Book Review: Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Anderson

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Anderson is a collection of artwork from Sarah's Scribbles along with biographical material including her struggles with anxiety. Swimsuit season is coming up! Better get beach-body ready! Work on those abs! Lift those butts! Or how about never mind to all that and just be a lump, a happy lump. The comics, and the book, are for those of us who boast bookstore-ready bodies and Netflix-ready hair, who are always down for all-night reading-in-bed parties and extremely exclusive after-hour one-person music festivals. 

Big Mushy Happy Lump is a fun bunch of comics that I can relate to. However, it is a lot more than that. Sarah uses the book to share some very personal experience and struggles that she has had with anxiety, depression, and so much more. I think that since I could see myself so clearly in parts of the book, that others will see at least a little of themselves, or someone they love, in the book as well. It helps those of us struggling with life in general because we can see that we are not alone. In fact, I think we make up the majority- if only we could interact enough with each other to share that information. I laughed at moments, and tears threatened at others. I think this is a nice balance of memoir and humor, and that the honest and uplifting tone of the book will resonate with a wide variety of readers. 

Early Book Review: Amazing Crafty Cat by Charise Mericle Harper

Amazing Crafty Cat is the first book in the Crafty Cat series by Charise Mericle Harper. It is currently scheduled for release on April 11 2017. Sometimes school can be scary and even embarrassing, but not today. Today is Birdie’s birthday, and everything will be perfect! Birdie's panda-riffic cupcakes are beautiful, and there’s one for everyone. She will be the star of the class. A trip and fall on the way to school means no more cupcakes! Who can save the day? Who can make the class smile again? This is a job for Birdie’s alter ego, the Amazing Crafty Cat! After a quick transformation, Birdie is ready. She’s not afraid of sticky paws or paper cuts. She’s not afraid of anything, even Anya, the class bully. It’s time to get crafting!

Amazing Crafty Cat is fun and cute and offers readers a look at a character with loads of imagination and determination. I liked the story, and thought the illustrations were cute. I could relate to Birdie's getting lost in crafting, overdoing things, and wanting things to be perfect. As life often goes, rarely do things run the way we envision- which Birdie learns and copes with well. I really liked the craft ideas, and the included instructions.  However, as a whole, I just was not blown away. The book will certainly be a hit with some readers, and I can think of several that would read repeatedly- it just disd not strick that chord with me.

Amazing Crafty Cat is a fun and creative start to a new easy reader series. I think my favorite part was the instruction on how to do the crafts that Birdie/Crafty Cat does in the story. This would make for good reading and crafting with your favorite young reader.

Book Review: Riverkeep by Martin Stewart

Riverkeep by Martin Stewart is a book intended for teens and tweens. Fifteen-year-old Wulliam is dreading taking up his family's mantle of Riverkeep, tending the river and fishing corpses from its treacherous waters. But then everything changes. One night his father is possessed by a dark spirit, and Wull hears that a cure lurks deep within the great sea-beast known as the mormorach. He realizes he must go on an epic journey downriver to find it - or lose Pappa forever. The story feels sluggish and the interesting parts of it are few and far between.

Riverkeep is a book that I had trouble getting into, and in turn enjoying. Unfortunately little things bothered me about Wull starting at the beginning. I found him to be frustrating more often than I found him likable or sympathetic. I think the disconnect from the main character and a pacing that I found to be slow made it hard to get excited about the story or care about the characters or their world. I honestly picked up the book four or five times to read it, only to put it down in favor of whatever was next on my reading list. Finally I decided that I would tackle it- and still could not connect with Wull and his story. Sadly I could not finish the book. However, I think readers that like the very descriptive style might enjoy the read. Unfortunately, that is not me.

Book Review: Darkest Link by Scarlett Cole

Darkest Link by Scarlett Cole is the fourth book in the Second Circle Tattoos series. I have not read the previous books, but like many series in the romance genre I was able to fully enjoy the book regardless. If I had read the earlier books I would have a better understanding of some of the characters, but that did not stop me from enjoying this book. 

When her car breaks down off the side of a lonely highway far from her sunny Miami home, tattoo artist Lia never expected her very own white knight to ride up on the back of a barely street-legal motorcycle...and she never expected to fall for her dark savior. After a string of failed relationships and a bruised heart Lia is not looking for forever, and the hot mechanic, with his sexy scruff and shaggy hair, is simply impossible to resist. He's the perfect candidate for a perfect, one-night stand. Reid left his life in Chicago far behind him and hasn't been back, but he's never been able to escape the guilt he feels about his own painful role in inviting a monster into his baby sister's life. A monster who almost destroyed her. Being with Lia is an unexpected gift, one he doesn't feel he deserves, and their one night together has him wanting more than he should. When he surprises her at her tattoo studio, Second Circle Tattoos, in Miami, he's in for a shock—and a fist to the face—when his past and present collide. With secrets coming to the surface, Reid and Lia are thrown into a world of betray and lies that threatens to pull them under, and the last link to his former life may be the darkest of them all.

Darkest Link is a story about falling in love hard and fast, facing the past, and moving on together. Lia is a tattoo artist with a rebellious streak, and some family issues- like a father that wants to control his family with no regard to what they want. Reid has some big dreams, but for now he is running from his past as he fixes cars and makes strides to fix his karma. He has made mistakes in the past, and when he meets Lia both of their issues come to a head- and everything is on the line. Will Reid entering Lia's circle of friends destroy everything- or finish settling things right. Coming to terms with past choices, sticking to your own ethics, and standing up to those who care about nothing as much as money and power are all strong themes here. I will admit that I saw some of the big twists and turns coming- but I really enjoyed the characters and the importance they put on communication. Those that have read the previous books are likely to see one coming much quicker than I, but the character reactions and whatnot were well done. This was a great weekend read, and I just might go back and read the previous books, because my interest has been peaked.

Darkest Link was a solid contemporary romance. I liked the realism of the character's emotions, even if the set up and situation were less than realistic. I enjoyed the characters and the read, and think that those that have read the previous books or are already fans of the author will enjoy it even more than I.

Book Review: Graveyard Shift by Casey Daniels

Graveyard Shift is the tenth book in the Pepper Martin series by Casey Daniels. I have read several of these books, but somehow missed the last three, but feel like I was able to catch up pretty quickly. I do not suggest going into the series cold, but if you missed a few I think you will still be able to fully enjoy the story. 

Pepper Martin, now Community Relations Director of Garden View Cemetery, is contacted by the ghost of Eliot Ness, one of Cleveland’s most famous dearly departed. According to Ness, the ashes scattered at the ceremony twenty years earlier weren’t his. His were stolen prior to the ceremony by a Ness groupie, and he cannot rest until those ashes are found. Luckily, Pepper has an idea where they may be. Knowing she’ll have no peace until she does what the ghost wants, Pepper travels across town to retrieve the ashes. When she gets there, though, she finds more – and less – than she bargained for. There is a dead body in the house and Eliot Ness’s ashes have vanished. Pepper sets out to solve the murder of the man in the house where the ashes were supposed to be. But when a mysterious package arrives for Pepper, containing the spirit of Al Capone, and her boyfriend Quinn begins acting strange, things go from bad to worse.

Graveyard Shift is another installment of the Pepper Martin series, and offers few surprises. I missed a couple books- and so missed some of the relationship development between Pepper and Quinn. However, I think I was able to catch up quickly as far as that goes. I had missed the reintroduction of her parents too, that took me a bit longer to get used to. I liked the larger mystery- getting to delve into a gangster related mystery again was fun, even of we were on the right side of the law this time around. My most common complaint with cozy mysteries is when I expect a big twist long before it is revealed, and that did happen here. However, there was also the introduction of new characters with personalities and implications I was not expecting. I liked the pace of the mystery, and the danger Pepper finds herself in. I think the story offers good entertainment, and I was thinking about what would need to happen next when I had to put the book down to deal with necessities (like feeding my family) but overall it was not as enthralling as I had hoped for.

Graveyard Shift is a quick read that offers followers of the series exactly what they expect, and are looking for. It was a entertaining read, but nothing that stood out to me in a genre that I have been reading more and more. It was fun, and a nice diversion- but did not stay with me after I finished. 

Book Review: Decelerate Blue by Adam Rapp, Mike Cavallari

Decelerate Blue is a graphic novel from Adam Rapp and Mike Cavallari. In this new world, speed and efficiency are everything, and the populace zooms along in a perpetually stimulated haze. Angela thinks she's the only person in her family—maybe the only person on the planet—who sees anything wrong with this picture. But the truth is she's not alone. Angela finds herself recruited into a resistance movement where the key to rebellion is taking things slow. In their secret underground hideout, they create a life unplugged from the rapid-fire culture outside. Can they free the rest of the world before the powers that be shut down their utopian experiment?

Decelerate Blue is a well done graphic novel, with a nearly perfect connection of story and artwork. I really enjoyed the art style, and thought the choice of black and white for the majority of the book, with very important choices of where to use partial or full color to bring out important moments or themes. I thought the story itself was a important one, in a world where the importance of always being busy, always doing, seems to be overwhelming all of use. Even young kids seem to be moving faster and faster, scheduled to the minute of every day. The benefits of slowing down and enjoying a moment or more seems to be less and less important to most. I thought the graphic novel was a solid story, and one that was engaging and thought provoking. Combined with the art style I think it was pretty close to perfect.  

Decelerate Blue is a graphic novel for teens and adults that can perhaps make a difference with those too caught up in always being on. I know it encouraged me to take a moment and just breathe, enjoying some unseasonably nice weather rather than rushing to do whatever task was next on my to do list. It still got done, but taking a moment to slow down made my day much better. I think many others will enjoy the book and take a moment (or more) of their own.

Early Book Review: The World’s Greatest Collection of Dad Jokes

The World's Greatest Collection of Dad Jokes is, as the name suggests, a collection of jokes that range from one line puns to dad like stories that just beg for a groan. There are more than 500 dad joke organized in topics—Silly Kids, Action/Reaction, All Puns All the Time, Love & Marriage, One-Liners, Faith—so dads (and fans of dad jokes) can find the right joke for every occasion.

The World's Greatest Collection of Dad Jokes is a solid collection, but I did not find the jokes to be new, or increadably funny. I thought some were good, and did induce a grin or a grin. However, I was hoping for new jokes to use with my pun and silly joke loving son. This collection is well organized and fun, but did not offer me the number and quality of jokes that I was really looking for. It was good enough for a coffee table book or bathroom reading- but not something that I would keep handy for when I need a good joke to add to my arsenal. It was not horrible, I just had high hopes for the book and was a little let down. 

Early Book Review: Monster Heroes by Blake Hoena, Dave Bardin

Monster Heroes written by Blake Hoena and illustrated by Dave Bardin is a transitional chapter book. This book collects four shorter stories by the author and illustrator pair: Ghost Trap, Zombies and Meatballs, Vampires and Veggies, and Witch's Brew.   It is currently scheduled for release on June 1 2017. A zombie, a ghost, a vampire, and a witch make up one unique group of monster friends who don't exactly fit in with the other monsters. While their friends and family are busy scaring humans and doing general scary stuff, our four monster friends are using their skills for the greater good.

Monster Heroes is a series of stories with an idea and artwork that I liked. Ghosts, monsters, and ghoulies that want to help people rather than eat or scare them. The artwork is bright, and sometimes silly, which I think was perfect for the book. The stories were a little fun with good intentioned monsters trying to help and protect people. Even though the book is an easy read, and intended to be, I found it to be a little too simplified. I do not think that is quite the right word, but it is the one that keeps swirling through my mind. I felt like there could have been something more, but I cannot quite put my finger on what. Even with a simple vocabulary big ideas and humor can be abundant.  I have read a lot of easy readers and transitional chapterbooks- and while they are easy readers the best ones have something that help the reader connect with the characters and I could not find the connection here. I wanted to love the book, but I just did not.

Monster Heroes is a transitional chapter book with many playful and bright illustrations. Readers that like Casper and similar stories about creatures that should be scary being nice will enjoy the read. I found it to be a little too simplified and stiff- but I do think there are many readers out there that will enjoy the story.

Book Review: The House of Months and Years by Emma Trevayne

The House of Months and Years by Emma Trevayne is a middle grade novel with a Gothic or horror feel. When her distant aunt and uncle die, Amelia Howling is forced to move into their home when they leave her parents in charge of their children. Her parents assure her that it will be like having a grand adventure with three new siblings, but Amelia is not convinced. Luckily, the house is large, filled with nooks and crannies perfect for hiding from her cousins. But even with all the nooks and crannies, the rumbling and crumbling rooms are more sinister than they seem. The house was built years ago by a creature named Horatio, and he’s been waiting for the perfect human inhabitant: Amelia. Horatio has the power to travel through time and memories, and lures Amelia into his world. The memories of children, he told her, were the best, and Amelia agreed—her cousins were full of good memories. Until she noticed that once she and Horatio visited a memory, it was gone forever. And she had been stealing the good memories of her cousins and their parents without even noticing! Horrified and scared, Amelia lets her cousins in on her secret, and asks them for help. Together, they must race through time to recover their minds and break the perfect clockwork of the evil Calendar House.

The House of Months and Years is an eerie adventure with a Gothic atmosphere that comes alive. The writing style is lyrical, with significant metaphors and descriptions that paint the picture of the moods of the characters and the atmosphere of the house. I liked Amelia’s character, who has to make some big changes and knows that what she is feeling towards her now larger family is not fair to them, but cannot change those feelings. The concept of the Boogeyman stealing good memories and the steps Amelia and her cousins had to take together make for a compelling story. I could find no fault with the story, but I never really felt enthralled by the story even though it was exactly what I normally like. Good characters, a creepy atmosphere and big bad, and coming to terms with relationships and life were all there. I think the volume of descriptive text was what

The House of Months and Years had all the things that usually make me love a book, but for some reason I just never got completely drawn in. The story had suspense, character development, and some good creepy moments. I am not sure why the book and I never connected, but I think it will be a favorite for many readers.

Book Review: Shadowed Souls edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes

Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes, is a collection of urban fantasy featuring short stories from Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, Kevin J. Anderson, and Rob Thurman. These stories offer nothing is as simple as black and white, light and dark, good and evil. Unfortunately, that is exactly what makes it so easy for the characters in these tales to cross the line. In Jim Butcher's Cold Case, Molly Carpenter—Harry Dresden's apprentice-turned-Winter Lady—must collect a tribute from a remote Fae colony and discovers that even if you're a good girl, sometimes you have to be bad. In Seanan McGuire's Sleepover finds half-succubus Elsie Harrington kidnapped by a group of desperate teenage boys. Not for anything “weird.” They just need her to rescue a little girl from the boogeyman, no biggie. In Kevin J. Anderson's Eye of Newt, Zombie P.I. Dan Shamble's latest client is a panicky lizard missing an eye who thinks someone wants him dead. But the truth is that someone only wants him for a very special dinner. In Rob Thurman's infernally heroic Caliban Leandros takes a trip down memory lane as he deals with some overdue—and nightmarish—vengeance involving some quite nasty Impossible Monsters. There are also stories from genre favorites Tanya Huff, Kat Richardson, Jim C. Hines, Anton Strout, Lucy A. Snyder, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Erik Scott de Bie.

Shadowed Souls is a fine collection of short stories connected by characters forced to venture into the shades of gray in the process of trying to do the right thing, or what needs to be done. I really enjoyed the look into Molly Carpenter's mind, as I am a long standing fan of Jim Butcher. I also particularly enjoyed the contributions of Lucy A. Snyder, Kat Richardson, Seanan McGuire, and Tanya Huff. None of the stories stuck me a badly written, but some I just did not connect with as easily as I did others. In some cases it was because I had not read the books set in the same world as the short story, and some it was merely a matter of my personal preferences. However, I think collections like this are a great sampler for those looking to explore new authors without committing to an entire book or series.

Shadowed Souls is a nice collection for fans of the urban fantasy genre, and a nice way to visit the worlds of favorite authors as we wait for the continuation of their next book, and a fun way to explore the writing style of other authors that just might become new favorites. As with any collection, there were some stories that I enjoyed more than others. However, I think this is a great collection for anyone that enjoys reading about characters discovering how far into the dark side they might be willing to go for the greater good, or the good of those they care for most.