March Mystery Madness 2019: Wrap Up

March 1-March 31, 2019

The 3 books I finished this month for March Mystery Madness.

I also participated in other readathons so I didn't focus just on M.M.M. but I am glad that I was able to get these books done. One was a reread, one was from an author I never read before (Koontz) and the other was a 2nd in a cozy mystery series. I enjoyed them all a lot! Looking forward to other books from these authors (and rereading the other two books in the Shadowlands (link to the first book) trilogy)

I know that at the time I am posting this, the March Mystery Madness doesn't end for another 3-4 days but I have another book I need to focus on and fnish, hopefully by the end of this week so I won't go on to another book for the M.M.M. 

It wasn't a total bust seeing that even though I got only 3 done, I got so much more accomplished this month than I have since November of last year. So, I am glad for that. 

My thoughts on each book will be linked under the given book. 

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

The Taking

 ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

A Deal to Die For

 ☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Shadowlands

The Taking by Dean Koontz

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary   
✥Stand-Alone: 
✥Release Date: August 31, 2010
✥Format: Mass Market Paperback
✥Setting: California
✥Page Count: 399
✥Genre(s):Thriller, Horror, Fiction
✥Date(s) Read:  3/25-3/27/19
✥Rating:   Book:  4.5/5      Audio:   5/5       Narrator: Ari Meyers

My Thoughts:
Reading for:
March Mystery Madness 

Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature. 

(I give a the slightest of spoilers. There is a description in a chapter (which is explaining why I put this book under the PSRC prompt) and I name that chapter but that is at the bottom of the page. I don't describe anything beyond that so it is up to you to read that part or not. It may not be a big spoiler but it does give some level of information although not much)

Audio:
I liked her a lot. Very easy voice to listen to. In my opinion, good voice for the character. Doesn't sound weak or "way too strong". Good middle ground. Especially for what the character has been through. 


Book:
(As per my usual lately, I started typing this out as I was listening to the book)

I wasn't quite sure what I would think of the book but it started off pretty strong, stayed at that level and kept my attention. Knew nothing of what it was about other than some type of "The Mist" thing going on. You know something is coming/here, but what? (I am not saying it is exactly like The Mist, but that is what I thought of when I read the synopsis/started reading it and the closest description I have).

There was one part that was a bit graphic but not overly so. Just enough of a description to give you an idea of the image you needed.  There wasn't an over usage of curse words which I liked. I liked the main two characters. They weren't over done on the good or bad side. Again, another great middle ground for them. Just enough of a history of Molly to get an understanding of why her thought process was the way it was and why she acted as she did. They both had a good amount of common sense but yet, you could tell they didn't always know what they were doing and not know it all's. 

There were some parts that were drawn out but some things, it was good to hear them because it explained why some things were happening. Some not so interesting parts but I guess that is to be expected in some books I guess. 


As of my typing this, I am 21 22 chapters in. I can say that as of now, this is a strong 3.5 to 4/5 stars. It's good. Entertaining. Now, without the narration, I may not enjoy it as much but because of the narration, I am able to enjoy it more. Which for me, when I am reading books I am not used to, narrations do a lot of good for me to get through those types of books. This is my first Koontz book and I am glad that I picked this one up. Of the ones I was looking at the day I got this, it was the most interesting. I have been wanting to read one of his books for years. It's just hard for me to pick up male authors because sometimes, many tend to get overly detailed for me personally. I am wanting to get into more male authors though. I am tired of limiting myself. I am hoping to be able to get at least a few more of his books read and under my "Books I've Read" belt. If for no other reason but to say "I've read him. He is pretty good". Dekker, Peretti are two more authors I have only read a couple books of (one of which they wrote together) & loved those. They are the reason I knew I wanted to do more of male authors. Brandon Sanderson is another author I am looking forward to more of his books. I've read one, got another on my shelf. So, saying all of that, I realize why Koontz and Sanderson are so popular! All of their books may not be for everyone, but they are still really good, if not great, writers. 

(Another off the topic of this particular book tangent...huh? Sorry, but not...lol)

At about chapter 47 or so, I began to lose interest. I think it was more me than the book. I had gone to McDonald's to just sit and get out the apartment for an hour or two & the internet wasn't working so I couldn't listen to the book (where I had the audio was online so I couldn't download it). I think because of that, my mind felt like I could have been further along and it got "ruined", plus, I was ready to get to another book but I knew I needed to get further in the book before I could lay down and read my other book (no audio book for it at all, even the author explained why there wasn't one). But the book was still good. It had me still interested in how it ended and thinking about the dogs in the story, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it than what it was. 

As of me typing this up, I don't know if any of his books became movies, especially this one, but I would like to see this book be turned into a movie. I know there have been movies similar to this done (A lot of alien movies, The Mist, etc) but I'd like to see it be done and done well. Maybe someone with the abilities of Spielberg, even if it isn't Spielberg himself. And of course, a great writer. Done in a way that we know it will be done right. Even if they don't get big name actors, they could still stand to get actors that will play the parts well. Give some new faces or lesser known names/faces a chance (jobs! jobs! jobs!).

By the end, I was still a little bit lost about why things happened the way they did but the main character had my same thoughts. But my assumption? Maybe they felt like the ones who were in "The Taking" were the ones that needed to go in order for others to make the world a better place. To test the others who were to remain to make sure the ones left behind, knew they were strong enough to handle whatever comes. Then, there were many who had talents to rebuild things so that they can eventually flourish again. But, heck, I don't know, that is an assumption. I could be totally off.

Well, this was a very unusual and so totally out of my comfort zone kind of book. I really enjoyed getting to know Koontz's writing. I am looking forward to trying to find some more books of his that I can enjoy. Hopefully I will be able to find at least a small handful of books of all his books that I can get through and be able to gush about those as well! I am not expecting to love or even finish all books I start, I am just looking for some that can keep me as entertained as this one did. Not a favorite, but I really did like it a lot none the less. 

The final chapter had me thinking of things very much differently. And that an associate of mine may not be too far off with her way of thinking about some things but yet, I can't help but think, is she totally right or does it only apply to certain ones/things? And do I really want to know the answer to the first part of that question? Not sure. But it's still interesting to think about.


☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Why I chose to put this book for this prompt under the Popsugar Reading Challenge: 
"A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature". 

(may be pushing it here but what is described, as far as I know, does not exist. Although in a way, some form of it may, just not this particular form. If you have read this book, you may know what I speak of. The initial description in chapter 22. By what is described, there is some type of "creature" there)

Spring Into Readingathon: Wrap Up

Dates: 3/18-3/24
Challenges: (Click on titles to get my thoughts on the books) 1. Spring Cleaning: Read a book that has been collecting dust on your shelf.
The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick 2.5/5 2. Spring Break: Read a book with travel or vacation in it.
The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud, Erin Susanne Bennett (Illustrator) 5/5 3. The Flowers are Blooming: Read a book with flowers on the cover.***
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss 5/5 (listened to the story on YouTube. Link is in the review post) 4. Love is in the Air: Read a romance OR a book centered around friendship.
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (Spoiler'ish) 3/5 5. New Growth: Read a book with green on the cover.
A Deal to Die For (A Good Buy Girl #2) by Josie Belle 3/5 6. Women's March: Read the group read (How To Hang A Witch) OR read a book with a strong female lead. Didn't get a chance to finish the book I had chosen for this one.


*** I know I'm kind of pushing it with Horton Hears a Who but I knew that if I search for a cover, I'd find one with at least one flower on it although most of the popular covers are orange and I don't think those had flowers on it but hey, it didn't say anything about all editions of covers have to have flowers on it! lol. I just knew that I wanted to get at least one more prompt done, even if I couldn't get them all and I knew the flower one would be the easiest. Now, if Horton were a girl/woman, it would cover them all! 😁

Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone: 
✥Release Date: August 1954
✥Format: YouTube (<~Click)
✥Setting: Jungle of Nool; Whoville
✥Page Count: 64
✥Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Classics, Humor, Poetry, Fantasy 
✥Date(s) Read: 3/24/19
✥Rating:   Book:  5/5    Audio: 4.5/5      Narrator(s): Not Sure

My Thoughts:

Audio:
I chose her because she was easier to hear. The other videos background noise were "too loud" for me to hear the voices. 

Book:
I chose this book because the Spring Into Readathon asked for a book with a flower on the cover and I wanted to get at least one more story done before it was over. Although there are different covers, I knew there was a huge chance this one had at least one on the cover when I went looking for it. Then I found this one (look below). Then, when I found a cover showing the flowers, I went looking for the reading of it on YouTube & thankfully found it.  And, well, I love Dr. Seuss! This is one of the best excuses to go through his books again. For readathons! 

I also knew that I wouldn't be able to finish a full length novel before the end of the readathon, even with audio books (It ends at the end of the day today-March 24th). I listened to it because I didn't own any of the Dr. Seuss books. Something I think I need to start buying, even though my sons are much older, just having them as nostalgia. One day I hope for grandbabies (long in the future), it would be nice to have them for later. 

Horton Hears a Who isn't my favorite of all of the Dr. Seuss books, but I did enjoy listening to the story (it is one of my favorite reads of the year). From my memory, this is the first time I've listened to it read to me. My mom may have, I just don't remember. I do remember watching the movie and just thinking it was okay. Maybe I can sit down again one day and give it one more try just to see what I think now that I have listened to it. I love how confident Horton is in his thoughts on the dust speck/flower he was carrying around and knowing he heard something coming from it even though everyone else thought he was crazy. And how he tried to protect that those in that dust speck/flower to make sure no one got hurt. 

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (Spoiler'ish)

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone
✥Release Date: May 5, 2015
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Lakeview, NC
✥Page Count: 417
✥Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction
✥Date(s) Read: 3/22- 3/24/19
✥Rating:  Book:   3/5     Audio:  5/5     Narrator(s): Taylor Meskimen

My Thoughts:
Spoilers aren't too bad but I'd still go in knowing that, if you're anything like me, the slightest thing can "ruin" a story. Especially if you like going in knowing as little as possible. 

Audio:
I liked her. She was easy to listen to, even at 1.5 speed. 

Book:


Well, to say the least, this book annoyed me in many places. I was also conflicted in those places. As a parent, I get it but at the same time, as a parent, I wanted to shake these parents!  I try to learn from my own mistakes with my sons hoping I haven't done too much damage along the way, while also apologizing (no, I do not abuse, neglect or mistreat my sons. I just know I am not a perfect parent). Sydney's parents got on my nerves for different reasons. Mom tended to focus more on their son than their daughter then acted surprised when Sydney acted out the rare times she did. Dad, he tended not to stand up to mom when he should have. He tended to tune out most stuff. 

The main reason I picked up this book is because I tend to love when the main character meets another family and becomes close to them. I am finding with a couple books though (this one included), the main characters family irks the mess out of me (which I guess is the point). 

The ending is a bit open ended so I don't know if there is another story or option for a story to continue on after this one (haven't read all of her books and I've read many out of publication order). 

That 3/5 is not quite a strong 3/5 but the book doesn't quite deserve less either. It had it's strong points for me (mostly Sydney and the family she became close to) but it had major weaknesses for me. 

Just know, there is a guy in the story that is pretty creepy and soon after him showing up in the story, you know he has his eye on Sydney. And that was another thing that made it kind of hard for me because of course, I can of saw what was coming, but just didn't know when or how far he'd get.

Overall, the story was decent. I doubt this would be a book I'd reread or keep on my shelves but it was very much worth the listen.  This book is for the #springintoreadingathon2019

The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick (Slightly Spoiler'ish)

Warning: If You have not read this book, I do give some spoilers throughout the review. It may or may not give exact details but it gives enough that may spoil some parts of the book for some if they are anything like me and don't like having details given, even if it isn't giving specifics but beating around the bush type of details.

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone/Companion:  Companion to My Life Next Door
✥Release Date: August 15, 2015
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting:Connecticut
✥Page Count: 425
✥Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, YA, Chick Lit 
✥Date(s) Read: 3/18/19-3/21/19    
✥Rating:   Book:   2.5 /5    Audio:     4/5    Narrator(s): Macleod Andrews, Jorjeana Marie

My Thoughts:


Audio:
I liked them both, even the first time I tried to listen over a year ago. They helped me get through this book when I may have given up otherwise. 


Book:
(Typing out some of my thoughts as I listen to the book)

Initially started the book in December of 2017 but lost interest. Had enough memory of what happened when I stopped reading to start where I left off. Didn't want to start over again. I just was not feeling the book the first time. Not that it was a bad book, just not what I wanted at that time. The drama, extreme angst, etc. That is all still there, but I knew what I was getting back in to. Still a bit annoying but I did my best to push past it because I knew that if I put this book back down, that would be it! Plus, I didn't want to waste another credit on this book and not finish it (got the audio book last time too but was able to trade it back in, didn't want to do that again). I've read her other two books, loved My Life Next Door. I think I thought What I Thought Was True was really good at the time but with a slow start. 

Anyway, about this book. 

The two main characters, Tim & Alice. The angst between them could have been much more manageable I think if only one were an ass. Even one can be a bit excused because of all they dealt with in their life then to have more dumped on them. The other just seemed, ugh....I don't know! Maybe I need to reread My Life Next Door to remember exactly what went on with this other character to make them this way. Maybe then I'd understand but right now, they just seem like a bitter pain in the behind who needs to be smacked! Yes, both could stand a good swat on the behind but I understand one over the other because the history is there in this book. The other though? I understand the big family thing and just wanting to get away from all the responsibility of it all but to take that frustration out on everyone else and be overly judgmental for mistakes made? But getting in your feelings for trying to avoid making one of those mistakes again? Even after you find out why they did or didn't do it?  I mean, when it comes to the family, I understand that they'd expect the oldest to grow up a bit faster and help out when all you want to do is be a kid/teenager and enjoy life but growing up in such dysfunction as I did and to watch the love that takes place in this family? Maybe I just had the case of the "wishes" that my family had showed this much love for each other as this family does

Maybe I am thinking with a 44 year old brain that says: Okay, initially, I understand why you'd get upset but then after you realize why they did it, you try to do the mature thing and try to understand it. But, again, I have to remember that they are still teenagers. And hell, sometimes, it's hard as hell to be rational in my 40's! So, okay, I will also be nice and not be overly judgmental as well. 

I started having to skip ahead in some of chapter 37. I realized, it's the book, not me..well, kind of. It's me not really feeling it. I just found Tim & especially Alice annoying as hell. I won't say why I started skipping but I just couldn't anymore. Any skipping I did I just made sure I listened to enough to figure out what was going on. If I had to go back 30 seconds on the audio, that was fine but I was just beyond ready to get this damn book done! I seem to remember not really liking "What I Thought Was True". But reading my thoughts on the book, it said that I ended up liking it towards the end. If this is a regular thing that I dislike each book more and more, I may end up having to give up on Ms. Fitzpatrick's books. Her stories have a lot of potential but I guess some books just aren't for everyone, even you may like the author normally. But, I am one for three (One, I loved, the other two I either thought was OK or flat out didn't like). When I'd have to pick up my Kindle to listen to the audio, I found myself not really looking forward to it. I dreaded it most times. There was only one part I looked forward to and that was a situation between him and Hester. Not so much with Hester but something that they were "dealing with" together. 


I think I kept listening because I hoped it would get better. I hoped it was just me. Plus, to be honest, this is the second time I had gotten the audio book, I didn't want to turn it back in again. 

By the end, I was kind of confused on one part but I guess I can always go back and look for it to see the outcome but right now, I am so frustrated with this book, I just ...sigh....I wanted to like it, that's why I was willing to listen to the entire book (find myself doing that lately; wasting time on books that I'd normally DNF and move on from but I think part of me is tired of doing that and trying to stick with some books). 

Over all, many of the characters were just beyond annoying for me. I think she has another book coming out within the next couple of years. Hopefully by the time that one comes out, I will be over this one enough to be willing to give it a try. 

The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud, Erin Susanne Bennett (Illustrator)

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone
✥Release Date: January 13, 2005
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting:USA
✥Page Count: 32
✥Genre(s): Children's historical fiction, Picture book
✥Date(s) Read:  3/20/19
✥Rating:  5/5

My Thoughts:

Gorgeous pictures and wonderfully written. I loved that it explained each patch. As the book went along and each patch point was hit, the book showed it again. A little sad (as to be expected with this type of book) but still really good and child appropriate. Yet, still done well enough for adults to enjoy as well. This is the second underground railroad type of picture book that I own. The first being "Under the Quilt of Night". Looking forward to owning others like this in the future. This will need to be replaced eventually because the pages are taped to hold them in the book. That is how the book came to me because I ordered it used (former library book). 

This book counts in one seasonal challenge (lasts about 2 months) and one readathon (lasts one week) I am doing (Seasonal Challenge: Spring 2019 & Spring into reading a thon). 

A Deal to Die For (A Good Buy Girl #2) by Josie Belle

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #2
✥Release Date: December 31, 2012
✥Format:  Mass Market Paperback
✥Setting: St. Stanley, VA
✥Page Count: 256 
✥Genre(s): Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance
✥Date(s) Read: 3/18/19-3/20/19
 ✥Rating:  3/5

My Thoughts:
(Initially started reading it 3/2/19 but I put it down to read something else)

Not sure if it was me, the book or both but I struggled with this one. It wasn't bad, I just wasn't always feeling it. I stuck with it though. Mostly because I wanted to know what happened and just didn't want to DNF because I just wanted to get past always being a mood reader. I won't always push past that because I don't want to end up in a major slump or worse, I stop wanting to read altogether. Yes, that's drastic, but something I've thought about. 

Anyway...um...what did I think about the book beyond my struggling? I liked it. Maybe it was the second book syndrome for me with this one. I loved the characters. Even rooted for the mean one once in this book! 😂 Even the heel I liked in this book although I kind of saw it coming. It was between two people. It kind of ended open ended on a couple parts but one I know how it'll end up. I kind of peeked at the summary of another book...lol. 

I think I also like this series because it's a series about bargain shopping! They are a bit more out there with it than I am but I do like trying to get the more for my money. Thrift shopping. Dollar store. So much more. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from these ladies.

This series is written under a pseudonym of Josie Belle but the author I first came across her as Jenn McKinlay. Favorite series from Jenn McKinlay is the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. 

Okay, I'm done going from one topic to another. Thanks for reading this far. 😂

Rereadathon 2019 Wrap Up

Here are the prompts for the read-a-thon:
1. Give a book a 2nd chance
2. Recent Favorite
3. Old Favorite
4. Game Changer (book that changed what you read/genre changer)
5. Underrated/Unpopular book
6. Childhood Favorites
7. Popular book

*********************************************
Prompts That I Finished:
1. Old Favorite: Twilight (Twilight #1) by Stephenie Meyer

2. Game Changer (book that changed what you read/genre changer): Twilight (Twilight #1): by Stephenie Meyer

3. Childhood Favorites: Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss (Audio with Story Video) (YouTube)

4. Popular book:Twilight (Twilight #1): by Stephenie Meyer

Bonus Reread: Snow White by Brothers Grimm (Jacob Grimm)

I started Shadowlands as an underrated/unpopular book but didn't finish it in time. So, I got 3 books done and almost half of another done. Although the last two books were short, I can say I'm proud to get done what I did. My week had gotten busy the last few days..so, if I wasn't busy, I was too tired and/or not always feeling 100%.  I finished the book though and will just count it as a #marchmysterymadness book.

*************************************

Twilight:
(Click HERE for my thoughts)

Fox In Socks:
(Click HERE for my thoughts)

Snow White:
(Click HERE for my thoughts)

*********************************************

Snow White: Although I remember the story from my childhood, I'm not sure it was a favorite. I enjoyed the movie I guess. I really don't remember watching a lot of Princess stories when I was a kid. I remember Tom & Jerry, Flintstones, WKRP, Mary Tyler Moore, etc..but not sure about the princess stories until I was a bit older..lol...Not sure why that is. I am young enough to have a lot of Disney movies be around..Maybe that's something I need to talk to my mom about. Maybe she didn't make a big deal out of them and just never paid much attention to them..or, maybe I just didn't care...Who Knows? 

I'm saying all of that to say, I don't think it was a childhood favorite like that. 

As I got older and started taking true notice of the stories, I really just wasn't feeling it.I was watching someone on Youtube one day and I think she mentioned why she loved Beauty and the Beast..When I sat back and thought about it, I realized she was right. Belle didn't need a man to come in and "save the day", plus, I mean, she loves to read! Double the reason to love her and the story (a beautiful story at that). So yes, I allowed someone else to help me make the decision that she is my favorite Princess! In my late 30's/early 40's...lol...And I am fine with that! I can say that I am a huge fan of Disney Movies....I can't say that I love them all but yes, when there is a movie coming out, I am excited for them. But, this isn't about movies, this about books. I guess I could write about the movies on my movie blog one day.