Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.
Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for October 2, 2024
October 2, 2024 By 2 Comments
Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.
A Genre I Want to Read More Of
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Avoided Because of the Hype
October 1, 2024 By 38 Comments
Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Here are ten books I avoided reading in large part because of how hyped up they were. Generally, I tend not to be a big fan of stories that are marketed as the next hot read, although of course there are always exceptions to that rule.
As I haven’t read them, it’s hard to speculate whether or not I would have liked them after all. I suspect that part of the prompt is easier to answers for participants who chose to talk about hyped books they did end up reading!
1. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
2.When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
4. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
5. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
7. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
8. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
9.Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
10. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
How often does your taste in books match up with what everyone is talking about on Booktok or other similar bookish places online?
September Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Grimwell by Michael Belanger
September 30, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Grimwell by Michael Belanger
Publisher: Woodhall Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe
Embark on an unforgettable journey into the enchanting realm of Grimwell, where books wield an unexpected power to shape destinies. Meet Derek Winnebaker, a spirited barista with a penchant for literature and a taste for strong coffee. When Derek stumbles upon a novel detailing the whimsical adventures of a fantasy creature known as a grimkin, he finds himself irresistibly drawn into its fantastical world.
Using the book as his guide, Derek bravely navigates through life’s twists and turns, transforming from a downtrodden bystander into a courageous protagonist. From mustering the courage to ask out his crush to standing up to his tyrannical boss, Derek’s journey mirrors the epic saga unfolding within the pages of his newfound literary companion. Yet, just as Derek begins to master his narrative, the whims of fate take a dark turn reminiscent of Kafka’s surreal tales, challenging Derek’s agency in his own story.
In this captivating blend of comedy, romance, and twisted fairy tale, Grimwell prompts readers to ponder the profound influence of literature on our lives. Will Derek seize control of his destiny, or will he remain ensnared in the machinations of an unseen narrator? Prepare to be enthralled and enlightened as Grimwell invites you to reconsider the power of storytelling and the choices that shape our realities.
Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for September 25, 2024
September 25, 2024 By 1 Comment
Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.
Describe your Sense of Humor
Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Fall 2024 To-Read List
September 24, 2024 By 67 Comments
Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Some of the books on today’s list have already been released this month. I’ve included the release dates for the rest of them so that you will know when to look for them if they also appeal to you!
In lieu of sharing a stock photo in this post, I’ll let the covers speak for themselves. Aren’t they neat?
1. Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
Why I’m Interested: It’s nice to see more books being published about people who live in rural places.
by David Arnold
Why I’m Interested: This sounds so good.
3. Somewhere Beyond the Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea, #2) by T.J. Klune
Why I’m Interested: I’ve been meaning to read this series since it was still a standalone novel. Someday I will read it.
4. This World Is Not Yours by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Why I’m Interested: I love stories about the dangerous side of space travel.
5. This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Julio Anta
Release Date: October 1
Why I’m Interested: The cover is eye-catching and already seems to tell a story.
(This cover was too large to upload, but the link below contains it)
6. If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
Release Date: October 15
Why I’m Interested: It’s so fun to find books about writers going on writers’ retreats.
7. Januaries by Olivie Blake
Release Date: October 15
Why I’m Interested: This sounds like a wonderful hodgepodge of storylines.
8. Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
Release Date: October 29
Why I’m Interested: I can’t wait to be scared by it!
9. She’s Always Hungry: Stories by Eliza Clark
Release Date: November 12
Why I’m Interested: November is such a dark and dreary time of year due to the overcast skies, time change, and weak sunlight where I live. I might as well read a lot of horror then!
10. The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Release Date: November 19
Why I’m Interested: I recently reviewed a book for Long and Short Reviews about how to use wild plants as food as well as natural remedies. That experience makes me curious to learn more.
Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for September 18, 2024
September 18, 2024 By 2 Comments
Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.
Books That Should Have Ended A Different Way
Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for September 11, 2024
September 11, 2024 By 2 Comments
Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.
Books With Fantastic Endings
Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Provide a Much-Needed Escape
September 10, 2024 By 34 Comments
Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Poetry is something I use as an escape from whatever troubles I’m encountering in the real world. There are many different types of it out there, of course, but I tend to enjoy poetry about nature, whimsical interpretations of the world, or humorous topics the most.
Here are some of the many poetry collections I’ve enjoyed over the years. I was so excited when Long and Short Reviews decided to begin accepting it for review as that was not the case when I first became one of their reviewers. (If any poets read this, please submit more of your books to us!)
Some, but not all, of these collections fit the criteria above. My preferences don’t prevent me from branching out and enjoying other styles, too.
1. Mirage by Shutao Liao (LASR review)
2. The Assumption of Death by Anthony David Vernon (LASR Review)
3. The Cool and Warmth of Hearts by J.A. Santana (LASR Review)
4. Power by Geraldine Anello (LASR Review)
5. Collector of Things & Other Poems by Riya Aarini (LASR Review)
6. Hearts and Spears by Somto Jefferson Uwazie (LASR Review)
7. Unsaid by Asmita Rajiv (LASR Review)
8. THE COLLECTION OF THOUGHTS by Shutao Liao (LASR Review)
9. Consciousness Detoured by Miladine Etienne (LASR Review)
Since I am one response short of ten, I’m going to pick something from my childhood to round it out. It’s hopefully something many of you grew up with, too.
10. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Other than nursery rhymes, of course, he was my first introduction to the poetry genre so far as I can remember. I loved his playful sense of humor.
What sorts of poetry, whether modern or classic, do you like?
Movie Review: Deadpool and Wolverine
September 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Deadpool and Wolverine by Writers Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells, and Shawn Levy
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Emma Corrin
Publisher: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Comedy
Rating: 4 stars (8 stars on IMDB)
Reviewed by DicentraDeadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction.
It’s been a long time for hardcore Marvel fans waiting for the team up between Deadpool and Wolverine, but this movie made it so worth it. Honoring the death of the Wolverine in the Logan movie (2017) while also simultaneously introducing both characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s obvious that everyone involved poured their heart and soul into this movie.
With the Marvel movies following Avengers: Endgame (2019), it’s been a bit hit or miss for me on whether or not I enjoyed them and whether or not I felt they added something to the bigger Marvel cinematic universe. This movie gave a lot of love to the kids (now adults) who have grown up with these characters, the movies and the comics; I don’t want to spoil the surprise but there are a lot of fun expected cameos along the way. Shoutout to Ladypool, Kidpool, and Babypool (if you know, you know).
In terms of the actual cinematic experience, I don’t think I’ve cackled that much in a theater in a long time. I was practically bouncing in my seat at times and singing along to the soundtrack for more than half the time (side note: whoever curated that soundtrack did an excellent job). It’s still not a movie I would ever recommend for kids with the sometimes gratuitous amounts of swearing, very bloody fight scenes, and poorly veiled innuendos. However, it leaves me excited for the future of the Marvel Cinematic universe and how much levity Deadpool and Wolverine will add going forward.
