Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from my little Frankenstein!

Yes, I know Frankenstein monster costumes are
inaccurate literature-wise.
No, I don't care. Isn't he cute? :)

Fascinated by all the other kids at our library's
Halloween parade

A few of the costumes might have been a little scary...

We carved a pumpkin last night and today we'll be greeting trick-or-treaters, watching Hocus Pocus, and hanging out with our little monster. Have a great day everyone!

Monday, October 26, 2015

So this happened yesterday...


I've been reading to my son practically since he was born. He has no idea what I'm talking about yet, but I still love doing it and I think it's important. Over these past six months, he started grabbing for the pages and little by little he seems to (maybe?) be actually looking at them -- or at least the colors and the motion as I flip them.

When he was a teeny tiny newborn I used to hold him while reading, but he's been so wiggly the past few months, we started lying on the floor so I could hold the book above us and let him move around. Last night was the first time he really sat with me in my comfy reading chair and the pictures my husband snapped make this bookish mom's heart happy, so I had to share :)


We've (OK, I've...) been on a Halloween book kick, so here we are reading The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree he got from his Godmom. I must admit I feel like a kid again myself rediscovering picture books. I know they are not every adult's cup of tea, but I just love these stories, even though they are aimed at audiences 25+ years my junior. Maybe I'll change my tune when my son gets old enough to ask me to read the same book for the thousandth time, but for now I'm exploring a whole world of stories I've barely touched in a few decades and it's just plain fun! :)

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Shelf Control #5


Shelf Control is a weekly meme hosted by Lisa of Bookshelf Fantasies where we each share a book from our shelves we'd like to read soon. I need a break from the new releases, so this is just perfect for me! Come on and join in :)

* * * * *

My pick for this week is:

The Night Sister, by Jennifer McMahon

How I got it: Amazon.com

When I got it: August 2015

Why I want to read it: OK, so this one is still a pretty new release since it just came out this past summer. But, considering that Jennifer McMahon is an auto-buy author of mine and I ordered this book the week it came out, I'm overdue! After re-reading the description though, I've decided it just might be the perfect spooky book to read next week. Every year I mean to choose a scary/creepy/gothic-y type Halloween read, but I never quite manage it -- this will be the year I finally do it!

Sunday, October 18, 2015

What I've Been Reading Lately: Comics & Graphic Novels

Some time between first giving comics and graphic novels a try last year and now, I have officially become addicted. I love the artwork. I love the stories. I love that even with a young baby, I can actually finish a graphic novel or comic collection without it taking me a week (or more.) So it's about time I shared some of my favorites:

Completed Series

Locke & Key written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez
Three siblings discover keys they give them special abilities as an evil entity seeks the power of the keys. SO GOOD.

Y: The Last Man written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Pia Guerra & José Marzán Jr.
A man and his monkey are the only males left after a mysterious plague hits.

 Explorer edited by Kazu Kibuishi (illustrator of the Harry Potter special edition paperbacks!)
Various writers/illustrators each tell a story based on a theme -- Mystery Boxes, The Lost Islands, and Hidden Doors -- an awesome concept that showcases great creativity.


Ongoing Series

Saga written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Star-crossed love story meets sci-fi adventure.

Wytches written by Scott Snyder, illustrated by Jock, color by Matt Hollingsworth, & lettering by Clem Robins
Explores some of our darkest fears -- these are NOT your average witches.

Cursed Pirate Girl written & illustrated by Jeremy A. Bastian
Fiesty pirate girl on a quest to find her pirate captain father.

Lumberjanes written by Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke A. Allen
Kinda like the Girl Scouts, but with supernatural creatures and magic.

Unshelved by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum
The adventures, amusements, and frustrations of being a public librarian.


Graphic Novel

Nimona written & illustrated by Noelle Stevenson
Sidekick plus super-villian seek to prove the heroes aren't all they're cracked up to be.


Graphic Memoir

El Deafo written & illustrated by Cece Bell, color by David Lasky
Cece navigates a new school and growing up with a hearing aid.

* * * * *

I never thought I'd like comics or graphic novels, but I really surprised myself. So if you're still hesitant, I encourage you to give them a try. And if you have any recommendations for me, please share in the comments!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Shelf Control #4


Shelf Control is a weekly meme hosted by Lisa of Bookshelf Fantasies where we each share a book from our shelves we'd like to read soon. I need a break from the new releases, so this is just perfect for me! Come on and join in :)

* * * * *

My pick for this week is:

Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume

How I got it: my local indie bookstore

When I got it: sometime last year

Why I want to read itAs you can tell by the bookmark, I have actually started this one! I read my first Shelf Control selection, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret last week and loved it, so I jumped right into my next Judy Blume. This is another classic YA book with a gorgeous new cover. I am so glad to finally be focusing on something other than new releases -- here's to more "oldies but goodies!"