Lovely Books and Things - 4.7.18

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Stacking the Shelves (details)
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

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HAPPY THINGS:

1. Easter Egg salad sandwiches ;-)

2. I just got a spam comment on a post that went up back in 2012. The post was titled Zombie Pets and featured zombie cats. I found it hilarious considering the post was pure silliness.

Original post (here)

Hi choco has left a new comment on your post "Keep Calm: Zombie Pet":

On the off chance that you are extremely apprehensive about your home and furniture, and you don't feel whatever else yet declawing will be sufficient, it may be that a feline isn't the best sidekick for you. Albeit most felines are entirely cautious with their condition, mischances can happen. Furthermore, what you see as your prized new cowhide couch may be viewed as a brilliant new toy to play with, that you more likely than not purchased just to engage your feline! They are not human, all things considered.
cat gift ideas

3. Stationery - craft journal, mini notebooks, stickers and an issue of Flow magazine (paper craft theme)

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Bought:

Mad Country
by Samrat Upadhyay
-Short Stories, Asian American
Amazon | Goodreads
STARTING another self challenge by reading the Aspen Words Literary Prize short list (here). Breaking out of my usual reading pattern with this one as I rarely read short story collections.


For Review:

It Ends With Her
by Brianna Labuskes
-Mystery, Thriller
courtesy of Amazon Kindle First -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
THRILLER has been a genre on my radar these past couple months. So, I gravitated to this one.


Friend's library: Thanks Bethany!

Grotesque
by Natsuo Kirino
-Mystery, Horror, Japan
Amazon | Goodreads

Dark Water
by Koji Suzuki
-Horror, Short Stories, Japan
Amazon | Goodreads
BOTH of these will fit right into my self challenge Japanese binge later this month.


UNBOXING:

From Deep Readers Club (website & instagram):

The Deep Readers Club is a new monthly book box for the #bookworm who wants to be moved by the books they read. Each box follows a theme around a certain feeling and includes a literary novel and 3-5 bookish goods.

YES, a new book box subscription to try!

I was introduced to this book box subscription via @bluestockingbookshelf instagram feed. Both the premise and the March box theme grabbed me.

March box includes:
theme: Anxiety

- The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis (paperback)
- Lavender scented candle by Bow & Arrow Company
- Woolf quote notebook by Obvious State
- 2 Anxiety themed art prints by Typologie Paper
- London Fog and Mellow Mediterranean sample loose tea blends from Harlow Tea Company
- AfterGlow dead sea bath salts by Slow North
- Clay cleansing mask by Anitako Organics

The Wolf Road
by Beth Lewis
-Thriller, Dystopia
Amazon | Goodreads
Elka barely remembers a time before she knew Trapper.

She was just seven years old, wandering lost and hungry in the wilderness, when the solitary hunter took her in. In the years since then, he’s taught her how to survive in this desolate land where civilization has been destroyed and men are at the mercy of the elements and each other.

But the man Elka thought she knew has been harboring a terrible secret. He’s a killer. A monster. And now that Elka knows the truth, she may be his next victim.

Armed with nothing but her knife and the hard lessons Trapper’s drilled into her, Elka flees into the frozen north in search of her real parents. But judging by the trail of blood dogging her footsteps, she hasn’t left Trapper behind—and he won’t be letting his little girl go without a fight. If she’s going to survive, Elka will have to turn and confront not just him, but the truth about the dark road she’s been set on.

The Wolf Road is an intimate cat-and-mouse tale of revenge and redemption, played out against a vast, unforgiving landscape—told by an indomitable young heroine fighting to escape her past and rejoin humanity.


AND watched: in theatre

Isle of Dogs (2018)
Director/Writer/Screenplay: Wes Anderson
Writers: Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Kunichi Nomura
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton
-Animation, Adventure, Comedy | imdb | my rating: 5
Set in Japan, Isle of Dogs follows a boy's odyssey in search of his lost dog.

LOVE Wes Anderson film making style and aesthetics. From the taiko beats to the dog quirks, this was an entertaining bit of animation.

Best F(r)iends: volume one (2017)
Director: Justin MacGregor
Writer: Greg Sestero
Stars: Greg Sestero, Tommy Wiseau
-Comedy, Thriller | imdb | my rating: 5
When a drifter befriends a quirky mortician, an unlikely business partnership is formed. Paranoia soon develops, however, and both men are forced to come to terms with the fragility of friendship and loyalty.

AFTER falling for this duo in The Room and The Disaster Artist, this was a must-see. And now, I must-see volume two in June!

What Will People Say (2017)
Hva vil folk si (original title)
Director/Writer: Iram Haq
Stars: Maria Mozhdah, Adil Hussain
-Drama, Norway, Pakistan | imdb | my rating: 5
Sixteen year-old Nisha lives a double life. At home with her family she is the perfect Pakistani daughter, but when out with her friends, she is a normal Norwegian teenager. When her father catches her in bed with her boyfriend, Nisha's two worlds brutally collide. To set an example, Nisha's parents decide to kidnap her and place her with relatives in Pakistan. Here, in a country she has never been to before, Nisha is forced to adapt to her parents' culture.

SOME painful moments to watch but a peek into this culture and family dynamics vs. self.

AND watched: on Netflix

The Crown (2016)
tv series
Creator: Peter Morgan
Stars: Claire Foy, Matt Smith
-Drama, History | imdb | my rating: 5
Follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.

WOW. What took me so long to watch this. Fascinating to watch the making of a queen and the adjustments of the players that surround her.

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* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Spotlight: My Sister’s Intended by Rachael Anderson

My Sister’s Intended by Rachael Anderson
-Historical, Romance
Release date: March 20, 2018
Amazon | Goodreads
For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved.

Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn’t factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn’t want her sister to either.

Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon | Goodreads
BookExcerpt | Website
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Twitter

--~ Blog Tour Giveaway ~--

WIN $25 Amazon Gift Code or $25 in Paypal Cash
signup (here)
Ends April 22, 2018
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* courtesy of tour (see complete schedule)

Love in Bloom – Melinda Curtis with Giveaway

Excerpt: Support Your Local Sheriff by Melinda Curtis

“Hello, Nate.” Julie Smith put nearly three years of disdain and disappointment in those two words.

“Julie.” Nate shot to his feet, steady as always, guarded as always. If Nate was the sheriff, he was off-duty. He wore a brown-checkered shirt and blue jeans, not a service uniform.

Duke was balanced on her thighs, his small hard-soled sneakers digging in for purchase as he reached for Nate once more.

Couldn’t Duke loathe Nate as much as Julie did?

Couldn’t Nate look as if the past few years had been one big heartbreak?

No on both counts.

Duke’s fingers flexed as he reached for Nate.

And Nate? It was annoying how good he looked. His black hair might have been in need of a trim and his chin shadowed with stubble, but his teeth hadn’t fallen out, his broad shoulders weren’t bullet-ridden, and worst of all, he didn’t look sleep-deprived.

The mayor and town council were still on the pulpit surrounded by animated residents with loud voices. Chaos had arrived in Harmony Valley, just not the way Julie had envisioned it.

The man next to Nate came to his feet. He wore a wedding ring, held a swaddled newborn, had spit-up on the shoulder of his yellow polo, and New Dad bags under his eyes.

Julie gave him a sympathetic smile. Duke reviled naps and could be a restless sleeper at night. Not as restless as Julie lately, but still…

The man with the baby cleared his throat, shaking Nate out of tall, dark and stunned mode.

“Flynn,” Nate said. “This is Julie, my…”

And there it was. That awkwardness Julie had been waiting years for.

She pounced. “I’m the sister of Nate’s ex-fiancée.”

Flynn slid a questioning look Nate’s way.

Her moment had arrived. Julie stood, scooping Duke to her hip with her left arm. “Didn’t Nate tell you he was engaged? He left my sister at the altar.” That wasn’t all he’d left, but Julie didn’t want to waste all her ammunition on the first volley.

Flynn didn’t look as shocked as she’d hoped. She blamed Nate. He inspired loyalty wherever he went. Even after being dumped, April had forbidden Julie to confront him. But that ban had been lifted. It was open season on the sheriff.

Duke toppled forward, letting his full weight drop between Julie and Nate, unexpectedly shifting Julie’s center of gravity. She slurped in air like it came through a clogged milkshake straw. The stitches beneath her right collarbone pulled sharply, tugging at nerves that quivered up and down her neck and shoulder.

Mom was right. The doctor was right. It was too soon.

And too late to back out now.

Support Your Local Sheriff
by Melinda Curtis
-Contemporary, Romance
Amazon | Goodreads
Will he pass the daddy test?

With his job in jeopardy, it couldn’t be a worse time for Sheriff Nate Landry’s recent past to come back to haunt him. But it would take an army to stop SWAT team leader Julie Smith. The fellow cop—and sister of his ex-fiancée—wants one thing from the beleaguered lawman: custody of the toddler son that Nate didn’t know he had.

He may not be natural daddy material, but he quickly takes a shine to little Duke. And then there are the feelings Nate’s been hiding for years. Only now Julie’s running for sheriff of Harmony Valley—against him. Time to retreat? Not if he wants a future with the woman he loves.

About the author:
Melinda Curtis is an award-winning, USA Today Bestseller of over 40 romances. She writes sweet romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, sweet romantic comedies and sexy sports contemporary romances. When not working on DIY projects around their home, Melinda and her college sweetheart enjoy watching Duke mens basketball and visiting their three kids and one grandchild. Sign up for her mailing list to receive two free reads.

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon | Goodreads
Website | BookBub
Facebook | Instagram
Newsletter | Twitter

Also by the author:

--~ Giveaway ~--
WIN $25 Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/1/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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* part of blog tour - see schedule (here)

Happy release & Giveaway: Perfectly Misunderstood by Robin Daniels

Perfectly Misunderstood
by Robin Daniels
-Romance, YA
Release date: April 4, 2018
Amazon | Goodreads
Jayden Valdez is an overachieving intellectual. Mike McGinnes is Franklin High School’s dumbest jock. Even though they barely know each other, she finds his personality repulsive and he thinks she’s got a giant stick up her you know what.

Mike and Jayden are surprised and annoyed when their teacher pairs them together for Spanish tutoring. Both feel it’s a complete waste of time, since nobody could learn from a person who bugs the crap out of them. Not to mention that their reputations might be ruined if people realize what they’re doing.

But it doesn’t take long for Jayden to discover that Mike has a secret—he isn’t the person he appears to be. Much to her dismay, Jayden finds 'Secret Mike' strangely attractive. And for some crazy reason, Mike is amused by Jayden’s clever insults and witty banter. Suddenly, they have a much bigger problem than their mutual disdain. What started as irritating tension is beginning to feel more like romantic tension and acting on it would be a very bad idea.

Excerpt:

(Mike): Jayden’s glare intensified, and I could tell she was sending me mental death threats. Eventually, she gave up and sat down across from me. “Was that so hard?” I asked.
“About as hard as you head.”

“I have harder parts than my head,” I countered. Her eyes grew wide at the implication. I let her stew for a second before lifting my sleeve and flexing my bicep. “You think that’s hard? You should see my abs.” I’d said it as a joke, but it was basically true.

She was surprised for the briefest moment, then she grunted. “How Cro-Magnon of you.”

“Your grunt suggests you’re familiar with the genotype on a personal level.” I smirked.

Jayden’s eyes narrowed. “At least I’ve evolved. Your face suggests that you haven’t yet.”

I asked in good nature. “Your face might be prettier than mine, but your manners prove you haven’t evolved as much as you think.”

About the author:
Robin Daniels is a sixteen-year-old trapped in a middle-aged body. She's married to an amazing guy and has five cute but crazy kids. When she's not chasing children or writing books, she's coaching volleyball or working on her blog. She tries to read as much as possible, but often gets distracted by Netflix. Robin's favorites include napping, dessert, pedicures, Christmas, Arizona winters, and Diet Coke.

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Newsletter Sign-up
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

--~ Book Blitz Giveaway ~--
WIN signed copies of all 4 books in the series, along with a $50 Amazon e-gift card.

(Signed paperbacks for US or eBooks for International winner)

Open to all.

Offer ends: April 30, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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* This dual perspective book is the final installment in the Perfect Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Manhattan Beach
by Jennifer Egan

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
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Published: 2017
Publisher: Scribner
Genre: Historical, New York
Hardback: 448
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
They'd driven all the way to Mr Styles's house before Anna realized that her after was nervous.

Anna Kerrigan, nearly twelve years old, accompanies her father to visit Dexter Styles, a man who, she gleans, is crucial to the survival of her father and her family. She is mesmerized by the sea beyond the house and by some charged mystery between the two men.

‎Years later, her father has disappeared and the country is at war. Anna works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where women are allowed to hold jobs that once belonged to men, now soldiers abroad. She becomes the first female diver, the most dangerous and exclusive of occupations, repairing the ships that will help America win the war. One evening at a nightclub, she meets Dexter Styles again, and begins to understand the complexity of her father’s life, the reasons he might have vanished.

With the atmosphere of a noir thriller, Egan’s first historical novel follows Anna and Styles into a world populated by gangsters, sailors, divers, bankers, and union men. Manhattan Beach is a deft, dazzling, propulsive exploration of a transformative moment in the lives and identities of women and men, of America and the world. It is a magnificent novel by the author of A Visit from the Goon Squad, one of the great writers of our time.

My two-bits:

Loved how this story is presented - to the point of feeling an ocean breeze with the characters at the beach and feeling the dark depths of the ocean when down under during a dive.

Got a sense of 1930s and 1940s in New York in relation to some shady business, war work efforts and women's plight.

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* part of Tournament of Books 2018 (here)