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R12: SSS Team 3 - The Dewey Decimators
Week 8, Thursday RollSelection Post
Book: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig
How it Fits: #5 in the Pink Carnation Series
Date: 11/8/2020
Rating: *****
Review: I liked the main character of this book the best, she's a book worm! Her character evolves throughout the story. This novel read like a fairy tale to me, so I enjoyed it very much.
Week 8, Sunday RollRoll: 3
Spot: 60
You can read a standalone, #6 or #60 in a series or you can read a book set in Asia.
Completion Post
Spot 60
So You Think You Can Marry an Alien by Tasha Black
#1 Stargazer Alien Reality Show Brides
190 pages
3 stars
Margo is an actress who is not slender. Her show sends her to a fat farm that is run like a prison. She escapes, but finds herself in a town that is hosting a reality show - I guess like the bachelor? - human woman vying to marry an alien. Margo and Kent, the bachelor alien, click.
Okay...so that's all rather ridiculous...but it was fun, humorous, an easy read and while I wouldn't ever actively recommend it, I wouldn't actively dissuade anyone from reading it either.
Week 8, Sunday RollCompletion Post, Spot 60
A Single Spark by Judith McCoy Miller
4 stars
352 pages
11-9-10
How it Works: It's a standalone.
Wow, it's been forever since I've read a Judith Miller book. Not sure why, as this was pretty darn good. Unfortunately, if she was trying for a shocking twist, it didn't work for me. I guessed that there were spies right away. But! The romance was lovely, and I had never heard of women working at the arsenals during the Civil War, so that was cool.
Week 8, Sunday RollSelection Post
Spot: 60
Book: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Qualification: Standalone
Susan, I'm sorry! I put in the post about Sunday's roll that you could read a #1 in a series, but that was a mistake. Standalones can be read for a 0 or a 1, but #1 in a series can only be read for a 1 (not a 0). I'm so sorry for that mistake! I've removed #1 in a series from the roll post now. Will you be able to read another book for the roll?
Not by midnight. But...it's Tuesday, so yes, I'll get something done on Wednesday.
Week 8 Sunday RollCompletion Post
Spot 60
The Orphan Bride by Brandi Gabriel
145 page
standalone
11/11/20
2 stars
I like mail order bride stories, but I need to pay more attention because I HATE HATE HATE Christian proselytizing. I should have just stopped the book because I am so irritated now that I have finished it. All the random Jesus this, and God knows, and seriously...I'm so pleased she's found God said about a 5 year old. It just drives me absolutely crazy. There isn't anything in the book blurb about the religious aspect of this book which I think is just plain wrong. I was unknowingly subjected to this. However, now that I went back and looked, I see the publisher is "Blessed Publishing" so I'll have to be more diligent.
Anyway, it wasn't a good fit for me. Even ignoring all of the preaching, it was too simple. 6th grade reading level at best. I was also completely skeeved by the fact that this farmer thought the heroine was 15 and he married her. Turns out she was 17, but still, he thought she was 15, and this made me uncomfortable.
I would not recommend this to anyone.
Sorry your second book was a disappointment Susan! But, thanks for getting a second book read so quickly!I've finished my book and I'll post my review in the morning. Hope your reading is going well, Suzanne!
Week 8, Sunday RollSpot: 60
Book: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Pages: 267
Qualification: Standalone
Finished: 11/11/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I had seen the movies years ago when I was a nanny, but had never read the book. I liked the way the author put the story together in the novel. We get an introduction to each of the three main characters through separate "books" and then the final book pieces their storylines together. A simple, but delightful tale of ambition and forgiveness.
Week 8, Sunday Roll Team Reviews PostSpot: 60
Library: A Single Spark by Judith McCoy Miller (Standalone: Post 205)
Susan A: The Orphan Bride by Brandi Gabriel (Standalone: Post 209)
Suzanne: The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton (Standalone: Post 213)
Theo: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Standalone: Post 211)
Week 8, Sunday RollSpot: 60
Book: The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton
Pages: 265
Qualification: Standalone
Finished: 11/12/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book is a non-fiction stand alone because I needed a reading break. This book tries to console the reader through everyday problems by quoting famous philosophers or reinterpreting different philosophies. It's like a philosophy book masquerading as a self help book, but I enjoyed it.
Week 9, Thursday RollRoll: 4
Spot: 64
You can read a #4, #6 or #64 in a series or you can read a book by a new to you author.
Selection PostWeek 9, Thursday Roll
Spot #64
The Alien's Ransom by Ella Maven
Ella Maven is new to me author
Week 9, Thursday RollSelection Post
Spot: 64
Book: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Qualification: Vampire Academy #4
Completion PostWeek 9, Thursday Roll
Spot #64
The Alien's Ransom by Ella Maven
Ella Maven is new to me author
11/13/20
3 stars
I generally enjoy mindless sci-fi romances. This was like most of the other ones I've read...but maybe actually too much like Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. Both feature blue aliens with horns and interesting additions to their genitalia. Both books feature blue aliens that are not on their home world, but were forced to a different planet. Both books feature a virus that wiped out many of their species, both books feature men that revere women. Both use the fated mates trope. After a while the similarities began to worry me. If I hadn't read the Ice Planet Barbarian series, I probably would have enjoyed this more. I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series.
Completion PostWeek #9, Thursday Roll
Spot #64
11/14/2020
4 Stars
This was a good book! It was a Foodie/Chick Lit story and I was able to identify with a lot of it. The main character is about my age (taking care of kids and elderly parents at the same time). If I had read it during a different phase of my life I might not have appreciated it. However, I feel like I read it at the right moment to be able to really enjoy the story.
Hey team! The last couple days were busier than I had planned, so I didn't read as much as I should have, and I'm too tired to keep reading tonight. I'll finish my book up first thing in the morning, I promise!Also, Suzanne, I'm assuming you used the alternate (new to you author) for this roll, but you didn't include the qualification in your completion post, so I want to make sure. Thanks!
Week 9, Thursday RollSpot: 64
Book: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Pages: 503
Qualification: Vampire Academy #4
Finished: 11/15/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: It's been awhile since I had picked up this series, so it took me a minute to remember where things had left off, but thankfully the narration also does a good job of recapping in a natural way (not just an information dump). In this one, Lissa and Rose are separated with Lissa still in school and Rose in Russia tracking down Dimitri. The beginning of the book lagged a bit, I think it could have been edited down, but I understand the need to set up the divide between Rose and Lissa as they deal with the aftermath of the last book. I did like the world-building that occurred as Rose explored the world outside of St. Vladimir's, with new sort of allies, the Alchemists, and more information about spirit users and the bond they can have with the shadow kissed.
Week 9, Thursday Roll Team Reviews PostSpot: 64
Library: K-pop Confidential by Stephan Lee (Alternate (New to You Author): Post 224)
Susan A: The Alien's Ransom by Ella Maven (Alternate (New to You Author): Post 217)
Suzanne: The Owl & Moon Cafe by Jo-Ann Mapson (Alternate (New to You Author): Post 218)
Theo: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #4: Post 220)
We're just waiting on Library's review. Hope the reading is going well!
I just sent Library a PM about her review. Hopefully she'll get it in soon so we can roll!
I'm sorry guys! Computer problems!K-pop Confidential by Stephan Lee
336 pages
4 stars
11-15-20
How it works: new to me author
I really enjoyed this book! As someone who has just started getting into K-pop, I didn't know much about it beyond the music itself, and didn't understand some of the terms they were using in interviews. I feel like I actually learned something reading this book, and it honestly makes me appreciate how hard these singers worked to get where they are.
Week 9, Sunday RollRoll: 4
Spot: 68
You can read a #6, #8 or #68 in a series or you can read a book where the main character travels by train.
Week 9, Sunday RollSelection Post
Spot 68
Just a Little Temptation by Merry Farmer
MC Stephen travels by train
18% “Jane, give Lord Hillsboro those scissors,” Stephen called across the din of chatter, laughter, and squeals as the train rocketed through the countryside.
Week 9, Sunday RollSpot 68 Completion Post
Scene of the Crime by Sharon Dunn
224 pages
2 stars
11-16-20
How it Works: #6 in the series
This book was so repetitive. You could literally guess when Darcy was gonna be in danger, because it happened every 10 pages or so. She gets in danger, cop love interest goes after the bad guy, doesn't catch them, and then 2 hours later (it seems, she gets targeted, like, 10 times in 3 days). For a book with so many close calls, it was boring.
Week 9, Sunday RollSelection Post
Spot: 68
Book: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh
Qualification: Guild Hunter #8
Week 9, Sunday RollCompletion Post
Spot 68
Just a Little Temptation by Merry Farmer
MC Stephen travels by train
18% “Jane, give Lord Hillsboro those scissors,” Stephen called across the din of chatter, laughter, and squeals as the train rocketed through the countryside.
11/17/20
4 stars
Stephen runs an orphanage in London (1800s) Max, a duke's superfluous son, has money and no occupation. He becomes a patron of the orphanage. One of the children goes missing, linking this book to book 1 in the series, in which a child kidnapping ring is investigated.
This was book was a strange mix of happy, sweet scenes and the really dark theme of children & orphans being brazenly stolen and forced into either work in mills or brothels. The mystery has not yet been solved. I plan to continue this series.
Week 9, Sunday RollSpot: 68
Book: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh
Pages: 357
Qualification: Guild Hunter #8
Finished: 11/19/2020
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This installment in the Guild Hunter series focuses on part-vampire, part-something else Naasir. He is a bit of an enigma in that his origins are shrouded in mystery, but also because he has this weird combination of animal attraction and innocence. Naasir has decided that he's ready to mate, but he can't seem to find her. Enter Andromeda, a virgin scholar at the Refuge who has taken a vow of celibacy in reaction to her upbringing in her grandfather's violent and debauched court. The two are on a quest to find the sleeping archangel, Alexander, before Lijuan can use him for her own purposes. Of course, they fall in love, but the adventure in-between is fun and at times, even sweet.
I'll roll once Suzanne's review is posted. I can't believe we're one week away from Thanksgiving (are we all from the US in this group?)!
Week 9, Sunday RollSelection Post; Spot: 68
Book: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig
Qualification: #6 in Series
Week 9, Sunday RollSelection Post; Spot: 68
Book: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig
Qualification: #6 in Series
Date: 11/18/2020
Rating: *****
Review: Lots of scandal in this book and it read more like a soap opera than a Historical-Romance-Mystery. I enjoyed it though and I liked that it was set in India. That was a nice twist, I liked the change in scenery.
Theo wrote: "I'll roll once Suzanne's review is posted. I can't believe we're one week away from Thanksgiving (are we all from the US in this group?)!"I can't wait for a break from kids schoolwork, they get the whole week off rather than just 2 days.
Week 9, Sunday Roll Team Reviews PostSpot: 68
Library: Scene of the Crime by Sharon Dunn (True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn #6: Post 227)
Susan A: Just a Little Temptation by Merry Farmer (Alternate (Train Ride): Post 229)
Suzanne: The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig (Pink Carnation #6: Post 233)
Theo: Archangel's Enigma by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunter #8: Post 230)
Week 10, Thursday RollRoll: 6
Spot: 74
You can read a #4, #7, or #74 in a series or you can read a book that has been turned into a movie or TV series (must state how it qualifies: on a listopia, on imdb, etc.).
Week 10 ThursdaySelection Post
Spot 74
This Time Around by Aimee Nicole Walker
218 pages
#4 Road to Blissville
Week 10 ThursdayCompletion Post
Spot 74
This Time Around by Aimee Nicole Walker
218 pages
#4 Road to Blissville
11/19/20
3 stars
This book was entertaining - good dialog and secondary characters, but I had a pretty hard time with the main plot. They hadn't seen one in another in 12 years, fall immediately into bed (no, the back alley at Milo's business) and then for two more years they argue and refuse to communicate like adults or even human beings, and then suddenly, with the help of what might be a ghost (I think this will be addressed in the next book), they manage to talk to one another and fall into a committed relationship. In the first third of the book, I was hoping that their respective family members would encourage them to get over themselves and move on to the people. I would think this relationship is destined to fail at their first disagreement based on their inability to communicate.
I wouldn't actively recommend this, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend against it (3 stars really has no discernible meaning). However, if you have read other books by AImee Nicole Walker and liked them, I think you will like this one too.
Week 10 ThursdayCompletion Post, Spot 74
Harbour Street by Ann Cleeves
400 pages
11-20-20
4 stars
How it Works: Vera is a longtime tv show in England, and it's on AcornTV over here in the States
The Christmas book of the series, I had no idea what was gonna happen, but randomly managed to guess who the killer was really early in the book, figuring I'd be wrong. Not the best of the series, but Vera is as entertaining as she always is.
I'm running behind this roll. Sorry! I should be done in a couple hours. Remember that this week we only roll today, and then not again until next Sunday, so we have a full week to read our books.
Week 10, Thursday RollSpot: 74
Book: Son by Lois Lowry
Pages: 393
Qualification: The Giver #4
Finished: 11/22/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the fourth book in the Giver series, but it can also be read as a direct sequel to the first book. Almost 20 years after The Giver pretty much established the YA dystopian genre, we return to the colorless, emotionless world of Jonas and Gabriel. Only this time, we meet Gabriel's birth mother, Claire, who dares to love the child she brought into the world, so much so that she leaves behind everything she knows to find him. Starting off in the familiar dystopian world, we transition to something more akin to a fairytale retelling. It's not as perfect as the original, but it's a satisfying conclusion that ties together the previous three books, but it definitely could stand on its own as a standalone.
I'm in and out this afternoon, but I'll try to keep an eye out for Suzanne's review, so that I can roll as soon as possible!
Week 10 ThursdaySelection Post: Spot 74
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
320 pages
Read a book that has been turned into a movie or TV series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGra...
Week 10 ThursdaySelection Post: Spot 74
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
320 pages
Read a book that has been turned into a movie or TV series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGra...
Date: 11/22/2020
Rating: *****
Review: I was told that if you want to really appreciate this book, you should read the original first and then read this one right after it. I however, did not have time to do this but I did thoroughly enjoy this book. "“IT IS A TRUTH universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." I giggled all the way through this book.
Week 10, Thursday Roll Team Reviews PostSpot: 74
Library: Harbour Street by Ann Cleeves (Alternate (Book to Screen): Post 241)
Susan A: This Time Around by Aimee Nicole Walker (Road to Blissville #4: Post 238)
Suzanne: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (Alternate (Book to Screen): Post 247)
Theo: Son by Lois Lowry (The Giver #4: Post 243)
Week 10, Sunday RollRoll: 5
Spot: 79
You can read a #7, #9, or #79 in a series or you can read a debut novel (an author's debut).
Reminder that because of Thanksgiving, we will not roll again until next Sunday (which is when reviews are due).
Selection PostWeek 10 Sunday Roll
Spot 79
Jane Davey's Locket by Eve Langlais
190 pages
#7 Welcome to Hell
The Challenge Factory
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Selection Post
Book: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig
How it Fits: #5 in the Pink Carnation Series