Book of Interest: There's Someone Inside Your House

There's Someone Inside Your House feels very dark and scary with a killer on the loose. I wonder if there is a supernatural angle to the story or is it simply just the human monster prey on people. Either way this looks like a good pick to add to my wishlist.

Book: There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Publication: September 26, 2017

Description:

It's been almost a year since Makani Young came to live with her grandmother in landlocked Nebraska, and she's still adjusting to her new life. And still haunted by her past in Hawaii.

Then, one by one, the students of her small town high school begin to die in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, Makani will be forced to confront her own dark secrets.

Stephanie Perkins, bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss, returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down.

Book of Interest: American Panda

How can you really live your life if it's already planned out for you? Which is one of the reasons why I want to read American Panda. I want to see if Mei will be able to figure out a way to live the life she wants. It seems like it will be an interesting story.

Book: American Panda by Gloria Chao

Publication: February 6, 2018

Description:

An incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her germophobia and crush on a Japanese classmate.

At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies.

With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls asleep in biology lectures, and (3) has a crush on her classmate Darren Takahashi, who is decidedly not Taiwanese.

But when Mei reconnects with her brother, Xing, who is estranged from the family for dating the wrong woman, Mei starts to wonder if all the secrets are truly worth it. Can she find a way to be herself, whoever that is, before her web of lies unravels?

From debut author Gloria Chao comes a hilarious, heartfelt tale of how unlike the panda, life isn't always so black and white.

Book of Interest: Stranger Than Fanfiction

A road trip story with a celebrity who's trying to escape his troubles by traveling with fans. Well, there goes my money, I really want to read this book. I plan on buying a few new books soon, I'll have to make sure to include this.

Book: Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

Description:

Cash Carter is the young, world famous lead actor of the hit television show Wiz Kids. When four fans jokingly invite him on a cross-country road trip, they are shocked that he actually takes them up on it. Chased by paparazzi and hounded by reporters, this unlikely crew takes off on a journey of a lifetime--but along the way they discover that the star they love has deep secrets he's been keeping. What they come to learn about the life of the mysterious person they thought they knew will teach them about the power of empathy and the unbreakable bond of true friendship.

Book of Interest: Heat Storm

Do you guys read any of the Richard Castle books? I'm a huge fan of the Nikki Heat books and read quite of few of them.

Yesterday, while I was at the bookstore yesterday I spotted Heat Storm. It's a Nikki Heat/Derek Storm crossover and it seems pretty interesting. Since I have not read any of the Derek Storm books, I hope this is written in a way to familiarize the character with readers such as myself who have not read any of the books. I'm going to have to add this to my wishlist.

Book: Heat Storm (Nikki Heat book #9) by Richard Castle

Description:

Nikki Heat and Derrick Storm, New York Times bestselling author Richard Castle's most enduring and beloved characters, team up for the first time to save Nikki's mother, Cynthia, who has been in hiding (and presumed dead) for 17 years. Standing in their way is a nefarious group of Chinese businessmen known as the Shanghai Seven, who have the resources-and ruthlessness-to stop them.

Book of Interest: Toil and Trouble

Toil and Trouble seems very interesting as it's told from the witches point of view from the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare. A re-telling can be tricky because you still want the story to feel like it's connected to the original story yet have a different take on it. And this definitely seems different.

Book: Toil and Trouble by Mairghread Scott with illustrations by Kelly and Nichole Matthews

Description:

Something wicked this way comes.

The three fates—Riata, Cait, and Smertae—have always been guiding and protecting Scotland unseen, indirectly controlling the line of kings according to the old religion. When there is a disagreement between the weird sisters, Riata and Smertae will use men as pawns, and Smertae will direct Macbeth to a crown he was never meant to have.

This re-telling of Macbeth from the witches point of view is brought to life by Mairghread Scott (TRANSFORMERS: Windblade, LANTERN CITY), and illustrated by talented duo Kelly & Nichole Matthews. TOIL AND TROUBLE brings a new and inventive take on the tragedy we all know and love.

Book of Interest: America vol #1

America is one of the series I wish I didn't have to wait until the trade edition to read it. As much as I would like to buy all the weekly comics I want my budget would not appreciate it. Which means some comics I will have to wait until later to read.

America Chavez went from Young Avenger to having her own ongoing series, not bad for a relatively new character.

Book: America volume #1: The Life and Times of America Chavez (issues #1-6) by Gabby Rivera with illustrations by Joe Quinones

Publication: October 31, 2017

Description:

At last! Everyone's favorite no-nonsense powerhouse, America Chavez, gets her own series! Critically acclaimed young-adult novelist Gabby Rivera and all-star artist Joe Quinones unite to shine a solo spotlight on America's high-octane and hard-hitting adventures!

She was a Young Avenger. She leads the Ultimates. And now she officially claims her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the entire Marvel Universe! But what's a super-powered teenager to do when she's looking for a little personal fulfillment? She goes to college! America just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first and shut down a pesky alien cult that's begun worshipping her exploits before work can begin. Then she can get on with her first assignment: a field trip to the front lines of World War II - with Captain America as her wingman!

Book of Interest: The Sun is Also a Star

For a while, I was not reading a lot of young adult books but lately that's what I seem to either be reading or adding to my wishlist. I recently bought Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (which I will post) and now I want to get this book by the author, The Sun is Also a Star.

The description make it seem as if it's love at first sight for these two characters. I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love but I'm trying to have an open mind when writers incorporate it into a story.

Book: The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Description:

The dazzling new novel from Nicola Yoon, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything, will have you falling in love with Natasha and Daniel as they fall in love with each other!

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Book of Interest: Spirit Hunters

Spirit Hunters is one of those books I see that I want to read immediately because the description seems really interesting. I love the cover it's pretty cool and not to mention there's a ghost staring out the top window.

Book: Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

Publication: July 25, 2017

Description:

We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh returns with Spirit Hunters, a high-stakes middle grade mystery series about Harper Raine, the new seventh grader in town who must face down the dangerous ghosts haunting her younger brother. A riveting ghost story and captivating adventure, this tale will have you guessing at every turn!

Harper doesn’t trust her new home from the moment she steps inside, and the rumors are that the Raine family’s new house is haunted. Harper isn’t sure she believes those rumors, until her younger brother, Michael, starts acting strangely. The whole atmosphere gives Harper a sense of déjà vu, but she can’t remember why. She knows that the memories she’s blocking will help make sense of her brother’s behavior and the strange and threatening sensations she feels in this house, but will she be able to put the pieces together in time?

Book of Interest: House of Dark Shadows

This morning a friend recommended this book to me, she said I would really like it. The description does seem rather interesting and I would like to read it. So, I'm going to take a chance on her suggestion and add this to my wishlist.

Book: House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings book #1) by Robert Liparulo

Description:

Dream house . . . or bad dream?

When the Kings move from L.A. to a secluded small town, fifteen-year-old Xander is beyond disappointed. He and his friends loved to create amateur films . . . but the tiny town of Pinedale is the last place a movie buff and future filmmaker wants to land.

But he, David, and Toria are captivated by the many rooms in the old Victorian fixer-upper they moved into--as well as the heavy woods surrounding the house.  They soon discover there's something odd about the house. Sounds come from the wrong directions. Prints of giant, bare feet appear in the dust.

And when David tries to hide in the linen closet, he winds up in locker 119 at his new school. Then the really weird stuff kicks in: they find a hidden hallway with portals leading off to far-off places--in long-ago times. Xander is starting to wonder if this kind of travel is a teen's dream come true . . . or his worst nightmare.

Book of Interest: The Isle of the Lost

I recently watched the Descendants movie and it wasn't bad. It was a little cheesy and corny at times but it was still fun to watch. It wasn't until I was at the bookstore a few days ago that I realized that there was a book series which is a prequel to the movie.

I would like to read the first book to see it's as interesting as the movie.

Book: The Isle of the Lost (Descendants book #1) by Melissa De La Cruz

Description:

Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.

But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?

DVD Tuesday: Beauty and the Beast (Movie and TV Series)

This DVD Tuesday is all about Beauty and the Beast. I am beyond ecstatic to get Disney's Beauty and the Beast, it's such a beautiful movie. I also want to get the CW network's Beauty and the Beast TV Series which I didn't realized the complete series was released last Tuesday. I loved watching this show and it felt like four seasons wasn't enough to tell the story of Cat and Vincent.


Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Description:

Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast's hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside.

Book of Interest: Party Girls Die In Pearls

I recently found out about Party Girls Die In Pearls and after reading the description I quickly added it to my wishlist. I had been looking for something new and it seems really interesting with a mystery that takes place at Oxford University and is set in the late 80s.

It's described as Clueless meets Agatha Christie I guess that makes it a fun and possibly fashionable mystery. I really want to read this.

Book: Party Girls Die In Pearls: An Oxford Girl Mystery by Plum Sykes

Description:

The New York Times bestselling author of Bergdorf Blondes takes us back to the decadent 1980s in this comic murder mystery set in the tony world of Oxford University.

It’s 1985, and at Oxford University, Pimm’s, punting, and ball gowns are de rigeur. Ursula Flowerbutton, a studious country girl, arrives for her first term anticipating nothing more sinister than days spent poring over history books in gilded libraries—and, if she’s lucky, an invitation to a ball.

But when she discovers a glamorous classmate on a chaise longue with her throat cut, Ursula is catapulted into a murder investigation.

Determined to bag her first scoop for the famous student newspaper Cherwell, Ursula enlists the help of trend-setting American exchange student Nancy Feingold to unravel the case. While navigating a whirl of black-tie parties and secret dining societies, the girls discover a surfeit of suspects. From broken-hearted boyfriends to snobby Sloane Rangers, lovelorn librarians to dishy dons, none can be presumed innocent—and Ursula’s investigations mean that she may be next on the murderer’s list.

Clueless meets Agatha Christie in this wickedly funny tale of high society and low morals, the first book in Plum Sykes’ irresistible new series.

Book of Interest: Shadowhouse Fall

Last month, I had the pleasure of reading the first Shadowshapersbook for book club and it was so good that I'm now left waiting for the sequel.

I love how art and magic are at the center of the series and that the second book will include even more shadowshapers who will most likely be getting used to their new powers. Along with trying to fight whatever new evil they will have to go up against. Yeah, I definitely can't wait to read this.

Book: Shadowhouse Fall (Shadowshaper book #2) by Daniel Jose Older

Publication: September 12, 2017

Description:

Sierra and her friends love their new lives as shadowshapers, making art and creating change with the spirits of Brooklyn. Then Sierra receives a strange card depicting a beast called the Hound of Light -- an image from the enigmatic, influential Deck of Worlds. The shadowshapers know their next battle has arrived.

Thrust into an ancient struggle with enemies old and new, Sierra and Shadowhouse are determined to win. Revolution is brewing in the real world as well, as the shadowshapers lead the fight against systems that oppress their community. To protect her family and friends in every sphere, Sierra must take down the Hound and master the Deck of Worlds . . . or risk losing them all.

Book of Interest: Love and Other Alien Experiences

Oh, this looks like a fun read. According to the description, Mallory has not left her house in 67 days, she even attends school online. However, most of her time seems to be spent on her interest in aliens.

Although she doesn't physically go to school, in a surprising twist she was nominated for Homecoming Queen. I'm already adding this to my wishlist because I'm interested to see how this story will turn out.

Book: Love and Other Alien Experiences by Kerry Winfrey

Publication: July 11, 2017

Description:

I'm never going outside again.

Mallory hasn't left the house in sixty-seven days -- since the day her dad left. She attends her classes via webcam, rarely leaves her room (much to her brother's chagrin), and spends most of her time watching The X-Files or chatting with the always obnoxious BeamMeUp on New Mexico's premier alien message board.

But when she's shockingly nominated for homecoming queen, her life takes a surprising turn. She slowly begins to open up to the world outside. And maybe if she can get her popular jock neighbor Brad Kirkpatrick to be her homecoming date, her classmates will stop calling her a freak.

In this heartwarming and humorous debut, Mallory discovers first love and the true meaning of home -- just by taking one small step outside her house.

Book of Interest: Josie and the Pussycats vol #1

I'm an Archie Comics fan and I'm so happy that the publisher has gotten a lot of renewed interest from fans (new and old). I love Josie and the Pussycats they're a great band and the comic books are fun to read. I really want to read this updated take on the characters, I will be adding this book to my wishlist.

Book: Josie and the Pussycats volume #1 (issues #1-5) by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron DeOrdio with illustration by Kelly Fitzpatrick, Audrey Mok and Jack Morelli

Publication: June 13, 2017

Description:

Josie and the Pussycats Vol. #1 is the first collection of an all-new take on the world's biggest comic book band. Marguerite Bennett and co-writer Cameron DeOrdio team with Audrey Mok to retell the origin and story behind the music for Josie, Valerie and Melody.

Friends, countrymen, lend me your long tails and ears for hats—the Pussycats are back! In this series kick-off, Josie's getting the band together to help achieve her dreams of musical stardom. But for the group to last, it needs a strong foundation of friendship and trust. Can the girls get going, or will Alexandra Cabot's plotting put a stop to the whole thing? Don't miss comics' supreme songstresses' return to the limelight in this exciting first volume!

Book of Interest: Steven Universe: Art & Origins

If you visit my blog often then you know that I am a huge fan of Art of Books. I'm also a huge fan of Steven Universe, even though I haven't posted much on here about the show or the characters, but I will.

I really love this cover, it's very beautiful with Steven and Connie relaxing and enjoying the view.

Book: Steven Universe: Art & Origins by Chris McDonnell with foreword by Rebecca Sugar and introduction by Genndy Tartakovsky

Publication: July 11, 2017

Description:

Steven Universe: Art & Origins is the first book to take fans behind the scenes of the groundbreaking and boundlessly creative Cartoon Network animated series Steven Universe. The eponymous Steven is a boy who—alongside his mentors, the Crystal Gems (Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl)—must learn to use his inherited powers to protect his home, Beach City, from the forces of evil.

Bursting with concept art, production samples, early sketches, storyboards, and exclusive commentary, this lavishly illustrated companion book offers a meticulous written and visual history of the show, as well as an all-access tour of the creative team’s process. Steven Universe: Art & Origins reveals how creator Rebecca Sugar, the writers, the animators, and the voice actors work in tandem to bring this adventure-packed television series to life.

Book of Interest: Belle's Library

The Beauty and the Beast movie and books are still really popular because when I went to my local bookstore yesterday, an employee told me they were completely sold out of Belle's Library. She told me they will be getting in a new shipment soon. I guess, I'll have to wait and put it on my wishlist for now.

Book: Belle's Library: A Collection of Literary Quotes and Inspirational Musings by Brittany Rubiano with illustrations by Jenna Huerta

Description:

Belle is one of the best known fictional bookworms around. But what exactly is on her reading list? In this unique literary journal, inspired by Disney's Beauty and the Beast, enjoy quotes from some of Belle's favorite books.

Book of Interest: The Emperor's Riddle

A middle grade mystery adventure might be that something new I was looking for. The premise for The Emperor's Riddle seems really interesting with a siblings looking for not only their missing aunt but also mysterious treasure. How cool is that! I will have to add this to my ongoing wishlist.

Book: The Emperor's Riddle by Kat Zhang

Description:

From acclaimed author Kat Zhang comes her debut middle grade novel about a girl who embarks on a hunt for a long-lost treasure while on a summer trip to China.

Mia Chen is on what her mother calls a Grand Adventure. She’s not sure what to make of this family trip to China, and didn’t want to leave her friends for the summer, but she’s excited about the prospect of exploring with her Aunt Lin, the only adult who truly understands her.

Then Aunt Lin disappears, right after her old nemesis, a man named Ying, comes to visit. Mia knows that years ago, when Aunt Lin and Ying were sent to the Fuzhou countryside to work as laborers, the two searched for an ancient treasure together—one that still hasn’t been found. She’s suspicious that their shared history might be linked to Aunt Lin’s disappearance.

When Mia discovers an old map filled with riddles in Aunt Lin’s room, she quickly pieces together her mission: find the treasure, find her aunt. Now, Mia, along with her big brother, Jake, must solve the clues to rescue the person she knows best in the world—and maybe unearth a treasure greater than her wildest dreams.

Book of Interest: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

I recently watched the movie Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List on Netflix and I absolutely adored it. I love a good friendship/romantic dramedy. Naomi and Ely's were pretty much inseparable but could their friendship withstand romance drama. Specifically since they put into place a fail safe (a No Kiss List) to prevent that but things don't always go as planned. It's such a cute movie.

I found out later that the movie was based on a book and now I want to read it. I will be adding this to my wishlist as soon as possible.

Book: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Description:

Naomi and Ely are best friends. Inseparable since childhood. Naomi is straight. Ely is gay. Naomi dates guys who she claims to like. They’re okay, but she likes Ely more.

To protect their feelings, Naomi and Ely created a No Kiss List—a list of people neither of them is allowed to kiss under any circumstances. Naomi’s latest boyfriend Bruce isn’t on that list. But he probably should have been. Because when Ely kisses Bruce, it breaks Naomi’s heart. The result? A rift of universal proportions. Can these best friends come together again, or will this be end of Naomi and Ely: the Institution?

Book of Interest: The Witch's Market

I have been looking for something different and as soon as I read the description for The Witch's Market, I immediately added it to my wishlist. I wonder if this is one of those books where the character finds out that magic is real or she simply becomes fascinated by all the research on witchcraft and the joy of everyday magic. However, the story goes, it definitely seems interesting.

Book: The Witch's Market by Mingmei Yip

Description:

Chinese-American assistant professor Eileen Chen specializes in folk religion at her San Francisco college. Though her grandmother made her living as a shamaness, Eileen publicly dismisses witchcraft as mere superstition. Yet privately, the subject intrigues her.

When a research project takes her to the Canary Islands—long rumored to be home to real witches—Eileen is struck by the lush beauty of Tenerife and its blend of Spanish and Moroccan culture. A stranger invites her to a local market where women sell amulets, charms, and love spells. Gradually Eileen immerses herself in her exotic surroundings, finding romance with a handsome young furniture maker. But as she learns more about the lives of these self-proclaimed witches, Eileen must choose how much trust to place in this new and seductive world, where love, greed, and vengeance can be as powerful, or as destructive, as any magic.