October 2015 In Review

The weather has been: It isn't unusual for summer to refuse to give in to autumn and wait until the beginning to middle of October to do so. Although, we have had a hotter fall so far than usual. We saw some rain, but not enough. The weather is quite beautiful right now. Temperatures in the 80's, the sun shining, sometimes with clouds in the sky. We are expecting a very wet winter--both with hope and dread--hope that the drought will end and dread that mudslides and floods will come. I am hoping the forecast for rain tomorrow will come true.

I am watching: I am enjoying this season's episode of The Walking Dead--I'm always an episode behind, which kind of stinks when others are talking about it everywhere. I am quite smitten with the new medical drama Code Black, and hooked on Quanitco--who is behind the terrorist attack? I saw the first episode of Supergirl the other night liked it better than I thought I would.  I am finally all caught on Blacklist.

I saw the movie Bridge of Spies this month with Tom Hanks and really liked it. I was not familiar with James Donovan, Francis Gary Powers, Rudolf Abel, or Frederic Pryor before the movie, I'm ashamed to say.

What I have been reading: October was a good reading month, not only in numbers, but in quality as well. It was hard to choose a favorite read for the month. I read books by three of my favorite authors (Karen E. Olson, Rebecca Chastain, and Elizabeth Haynes), all of whose books I enjoyed quite a bit--and each very different from one another. Then there was Art Taylor's On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories, which was as entertaining as it was beautifully written. The Uninvited by Cat Winters and Smoke by Catherine McKenzie were also good books, one a ghost story perfect for this time of year and the other a novel that stuck a personal chord with me that I had not been expecting.

I am between books at the moment. I finished two novellas this past weekend, one a paranormal romance about a dragon-shifter called Fury of a Highland Dragon by Coreene Callahan and then Stand Down by J.A. Jance, a mystery featuring one of my favorite fictional crime fiction characters.  I am leaning towards starting Jackie Copleton's A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding, which promises to be heart-wrenching.

My life: I am in charge of the holiday schedules at work and ensuring my office, which is open 24/7 is staffed appropriately. This time of year can be especially challenging because of everyone wanting to take time off for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I basically need to find volunteers to work in place of those requesting time off, guessing when and where it might be okay to have fewer staff than usual. There's always the risk that someone will be denied vacation because there just isn't enough coverage. Working in an emergency response type setting means coverage is vital. This on top of my regular duties has kept me busy the past few weeks. There have been long days, including some I have come home so mentally exhausted.

On the home front, my brother and sister-in-law had a nice visit with us. We spent a day at Disneyland for my brother's birthday, which was fun. The last time we saw them was about two years ago. One of my aunts visited later in the month, and we had a nice visit as well. Mouse has a way of charming just about everyone she meets--not to mention she loves the attention. Sometimes I wish we lived closer to family than we do--it's really just my husband and I and Mouse. Everyone else is so far away.

The child this past month: A couple months ago, I made a comment that I would rather answer questions about the birds and the bees than have to answer questions about faith and God. Well, the other day Mouse pointed to a spot above my belly button and asked me if that was where the doctor cut me open to get her out. After a long pregnant pause while I considered whether I wanted to tell her the truth or some safe make believe story, I told her that no, she didn't come from there, but out of my vagina. Although I have used the word with her numerous times, she still prefers the word "privates". She asked me where her vagina was, and I told her. The look on her face when she asked, "You pooped me out?" I should probably have left it at that, but I didn't want her to have that image in her head, so I began to explain basic female anatomy to my 4 1/2 year old. Fortunately, she'd lost interest and was off to something else by then.  I am sure I gave her way more information than she needs at that age, but my goodness! Relating the story to a coworker, I was told I should have made something up. My brother and sister-in-law who are both teachers thought I did the right thing, telling the truth. She will learn it from somewhere, might as well be her mother.  I'm still not ready for those questions about faith and God, but I won't underestimate the difficulty of explaining the birds and the bees again either.

Mouse & Her Friend

I was able to take a couple hours off from work to attend and help out at Mouse's school Halloween Party. Everyone had a good time. The children got to go trick-or-treating to a few pre-selected houses in the neighborhood as they do every year.  We went trick-or-treating again on Halloween. Mouse kept saying how nice everyone was and how she wishes she could go trick-or-treating every day.

Plans for November: It doesn't seem possible that it is November already. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I have not begun my Christmas shopping yet. Asking my daughter what she wants for Christmas is no help. She doesn't know.  What 4 1/2 year old doesn't know what she wants for her birthday?!  So, the Christmas shopping really needs to begin this month.

I extended invitations to all the grandparents for Christmas. Thanksgiving will be a small affair this year, just my husband, Mouse and I. I still can't believe the Winter Holidays are upon us already.

This month in reading I hope to sneak in some Christmas themed reading--admittedly my list so far only includes romances. Have no fear, that is not all I will be reading and talking about. I have never been one to stick to just one genre.

How did October turn out for you?  Does anything in particular stand out?  

What was your favorite October read?

October In Reading Mews:

Number of Books Completed in October: 11

• A Fistful of Fire by Rebecca Chastain
• The Spy Trade by Matthew Dunn
• Human Remains by Elizabeth Haynes
• Smoke by Catherine McKenzie 
• Hexed: The Devil I Know by Michael Nelson & Emma Rios
• Hidden by Karen E. Olson
• Hunter, Healer by Lilith Saintcrow
• On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories by Art Taylor
• The Unknown by Mark Waid & Minck Oosterver 
• The Uninvited by Cat Winters
• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Favorite Book of the Month: Hidden by Karen E. Olson

Reviews Posted:

• Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec
• Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton
• Bookish Thoughts on Two Highlander Romances (My Highland Bride by Maeve Greyson & Bearing It All by Vonnie Davis)
• A Fistful of Fire by Rebecca Chastain
• The Uninvited by Cat Winters
• Bookish Thoughts: Three Lilith Saintcrow Novels (The Society; Hunter, Healer; The Demon's Librarian)

Posts of Interest in October:

• Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/06/2015) (Including Ten Books I Was Unable to Finish)
• Beyond the Books: Worst Movie & Children's Halloween Reading 
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/13/2015) (Including Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List)
• Guest Post: My Five Favorite Fantasy Felines by Rebecca Chastain
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/20/2015) (Including 10 Wishes I'd Ask The Book Genie To Grant Me)
• Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/27/2015) (Including Books and Movies I Have Read or Seen that Remind Me of Halloween. And Maybe a Cat.)
• Beyond the Books: Anti-Bucket List

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Beyond the Books: Anti-Bucket List

Every Thursday Karen of KissinBlueKaren hosts Beyond the Books, at which time participants are given a topic and asked to write about it on their own blogs. They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Today Karen's Beyond the Books topic is about an anti-bucket list: the things you hope to never do before you die.

Dare I admit I do not even have a bucket list? I imagine my anti-bucket list could go on forever. There are quite a few things I hope to never do before I die. There are the obvious things--the unmentionable things that might include my daughter and husband. That goes without saying. Instead of focusing on the more serious stuff I hope never happens or that I will not do, I thought maybe it would be more fun to keep my list this week light. 

1. I hope to never have to go on the Tower of Terror at Disneyland. I'm not sure I would even do it for my daughter. Maybe if someone offered me a million dollars.  But what's the chance of that happening?

2. I hope I never have to run away from zombies. Because they would catch me, and I would become a zombie too.

3. I hope I never have to give a speech in front of an auditorium full of people. I hate public speaking.

4. I hope I never get over my love for reading. A coworker of mine used to enjoy reading, but she said she no longer reads for pleasure because she grew tired of it. I don't want that to happen to me.

5. I hope I never NOT cry when I read a really good book--whether heartbreaking or wonderfully happy and sentimental. Some people take pride in the fact they are cold and heartless people and never cry. I like books that draw out strong emotions in me. Although, to be honest, I do cry easily. I get it from my dad. 

6. I hope I never stop learning new things. No matter what age we are, we continue to learn. We can never know everything.

7. I am pretty sure I will never have a one night stand, get married in Vegas while drunk or anything remotely along those lines.  

8. I will never enter a boxing or wrestling match. Much less win.

9. I will never date or become romantically involved with a vampire. Not one than sparkles or one that drinks my blood.  Ever.

10. I hope I never stop appreciating my family--and life.  Okay, so maybe this one is on the serious side.

What about you? What would be on your anti-bucket list? (You can skip the serious stuff--all that's a given.)

Halloween at My Workplace

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 © 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: Three Lilith Saintcrow Novels

I came across two of Lilith Saintcrow's novels on NetGalley which are being re-released. I had never read anything by the author before, but have been curious for awhile now. Let me just say, I look forward to reading more by her in the future.

The Society by Lilith Saintcrow

Imajinn Books, 2005

Romance (Paranormal); 228 pgs
Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: It was, as Rowan's best friend Hilary often said, a day of small mishaps turning into complete disasters.

Justin Delgado is a former government black ops Sigma operative who is now working for the Society, an organization trying to protect those with psychic abilities. Sigma's main goal is to control or wipe out anyone with psychic abilities. By chance, while on assignment, Justin comes across a very powerful untrained psychic. Rowan has no idea there is a name for her abilities, nor is she proud of them. She has hid them for most of her life.  Suddenly, she finds herself in serious danger; Sigma will stop at nothing to capture her, even if it means killing people who get in the way. And Justin is determined to keep her safe.

I was actually surprised by how much I liked this one. It was action packed, which I love, and I enjoyed seeing the romance between Justin and Rowan unfold. Justin is very worldly and tough while Rowan is on the naive side--more innocent really. Both Justin and Rowan are damaged in their own ways. I like it when an author is able to have her characters work through all that as they come together--it feels more realistic and adds depth to the story. The Society was intense, and I sped through it because I could not wait to see how everything would play out. The big downside is that the novel has a cliffhanger ending. Fortunately, the sequel was released previously too--and so I was able to buy it without having to wait too long to see how everything turned out.

Hunter, Healer by Lilith Saintcrow
Imajinn Books, 2005
Romance (Paranormal); 196 pgs
Source: Purchased by Myself

First Sentence: Kick.

The sequel to The Society picks up three months later. Sigma is still a major threat to those with psychic abilities and they are determined to get Rowan at all costs. It is impossible to say anything more about the plot and characters without risk of spoilers to the first book. In this installment we see a harder Rowan. She has been through a lot and isn't the mouse she once was. She's had to adjust to her new life, constantly on the run, constantly fighting to save the lives of others like her. Her team with the Society is her family. Justin is fighting his own demons as well as the enemy while trying to hold onto Rowan. Hunter, Healer is just as intense as The Society, and just as hard to put down. I am kind of sad there are no more books to come. I think it would be interesting to explore some of the other more minor characters like Yoshi and Cath.

The Demon's Librarian by Lilith Saintcrow

Imajinn Books, 2009

Romance (Paranormal); 218 pgs
Source: Net Galley

First Sentence: She ended up knee-deep in slick rotting garbage with one hell of a shiner and a stitch gripping her side, holding a glowing blue knife while something with tentacles thrashed toward her in the foul stinking water.

You can imagine why this book appealed to me from the title alone. In The Demon's Librarian, librarian, Francesca "Chess" Barnes, takes matters into her own hands when she notices children in the area going missing. Realizing the culprit isn't human, she studies magic books she's found in the library's basement, arms herself, and goes after the demon. No one is more surprised to discover just who took out the demon than Ryan, who is half-demon himself. It just isn't possible. 

As a Drakul, Ryan is assigned to assist and guide a wizard, and, in this case, his wizard has gone missing. He knows he cannot leave Chess alone or unprotected, especially now that she has proven herself to be a threat to some very powerful demons.

I loved Chess. I think other readers will too.  She's not exactly the kick butt heroine you might expect as she still is a bit unsure of herself and just beginning to realize what she's gotten herself into, but she can certainly hold her own. I was less impressed with Ryan, if I'm honest. I tend to like my heroes to be more than just brawn. Maybe it was Ryan's own insecurities that kept me from completely falling for him--but then, there have been other characters in other books with similar issues I fall for right away. Do not get me wrong, I liked Ryan. Throughout the book, I wanted him to see himself as Chess saw him--not as a servant, but as an equal. I certainly would want him on my side if I ever found myself surrounded by demons.

While I think I liked The Society more than I liked this one, The Demon's Librarian was an entertaining book to read. There is action and plenty of humor. The romance is more of a slow cooker one, but that never bothers me. I often prefer them that way as they tend to be more believable--even in a novel about demons and magic.

To learn more about Lilith Saintcrow and her books, please visit the author's website and Goodreads.

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/27/2015)

This past weekend while trying to decide if I wanted to dive into Karen E. Olson's latest, Hidden, or Catherine McKenzie's Smoke, I settled on Hidden after reading the first couple paragraphs. I was pulled in right away. It helps that I have enjoyed everything I have read by Karen E. Olson before--she's a favorite author of mine.  She's mentioned her latest is a bit different than her usual fare, which got me even more curious. Hidden is about Nicole, a woman who left her old life as a computer hacker behind fifteen years ago, making a new life for herself. Someone from her past has found her, however, and it sets off a chain of events that threaten to uproot everything Nicole has worked hard to build in her new life.

First two paragraphs of Hidden by Karen E. Olson:

I went missing fifteen years ago.

And now the only person who knew where I was is dead.





Teaser from Hidden at 16%:

"I've got a job for you." His voice is low, curling around each word like a snake. 

I have not heard those words in a long time, and something moves through me: revulsion followed by a clammy fear, and then the adrenaline of desire sticks in my throat.

And from 25% of Hidden:

I might have to flee again. I might have to give up this life as well as the other one. My breath catches in my throat.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  

I ended up finishing the book in just a day, something I rarely am able to do anymore. I am now reading Smoke by Catherine McKenzie.

What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday theme is a Halloween themed freebie -- I decided to go with a list of books and movies I have read or seen that remind me of Halloween. And maybe a cat.

1.

A subtly creepy book I can recommend this time of year is Dracula by Bram Stoker. An obvious choice, I know, but oh so good. (I have yet to find a movie version which even comes close to living up to the book.)

2.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova ~ I got lost in the pages of this book and walked around in a fog when not reading it. This is a good one to read after reading Dracula.
3.

Fangland by John Marks ~ A very loose modern re-telling of Dracula, that takes a drastic turn.

4.

Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies. I am not much for scary movies, and so this is about the caliber of Halloween fare I enjoy.

5.

World War Z by Max Brooks ~ The book is much different than the movie. I almost didn't include World War Z on this list, but it is about zombies. It's one of the few zombie books I have read, and I really liked it. (I liked the movie too.)

6.

A Halloween Scare in California by Eric James and Marina Le Ray is a favorite Halloween picture book in our house. My daughter and I love the story--while the connection the state we live in is kind of lost on my 4 year old, it's a fun story just the same. A boy watches out his window as all the scariest monsters in the state come to town for a party only to find they are all coming to his house.

7.

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist ~ This horror novel left a lasting impression on me. Not for the faint of heart. (I thought the movie was okay.)

8.

20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill is full of stories that are perfect for Halloween.

9.

The Nightmare Before Christmas movie was a pleasant surprise. We saw it for the first time this past weekend and really enjoyed it. Now I understand what all the fuss is about.

10.

Favorite cat costume ~ Puss-In-Boots. (My cats would never tolerate a costume, unfortunately.)

What books make you think of this time of year? Do you have a favorite Halloween book, movie, candy, or costume?

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 © 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Bookish Thoughts: The Uninvited by Cat Winters

I admit, I had seen a ghost or two. ~ Opening of The Uninvited

The Uninvited by Cat Winters

William Morrow, 2015

Fiction; 343 pgs

The women in Ivy Rowan's family have long been gifted with being able to see the dead. The ghosts are heralds of death, warning the women that someone they know has or soon will die. Ivy has long viewed her gift as a curse. One evening in October of 1918, Ivy sees the ghost of her grandmother, the same night her father and brother have beaten and killed a German businessman in town.

At that time in American history, as the Great War rages, hostilities are high against all people and things German. The death of the German is not looked into too closely--he must have been deserving after all. Perhaps he didn't donate enough to the War cause or failed to turn his back on his own heritage completely. In another town, a German had been hung without trial or good cause, and the jury acquitted the mob who murdered him--believing they had done their patriotic duty.

As anti-German sentiment flourishes, so does the Spanish Influenza, a deadly virus which has taken the lives of many. Ivy caught the bug early on and finally feels herself coming around when her father and brother burst into the house with the news of the German's death. Ivy cannot take it anymore: the drunkenness of her father, the influence of her father on her young brother, and the violence. And so she sets off on her own at the age of twenty-five to make a life for herself.

Ivy has been a recluse for the past several years, rarely venturing out of her house. She has made a living giving piano lessons to area children. Ivy has neglected her childhood friendships and really has no one, outside of her mother. Still, she is determined to do what she must. The feeling and need to make restitution to the murdered German's brother is strong, and that is how, one evening, she finds herself at Daniel's doorstep, unsure what to say and how to act.

I went into The Uninvited with high hopes, I admit. The description lured me in immediately. I wanted to know more about this woman who could see ghosts, about the time period she lived in and everything else the story might hold for me. I was swept into the story right away and curious about Ivy. She's very naive in her own way, but also very smart. Even despite her fears, she takes what comes her way and makes the most of it. There was instance in which I questioned Ivy's judgement, but given the times and the sentiment of living in the moment, I suppose it wasn't that farfetched. 

The novel has a host of interesting characters. There is May, a war widow, who has had her share of people looking down on her because she is beautiful and from somewhere else. There are the Red Cross women, Addie and Nella, who cannot drive an ambulance to save their lives, but who are determined to help victims suffering from the Spanish Influenza. Then Lucas whose loyalty to the American Protective League is unwavering, always with an eye out for those who might be unpatriotic. There are the ghosts, of course, relatives of Ivy's, including her brother, Billy, who lost his life in the War. There are the folk in the club, drinking despite the Prohibition, playing jazz and dancing as they try to forget the world outside. It is hard not to be caught up in the times, feel the tension and helplessness, and yet also taking joy in the moment.

I really liked Daniel, the brother of the German furniture store owner, the more I got to know him. He holds his secrets close to his vest. He has had a difficult time of it, not just in the United States, but in his home country of Germany as well. Daniel is full of anger, especially towards Ivy's family. And yet he has a definite soft spot for Ivy herself.

While everything about this novel is fiction, from the setting to the characters and their stories, there is truth in the history. Cat Winters does a good job of capturing the mood and desperateness of the times, including the horrors of war, the effects of fear and ignorance. I was really drawn into the time period and into the lives of the characters the author has created. I especially loved how everything came together in the end.

The Uninvited is not just a ghost story, but it is also one about redemption and hope. It is about missed opportunities and love found. As well as about finding one's way and letting go of the past. Was The Uninvited everything I hoped it would be? Yes and No. It wasn't, in the end, quite what I expected, but that was okay. In many ways, it was even better.

To learn more about author Cat Winters and her work, please visit the author's website.

Source: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

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© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.