Traveling Through Books

Title: Imprudence (Custard Protocol Series #2) Author: Gail Carriger Genre: Steampunk Fantasy Publisher: Orbit  As you have probably guessed, I really liked this book! Carriger has yet to fail me with her stories. This is the second book of the Custard Protocol Series. Book 1 was, Prudence . I am sad, my fellow readers, to let you know that Carriger won't be releasing book 3 of the series next year. However she is providing us with Novellas instead, which, if they are all as wonderful as Poison or Protect , should tide us over, almost. I can be patient- like I have a choice. I apologize for digressing. As usual, I really enjoyed Imprudence . It is action packed, has fantastic characters, it made me laugh, and yes, even cry a little. I won't provide spoilers. But I believe I enjoyed this book even more than the first of the series. I'm really growing to love the offspring of the Parasol Protectorate characters just as much as their parents. So read this book A...

It's that time of year, Banned Books Week. I did a post last year that explained why Banned Books Week is important (you can read that here ). This year, I will probably repeat myself. I was hoping to have the review done for the Banned Book I'm reading in honor of this week, but, alas, I have been distracted and not finished that book. (I'm reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night- Time , banned in 2015 for containing offensive language, a.k.a. swearing) So you will have to read that review in the next few weeks, once I get it posted. I get absurdly excited for Banned Books Week. I can't even really say why. Nothing about my week changes, I go to work, go home- do all of my normal things. It might be that it's an entire week focused on reading. It is also because I think acknowledging that books are still getting censored and banned today is important. I think fighting this censorship is even more important. The things that make us uncomfortable are th...

Title: Black Silk Author: Jan Gordon Read in: Nook ePub Genre: Paranormal Romance I unknowingly picked up this book thinking it was a cool twist on the were story- with were panthers! While yes, they are were-panthers...this is a romance novel, pure and simple. Well, not really pure. There is very little plot in any other context aside from the small-town girl who owns a bookstore falls for a were-panther who mysteriously shows up in town storyline. Of course she's in danger so he's extra possessive in the name of protection and they fall in love. Oops- I ruined the ending. If you can't tell that the paragraph above is less than impressed, don't worry. I'm not too worried about spoiling the ending for you because really- I just saved you time. This book is not good. It is trite, shallow, and really only has one purpose- to make women swoon. Don't read it. Just don't.

Title: Poppy Author: Avi Read In: Trade Paperback Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers Genre: Children's Animal Adventure I am not a fan of stories where the only characters are animals. I'm not sure why. There are many great books where this is the case. But I've simply never been one to be able to identify well with animals. I have read many of over the years and have just never managed to connect. Avi is one of my favorite children's authors. I thought that if anyone could break my dislike of animal characters it would be him. Poppy is a well-written kids book. I live Avi because he's never afraid to address the dark side of life. Even kids know there's a dark side and Avi does this in a way that is kid friendly. Poppy is no different. Poppy tells the story of a mouse family under the rule of a very mean owl. It is the story of them trying to break free for the benefit of their quickly growing family. I can't say much more without spoile...

Title: Poison or Protect Author: Gail Carriger Genre: Novella, Steampunk, fantasy Publisher: Gail Carriger, LLC Read in: Nook ePub Have you noticed that I adore Gail Carriger and everything she writes? Not yet? Well, now you know. This is the first in a series of novellas that Carriger plans to write. As with all of her work thus far, I loved it. This novella series will follow the Finishing School characters once they are adults. This first installment is a story about Preshea. I can't say too much, given the short nature of this story, without giving spoilers. But I loved learning more about a character that was in opposition to the main characters of Finishing School. (If you can deconstruct that sentence). Be forewarned... it's steamy! This was the perfect tide-over story to get me through until Imprudence released (review to come soon!) and I'm counting on the coming releases of more novellas to get me through the next two years until the next installmen...

Title: A Question of Will Author: Alex Albrinck Read on: Nook ePub Publisher: Alex Albrinck I haven't ventured into the self-published arena since the last couple I tried to read were so full of grammar and plot errors, I couldn't get through them. This restored my faith that if authors are willing to put in the work self-publishing can work. This book is the first of The Aliomenti Series; I will most likely read the next book at some point. The story is very original. It is science fiction written with the feel of an urban fantasy. The story is set on the premise that there is a secret society, called the Aliomenti, that is always far above and beyond the rest of the world technologically. They keep it this way so that can stay in power and wealth. Will is mistaken to be a rogue escaped from the Aliomenti, but also possibly the most powerful within their history. I can't tell you much more without giving key plot points away. But it really is a good story. T...

Title: Seriously... I'm Kidding Author: Ellen Degeneres Read in: Trade Paperback Genre: Humor Publisher: Grand Central Publishing This book is exactly what you expect from Ellen Degeneres. It reads like one of her stand-up routines. It's a really fast read and is entertaining. There really isn't much more to it than that. The book is sort of about Ellen's life, but also just teaches the lessons Ellen is known for teaching. Don't take life to seriously, try to relax and fun, take care of yourself, etc. These take-aways are really well done in a humorous way. I do suggest you do not read it straight through, as I did. I think it reads better a chapter or so at a time. Especially if you just need a quick pick-me-up on a rough day.  To end this short and sweet review, I enjoyed this book. It was funny. However, I think I'll just stick to watching Ellen perform from here on out.