The Bookman

Title: The Bookman

Author: Lavie Tidhar
Publisher: Angry Robot
ISBN: 978-0-85766-034-3
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Full Steampunk Ahead, Vacation, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: I have not read many steampunk novels before, but I do love the genre - and The Bookman is a perfect example. This is a story of adventure, automatons, and aliens set in an alternate Victorian England and populated with both real and fictional people of the time period. And, since most readers are booklovers, the plot largely centers around books (which makes Tidhar's writing roughly reminiscent of one of my favorites - Jasper Fforde). This book is a delight for any fan of the genre, and a good introduction for those wanting to try steampunk.
Rating: 4 stars

Vacation Reads Challenge: Victorian England was a time of intrigue and the start of modern age as we know it - who wouldn't want to visit? And throw in Tidhar's fun alternate history and you have a location just waiting to be explored!

In My Mailbox 8/7-8/13

For possible review elsewhere (bookloons.com):

Reasons to be Happy by Katrina Kittle

Shadow Fall by Seressia Glass

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris

Won:

Nightfall in Mogadishu by Veronica Li

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

French Lessons by Ellen Sussman

The Crossroads by L. Ron Hubbard

Writers of the Future XXVI by L. Ron Hubbard

Swaps on Swap-Bot:

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

This fun weekly meme comes from The Story Siren.

All images come from Goodreads.

Summer WINNER!

Random.org has spoken and a big congrats go out to...

Christine J.!

An email has been sent. Winner has 48 hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Nightschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 1

Title: Nightschool: The Weirn Books Vol. 1
Author: Svetlana Chmakova
Publisher: Yen
ISBN: 978-0-7595-2859-8
Why Read?: For Fun
Challenges: Horror & Urban Fantasy, 100 Books in a Year

Thoughts: I liked Svetlana Chmakova's DramaCon, so I knew I would like Nightschool: The Weirn Books. I did not expect to totally love it! This is a wonderful paranormal tale of vampires, witches, and other beings that ends on a major cliff hanger. Chmakova's art and story mix perfectly into an atmosphere of spooky and mysterious. I definitely need to get my hands on Volume 2.
Rating: 5 stars

In My Mailbox 7/31-8/6

For review (on bookloons.com):

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery by Graphic Classics

Won:

Midnight Pleasures by Amanda Ashley, Maggie Shayne, Sherrilyn Kenyon, & Ronda Thompson

Night's Edge by Maggie Shayne, Charlaine Harris, & Barbara Hambly

A Bride's Story Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori

Suite Scarlet by Maureen Johnson

This fun weekly meme comes from The Story Siren.

All images come from Goodreads.

Summer Giveaway Hop (US/Can)

Summer's coming to a close, so that means it is time for another giveway hop! Before school starts,

there is time to get at least one last "fun"book in. This giveaway is for a used ARC copy of The Incredible Origins of the Onyx

Sun by Christopher Mahoney. This is a fun sci-fi adventure for middle grades.

To enter:

Fill out the Form.

Extra entries for following on GFC or Goodreads.

Don't forget to check out the other great giveaways:

Reading Challenges Update - July

Here is where I stand with the challenges I have joined after the month of July (only challenges that I read books for this month are featured here):

E-Book (3/3) - COMPLETED!

3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Mystery & Suspense (12/12) - COMPLETED!

12. Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber

100 Books in a Year (72/100)

60. Into the Dark by Gena Showalter

61. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

62. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

63. Who What Wear by Olivia Bennett

64. Secrets in the Attic by Damian Serbu

65. Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber

66. The Paradise Prophecy by Robert Browne

67. The Haunted by Jessica Verday

68. OtherWorlds by Thomas Kidd

69. Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray

70. Fire by Robin McKinley & Peter Dickenson

71. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

72. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Debut Author (6/12)

6. Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray

Young Adult Contemporary (8/13)

7. Who What Wear by Olivia Bennett

8. Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray

Book Blogger Recommendation (5/5) - COMPLETED!

5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Horror & Urban Fantasy (14/24)

10. Into the Dark by Gena Showalter

11. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

12. Secrets in the Attic by Damian Serbu

13. The Paradise Prophecy by Robert Browne

14. The Haunted by Jessica Verday

Borrowed Books (4/12)

4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

International Reading (8/10)

8. The Paradise Prophecy by Robert Browne

iChallenge (4/10)

4. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Show Me the Free (2/12)

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Vampire (2/20)

2. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Cozy Mystery (2/6)

2. Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber

Vacation Reads (2/6)

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon