The Readers Block

I was given access to an advanced reading copy through Netgalley and Llewellyn Publications. First, let me just say this book was right up my alley. I have been interested in the paranormal for as long as I can remember, though I'd say as a skeptic more times than believer. I can relate to the thought that objects, people or houses can be haunted, as I've had some pretty creepy experiences of my own. However, I've always looked for the rational explanation first. Sometimes, though, there just isn't one to be found. That seems to be the case with Norman. Early on in the story, I found my skin crawling as the author begins to describe things that may have been circumstantial, but hadn't happened before Norman came into their lives. It just felt a little too familiar, and I had to take a break. I jumped back in after a day or two, and found myself wanting to know more. This is a pretty interesting tale, though I'd stay away if you have phobia of dolls. The

There are only 14 days left in the year, so it's time to start thinking about the 2018 Reading Challenges! And, it means I still have two weeks to finish last years (not gonna lie, it ain't gonna happen). This first one is the PopSugar challenge, which is my favorite and may be the only one I actually work on. I'll fill in my choices as I think of them. Here goes!!! A book made into a movie you’ve already seen Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro True crime In Cold Blood, Truman Capote or Helter Skelter The next book in a series you started King's Cage, Victoria Aveyard A book involving a heist The Hunter, Richard Stark Nordic noir The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye, David Lagercrantz A novel based on a real person The Perfect King, The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation, Ian Mortimer A book set in a country that fascinates you The Last Tudor, Philippa Gregory A book with a time of day in the title Dawn, Elie Wiesel A book about a v

There's 24 hours left to help my daughter advance her business to the semi finals of a grant competition that could help her finally open a store. All you have to do is view this 30 second video and it counts as a vote! You don't need the volume on either. Just play it!

I woke up this morning with a true and serious book hangover. I mean, a real doozy. Swollen eyes, headache, stuffy nose... I must have been crying in my sleep, and The Winter Garden is to blame. I can't think of any thing else at the moment, and I should have known better. I read The Nightingale last year, and it really touched me, so I couldn't pass up the chance to read The Winter Garden when it was offered for free on the Bookshout app. I don't normally like to read on my phone, but the app has a speed read setting which is awesome for the elliptical or treadmill. So I decided to give it a try. It's a really good thing I read The Nightingale, because I at least had enough warning from that to know I had to stop reading Winter Garden at the gym. I got so caught up in Vera's story that I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish Winter Garden last night, and ended up trying to cry as softly as I could manage so as not to wake my husband. Not an eas

Didn't quite reach my goal for 2016, but I'm not stressed about it. My number goal for 2017 is 40, I decided to stick to doable instead of pushing it. As far as the challenges go, I've chosen two for 2017- so far- Book Riot's Read Harder and Better World Books 2017 challenge. I'm going to try this again- Maybe I'll get it done this year if I have the books listed beforehand. We shall see.... Book Riot’s Read Harder 2017 Challenge 1. Read a book about sports. Fourth Down and Inches (l) 2. Read a debut novel. The Bell Jar (k) 3. Read a book about books. The Book of Lost things (l) 4. Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author. The Sound of Things Falling (l) 5. Read a book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative. Americanah (l) 6. Read an all-ages comic. X-men- The Age of Proteus (h) 7. Read a book published between 1900 and 1950. The Secret Garden (k) 8. R