Shannon Review - In Every Generation by Kendare Blake (#1 )

Title: In Every Generation
Series: #1 In Every Generation
Author: Kendare Blake
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Unknown
Genre: Fiction, Series, TV Series, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Vampires, Fantasy, Thriller
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion
Received: Free For Honest Review
Release Date: January 2022
Pages: 400
Rating:




Author Kendare Blake’s Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.kendareblake.com/


Blog:
https://www.kendareblake.com/blog/


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/kendare.blake


Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KendareBlake


Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kendareblake

TikTok:

Not Found

Shannon’s Thoughts:


It's been 13 years since Buffy Summers the vampire slayer and her friends did a spell to awaken all slayers worldwide. Now Buffy's best friend Willow and her daughter Frankie Rosenberg may be what's left to save the world. It looks like all the slayers including Buffy may be dead. We find out Frankie's parentage is a mystical one. Her mother Willow is a great witch her father, if you had to describe him, was mystical energy. Frankie has trained as a witch under her mother and now seems she is also a Slayer…? Frankie and her best friend Jake who is also Oz's nephew are looking for a way to help all the Slayers including Buffy.

This book takes place after season 7. This history does not follow the same as the comic books it's a whole new take. However, it does have regulars from the series like Willow, Oz, and Spike.


While I don’t think this is canon like the Dark Horse comics are this is an interesting way to go. I like the idea of Frankie’s parentage. Not sure how I feel about the return of Oz. I like Frankie as a character. The other characters are…okay.


On the downside, I don’t feel there was a lot of plot. It was mostly an introduction to the new characters. I also don’t feel this book would bring new readers or new fans. I think it would make sense to those of us who have watched the show but confusing to those who have not watched it.


I hope they keep writing books and comics to keep the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series alive. I know there are going to be 2 more books in this series and that there are 2 other prequels out now (one on Spike and the other on Tara). Anything that keeps the series active I will enjoy.

Shannon's Review - Castle Roogna by Piers Anthony (Xanth #3)

Title: Castle Roogna
Series: Xanth #3
Author: Piers Anthony
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: unknown
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Series,
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Received: Bought
Release Date: Jan 1979
Pages: 329
Rating:





Official Piers Anthony Websites:





Website:
http://www.hipiers.com/

Blog:
http://piersanthonyblog.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPiersAnthony/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/piersanthony

Instagram:
None found






Shannon’s Thoughts:


The third installment in Piers Anthony’s Xanth series. We meet the son of the previous main characters, Bink and Chameleon. Dor is a young boy of twelve who has magic and is being raised to someday be King. Most heroes of Xanth have to go on quests and Dor must as well. With his “babysitter”, an ex gargoyle, and a spell from the wizard Humphreys he goes back hundreds of years in time to find a cure for a girl and her zombie.


I find over the years I like series that are family sagas. Probably why I like genealogy as well. I really like the Xanth books for the magic and the humor. I had started this book 2 other times and then lost the book because we moved. The start of the story never left my mind which is rare for me to remember anything I have read for very long. I was happy to finally get to finish and find out how Dor’s first quest went.


Dor's quest seems fairly hard for a 12-year-old but he finds friends and helpers. One friend in a spider he calls Jumper. I mention this because if you are not a friend of spiders you may not like this story as he is in the book for most of it. I don’t love spiders and I don’t hate them either. Jumper was much nicer than Aragog from the Harry Potter series.


I can’t wait to read the next book, Centaur Aisle. I have also read other series from Piers Anthony and I do recommend his books for fantasy lovers.

Shannon's Review - Hopper Lends A Helping Paw (Hopper & Friends) by Amy Best

Title: Hopper Lends A Helping Paw
Series: Hopper & Friends
Author: Amy Best
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Michael Harris
Genre: Fiction, Series, Animals, Picturebook, Children's
Publisher: The Essential Library
Received: Bought
Release Date: May 2016
Pages: 26
Rating:



Author Amy Best’s Official Websites:





Website:
None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found





Shannon’s Thoughts:

Hopper the Rabbit watches his grandmother make up baskets for those less fortunate. The idea of giving these items to those in need gives him an idea that he shares with friends who also decide to help.

The story gets straight to the point. Grandma Rabbit makes a basket for fellow neighbors in need and Hopper watches, asking questions. It is very inspiring and hopefully encourages children to do the same.

I would have added in the back of the book places kids could donate and help others. Other than that the book is sweet as are the characters.

I see more Hopper and Friends books in my future. They are fun little tales and children will like the recurring characters.

Shannon's Review - Kingston And The Magician's Lost And Found by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi

Title: Kingston And The Magician’s Lost And Found
Series: Kingston #1
Author: Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Dan Mumford
Genre: Fiction, Juvenile, Fantasy, Magic,
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons For Young Readers
Received: From Publisher For An Honest Review
Release Date: February 2021
Pages: 288
Rating:



Author Rucker Moses (aka Craig S. Phillips and Harold Hayes Jr.) and Theo Gangi Official Websites:





Websites:

Rucker Moses: https://www.ruckermoses.com/
Theo Gangi: https://www.theogangi.com/

Blog:
Rucker Moses: None Found
Theo Gangi: None Found

Facebook:
Rucker Moses: https://www.facebook.com/rucker.moses
Theo Gangi: https://www.facebook.com/theo.gangi

Twitter:
Rucker Moses: https://twitter.com/rucker_moses
Theo Gangi: https://twitter.com/tprgangi

Instagram:
Rucker Moses: https://www.instagram.com/rucker.moses/
Theo Gangi: https://www.instagram.com/theoblackgangi/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Kingston and his mother moved away from Echo City when his father disappeared. Now 4 years later they have moved back to open a restaurant. Kingston wanders the town reminded of his father and how he disappeared in front of his own eyes. Kingston soon discovers that magic is real and his father disappeared for a good reason. Kingston finds out that he might be able to bring him back.

The book is pretty fast-paced and is very original. The magic rules used are very different than other books. The four elements are spoken of but they are not the elements that you would normally think of. This made the book confusing and interesting at the same time. Your expecting one thing and get another.

While I liked the different world and the magic, I feel like I needed more info and more history. How did the father and his brothers learn magic was real and when? What exactly was the reason for the father to sacrifice himself? Just so many questions but I guess that is what the next book (and others) will hopefully answer.

Kingston And The Magicians Lost And Found was enjoyable and I would like to read the sequel. Kids who enjoy magicians and fantasy magic will like this series.

Shannon's Review - Albert Einstein by Aimee Hawk

Title: Albert Einstein
Series: Inspired Inner Genius #1
Author: Aimee Hawk
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Irina Katsimon
Genre: Non-Fiction, Children, Biography,
Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association
Received: Bought
Release Date: April 2021
Pages: 29
Rating:



Author Aimee Hawk’s Official Websites:





Website:
None found

Blog:
None found

Facebook:
None found

Twitter:
None found

Instagram:
None found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

This is a child’s introduction to the life of Albert Einstein. We learn what he disliked about school and how it was taught. He was an intelligent person and learn differently than most. As an adult, he achieved much in the field of science and won very prestigious awards.

I like the fact this does not shy away from the fact Einstein quit school and then returned able to learn at his own pace. I have a few intelligent friends who quit school and then became successful on their own. Most books would leave the fact that he quit even though the fact is he does return to learning.

It is a nice introduction for children but I feel like more could have been added about Einstein’s history.

I like the fact that this is a series of books about famous individuals like Albert Einstein. I will look forward to seeing more from the series. I think children will enjoy this series as well.

Shannon's Review - Red Wolf by Liza Marklund

Title: Red Wolf
Series: Annika Bengtzon #5
Author: Liza Marklund
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Jill Putorti
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Series
Publisher: Atria
Received: Free from the publisher for an honest review
Release Date: February 2011
Pages: 400
Rating:




Author Liza Marklund’s Official Websites:


(borrowed from lizamarklund.com)

Website:
http://lizamarklund.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LizaMarklund

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Annika is a journalist who writes at a tabloid. After a journalistic friend is killed Annika is slowly uncovering what could be a serial killer.

This the 5th book in the Annika Bengtzon series. I had not read any of the previous books so I was missing some back story. I enjoyed some of the characters and felt bad for some, I did not care for others.

In most thriller books you can jump in any book in the series and get the gist of what happened in previous books. This book did not do that for me. I was lost until about 50 pages in, then we are reading about Annika and her husband’s relationship problems. Once that scene was over we are then reading about Annika’s friend and her husband's problems. All could think is why should I care about these characters. The friend couple really did not advance the story for me. I was also confused about why Annika would sometimes hear angels. I don’t know if that was supposed to be real or she was off her meds.

This book was hit and miss for me. I was more interested in Annika’s relationships than the mystery/thriller part. I had to really force myself to finish. I will not continue reading this series.

Shannon's Review - The Horrorist Vol. 1 by Jamie Delano

Title: The Horrorist
Series: Hellblazer #1 & #2
Author: Jamie Deland
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: David Lloyd
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Horror, Series
Publisher: Vertigo
Received: Bought
Release Date: December 1995
Pages: 104
Rating:





Author Jamie Deland’s Official Websites:


(borrowed from goodreads.com)

Website:
http://www.jamiedelano.co.uk/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jamiedelano

Instagram:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

This mini-series breaks off from the Hellblazer series, with John Constantine. Constantine is a mysterious man who knows about the dark arts. He lives and breathes darkness. He traces a story about a girl who may be connected to strange deaths.

This is my first delve into comics about Constantine. I have seen the movie with Keanu and watched the short-lived tv series. After reading this I see how the tv series was closer to the comics than the movie was. This story in particular was dark and since this was the first part no real resolution. The story kept my attention all the way through. I really want to know more about what happens with the girl and what is wrong with her.

This graphic novel was too short. I had hope for more and not so many questions, but I would still read again.

If you enjoy the John Constatine from the original tv series and the character on the CW channel Legends Of Tomorrow you will enjoy the comics.

Shannon's Review - God Emperor Of Dune by Frank Herbert

Title: God Emperor Of Dune
Series: Dune #4
Author: Frank Herbert
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: unknown
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Series
Publisher: Berkley
Received: Bought
Release Date: January 1984
Pages: 423
Rating:



Author Frank Herbert’s Official Websites:


(taken from goodreads.com.)

Website:
https://www.dunenovels.com/

Blog:
None

Facebook:
None

Twitter:
None

Instagram:
None


Shannon’s Thoughts:

Taking place thousands of years after Dune Messiah Leto II is still alive and is now considered Emperor/God of the empire. He physically looks much different now as he excepts the bodily changes of turning into a sandworm. His body and mind still hold on to some human things. For one he keeps bringing Duncan Idaho back to serve him, Duncan keeps the unhuman part of Leto at bay. Most people under Leto do not agree with the way he runs things. Many want to overthrow him.

I find all the characters in the Dune Universe are so different and interesting in their own way. My favorite character in this one was and is Duncan Idaho. I wonder how many times Leto had cloned him or how many of Duncan’s children or grandchildren ran about Arrakis.

Not much is explained as to why the golden path leads Leto to become a sandworm or why all the worlds will go downhill when he is gone. There are many questions left unanswered but I can let some go because real-life leaves questions unanswered.

I will continue to read the rest of the Dune series. I think fans of Science Fiction, and Family Sagas will enjoy this series. I say this as a fan of lite Science Fiction, I don’t like SciFi books too heavy and all science jargon.

Shannon's Review - Lima & Ina : The Bee Sting by Mason Nassah

Title: Lima And Ina: The Bee Sting
Series: Lima and Ina
Author: Mason Nassah
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Mason Nassah
Genre: Fiction, Children, Early Reader, Series
Publisher: Self Published
Received: Bought
Release Date: December 2017
Pages: 36
Rating:



Author Mason Nassah’s Official Websites:




Website:
None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Ina and her little sister, Lima, are playing in their yard and a bee shows up. Ina is afraid of bees because she knows they sting. Lima gets chased by the bee and Ina gets stung trying to keep Lima safe. While Lima recovers from the bee sting she learns the role bees have in our world.

Little Ina reminds me of myself. I was very scared of bees and getting stung and I never knew the impacts bees have on our world until recently. Bees are pretty amazing little creatures even though their sting can cause many people problems.

I thought this was going to be more of a picture book but it is really an early reader. I enjoyed the art on the cover and had hoped for more on the inside.

Lima and Ina are really cute. I love how Ina was so protective of her little sister. I plan on reading more from the series. I think that kids just starting school and starting how to read will enjoy these books.

Shannon's Review - New X-men Vol.4 - Riot At Xavier's by Grant Morrison

Title: New Xmen Vol.4 - Riot At Xavier’s
Series: New Xmen
Author: Grant Morrison
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Frank Quitely
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Superhero,
Publisher: Marvel
Received: Purchased
Release Date: November 2006
Pages: 120
Rating:



Author Grant Morrison’s Official Websites:



(from Goodreads.com)

Website:
https://www.grantmorrison.com/

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/grantmorrisonofficial/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/grantmorrison

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/grant.morrison/



Shannon’s Thoughts:

Professor X. is about to open his mutant school to combined humans and mutants. He works to unite both mutant and human but the death of a mutant by a human stirs anger in the students already at Xavier’s School For Gifted. Quentin (later known as Kid Omega) creates chaos and kindles the anger of his fellow students by using his mental powers and a drug that enhances each of their powers.

I have been going back to comics but only reading graphic novels that I find deals on so I am reading them out of order. Xmen has always been a favorite of mine. I prefer the original X-Men team but I like being introduced to new mutants. This is the second graphic novel I have read with Quentin (Kid Omega). In both, he has huge anger problems and really seems to mess things up and causing deaths. Not a big fan of him. I was interested in the Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Jean Grey triangle.

I had an issue with the art though. Especially with the way Quentin is usually drawn. Sometimes he looks like a girl and sometimes his facial features just seem off or not normal. Also, the gang that Quentin gets together wears these red and green sweaters that make them look like a Freddy Krueger gang. Maybe because they are a nightmare.

Still a Marvel fan I will continue to read comics. I think anyone who into superheroes or feels like an outcast will like the X-men comics.

Shannon's Review - Amy Best's Hopper And The Rollercoaster

Title: Amy Best’s Hopper And The Rollercoaster
Series: Hopper & Friends
Author: Amy Best
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Michael Harris
Genre: Fiction, Series, Animals, Picturebook, Children's
Publisher: The Essential Library
Received: Bought
Release Date: March 2016
Pages: 36
Rating:



Author Amy Best’s Official Websites:



Website:
None Found

Blog:
None Found

Facebook:
None Found

Twitter:
None Found

Instagram:
None Found



Shannon’s Thoughts:


Hopper the Hare is excited about the new amusement park opening up until he hears about the rollercoaster.

Amusement parks are a blast and it is no question as to why young Hopper is excited about them. It also does not surprise me that he gets nervous about a roller coaster because I feel the same way about coasters. I understood Hopper’s fear and was happy he was able to push through and eventually go to Shannon Squirrel’s birthday party at the amusement park.

What I wish they had not done was make Hopper do something that seems way reckless. Yes, he was helping a friend but Hopper is a child...I think. His friend was also not in a life or death situation. I also would have left that it was still okay for Hopper to be scared of the coaster and not have to go on one.

I enjoy this one it was fun. I felt the excitement of the characters. Maybe that means I have been inside too long. I do miss amusement parks. My rollercoaster days are over because they scare the bejesus out of me. It is fun seeing others have fun. I will be reading more Hopper and Friends books. I am surprised there is no official website.

Shannon's Review - To Fetch A Thief by Spencer Quinn

Title: To Fetch A Thief
Series: Chet And Bernie Mystery #3
Author: Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams)
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Anna Dorfman
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Atria Books
Received: Free for an honest review.
Release Date: September 2010
Pages: 307
Rating:



Author Spencer Quinn’s (aka Peter Abrahams) Official Websites:




Website:
https://www.peterabrahams.com/

Blog:
http://www.chetthedog.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ChetTheDog

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/chetthedog

Instagram:
None found



Shannon’s Thoughts:

This is the third installment to the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Chet, the dog is the best at narrating their stories. Bernie and Chet are working on a case for a circus. A missing performer and his elephant are missing. The leads do not come easy and they are traveling farther than they would like to crack the case.

Even though this is the third book in the series, it is the first one I have read. I did not feel lost and felt very connected to the characters. I love the way Chet’s voice is described and how he takes in information. Since he is a dog he gets distracted sometimes but not most of the time because he is a good dog.

I wish I had more of the books to read but I will have to remedy it another day. The end of the story did not come together as cleanly as I hoped. It seemed like things had gotten so out of hand (or paw) the author wasn’t sure how to get it back to a resolvable ending. Things got too lucky in the final chapters.

I will definitely be reading another Chet and Bernie mystery. I could see these characters as a tv series or movies. Worth the read and I am happy reading out of order if I read more.

Shannon's Review - Children Of Dune by Frank Herbert

Title: Children Of Dune
Series: Dune Chronicles #3
Author: Frank Herbert
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Vincent DiFate
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Classic
Publisher: J.P. Putnam’s Sons
Received: Bought
Release Date: January 1976
Pages: 444
Rating:



Author Frank Herbert’s Official Websites:


(taken from goodreads.com.)


Website:
https://www.dunenovels.com/

Blog:
None

Facebook:
None

Twitter:
None

Instagram:
None




Shannon’s Thoughts:

In this third installment of the chronicles, we jump 9 years after Dune Messiah. Paul and Chani Atreides twins, Leto and Ghanima, are infused with knowledge of the past and future because of the actions of their parents. There Aunt Alia is temporary on the throne until the twins come of age, but Alia’s mental stability is declining. She leading towards darkness. The twins follow their fate and Leto becomes something unthinkable and wondrous.

I am a fan of family sagas and so far the Dune Chronicles are fast becoming one of my favorites. Normally the fact the book being science fiction would get 1 thumb down but this series has been different. With the sci-fi twists, I never would have guessed what would happen. It helps that I keep picturing the actors that will be in the new movie. Hard not to like Duncan Idaho character when he’s being played by Jason Momoa in your head. Compared to the first and second books I found this one moved quicker. I felt there is more action

The political side of the stories I do not completely follow. Sometimes it is a little over my head. Herbert does not get into too much detail when he describes things. He is not Stephen King, meaning he does not over-describe situations. Sometimes I wish he would add a little more when it comes to people talking and a little more straightforward with their thoughts.

I am very curious as to what is to come in the next couple of books. I plan to read them all...even the newer ones I think.

Shannon's Review - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts 1 And 2 by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

Title: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts 1 And 2

Series: Harry Potter

Authors: J.K. Rowling (based on her books), John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

Genre: Screenplay, Fantasy, Series,

Publisher: Little Brown UK

Received: Purchased

Release Date: July 2016

Pages: 343

Rating:

Author’s Official Websites:

J.K. Rowling Site: http://www.jkrowling.com/

John Tiffany Site: N/A

Jack Thorne: N/A

Blogs:

J.K. Rowling : N/A

John Tiffany: N/A

Jack Thorne: N/A

Facebook:

J.K. Rowling: https://www.facebook.com/JKRowling/

John Tiffany: N/A

Jack Thorne: N/A

Twitter:

J.K. Rowling: https://twitter.com/jk_rowling

John Tiffany: N/A
Jack Thorne: N/A

Shannon’s Thoughts:

The 8th book that no one thought would happen.  Technically this isn’t a novel like the previous 7 Harry Potter books, it’s screenplay.  This means less descriptive paragraphs and quick dialogue. The title of the book is still Harry Potter And The Cursed Child but most of the book the main character is Harry’s son Albus.  Not that Harry does not appear in the book, he is absolutely crucial to the events that transpire.

Many people consider this story fan fiction.  For me I think, so what if it is fan fiction?  I still enjoyed it.  Here are some the reason the Cursed Child is a fine installment into Harry Potter.  We get to see grown up Harry.  Adult Harry is still very human and makes mistakes sometimes and especially when it comes to child rearing.  Even the wizarding world has no book on how to parent. We get to see more of Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Draco’s kids.  It also has that one magical item that Dumbledore gave Hermione..you know the one that turns back time.  Oh yeah there is time travel.

Some reason you may not like it.  Albus Potter is a whiner but what you going to do with a teenaged boy that feels he will never make his father happy and will forever be in Harry’s shadow. The time travel story is...well a little hokey...just a little.   

I appreciate this tale even with it downfalls.  Maybe J.K. will write some Albus Potter books in the future. What ever she does I will probably be in line.    

Mumbling Mondays - Where To Start In A Series

Mumbling Mondays - Where To Start In A Series

So starting a book series can be like deciding which came first the chicken or the egg.  Especially if you are choosing to read the Xanth series by Piers Anthony or the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.  Both are series that have over 20 books and do not have to be read in order. The Discworld and Xanth series have so many characters and span over so many years it like starting a new book not in a series.   There are some hints here and there that connect each book to its series but most of the books are just as good stand alone.

There are other series that it depends on the readers choice. For example I think of an author whose books I use to devour.  That author was V.C. Andrews.  For a long while V.C. Andrews books had a format of 5 books to a series.  The 1st book released would be about a young girl who would go through ups and downs throughout her life and get told through the first 4 books.   Then the 5th book would be a prequel to the 1st book about the young girl’s mother.  I read the books as they were published and I can not imagine having read them any differently because so much would be revealed in that last book.

Then there are books that reading out of order would just make the stories confusing,  I find this happens with really rich fantasy series.  There are books I have started and did not realize the book was part of a series until halfway through.  Once I realized it so many things made sense as to why I did not understand references that I had not known because I read out of order.

For the most part maybe because of my OCD or whatever I try to read in order of the way the books were published.

What book series are you reading?  Do you read them in order of published or random order?

Next Time : Ebook versus Real book

Mumbling Monday - Starting A Series

(photo from Hung Chieh Tsai's photos.)

Part 1  - Starting a Series

 A lot of the time I start series not knowing it is the beginning of a book series. Most of the time finding out a book is the start of a series is one of the luckiest feelings. Lucky because when you loved the first book you find a note at the end saying to be continued.

Choosing to start a series of books can be overwhelming especially if you are very behind in your TBR pile but feel like you are missing out by not reading something everyone else is. A lot of the series I chose to read are popular series that most people have read already like,  Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of The Rings, Game Of Thrones and True Blood series. Sometimes you just need to read something you know is good because of the volume of people who have read the series. You need to have fun reading or else you will stop reading altogether, which happens to me more often than I like.

There are certain series I may start because I like the subject and they have not caught on yet.  Most of the subjects are fantasy genre, like King Arthur, Retelling of Fairy Tales, Mythology, and Magical. There are times reading a single novel without prequels or sequels can be fulfilling. Reading and finishing any book, single or part of a series, feels like an accomplishment… at least for me.

Nowadays there are so many series to read and I would love to read them all.  I know that it is impossible to read every book I want to read in my lifetime.  I read one book and three more come out. The same goes with finishing a series. I may not finish them all but it is fun to try.

Do You Have A Favorite Series?

Next on Mumbling Mondays:

Where To Start A Series...

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In India by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And You Lived In India

Series: If You Were Me And You Lived In...

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children, Picture Book, Non-Fiction

Publisher:  Createspace

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date:  January 2014

Pages: 28

Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website

http://caroleproman.com/

Blog

http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks

Twitter

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

This is one in a series of books that teach children about some of the real life differences in many countries around the world.

Having worked as a children's’ lead in a bookstore chain I know books like these are hard to find for children.   It is perfect for one of those assignments that teachers create for kids and is better than some encyclopedia.  

There are not a lot of pages as it is a picture book but there are some Indian words that might give some trouble.  The author (Carole Roman) thought of that and has a pronunciation guide.

I wish when I was a kid there were books like these focusing on a different country each book.  It would have made a many book report easier and maybe would have encouraged me to learn more because it’s simple way it is written.

Something To Talk About - From Television To Book

From Television To Book

It’s amazing these days the things you find out after your favorite show has been canceled or you are caught up with all the episodes.   As some TV shows and movies continue on in book format, like the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises.  Stars Wars and Star Trek has been pumping out books for years and are probably the most profitable series in book format that started on tv.  Some of the tv series continued on in book series as the tv series was cancelled, like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel and Charmed. Then there are series that have books coming out even though the show is still airing, like Doctor Who and Supernatural.

As for myself I am a big Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel The Series fan. It is sometimes exciting to know that there are still stories about the series that I have not read. Even though there are no more books being written for the BTVS and ATS there are still so many it’s going to take a while to read. That is unless you count comics as actual books then yes, BTVS is still going strong.

The only thing I dislike is that each book is written by a different author.  So, some of the books end up not written well and the author is not able to capture the feel of BTVS. Most of the time the books are well written, and fun to read.

Are there any book series that started on tv that you read?  What do you like about them?

Shannon's Review - Making Money by Terry Pratchett

Title: Making Money

Series: Discworld #36

Author: Terry Pratchett

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction

Publisher: Harper

Received: Purchased

Release Date: September 2007

Pages: 394

Rating:

Author’s Official Websites:

Main Site

http://www.terrypratchettbooks.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/terryandrob

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pratchett

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Making Money is number 36 in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.  Similar to the Piers Anthony Xanth series, the books in the series do not have to be read in order.  This book is a sort of sequel to another Discworld book called Going Postal.  It features one of Discworld most famous and favorite character, Moist Von Lipwig.  In Going Postal Lipwig saved the Post Office now it seems that the town of Ankh-Morpork’s bank is in trouble.  There is only so much one man can do but Moist thinks he is up for the job.  The question is does the town want him for the job.

I have only read 1 other book in this series which was the first book Moist Von Lipwig shows up, Going Postal.  I enjoyed the silliness of some the happenings.  For one the dog, Mr. Fusspot, was my favorite character.  Everytime Pratchett described the dog I always found a smile on my face.  My second favorite character was the Golem, Gladys, who showed up in Going Postal as well.

While Making Money was fun and sometimes silly.  I feel like Going Postal had much more silliness and frolicking fun.  It is not that it was boring but there was some of the story dealing with the character, Vetinari that I was not sure what was going on.

Even with it’s faults I still liked the book and it’s characters.  I can’t wait to read the most recent book (Snuff) with Ankh-Morpork’s returning characters.