Sept 2018 Wrap Up!

📚 September Wrap Up!📚 Sept. Reads - 37 = 5🌟 reads, 8 = 4🌟reads, 1 = 3🌟reads, 0 = 2🌟reads & 0 = 1🌟reads for a total of 46 Books read in Sept! Total Books on 2018 Favorites List = 38! Total Books Read in 2018 = 410 Books YAY! 🎉My Goodreads https://tinyurl.com/ybnjyttf

A Witch Alone (The Apprentice Witch #2)

Stars 5/5

A Witch Alone (The Apprentice Witch #2) by James Nicol

This is the second book in The Apprentice Witch series and I just loved this story and can't wait to read the next book. The story continues to follow Adrianwyn and now that she has her star, she is a qualified witch. The High Elder summons her after seeing her quick action at the King's Parade and asks her to go on a mission into the Great Woods. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that the Hex is starting to take over! I highly recommend this book as well as the first book of the series to everyone especially around the Autumn/Halloween season.

Cards On The Table (Hercule Poirot #15)

Stars 5/5

Cards On The Table (Hercule Poirot #15) by Agatha Christie

This is the 15th book in the Hercule Poirot series and it is wonderful! This is a classic Agatha Christie mystery. Invited guests to a Bridge Party and a murder! "Who done it?" I will not go into the story more as to not spoil it but as always you will never know who did it until the very end. I highly recommend this book as well as the series to everyone.

The Last Boy And Girl In The World

Stars 5/5

The Last Boy And Girl In The World by Siobhan Vivian

I just loved this book! The story is so creative and unique it had me wanting more! The story follows Keeley, a high school girl, who wants to attract her crush but her whole town is going under water from the rain and the flooding. Families are loosing everything, kids are having to say good bye to their friends, and Keeley is trying hard to impress but is she trying to impress the right guy? I do not want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but OMG it is such a fun read. I highly recommend this contemporary to everyone.

The Lost Girls

Stars 5/5

The Lost Girls by Heather Young

I really enjoyed this historical mystery. It followed Justine and her daughters of present and Lucy of the past and how their lives come together even though Lucy has passed away. In 1935, six year old Emily, Lucy's sister, vanishes from their families vacation home and Justine's daughter wants to find out what happened to young Emily. So many things happen in this book, it keeps you absorbed into the story. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I will say that the father really creeped me out. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good mystery.

Neverworld Wake

Stars 5/5

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

Oh how I loved this book! This is a creative genius. The story follows Beatrice and her trip home a year after graduation. She meets up with her friends and hopefully discuss her high school boyfriend Jim's death but some thing horrible happens and then there is a knock at the door. I won't go into this story more as to not spoil it because this is a "Must" read book but I have to say that I wonder what Beatrice's friends would of thought if they knew her truth of what happened that night. I highly recommend it to everyone. 

How To Hang A Witch

Stars 4/5

How To Hang A Witch by Adriana Mather

This book was a very creative and fun story to read. It follows Samantha Mather and how she moves to Salem after her grandmother dies and her father is in a coma. She has always known that she was related to Cotton Mather, one of the men guilty of starting the witch trials of Salem, and she soon finds out that the town still holds a grudge against the Mather name. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that there are lots that goes on in this book from witchcraft and ghosts to death and murder. I recommend this book to everyone especially during the Autumn/Halloween season.

The Wicked Deep

Stars 5/5

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

OMG! This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List! I just loved this book and how the story was so unique with all it's twists and turns. 200 years ago on a small island town called Sparrow, three sisters were tried, convicted and drowned for being a witch and now the town is cursed. Every year the three sister's spirits rise from the waters and overtake three young girls of weak heart to fulfill the curse and drown three boys. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that there is so much more to the story that it is a "Must" read. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially during the Autumn/Halloween season.

Josh And Hazel's Guide To Not Dating

Stars 5/5

Josh And Hazel's Guide To Not Dating by Christina Lauren

This was such a cute story! I just loved it! Very fast paced and it is one of those books that make you smile all the way through it. The story follows Hazel, a silly 3rd grade teacher, that falls in love with Josh, a organized guy, she was friends with in college long ago but he has a girlfriend. I really don't want to go into this story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book. It is definitely a contemporary you should read.

Escaping From Houdini

Stars 5/5

Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Oh how I just loved this book as well as the series. This story continues to follow Audrey and Thomas as they are on their way to America to help solve another mystery and so they board the RMS Etruria and are pulled in a murder mystery on board. The Moonlight Carnival is in the middle of this mystery as young girls are coming up missing and murdered. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book and the series. I can't not wait for the next book!

Upside-Down Magic

Stars 5/5

Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle & Emily Jenkins

This is such a cute story especially during the Autumn/Halloween season. It follows a nine year old girl named Nory and her wonky magic. Nory is getting ready to take the test to get into her father's magic school but flunks out and must attend a public school and the Upside-Down Magic Class which is not a popular class to be in even in public school. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that some parts of this book had me laughing especially Nory's crazy animal combinations. I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages.

400 Books Read YAY!

400 Books Read YAY! On To 450!

#ContemporaryAThon Finished YAY!

#ContemporaryAThon Finished YAY!

Release

Stars 4/5

Release by Patrick Ness

I think this book is going to mean many different things to all who read it. For me, I think the moral I took from the story of Adam and him trying to come to grips with his sexuality and religious parents and the Ghost Queen and how the murdered girl is holding on is that even the smallest thing can open up your eyes and help let go of the past. I don't want to go into the story more to not spoil it. I think this is just one of those books you must read for yourself and take what it gives to you. I highly recommend it.

Nightfall

Stars 4/5

Nightfall by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski

I really enjoyed this book. The story is very unique and creative. It follow three teenagers left on the Island to fight off the darkness. The story begins when villagers are getting ready to leave the Island because it is going to submerged into night for 14 years. Everything has to be perfect and put back exactly how it was when they came many years ago. As everyone is getting rushed to leave Marin, her brother Kana, and friend Line gets left on the Island. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I do recommend this book for a spooky Autumn/Halloween read.

The Hate U Give

Stars 3/5

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

This book was written so well for addressing such serious issues and it was a fast and easy read but I must be honest the book was really not for me. The story follows Starr and how she was in the car with her friend as he was shot by police. It touched on what she went through emotionally trying to seek justice for him. Many other things were going on in the story including a drug dealer that was terrorizing the neighborhood. I think this is the reason why the book was really not for me. I try to stay away from books regarding drugs, alcohol and addictions. I would recommend this book to others that were interested in this subject.

Anna And The French Kiss

Stars 5/5

Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I really loved this book. It was so sweet and made me smile through out the whole book. The story follows Anna, senior in high school, who's family sent her off to France to a boarding school. At first it is hard for Anna, getting used to everything including a new language but soon makes friends and even meets Etienne St. Clair, a charming young man, that Anna soon becomes attracted too. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I am most definitely going to read on in this series. I highly recommend it.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Stars 5/5

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This of course is not my first time reading this book but it had been a very long time and it is just as wonderful as I remembered. This is the coming of age story. Charlie, a high school freshman, who has social anxiety but is trying to find his way though school, friends, social situations and of course girls all while dealing with an issue that is haunting him. I will not go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book to everyone. This is just one of those books you "Must" read.

Just Listen

Stars 5/5

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I just loved this sweet story! This book touches on a few sensitive subjects but does it very well. The story follows Annabel, a high school girl that seems to have it all. She is smart and beautiful and is even a model for local ads. Her two older sisters are also models and her parents are very loving and supportive. It is during the summer at a party that everything starts to fall apart. She has lost all of her friends and now is an outsider. Soon she meets Owen, a music loving bad boy that always tells the truth and that is when Annabel has to start telling truths of her own. I do want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this to everyone.

Radio Silence

Stars 5/5

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

What an amazing book! I didn't know much about this book when I went into it and I have to say that it is much more than I even anticipated. I really loved all the characters and honestly I hope one day I can revisit them in another book (hint for book 2)! This book follows Frances, a fangirl for the podcast Universe City. One night while out partying, Frances finds out that a guy she knows, Aled, is the creator of Universe City. I do not want to say more about this story as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it to everyone. 

Brother

Stars 5/5

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

I am going to be honest when I say that I have never read such a disturbingly freaky book until this. This book has every trigger warning you can think of and it is a very dark graphic violent book. I had to give this book 5 stars because it will twist your mind in so many different ways that you want to scream out "NO"! I went into the book not knowing anything about it other than it was a story about an Appalachian Family that lived in the hills of West Virginia with deeply disturbing traditions. This is a book you will not soon forget after reading. I can not recommend this book to everyone but I highly recommend it to everyone who wants the creepiest adventure of a lifetime.  

#ContemporaryAThon

What To Say Next

Stars 5/5

What To Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

What a cute story! I really enjoyed this book and I have to say that David reminded me of Sheldon from "The Big Bang Theory". The story follows Kit, a popular girl in high school and David, a loner that suffers from Asperger. One day Kit decides to sit at David's table to get away from everyone because it is the one month anniversary of her father's death. After starting up a friendship, Kit asks David to figure out why her father died. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book.  

The Blackbird Season

Stars 4/5

The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti

You have to love a "who done it" mystery! This book follows a town where lots of weird things are going on. Not only did a thousand birds fall dead on the town but the gossip is that Nate Winters, the baseball couch at the high school, is sleeping with a student and now she is missing. I do not want to go more into the story as to not spoil it but I definitely recommend this mystery. This is one where you just don't know until the very end.

The Broken Girls

Stars 5/5

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

OMG! I just loved this book! In fact, this book made it to my 2018 Favorites List YAY! The book is set in two different time periods, Vermont 1950 and Vermont 2014 at Indlewild Hall, which is a boarding school for girls with problems and girls that no one wants. In 1950, a girl came up missing and in 1994 a girl is found dead. Even though, there is someone serving time for the killing in 1994, Fiona Sheridan needs to know more because it was her sister that was murdered. This is when Indlewild Hall starts to spill it's haunting secrets. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book. Oh, did I forget to mention there is a ghost! 

Murder In Mesopotamia (Hercule Poirot #14)

Stars 4/5

Murder In Mesopotamia (Hercule Poirot #14) by Agatha Christie

This is the 14th book in the Hercule Poirot series and the mystery and investigation is wonderful. I have to say though, this book has a bit more religion than I like. Hercule Poirot is coming through the area of the archaeological dig site where there was a murder and of course he has to stop and lend his services. I do not want to go into the story more to not spoil it but I do recommend it as well as the series.

When The Lights Go Out

Stars 4/5

When The Lights Go Out by Mary Kubica

This book was definitely unique and the ending was an OMG surprise which I think is very creative. The story follows Jessie, a young girl who's mother is dying of cancer and how she is dealing with the grief of that and knowing she will be alone after she dies. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say that I know how it feels to go without sleep and the terrors it does to the mind and body. It is not good. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales Of Mystery And Madness

Stars 5/5

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales Of Mystery And Madness by Edgar Allan Poe

Illustrated by Gris Grimly

The illustrations in this book are amazing to say the very least. This book includes four short stories from Edgar Allan Poe. The Black Cat, The Masque of Red Death, Hop-Frog and The Fall of The House of Usher. All the stories are creepy and the the illustrations follow them so very well. It is a wonderful addition to my Forever Shelf. I highly recommend both the stories by Poe if you have not read them and this book full of dark spooky illustrations.

How To Date Dead Guys (Witch's Handbook #1)

Stars 5/5

How To Date Dead Guys (Witch's Handbook #1) by Ann M. Noser

Oh what a wonderful book! This story follows Emma, a college sophomore, that is mostly quiet and sticks to her studies but one night she goes to a party with her room mate and meets Mike, her crush. One thing leads to another and Mike drowns and Emma is blamed by everyone. Emma decides to bring him back from the dead and that is when the roller coaster adventure begins. I do not want to go into the story as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book. I do plan on reading on in the series. 

To Make Monsters Out Of Girls

Stars 5/5

To Make Monsters Out Of Girls by Amanda Lovelace

This book reminded me of a person that I know and how she felt and dealt with a man she was in an unhealthy relationship with. There is no way to rate or judge someone's life and what they went through but I was glad I got to read the emotions that went into the words in this book. This book is a poetry book about growing past an unhealthy relationship and moving on, finding yourself again. I highly recommend this book to everyone. You may not be in this situation but you will know someone who either is or has been. 

Trail Of Lightning

Stars 5/5

Trail Of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

This book is the beginning of a wonderfully monster filled ride and I can not wait for the next book to come out. The book follows Maggie, a monster hunter, and Kai, an amazing medicine man. The world is set in a dystopian environment on a Navajo reservation named Dinetah and there are monsters roaming all around, like zombies but worse. I really enjoyed all the characters in the book but hope to see more of Kai and his powers in the next book because I know he is more than what he has showed us so far. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

And The Trees Crept In

Stars 5/5

And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

What a crazy creepy book this was! I had a wonderfully spooky night reading this book and really enjoyed it. I have to say though, I wish it would of went a little longer on the end but I say that about all the great books I read. The book follows sisters, Silla and Nori, and how to go to live with their aunt to escape their father's abuse. At first things are great and life is bright and cheery but then the creeper man! I am not going into this book more to not spoil it but I have to say that I never even thought what happened at the end was even going to happen. If you can understand that. I highly recommend this book especially during the Autumn/Halloween season.

The A. B. C. Murders (Hercule Poirot #13)

Stars 5/5

The A. B. C. Murders (Hercule Poirot #13) by Agatha Christie

This is the 13th book in the Hercule Poirot series and it is amazing as always. This book follows Hercule Poirot as he receives a letter from the A. B. C. killer informing him of his murders and Poirot sets out to investigate the case. Each of the stories are unique and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I highly recommend this book and the series. I just love Agatha Christie.

Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales Of Women & Witchcraft

Stars 5/5

Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales Of Women & Witchcraft

by

Tess Sharpe

Jessica Spotswood

Brandy Colbert

Zoraida Cordova

Andrea Cremer

Kate Hart

Emery Lord

Elizabeth May

Anna-Marie McLemore

Tehlor Kay Mejia

Lindsay Smith

Nova Ren Suma

Robin Talley

Shveta Thakrar

Brenna Yovanoff

Oh how I really loved this book! This is an anthology of 15 different stories about women and witchcraft. All the stories are very unique and set in varying times throughout history. Of course, I have to be honest and say that I liked some stories more than others but they were all 5 stars. I thought I would be able to take time to read the stories but honestly the book was one of those "can't put it down" books. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially those who love spooky and definitely during the Autumn/Halloween season. I will be looking forward to reading more books by these featured authors.

Night Of The Living Dummy (Goosebumps bk 7)

Stars 5/5

Night Of The Living Dummy (Goosebumps bk 7) by R. L. Stine

The moral of the story is never bring a ventriloquist dummy in your house! This is the 7th book in the Goosebumps series and this book is really creepy. The story follow twins, Lindy and Kris and how they find a dummy in the dumpster. Lindy decides to rescue it and Kris gets jealous when Lindy starts making new friends at school and is asked to perform with Slappy at birthday parties to earn money. Kris wants a dummy and so her father finds one in a pawn shop and that is when the creepy adventure begins. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book as well as the series. 

Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen

Stars 5/5

Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen by Merrill Wyatt

Oh how I love James Patterson Presents books! They are always so well written and fun to read. So, I knew I was going to love Ernestine and I did. What a fun book to read during the Autumn/Halloween season. The book follows Ernestine and her step brother as they try to start off a Zombie Apocalypse by raising zombies in the cemetery near where they live. Two kids out in the cemetery with salt and chicken legs, that they have to remember to take home for dinner, trying to raise zombies cracked me up! Not to mention that they live in MacGullicuddie House for Retired Artists and Performers and someone is trying to kill Mrs MacGullicuddie. This book is full of twists, turns & lots of fun and where is that zombie? I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages.

That Summer

Stars 4/5

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

I thought this was a cute coming of age story. It follows Haven and her coming to grips with life changing all around her and that sometimes things aren't as they seem. I must say I really wished there would of been more of a story of Haven and the model that lived in town. I think it would of made things a little more interesting. I would recommend this for a quick summer time read.

Mary's Monster: Love, Madness And How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein

Stars 5/5

(note... This book made it to my 2018 Favorites List)

Mary's Monster: Love, Madness And How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge

OMG! I loved this book! The story of Mary Shelley's life was amazing to read and the illustrations in this book are wonderful. This is definitely a book that should be on everyone's dark/spooky shelf. The book is an eye opener of Mary's life and what turmoil she went through to be with the one she loved. I do not want to go into the book more as to not spoil it but it brings her creature to life and brings it out in a whole new light. I highly recommend this book to everyone especially Mary Shelley fans like me.

The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb (Goosebumps bk 6)

Stars 5/5

The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb (Goosebumps bk 6) by R. L. Stine

This is the 6th book in the Goosebumps series and a "must read" for all mummy lovers. This book follows Gabe and his family traveling to Egypt for business. Gabe is excited to spend time with his Uncle Ben but finds out that his cousin Sari is home and Gabe doesn't like her very well because she is so competitive and always trying to scare him. Gabe's Uncle is an archaeologist and so Gabe can not wait to go inside the pyramid and see some mummies. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book and the series for a creepy read. 

City Of Ghosts

Stars 5/5

City Of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Oh Wow! I need more! I just loved this book by Victoria Schwab and can not wait for the next book in the series. This book follows Cassidy, a young girl that once died but was saved by a ghost named Jacob. Cassidy can now see ghosts and even cross over the veil between the living and the dead. Her mom and dad are cast on a ghost hunting tv show and now they all are traveling around to the most haunted locations in the world. Cassidy and her best friend Jacob come along and that is when the adventure begins. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but it is definitely a must read during the Halloween/Autumn season! I highly recommend it.

Say Cheese And Die! (Goosebumps bk 4)

Stars 5/5

Say Cheese And Die! (Goosebumps bk 4) by R. L. Stine

This is the 4th book in the Goosebumps series and what a fun book this is! A picture says more than a thousand words and in this book it says even more than that. It follows Greg and how he finds this camera in a spooky haunted house. The pictures he takes are odd and somehow show the future. I don't want to go into the story more but you can guess that camera is not a good one. I highly recommend this book as well as the series.

Death In The Clouds (Hercule Poirot #12)

Stars 5/5

Death In The Clouds (Hercule Poirot #12) by Agatha Christie

This is the 12th book in the Hercule Poirot series and it is a good one. This book follows Hercule Poirot and his investigation into a death that occurred on the airplane he was traveling on. I have to say that Agatha Christie is the most creative in killing off people in her books. This book is no exception. I am not going into the story more as to not spoil it but I have to say I would of never guessed the "who why and how". I highly recommend this book as well as the series.