The Year In Weird

So for 2014 I have set myself a goal of reading and delving into more "weird" fiction.  Not necessarily "Lovecraftian", although there will be plenty of that, but hopefully a well rounded exposure to all things weird.  I've already got plenty to read but suggestions are always welcome, thank you!

And speaking of weird things, writer/editor/publisher Silvia Moreno-Garcia has sent out a call to female writers of weird fiction, to put together a collection of Lovecraftian fiction focusing on the female characters from HPL's writings.  You will find the details and updates here.  The projected date for this isn't til 2015, so too late for my year of weird reading, but totally count me in #TeamSquid!

Happy reading!

I Couldn't Resist The Power of the Dark Side

Ok, only because she's hosting it again and only because I enjoyed last year's challenge so much, I am once again going to participate in  the 2014 Horror Reading Challenge hosted by the lovely Midnyte Reader.  It was a blast and I got to encounter a lot of book/authors that I hadn't had the pleasure of reading before.  So here we go again.  :)

Happy reading!

2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge

So in 2013, my success with the reading challenges I'd entered was hit and miss; I excelled at a couple, while a couple fell to the way side.  In an effort to not overextend myself, with the added benefit of putting a dent in my Netgalley TBR pile, I will be entering only one challenge this year, the 2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge hosted by Ariel Avalon.  The goal is to get your feedback percent to 80, so I have decided to go "hardcore" by reading 21 or more books.  Wish me luck!  Happy reading!

Challenging Myself Once Again

So in order to really broaden my reading horizons AND to put a dent in my TBR pile, I'm going to join two more Reading Challenges!  The first is hosted by the fine ladies of Book Chick City and focuses on Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.   The second is the 2013 Mystery/Crime Reading Challenge hosted by Amy at Book Nerd Designs. I'm sure I'm going to have fun and look forward to participating!

Happy reading!

New Year, New Challenges

So Book Chick City is hosting Zombie Reading Challenge 2013!!  I wasn't able to finish last year's challenge, so hope to redeem myself with this.  I am going for two chomps; wish me luck!  Click on the image in the sidebar for details on how to join the challenge!

Other challenges I thought sounded fun and decided to join are both hosted by Midnyte Reader, the Horror Reading Challenge 2013 and the New Orleans Reading Challenge 2013.  For details on these, again, click on the images in the sidebar!

Happy Reading!

• 
  

2012 Horror/Thriller Reading Challenge

Ok, I may be crazy but I have signed up for yet another reading challenge!  I was trolling the internet looking for H P Lovecraft items when I came across this blog Sweeping Me.  What caught my attention was this:

I mean, are you kidding me?!  IT is one of my all time favorite horror novels and the challenge badge has a scary clown?!  So I couldn't resist and signed up.  If you want to do the same, find all the info you need here.

Unpleasant dreams!  (And happy reading!)  

Steampunk Sunday: Her Majesty's Explorer, a steampunk bedtime story by Emilie Bush

Today will mark a departure for the blog as I will be reviewing a children's book for the first time!  And before the review, I want to thank Kevin D Steil at Airship Ambassador for bringing Emilie and me together; THANKS KEVIN!  :)

Emilie P Bush is the author of two previous novels, Chenda and the Airship Brofman and its follow up, The Gospel According to Verdu.  She is also the publisher behind Coal City Steam.

Emilie saw the absence of steampunk children's books as an untapped opportunity and has come up with a story that is sweet and dreamy-a perfect bedtime story and a great introduction for children to steampunk.

This IS a children's book after all, so the cog and gear elements are kid friendly but steampunk nonetheless and this gentle get-ready-for-bedtime story also boasts lovely illustrations by William Kevin Petty that turn children's books standbys like duckies, teddy bears and other cuddly animals into mechanical friends ready for dreamland!

HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER...is a very cute book that reminded me of the books that were read to me as a child and I had a couple of "Aww..." moments as I walked down memory lane reliving those older books and characters, which I hadn't done for quite a while.  And this book is also a two-for-one package with the inclusion of a poem, "Three Cheers For Steampunk", that I loved because I am also a closet rubber duckie collector!  I am anxiously awaiting the Steamduck bedtime plush buddy, which I'm sure is coming soon!

If you have little ones that love to be read to before bedtime or are starting to read books on their own, or if your child is looking for some cuteness that is cog and gear rather than fur and feather, then HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER: A STEAMPUNK BEDTIME STORY would make a great addition to your children's book collection.  A HUGE congratulations to both Emilie Bush and William Kevin Petty on their achievement here and I hope the adventures of St. John Murphy Alexander continue!

HER MAJESTY'S EXPLORER...comes out February 28!  For more info:
Her Majesty's Explorer on Amazon
Her Majesty's Explorer Launch Party on Facebook
Coal City Steam


(This is 1/6 books read for the Steampunk Reading Challenge 2012 hosted by Dark Faerie Tales )

Zombie Reading Challenge 2012

Good morning all!

So in an effort to keep my commitment to reading a wider variety of books this year, I'm focusing on doing two things this year; featuring "themed" months here on the blog (be on the lookout for a short fiction month and a tentacle month coming soon) and participating in more reading challenges.  I think the theme months will be fun and I like the idea of a little accountability in the reading challenges where other participants can see my progress and I theirs.  And the latest challenge I've joined is...

Who doesn't like zombie fiction?!  Plus there are a few zombie titles in the Ever Growing TBR Pile, so I also felt this would be a great, enjoyable way to finally get on those books!

To get details on the challenge and see how you can join yourself, follow the link on the sidebar to Book Chick City.  Happy reading!

Steampunk Reading Challenge 2012

I have joined the Steampunk Reading Challenge hosted by Dark Faerie Tales!

The goal is to "get greased" and read 24 steampunk books by December 31, 2012.  That is quite a few books, so I am starting out light and committed to "Gaslight", which is 6 books; I am hoping to do more though!  To participate in all the steamy goodness, sign up here.  C'mon, let's do it together!

Don't forget to follow my blog to see how I'm doing!  :)

Happy reading!