The Reptile Room (Series of Unfortunate Events #2) by Lemony Snickett

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #2
✥Release Date: September 30, 1999
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Lousy Lane
✥Page Count: 192
✥Genre(s): Fiction, Children's, Fantasy
✥Date(s) Read: 6/12-6/13/19
✥Rating:   Book:   3/5    Audio:  4.5/5    Narrator(s): Tim Curry

My Thoughts:
☼Golden Girls Readathon
#GGTeamSophia-Read a book under 200 pages

☼Seasonal Reading Challenge: Summer 2019
-Letter "R"


Audio:

I liked him. He made it easier to get through this book. 

Book:

[Some parts may have been typed up as I listened to the book]

☼The first book was annoying to me because of the constant explanation of words. I guess if you are young when reading this, explanations may be needed and young audiences were meant to be reading these books. I had to remind myself of that which is what made me want to continue and had me continue. Doing the audio books I thought would make it easier and, well, so far, I'm correct. 

☼Although this one was much better than the first, it still was just okay for me. I don't remember being very fond of the book but I still wanted to know how the series ended and if I decided to watch the series, I'd know what to expect with it. Unless it gets better with each book, I really don't see myself putting this down as a favorite but more of an "I finally got it done" type of accomplishment. 

☼I think I am looking at this from a 44 year old's brain and not the targeted children's/early teens age group. The almost constant explanation was still a bit annoying because I think it's more of a filler but at the same time, I get why he does it. It's because it's for his targeted audience and trying to teach them something while entertaining them as well. 

☼I do believe I get why it is so popular though. It has that bit of mystery of what's going to happen next. The kids are good kids, smart & pretty easy to like. You can't help but love them. Some of the adults are well, a bit dimwitted. And the villain(s) are easy to dislike, which is the point I guess. 

☼I will take this book by book and see if I can get through the rest of the series. Hopefully I will be able to but they seem to go so slow for me, even for short books, they seem to almost drag on but I guess that's more me than the books....Kind Of.... 

Seasonal Challenge: Spring 2019 Wrap Up

For a better explanation of the Challenge you can go to: Cozy Mysteries Group
** This is a "spell-it-out" challenge, where you will spell out a word (or words) using one of two options:
1. Use only the first word of a title. (The words "the", "and" "a" and "an" do not count.) 
2. Use an author's first or last name. 

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This challenge took place from
      March 20-June 21, 2019

Now to the ones I chose for this challenge:

Want to know my thoughts on a book? Just click that book! 😊

✔P- The Patchwork Quilt
✔A- Angel Fire
✔S- Saint Anything
✔S- The Sleeping Beauty Killer
✔O- Once & For All
✔V- The Voicemail of Magnus Bane
✔E- Go, Dog. Go! by P.D.  {E}astman
✔R- The Christmas Box by {R}ichard Paul Evans

✔L- Love, Life & this List
✔A- Allegiant
✔M- The Moon & More
✔B- Buried in Bargains 

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Took me a bit to get some of these books read because I kept changing my mind about reading the initial books I had chosen. But it was still fun to do. The links to my thoughts on each book (if one was done) will be linked in the title. Just click to see what I thought. Summary links will be in the blog when you click on them if you want to know more about each book. 

The next challenge has already started and I have already done a post for that one (some books may or may not be repeated in the next Seasonal Challenge)

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Once & For All by Sarah Dessen

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone
✥Release Date:  June 6, 2017
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Lakeview, ??? 
✥Page Count: 358
✥Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction
✥Date(s) Read: 6/5-6/12/19
✥Rating:   Book:  4/5    Audio:  4.5/5    Narrator(s): Karissa Vacker

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My Thoughts:

☼ Golden Girls Readathon
- Read a book with Gold on the cover or in the title
☼Seasonal Challenge: Spring 2019 (Cozy Mystery Group on Goodreads)
- My two words: Passover Lamb (this fits the "O" in Passover)
 (The Wrap Up post for this challenge should go up not long after this one)

Audio:
She was good. As always, it helps me get through Dessen books. It's always nice to have them read to me, makes them easier to get through and that much better for me. Trying to read them without audio books, I wouldn't finish them. 

Book:
(Typed up things as the book went along and the mood not me)

💐Found myself getting lost sometimes because she would just between time periods with no more warning than just a new chapter or a paragraph. When you're listening to a book, that can be extremely confusing.
💐Took me some time to get through this because some days I just wasn't in much of a reading/listening mood & I didn't want to push it. I didn't want to ruin the good feelings I already had for this book. I had to learn to not push my reading because that can affect how I feel about a book and/or put me in a slump. 
💐The denial was real in this book! I mean it was deeper than the Pacific ocean! 😂

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I really enjoyed this book. Really glad I found a Sarah Dessen book that was steady throughout. No overly awkward moments to drop it down a half a star or more. Loved Louna, Ambrose, Mom, William and even Ira the dog! For me to love all the characters, in  a Dessen book? Seems to be rare for me and I've read a large number of her books. Hope risen again! 💜

Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Duology: #2
✥Release Date: February 11, 2014
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Dallas, TX
✥Page Count: 360
✥Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy/Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Romance
✥Date(s) Read: (Finished) 6/12/19 (Originally started this book 3/22/19)
✥Rating:   Book: 4/5   

My Thoughts:

☼Golden Girls Readathon
 #GGTeamSophia--Read a book with a title starting with an "S"


Book:

Well, it took me almost 3 months to finally finish this book. The book was good, but I think my issue was I just wasn't feeling the fantasy as much as I thought I was when I picked up the book. To add to it, when I have to pick up a book and actually sit and read it, most of the time, it takes more for me to read it because I have to just sit and read. I am in an almost constant position of not being able to focus on a book. The reason will depend on the day. 

When I am under stress, no matter how little, it's hard for me to want to read. That's why I always see if I can find an audio book because at least that way, I can do other things while I listen (I sometimes finding myself not wanting to listen to them as well, especially if I am laying down..that's usually when my desire to pick up an actual book comes up).

So, anyway, about the book.

Pivot Point, I loved! When I finally ordered this one and tried to read it, it just didn't seem to have that same flow as Pivot Point did for me. I still loved the characters, especially Trevor. I even loved Connor, even when he wasn't in quite so lovable moments but seeing some of the things he had to deal with, I understood. Boy do I want to say more about Connor but I can't because I'd give too much away that would spoil it for those who haven't read it! 

There are some things that borderline broke my heart because well, things just weren't as they seemed. The unlikable characters? They were really and truly Unlikable! Kasie West has a way of writing her charcters and stories to make you want to or not want to know more and more about them & their lives, even if she wraps it up somewhat nicely. There are still a couple characters I'd like to know more about. Well, three actually. And how they ended up. It would be nice if she was able to do one more book just about those three. Two of them being the main two characters with the third remaining the side character. Guess it would be a semi companion to it. But I am not quite sure how popular these books actually were. On Goodreads, it has just under 15,000 ratings so if going by that alone, I guess there won't be a third. 

I know, I am being so vague! But, I have to be, mostly because this is a 2nd in a duology! But, if you like fantasy/dystopian'ish type of world, then this duology might be good for a quick read. I, as always, wouldn't suggest you go into it expecting blockbusters but just go into it hoping to at least being entertained while you're reading/listening to the books. There is no audio book for this one but there is one for Pivot Point (which is how I 'read' that one).

Seasonal Challenge: Summer 2019

I  didn't find out about this seasonal challenge until Monday or Tuesday, and it was published in a group I am in about a week or so earlier! I was expecting it to be posted later this month so I didn't do a whole lot of checking on it but when I finally decided to take another look, there is was! With new dates! But, thankfully, I caught it in enough time to be able to type this up and get it out there. And also hope that others jump in as well to participate. If you want to participate in this one, you can. The place to find the Spell It Out Challenge Words are at Seasonal Challenge: Summer 2019 for the Cozy Mysteries Group on Goodreads.


The dates for this challenge?  June 1-August 31, 2019


Now, what words did I choose? Fair & Beach

I tried to make it a bit easier for myself this go 'round because I also have another readathon I am doing and will probably do some others over the next couple of months while this Challenge is going on. Just to be clear, you can not double up on letters. The first word in the title of tthe book has to Start with the letter in the word(s) pocked  and the first or last name of the author can be chosen  (examples below. books not necessarily read for this particular challenge). Common words do not count (i.e. The, A, And, etc). To get more information, you can click on the Seasonal Challenge link above.

F- Fame, Fate & the First Kiss by Kasie West (ex.- This just happens to fit quite a few in this case)
A- Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly (example)
I-
R- The Robot King by Brian Selznick (example)

B-Spit Second by Kate Brian (example)
E-A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die by Edith Maxwell (example)
A-
C-
H-



I have already done two books that I will add onto my wrap up.

I almost done with the Spring 2019 Challenge that will be up soon hopefully as I only have one more letter to do before I am done and I am on a book now that fits that one. The Spring Challenge ends on June 21 (which is why I was expecting the Summer one later).

I would love for anyone who wants to join, to click on provided links above and find your words and let me know that you are participating. You can always leave a comment below or "Contact Me" on the right.

If you have a blog account, be sure to let me know. I will happily go check it out. If I don't back to you right away, it's probably because I didn't get notification for it and/or got really busy. No matter what, I would love to see everyone's blogs, even if it's on a platform I don't have an account for (i.e. WordPress..although I'm not sure if I am still active on there or not lol).

So, thank you for stopping by, and I hope to see more people getting involved!

Happy Reading,
Bridget

Dying for Devil's Food (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #11) by Jenn McKinlay

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #11
✥Release Date: May 7, 2019
✥Format:  Mass Market Paperback
✥Setting: Scottsdale, AZ
✥Page Count: 288
✥Genre(s): Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance
✥Date(s) Read: 6/4/19-6/5/19
✥Rating:   Book: 4/5    Audio:  3.5/5   Narrator(s): Susan Boyce

My Thoughts:

#GoldenGirlsReadathon:
-Read a book with a dessert in the title or on the cover

Audio:
Not a favorite. Took some time for me to get used to it. This is the first time I have listened to an audio book for this series. I am just in a situation that I am trying to work through some of these books I have so I find as many as I can. Even for some of my favorite books to sit and read. 

Book:
This is my favorite series by Jenn McKinlay. I love the characters so much. This one is no different. 

This was another book I knew the "whodunit" right about the time they showed up on the scene. I didn't really have that issue since the first book. Not that I remember. I usually had my ideas but off the top of my head, don't remember knowing right off. I still enjoyed the book though. This one had just enough angst to make you want to know what happened. There were a few repetitive moments like she may have forgotten she put it in there already. It's not a favorite but I still really enjoyed it. And it wasn't as cheesy as some cozies can be with the "whodunits" (Still some cheese but not as bad lol). As always though, there were smiles, chuckles and my loving Mel, Angie, Tate, Joe, Stan & the rest of the normal crew!

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Other: Companion #1 
✥Release Date:  December 23, 2008
✥Format: paperback
✥Setting: Chicago, Illinois
✥Page Count: 357
✥Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction
✥Date(s) Read: 5/31/19-6/3/19
✥Rating:   Book: 4.5/5     Audio: 3.5/5   Narrator(s): Roxanne Hernandez, Blas Kisic

My Thoughts:

#GoldenGirlsReadathon: 
☼#GGTeamSophia: Read the oldest book on your shelf
-This is one of the oldest books I owned. Not so much in the year it was published but because I owned it for a good while and needed to get it off of my shelf. (Glad I finally got to it!)


Audio:
I liked Roxanne a lot. Blas wasn't horrible, he was just okay for me. I couldn't speed up the audio like I wanted to because it made it harder to understand him. 

Book:
I tried to read this book about 8 or 9 years ago but couldn't get into it just sitting and trying to read it but I always wanted to try again. Thankfully, I was able to get the audio book & helped me to get through it. I did more than just get through it & really did enjoy it. Imperfections and all. I couldn't help but think about the time I did try to read it before and was in a happier time in my life, before I moved into the hell hole I call an apartment but beyond that, I just really enjoyed it.

I loved Alex & Brittany. I loved a lot of Alex's friends. Some were a bit much but once you got to know them, they were fun. I loved one of Brittany's friends, Sierra. She loved Brittany regardless of what she did. She was honest with her while doing her best to accept her. Brittany was a tad bit a whole lot naive about some things and how it works. 

I am honestly looking forward to the second book, Rules of Attraction. So far, I am enjoying Simone Elkeles writing. It isn't perfect but I still really enjoy it. Does this book have its cliches and cheesiness? Yes, but it's still worth trying! Just don't go into it expecting greatness. Just try to go in with little to no expectations, maybe that'll make it a bit better for some. 😊

And the ending.....Sigh.....No Words..Well, Just a few...Cheesy but I loved it! 

Finish a Series Readathon & Chicklitathon Wrap Up

Finish a Series Readathon:

1. The Whole Town's Talking (Elmwood Springs #4)* by Fannie Flagg
2. The Sleeping Beauty Killer by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
3.   Fame, Fate & the First Kiss by Kasie West (Semi-Spoiler'ish)
4.   Buried in Bargains (Good Buy Girls #3) by Josie Belle

Chicklitathon Prompts/Challenges:
❌1) Read a Sophie Kinsella book
❌2) Read a book with a pair of heels on the cover (it could be on the spine or on the back of the book as well)
✔3) Read a chick-lit book with a historical setting: The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg

✔4) Read a book set in Los Angeles or Hollywood:Fame, Fate & the First Kiss by Kasie West

✔5) Read a romance that has a meaningful (to you) plot (think women's fiction)

❌6) Read a domestic thriller

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The Whole Town's talking* started in the late 1800's through to well after the millennium, so, I counted it as historical setting because a large bit of the book was set in history. Not quite sure how well it fits into ChickLit but it was centered around mostly women with the occasional male P.O.V.

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Didn't do great but at least I got some done and got a couple books out the way that had been sitting on my shelf for a while (The Whole Town's Talking & The Sleeping Beauty Killer). The books I did finish were pretty good so I am glad about that too. 😊

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