a 4.5 star rating.

I've read books where there was just something that didn't quite sit right with me about the book, but I couldn't exactly put my finger on what it was, so while I couldn't talk about it in the review, it affected the rating. And since I couldn't quite pinpoint what was bugging me, I couldn't justify deducting a full star for it.

Other times, what I've not liked about a book has been extremely petty, and I KNEW it was petty so I didn't harp on it in my review and only deducted part of a star for it. "But Katie, if you knew it was petty, why did you let it affect your rating/review at all?" Because this is my blog, damnit, and I do what I want. Also, my ratings and reviews are supposed to reflect my experience with the book, and that petty shit was part of my experience.

But what I want to know is how anyone gets a 4.5 star review and thinks the reviewer wasn't pleased? That's a damn good rating. It's near perfect. You want a full five stars for your book? Be perfect in the eyes of that reviewer. But guess what, you will NEVER be perfect in the eyes of every reviewer because it's all subjective. Don't expect to get a perfect rating from a reviewer who didn't think your book was perfection.

The kicker of this confessions is the dig at reviewers for not being connoisseurs of great writing. I'm not sure if the confessor realizes that's a double edged sword though. I mean, if these reviewers reading your book aren't connoisseurs of great writing, what does that say about your book exactly?

Finally, you wish authors could review reviewers? So do it. Post that shit on your blog. Own up to your opinions like reviewers do every day. By all means, let the world know that unless a reviewer sings your praises, you have no use for their review. And then, let me know how that worked out for you.

Oh, and as a final fuck you from me, I will no longer be rating in full stars on this blog. I know most authors will not care (and will surely round appropriately to determine what their rating would have been otherwise), but in case I ever stumble upon one of your books and rate it on accident, I want to be sure to give it anything but a full star rating. You're welcome. - Katie 

*Book Blogger Hop* 20 October 2017

We are on to a new week for the Book Blogger Hop hosted by the lovely folks over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. This weeks questions is:
Off the book topic - What is your favorite scary movie? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
This is going to go along with last week's hop answer a bit because it's Stephen King's It. While I was a bit disappointed with the changes they made from the story to the original movie, I understand why most of them were necessary. As far as the remake goes, well I haven't seen it yet.

What about you? What's your favorite scary movie? - Katie

*If you're stopping by from the link up, please be sure to leave a link to your answer so I can stop by and see what you had to say.*