Lady Midnight (Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Trilogy: #1
✥Release Date: March 8, 2016 
✥Format: Paperback
✥Setting: Los Angeles, California
✥Page Count: 669
✥Genre(s): Young Adult (YA), Fantasy, Fiction, Romance
✥Date(s) Read: (Finished) 8/9/18
✥Rating:   Book:  3/5   Audio: 4.5/5   Narrator(s): Morena Baccarin

My Thoughts:


Audio:
I enjoyed listening to Morena. In my personal opinion, she had a great voice for the characters and the book. 


Book:
It took me at least a couple months to finish this book. It took me a bit to get into it. I couldn't stand Emma in the beginning. I had to put it down a few times. Finally picked it up this last time and was able to somewhat zip through it. I knew I would struggle through this book as I do with all her books but I didn't expect to struggle as much as I did.

You may ask: Why do I keep reading her books if there is a struggle? 

Well, my answer is: I love the characters, I do love majority of the stories, she just tends to drag the stories out (long winded). I think majority of her books could be about 100 pages shorter. I have to listen to the audio books when 'reading' them because otherwise, I would not finish them. I'd lose interest. Again, I continue because I love the characters and well, I just want to know what's happening! Reading her books is like seeing a car wreck, you want to look away but at the same time, you want to know what's going on. lol...

As the book got closer to the end (the last 100-200 pages or so), it got good and things started happening, questions answered, you know, the normal C. Clare style and many other authors. lol...

That ending though! *Blinks* 

I'm not too surprised about some things but at the same time, there are some things that happened I wasn't quite expecting. Well, now, I am looking forward to the next book, maybe not right away, but looking forward to it none-the-less. 

(Originally started reading this book on May 15, 2018 but I just kept having to put it down because it wasn't keeping my interest)

Booktube-A-Thon 2018: Wrap Up

Booktube-A-Thon 2018 
Dates: 7/30/18-8/5/18
# of Books Completed:


Books Read:

Book #1:
                                                          My Thoughts

Book #2:                                             My Thoughts

Son of the Dawn (Ghosts of the Shadow Market #1) by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #1 (Novella)
✥Release Date: April 10, 2018
✥Format: Audio
✥Setting: New York
✥Page Count: 68 (approximate)
✥Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Fiction, Short Story/Novella
✥Date(s) Read: 8/5/18
✥Rating:   Book:  3/5     Audio: 5/5      Narrator(s): Reilly Dolman

My Thoughts:

Audio:
I liked his voice. Made it easier to listen to. 

Book:
I'm not sure what to actually think of this book. I enjoyed hearing a little bit more about Jem (as Brother Zachariah) and all he was dealing with being a Silent Brother and his "feelings" about that. And also hearing more about Jace as well. While I enjoyed that end of it, I just thought it was just pretty good but not great. Maybe because I went into it to fulfill my reading for booktubeathon and just to say I got something else read other than that one book lol..

I will more than likely listen to the other ones as they come out/as I find them but I won't be in a huge hurry but at the same time, I'd like to stay ahead of it a little bit and not wait for the bind up like I did with the other ones. I will try to get as many read as possible before the end of the year (or how ever many are out by then). I'm really not big on bing up of short stories/novellas. My mind tends to think: "Okay, I'm done, so lets close the book" when I am done with a novella/short story and end up frustrated when there is more to read in a book. I know, I could just read a short story, go to another book, then go back to the bind up, but for what ever reason, that is hard for me. (Even with the Oz bind ups, it's hard even though I do it. Although, the last few books I am not sure if I will read or not, but, that's a story for another time)

A Wrinkle in Time (Time #1) by Madeleine L'Engle (Possible Slight Spoilers)

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #1  
✥Release Date: 1962
✥Format: Paperback
✥Setting: Various Planets
✥Page Count: 218
✥Genre(s): Classics, Fantasy, Children's, Fiction
✥Date(s) Read: 7/30-7/31/18
✥Rating:   Book:  2.5/5      Audio:  4/5        Narrator(s): Hope Davis

My Thoughts:
(There may be some parts in this that some may consider spoiler'ish but I tried not to be. I tried not to give too many details even under those things that could be consider spoilers, even the slightest bit)

Audio:
It took me some time to get used to her but I did eventually. She was good and allowed me to get through the book that I doubt I would have finished without audio. 

Book:
I found a large bit of the book some what boring and hard to listen to. The little girl's mouth kept getting her in trouble when people tried to get her to do certain things their way that she didn't want to do (mostly in school concerning classwork). She got a tad bit better throughout the book. I know she was just a teenager and she still had a lot to learn but ugh....I just couldn't with her. With me having the temper I do, I know I didn't always react to things properly but I also knew that if I disrespected adults, I would have been in a whole lot of trouble. 

Her little brothers (twins I think), were even worse, the short time they were in the book. I don't want to say much more because I think I may have given some spoiler type stuff anyway. Although, a lot of what I said, was done within the first couple chapters. 

As the book went on, it got better but still not perfect. Even by the end, I still wasn't sure if I would go on to the other books in this series. If I do, I doubt I would seek it out. It would really have to be on my mind for a bit for me to go out my way to find it and/or I feel like I am ready to at least give the second a try. Maybe I can get to the library one day and try to find it. 

There were some beautiful parts about this book that made me like it a little more. Some good parts that made you want to hear what was next. I just wasn't really feeling the first bit of it, maybe close to the first half of the book. I almost DNF"d it a couple times, even if just temporarily, but I knew that even if I "temporarily" DNF'd it, there'd be a good chance I wouldn't go back to it and I did want to know what happened, say that I did get it done & eventually watch the movie (hopefully this week, one of the reasons that I chose this book for the Booktubeathon). 

7 In 7 Read-a-thon (2018)-Wrap Up

                                                                            TO

I decided to participate in the 7 in 7 Readathon that went from 7/23/18-7/29/18. I enjoyed doing it this week. I wanted to share what I have read this week. Majority of them were short reads, one I had already started before the readathon began. I wanted to finish it while in the readathon because I know if I had put it down, there would have been other books I would have wanted to do before that one (and I am also doing the Booktube-a-thon as well) and not sure when I would have wanted to finish it any time soon although I loved the book but there are other books I am so looking forward to after that one was done...Anyway, onto the books. 

I will put "My Thoughts" above the books. If they do not show up or I forget to put it there, let me know. 

Book 1:

The one I started before the 7 In 7          

                                                         My Thoughts

Book 2:                                                  

                                                          My Thoughts

Book 3:                                             My Thoughts  

Book 4:                                             My Thoughts

Book 5:                                                             My Thoughts                                

Didn't do a lot of reading today and decided the final day of the readathon would be my day to just chill out and relax before the start of the Booktube-A-Thon. I may do a blog wrap up for the BTAT18 too but not quite sure yet. 

The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles #5) by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series #5
✥Release Date: September 7, 2005
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Spiderwick Estates
✥Page Count: 146
✥Genre(s): fantasy, fiction, Children's, Middle Grade 
✥Date(s) Read: 7/28/18
✥Rating:   Book:  4.5/5    Audio: 5/5    Narrator(s): Mark Hamill

My Thoughts:

Book:

This was just as cute as the first four books. A great ending to a wonderful little series. Hogsqueal is still my favorite. He is hilarious. This one was really good too, not a favorite like The Seeing Stone but still really good none-the-less. I wasn't quite sure what I'd think of this series, or if I'd even finish them. Thankful I also found the audio books for these to get me through them that much faster. Mark Hamill made it that much better being able to hear the story read. I am now strongly considering buying Beyond Spiderwick. I'm in no hurry mind you, as I have a lot of other books to get to (that I own and don't own) but if I happen to find them at a great price the next time I am book shopping, like I did these, I will pick them up (got all 5 of these at .75 cents each, all in great condition).

(Side note: I am participating in the 7 in 7 read a thon this week that's why there are so many posts this week from me. It ends on 7/29/18 and I MAY take a break on the last day to prepare myself for the Booktube-A-Thon so I don't over do it and end up burnt out like I have previous times I have done readathons..especially multiple ones. )

The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles #4) by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

                                                                       TO

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #4
✥Release Date: 4/01/04
✥Format: hardcover
✥Setting: Spiderwick Estate
✥Page Count: 128 
✥Genre(s): Children's, Middle Grade, Fiction, Fantasy 
✥Date(s) Read: 7/26/18
✥Rating:   Book: 4/5       Audio:    5/5      Narrator(s): Mark Hamill

My Thoughts:

Audio:
(Nothing to say I haven't already said in previous posts)

Book:

This one, I liked as well, it's a cute and fun little series that I am enjoying more than I expected to. Although I was listening to the story, I wasn't really focused on it enough to really say much about. Maybe one day, I will pick up the movie(s) again and try to see if I like them (I only know of one, never really followed the movies enough to know if there is more than one or not, I guess I'll find out soon enough). 

Welp, I guess there isn't much else to say. So, I'm done. :)

Lucinda's Secret (The Spiderwick Chronicles #3) by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

                                                                           TO

About This Book:

Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #3
✥Release Date: 10/1/03
✥Format: hardcover
✥Setting: Spiderwick Estates
✥Page Count:128
✥Genre(s): fantasy, children's fiction, middle grade
✥Date(s) Read: 7/25/18
✥Rating:   Book:  4.5/5      Audio:  5/5    Narrator(s): Mark Hamill

My Thoughts:

Audio:
Not really a whole lot to say that I haven't already said in the reviews of the other books. Still liked him. 

Book:

It was still really cute and I enjoyed it, just not as much enjoyment as the second. Mallory got on my nerves again but not as much as she did in the first book. For some reason, I really did enjoy the elves. I'm not quite sure why but I liked them although I can say some of it had to do with the pictures and how beautiful they were. I do like the twins. Not quite sure if I like one more than the other just that I like them for their differences and who they are. Imperfect but pretty good kids. 

The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles #2) by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

                                                               To

.

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: #2
✥Release Date: 5/1/2003
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Spiderwick Estate
✥Page Count: 128
✥Genre(s): fantasy, children's, fiction, middle grade
✥Date(s) Read: 7/23/18
✥Rating:   Book:    5/5    Audio:     5/5     Narrator(s): Mark Hamill

My Thoughts:

Audio:
As with the other book, I enjoyed listening to him.

Book:
I enjoyed this book more than the first. My favorite character was Hogsquel. He was hilarious! The names he called people had me giggling! My favorite?  "candy butt". I doing know why! I think it may have been just unexpected. The drawings in the books so far I also like a lot as well. I'm actually looking forward to reading the next one, in hopes I enjoy it as much as this one but I  won't get my hopes up too high. 

(I am participating in the #7In7 readathon this week and this is the first full book I finish but I also finish a book u started before the 7 in 7 started).

Cane River by Lalita Tademy

                                                                           TO

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Stand-Alone
✥Release Date: 2/1/05 (First published 1/1/01)
✥Format: Mass Market Paperback
✥Setting: Cane River, Louisiana
✥Page Count: 564 (including a preview of "Red River")
✥Genre(s): Historical Fiction
✥Date(s) Read:  7/12-7/23/18
✥Rating:   Book:  4.5/5      Audio:   4.5/5      Narrator(s): Robin Miles 

My Thoughts:

Audio:

I enjoyed listening to her. Her voice, in my personal opinion, was very relaxing. I am not a person who knows about French really, but the times I hear those who speak French pronounce French words, I got a pretty good feel for when they are pronounced properly or at least near it and Robin Miles seems to be one of those who did a really good job at it. There were parts she had to read things entirely in French. I would try to follow along when she got to those parts (would get the book and follow along).

Book:
(Typed up some of this review as I was listening to the book)

She does speak on her family history before the start of the story itself (at least in the beginning of this book). And gives the "family tree" as well. Following 3 generations of women (4 actually, but focusing a lot on 3 of the women) and their individual issues they had to deal with, during and after slavery. I couldn't help but love the "characters", imperfections and all. I think I really love Elisabeth most but I do really adore all of the women for as many different reasons as they are different. This took me some time to get through because it is a dense, long book. I would have to take breaks to read other books/watch t.v. shows or Youtube videos. There isn't a lot for me to say because there's a lot to take in and wouldn't want to give away anything either. Although this is a work of fiction based on her family's lineage, there were still pictures in the book of family, newspaper clippings, etc.

One day, I may have to re-read this because there would be times I'd "tune out" and miss some stuff and would have to go back a little bit trying to get enough information to know what's going on but it will be a good while before I do that. I have to be ready for that again. It will have to call me to read her again.

The Field Guide (Spiderwick Chronicles #1) by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black

                                                                           TO

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series  Spiderwick Chronicles #1
✥Release Date: 5/1/13
✥Format: Hardcover
✥Setting: Spiderwick Estate
✥Page Count: 112
✥Genre(s): Children's, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade
✥Date(s) Read: 7/19-7/21
✥Rating:      Book:   3/5       Audio:   4.5/5         Narrator(s): Mark Hamill

My Thoughts:

Audio:
I liked Mark. He made it a lot easier to get through. 


Book:
The book was cute enough but the sister got on my nerves bullying her brothers. Maybe, to a degree, I understand, she is the only girl of the kids so she has to be a bit tougher but I still didn't like how she treated them. Her brothers seemed to love her but scared of her too. I wasn't all that fond of the mom either. She only seemed to show up to fuss. Didn't seem to spend any time with them. It took me a couple days to read it because I am also reading another book and would put this one down to listen to that one, as it is much longer and need to try to finish it soon. 

I have the other books in the series. Hopefully I will get to the books soon. I found the audio books for them and that will help me to get through them faster. I am a slow reader so any help I can get is great. You'd think after reading this long, I'd be a faster reader. Nope! lol...Middle grade isn't my favorite but I do find myself being interested in more of them than I used to be. I tried to watch the Spiderwick movie(s) but I wasn't fond of the movie(s). Of course, I'm not as much of a movie watcher as I used to be. 

The Emerald City of Oz (Oz #6) by L. Frank Baum

                                                                           TO

About This Book:
Goodreads Summary
✥Series: Oz #6
✥Release Date: 1910
✥Format: Hardcover (Bind Up-Volume 2)
✥Setting: Kansas & Oz
✥Page Count: 248
✥Genre(s): Chilren's, Fantasy, Fiction, Classics
✥Date(s) Read: 7/12-7/20
✥Rating:  Book: 3.5/5  Audio:  4/5(scribd)  Narrator(s):  Ron Knowles 

My Thoughts:

Audio:
When certain things happened, they'd actually do that action (i.e.- the ringing of the bell). Thankfully, actions that required it, didn't happen often. Sometimes, the voices he did, I didn't always understand, so, that's when I was glad to have the book nearby majority of the time. That kept me from having to go back on the audio as often, if at all. Other than that, I really did like the narrator. I normally listen to these on librivox and go after a particular narrator, Phil Chenevert I believe it is. He is my favorite when it comes to the reading of the Oz books. 

Book:

This one was good, but not the best in my opinion. Maybe some of it was I kept losing interest. Part of me wanted to read it at first but then, something happened while listening to/reading this book. I don't know what but I just kept feeling like I needed something different. Not sure what. As always though, this book was just as cute and sweet at the others. These books can just make you feel good and like a kid again. You find yourself rooting for these characters and loving them. 

Now,to let everyone know, I never knew any of the stories beyond watching the "Wizard of Oz" (and of course "The Wiz") when I was young. So, when I began reading these stories, I was learning things for the very first time. I say that to say, the end of this book was a bit of a surprise for me because well, there are 9 other stories to go. It will be interesting to see where he takes it from here. (What happens at the end? Well, if you haven't read these books, I guess this will give you a great excuse to begin! Right?) 🌝

I have 3 more volumes to get through (5 volumes total with 3 stories in each). I need to make a way to read at least one story every few months. I won't force it if I am not feeling it but I really do need to get these done. I will hopefully be able to work on and get this done by the end of next year (God willing). Yes, I will give myself that long because I don't want to force it like I said and there are a lot of other books I'd like to read and don't want to put myself in a slump trying to force myself to read things I am not in the mood for (I am truly a moody reader). 

(I generally tend to copy the covers for my blogs from goodreads)