Book Photo Sundays #49: October 1, 2017

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Book Photo Sundays" where you get the chance to showcase photos of your books, bookshelves and book conventions you have gone to!  The goal of this book meme is to basically just post up a photo of the various books you have read or your book hauls on your blog and link back here so that way everyone can check out your wonderful book photos!  You can get your book photos through your Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Iphone or any other account where you can get your photos!

#bookphotosundays

So let's get started!

Here's my little book building!

An InLinkz Link-up

Stacking the Shelves #31: September 30, 2017

Stacking The Shelves is a book meme created by Tynga's Reviews and Reading Reality and it is about sharing books that you are adding to your shelves, whether it's physical or virtual.  This means including books that you bought from the store or online, books you borrowed from friends or from the library, books you've reviewed, gifts and ebooks!

Hey everyone! I have a huge haul this week as I got a ton of freebies from various book sites, so I'm hoping read up all of these books as soon as possible!  I still can't believe that it's the end of September already!  I already got some Halloween reads line up and I'm hoping to read some good and scary books for Halloween!  Also, I just saw the Inhumans TV show last night and I have to say that I didn't really enjoy the pilot that much.  The characters were unlikable and the pacing was really slow.  I really hope the next episode is much better than the first!

Books Received:

From Author:

Freebies:

Book Blogger Hop #31: September 29th - October 5th

Hello everyone! I'm participating in another book meme called the Book Blogger Hop which is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer!  Basically, you just answer weekly questions and then post up your link on the question's page.

This week's question is : 

 This week's question is submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books!

Have you ever slept with a favorite, beloved book under your pillow, or cradled in your arms?

Yes!  I actually do this every night!  I read a ton of books by Henrik Drescher and I tend to sleep with most of these books whenever I go to bed.  Probably the books I tend to sleep with the most are:

The Fool and the Flying Ship by Eric Metaxas
Klutz by Henrik Drescher
The Gingerbread Man by Rana Giglio (my most recent book)
Runaway Opposites by Richard Wilbur

As for chapter books in general, I usually don't sleep with those under my pillow because I'm afraid that I would lose my place in the book and I would have to spend so much time trying to find my place again!

[BOOK REVIEW] The Gingerbread Man by Rana Giglio

Title:  The Gingerbread Man

Author:  Rana Giglio

Artist: Henrik Drescher

Genre:  Fantasy / Humor / Retelling / Fairy Tale

Year Published: 1997

Year Read: 2017

Publisher:   Harcourt Brace & Company

Source:  Purchased

Content Rating:  Ages 4+  (Some Mischievous Behavior and Scary Imagery)

Buy or Add on:  Amazon  //  Goodreads 

I have this weird confession to make:  I once had a dream about a book that was illustrated by Henrik Drescher that was obscured and in my dream, I ended up buying the book since I am a huge fan of Henrik Drescher’s works.  Well, I have to say that that dream actually came TRUE since I just recently bought this rare and obscure book called “The Gingerbread Man” which was retold by Rana Giglio along with artwork by Henrik Drescher and I have to admit that this book was a blast to read!

This book is basically a short version of the original fairy tale “The Gingerbread Man” and it pretty much retells the story about how an old couple bakes a gingerbread man and the gingerbread man ends up coming to life and running away from the couple, while yelling out:

“Run, run,

As fast as you can.

You can’t catch me.

I’m the gingerbread man!”

Will the gingerbread man escape the couple, the horse, the cow and the fox?

Read this book to find out!

Wow…just wow...this had to be the weirdest yet most creative version of “The Gingerbread Man” I had ever read!  I have to warn you though that this little children’s book is only EIGHT PAGES LONG!  Not the usual 63 pages you get from most children’s books…EIGHT!!!  So, I was quite surprised at how much of the original “Gingerbread Man” story they were able to get in such a short book, but it eventually worked out alright as this book serves to be an outline of sorts about how the “Gingerbread Man” story is told.  Rana Giglio did a great job at retelling this classic fairy tale as the narrative is short and simple enough to read through and it really conveys the true story of the Gingerbread Man through just a few words on each page.  But, the true highlight of this book is none other than Henrik Drescher’s colorful and bizarre illustrations as they bring this book to life and we are treated to a livelier version of the “Gingerbread Man” than ever before!  I was intrigued with the artwork of the gingerbread man itself as it is drawn much more differently than the average look for the character as the gingerbread man is much more human like in appearance and it has wobbly limbs instead of short and thick limbs like it usually does in most adaptations.

I will admit that I was a bit disappointed that this book was a bit too short since I wanted to see more of Henrik Drescher’s artwork through a much more extended version of the story.  I also will admit that I was a bit freaked out by the gingerbread man itself as while it is quite a unique design for the character, the fact that it has such wobbly limbs and oddly shaped eyes just put me on edge.  I mean, just look at this thing!

Overall, “The Gingerbread Man” is an instant treat for anyone who wants to read a more obscure version of the classic fairy tale!  I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since the images of the gingerbread man might scare some small children.

You might also like: 

• The Fool and the Flying Ship by Eric Metaxas

• Runaway Opposites by Richard Wilbur

• Simon's Book by Henrik Drescher

☀Daily Book Chat #16: ☀ Reviewing Slumps...Can it Happen?

 Hello everyone! Welcome to my  ☀Daily Book Chat☀ where I do some SERIOUS discussions that fellow book fans will get a kick out of and relate their thoughts about the subject to other book fans!

Today's discussion question is Reviewing Slumps...Can it Happen?


So, you're a book blogger who has been reviewing books for most of your book reading career and then suddenly, you hit a ROCK.  Your creative juices in writing reviews had run out and you feel like that you just don't want to review books anymore since reviewing the little suckers has become a bit of a chore for you.

Can this happen for any book reviewer?

OF COURSE IT CAN!!!!

Sometimes, when you've been reviewing books for a long time, you just get a little winded with reviewing so many books and you feel like that you got to give up on the reviewing gig just to get some peace and quiet.  I will admit that I had suffered from a reviewing slump a couple of months ago where I've read so many books at one time, that I just didn't feel like reviewing books at the moment and I just took a break from reviewing books for awhile until I got back into the spirit of things.

So, how do you STOMP OUT the dreaded REVIEWING SLUMP?  Here are some tips:

1.  Don't try to review so many books at once:

One of the problems you would face when reviewing books is that there might be a time where you have read so many books at one time and you have to review all of the books that you've read during that time.  My advice to you is whenever that happens, DON'T try to review all the books at one time.  That can cause a MAJOR burnout as you would be worrying about trying to get a specific review out on time, while dealing with the other books that you've read at the same time.   Try to have it planned where you can post up at least one or two reviews a week so that way, you won't stress yourself out on whether or not you got a specific review out on time or whether you can fit all the reviews into one week.  If there is a book where you have to get the review out on a specific day, do the review for that book first and then you can wait around for the other reviews.

2. Schedule your reviews:

If you are having problems with deciding on what day you should post your reviews, make up a schedule for yourself to decide what days would work for you in posting those reviews.  Scheduling reviews can give you enough time to work on the reviews you got and you don't have to worry about rushing through a review if you set up a date that won't cause any complications for you.

3.  Take a Break if Necessary:

Suffering through the slump?  Then feel free to take a break anytime.  You don't need to push yourself to get a review out, especially if you don't feel like writing reviews.  Writing book reviews can be draining at times and the best way to get back into reviewing books again is to take some time off from reviewing and allow the creative juices to slide right back into you!

4.  HAVE FUN!!!!

Reviewing books should be a fun experience and while there are times where reviewing books can be stressful (mostly due to some people giving harsh criticisms to your reviews), you should NEVER EVER treat the book reviewing process as a JOB!  You should treat it as a pleasant LEISURE activity that will relax you and also remember that reviewing books allows you the chance to give out your OWN opinions about a book that you've just read and share it to the world!

Well, that's my chat for the day!  Have you gone through a reviewing slump and if so, how did you handle that dilemma?

Annnnnnddddd....as always everybody:

HAPPY READING, BOOK FANS!!!!

Halloween Book Bingo Sign Up!

Hello everyone!  I'm participating in this new challenge called "Halloween Book Bingo," which is being hosted by My Lovely Secret!  I have a lot of Halloween books to read for October, so this challenge would be great to have in reading some good old creepy reads!  The challenge runs from September 27 - October 31!

Banned Book Spotlight #1: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Banned Books Week: September 24 - September 30)

Hello everyone!  In celebration of Banned Books Week, I have decided to do spotlights on banned books that I have read over the years and how I felt about the reasons that caused the books to be banned and whether or not the book is worth reading!

This Week's Banned Book Spotlight is:

Info:

Title:  The Lorax

Author:  Dr. Seuss

Genre: Environment / Satire / Animal

Year Published: 1971

Publisher:  Random House Books for Young Readers

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

My Review:  The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Goodreads Summary: 

"UNLESS someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not." Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty. His classic cautionary tale is now available in an irresistible mini-edition, perfect for backpack or briefcase, for Arbor Day, Earth Day, and every day.

Reasons for being banned:

For portraying the foresting industry in a negative way and some people felt it persuaded children to be against logging.

Do you agree with this reason?

I definitely don't agree with the reasoning here.  In my honest opinion, I think that the book was just trying to teach children about the importance of taking care of the environment and that cutting down too many trees can hurt the environment.  I don't think that the book was bashing the logging industry specifically and I never seen the logging industry being portrayed in a negative light.  If there was an element of the book that was being portrayed in a negative light, it was the greed that the Once-ler experiences when cutting down all the trees.

Do you recommend this book?

YES!  I definitely recommend this book!  Not only is it one of Dr. Seuss' most engaging books, but it's definitely one book you should check out if you want to read books that deal with environmentalism!

Waiting on Wednesday #58: All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

Hello everyone! "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that is hosted by Breaking the Spine and the purpose of this event is that we spotlight upcoming releases of books that we are excited for!  This will also tie into Wishful Ending's Can't Wait Wednesday post!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title:  All the Crooked Saints

Author:  Maggie Stiefvater

Expected Publication Date:  October 10th, 2017

Here is a thing everyone wants:
A miracle.

Here is a thing everyone fears:
What it takes to get one.

Any visitor to Bicho Raro, Colorado is likely to find a landscape of dark saints, forbidden love, scientific dreams, miracle-mad owls, estranged affections, one or two orphans, and a sky full of watchful desert stars.

At the heart of this place you will find the Soria family, who all have the ability to perform unusual miracles. And at the heart of this family are three cousins longing to change its future: Beatriz, the girl without feelings, who wants only to be free to examine her thoughts; Daniel, the Saint of Bicho Raro, who performs miracles for everyone but himself; and Joaquin, who spends his nights running a renegade radio station under the name Diablo Diablo.

They are all looking for a miracle. But the miracles of Bicho Raro are never quite what you expect.

Maggie Stiefvater has been called “a master storyteller” by USA Today and “wildly imaginative” by Entertainment Weekly. Now, with All the Crooked Saints, she gives us the extraordinary story of an extraordinary family, a masterful tale of love, fear, darkness, and redemption.

Hmmm... Miracles....what an interesting concept!  And I'm interested in seeing how "miracles" would play into this story!

So, what upcoming books are you looking forward to?  Please respond below!

October Blog Ahead Sign Up!

Hey everyone!  Once again, I'm signing up for another blog ahead challenge, this time for October and the challenge will run from October 1 - October 31st!  So, I'll be shooting for 32 posts for October and I'm hoping to complete this challenge (hoping that I have no computer problems in October though)!

If you want to join this challenge, SIGN UP HERE.

Top Ten Tuesday #55: (FREEBIE) Top 10 Books with Diverse Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.


This week's top 10 Tuesday topic is a freebie and I have decided to choose "Top 10 Books with Diverse Characters!"  So, basically this list has most of the diverse books I've read so far throughout my entire reading career and hopefully, after I complete this list, I will try to read even more books with diverse characters!

So here's my top 10 Books with Diverse Characters (in no particular order, of course)!

1.  Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

YES!  This was the first book that I had read that featured a character with mental health problems (in this case, schizophrenia) and this is a fantastic book for anyone who wants to read books about characters with mental illness.


2.  Heathen Volume 1 by Natasha Alterici

Now, I have read many graphic novels that features LGBT characters, but I had never read a graphic novel that focuses solely on a LGBT character and this graphic novel is definitely worth the read if you are looking for some GOOD OLE graphic novels that features LGBT characters!


3. Follow the Drinking Gourd by Bernardine Connelly

If you want to learn more about black history, then this OLD SCHOOL picture book classic is definitely worth checking out, especially if you want to introduce Black History to young kids!


4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Just the fact that you not only have a book that is a retelling of a classic fairy tale, but you also have an Asian protagonist in the mix, makes this book worth reading!


5.  The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Probably one of the most IMPORTANT children's book that you must read since it deals with racism and the power of friendship between two people of different races!

6.  Martin's Big Words:  The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport

Probably one of the most INFLUENTIAL African American leaders in history, this picture book is worth reading if you want to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. himself!


7.  Saga by Brian K. Vaughan

Probably one of the most AWESOME and RIVETING graphic novels around, this series really does explore the range of diverse families that everyone should check out!


8.  Ms. Marvel: No Normal Volume 1 by G. Willow Wilson

This is SERIOUSLY one of the best comics that has a Muslim superhero and is definitely worth the read if you are looking for comic books with positive Muslim characters!



9.  Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco

Another RIVETING children's book the features a diverse cast of characters and the importance of true friendship!



10. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

It's RARE that you come across a urban fantasy series that features a Native American heroine, so if you are looking for books that has a Native American hero or heroine, then this book is for YOU!