The Carole Awards!

Welcome back to the Carole Awards! 2017 certainly flew by. I'm honestly in disbelief it is already the end of this year.

This year we are going to shake up the Carole Awards a bit! We have decided to grant some more Carole Awards to more books and movies and even TV shows. WHA??? Yes! We let Blodeuedd (well thank you Carole! That is very kind ;) pick some winners as well to win this amazing award. So there is double the chance for a book or movie or show to win an award! I can hear all the hope out there. Hahaha. *crickets*

Anyways...shall we begin??

Category 1....TV SHOWS:

Blodeuedd's Pick for BEST TV SHOW OF THE YEAR......Rick and Morty 

"One you have to binge watch. Freaking hilarious."

My Pick for BEST TV SHOW OF THE YEAR...........Victoria (Season 1)

"A beautiful show with an amazing cast. Worth the watch."

Category 2....MOVIES:

Blodeuedd's pick for BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR............Dunkirk

"Dunkirk was such a well made movie"

My pick for BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR..........Murder on the Orient Express

"By far and hand's down the best movie to watch!"

Category 3.............BOOKS:

CUTEST Book covers go to......Love at First Bark  and The Corner of  Forever and Always

BEST covers go to.........Of Flame and Fate and Terminal Alliance 

Blodeuedd's pick for WORST BOOK OF THE YEAR..... Wicked Fantasy by Nicole Jordan

My pick for WORST BOOK OF THE YEAR....Love on the Range by Sondra Grey

Blodeuedd's pick for BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR........Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed

My pick for BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR.........Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Bonus Category:

The BEST BABY AWARD GOES TO..............BABY S! 

And that is the end of the Carole Awards. I am excited to see what 2018 has in store for us!!

Hehe, I hope that you all enjoyed the Carole awards! 

Karen Memory - Elizabeth Bear

Set in the late 19th century—when the city we now call Seattle Underground was the whole town (and still on the surface), when airships plied the trade routes, would-be gold miners were heading to the gold fields of Alaska, and steam-powered mechanicals stalked the waterfront, Karen is a young woman on her own, is making the best of her orphaned state by working in Madame Damnable's high-quality bordello. Through Karen's eyes we get to know the other girls in the house—a resourceful group—and the poor and the powerful of the town. Trouble erupts one night when a badly injured girl arrives at their door, begging sanctuary, followed by the man who holds her indenture, and who has a machine that can take over anyone's mind and control their actions. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the next night brings a body dumped in their rubbish heap—a streetwalker who has been brutally murdered.

Bear brings alive this Jack-the-Ripper yarn of the old west with a light touch in Karen's own memorable voice, and a mesmerizing evocation of classic steam-powered science.

Paperback, 352 pages
Published jan 12th 2016 by Tor Books
Karen Memory #1
Steampunk
Own

My thoughts:
Sometimes I just dig my heels in. Dunno why, but I do. Maybe cos it was a book that I really wanted to enjoy. So I read half of it and was bored. I kept thinking that I must suffer through. But then I started to skim cos I was all hell with this!

Karen works at a brothel.

Someone is killing ladies of the night.

In comes the lone ranger

It was a steampunk book

Not a lot of steampunk in it.

I did not care for anyone or anything.

I was bored.

I do believe it would work better on audio though...hmmm

Audio: What the dead leave behind - Rosemary Simpson

As the Great Blizzard of 1888 cripples the vast machinery that is New York City, heiress Prudence MacKenzie sits anxiously within her palatial Fifth Avenue home waiting for her fiance's safe return. But the fearsome storm rages through the night. With daylight, more than two hundred people are found to have perished in the icy winds and treacherous snowdrifts. Among them is Prudence's fiance-his body frozen, his head crushed by a heavy branch, his fingers clutching a single playing card, the ace of spades . . . Close on the heels of her father's untimely demise, Prudence is convinced Charles's death was no accident. The ace of spades was a code he shared with his school friend, Geoffrey Hunter, a former Pinkerton agent and attorney from the South. Wary of sinister forces closing in on her, Prudence turns to Geoffrey as her only hope in solving a murder not all believe in-and to help protect her inheritance from a stepmother who seems more interested in the family fortune than Prudence's wellbeing . . .

Audio CD, 12 h
Published December 26th 2017 by Tantor Audio (first published April 25th 2017)
A Gilded Age Mystery #1
Historical fiction /mystery
For review

My thoughts:

The worst thing with a mystery on audio is how long it takes for everything to be safe! Or behind bars ;) The best thing is the thrilling suspense that does not give out.

Prudence lost her father, and then her fiance. Now she is under the care of her wicked stepmother, who holds the key to her inheritance. 

So the questions are. Where there foul play regarding her father? Sure her fiance' died during a blizzard, but why did he hold a playing card? And who really is her stepmother?

Strange things are happening around Prudence, who is in a laudanum bliss at times (not always at her own will).

And since these were the olden times, it was so easy to see how Prudence could have been swept under a mat if it had not been for her father's good friend, and her fiance's friend who wonders about events too.

There is real detective work (it took legwork in those times), there is danger and suspense, and real evil lurking behind corners. I was on pins and needles for those last 5 hours and more. I just wanted answers and for people to pay.

Conclusion:
Suspenseful

Narrator:

Sarah Zimmerman

I really did like everything about her narration. Good and kept me on the edge of my seat

Since Last Christmas - Jeffe Kennedy

This Christmas, Amy is getting what she wants. Her career in fashion design is taking off. Her boyfriend Brad is the dictionary definition of a catch. Soon he’ll buy the massive diamond that makes it official: she’s nobody’s hard luck case anymore.

Her old friend Jon ought to understand. A decade ago he was the other scholarship kid with a crap family. He got her quirks, her insecurities, her rules, her passions. Now he swears she’s not really happy, and she’s forgotten something that proves it.

When Amy throws away everything she’s worked for with one impulsive, impossible word, she’s horrified she’s proved Jon right...and strangely, secretly excited. That he knows more than the past she wants to forget — he knows what heats her up, what makes her heart race.

But remembering what she’s forgotten since last Christmas might mean breaking all the rules… 

ebook, 188
Published December 21st 2017 by Jeffe Kennedy
Missed Connections # 3
Contemporary romance
For review

My thoughts:

Amy thinks she has it all. Oh you silly girl. He might know how to dress and act. He might be perfect i every way, but not in the way that matters.

Brad is just one of those flashy selfie people. And Amy wants to marry him. Brad is an idiot.

Then there is Jon. Her old best friend who she meets again. Who can not dress. Who can not act. But who knew her soul.

Well obvi these two will find their way to each other. I mean duh. And the series title says it all. I did think it happened to fast. Which is strange cos the two previous books were the same, and here they had actually known each other for years. Funny how that happens. But love conquers all.

Sweet and steamy at times.

Wicked Fantasy - Nicole Jordan

He is her most wicked fantasy . . . and no proper suitor for a lady. 

Since the night Trey Deverill's stunning kiss melted her senses, Antonia Maitland has harbored a fascination for the infamous adventurer. But Deverill is nothing Antonia needs in a husband, and when he abducts her-for her own protection-and then shockingly proposes marriage, a battle of wills ensues that proves dangerously irresistible. 

Antonia's charming wit and vibrant beauty make her England's most sought-after heiress. Yet it's her fiery spirit and awakening sensuality that stir a need in Deverill so fierce he would challenge the devil himself to possess her. 

From the glittering ballrooms of London to the splendor of the Cornish coast, Deverill sweeps Antonia into unforgettable passion. But a treacherous plot threatens their lives and their chance for the grandest adventure of all: true love. 

My thoughts:

This one was dull. Then why did I finish it? Well honestly I was too lazy and preggo to get another book. Too far away! I was all, whatever I can just finish it. And I did skim quite a lot in the second half. They were doing it all the time anyway and not a lot happened.

That was a problem. After 150 pages or so not a lot happened. It was more them smexing and considering he wanted to protect her from a murderer I had expected a bit more suspense. It was just them, and even if other people were around none stood out. Side characters really should stand out a bit too, that is how you think ohhh I want to read his book! Her book!

So all in all, a disappointment.

Cover
Boring

Paperback, 438 pages
Published July 26th 2005 by Ballantine Books
Paradise #3
Historical romance
Own

Christmas Movie Review: A Christmas Prince

When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love - but will she be able to keep up her lie?

Director: Alex Zamm

Writers: Karen Schaler (story), Nathan Atkins (screenplay by)

Stars: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige 

1 h 32 min Comedy/Romance

My thoughts:

Awww pure cuteness. I had to watch it after having read something about it ;)

Same old story. Takes place in what I assume is the Czech Rep, looks like it. They always use the same castle.

There are a lot of nobles for what seems like a small country, I mean their capital looks tiny.

There is always an orphanage. 

There is always a snow ball fight

Horse back riding

Sledding

An evil bitch Lady who wants to marry the prince.

And then they lived happily ever after.

LOL. Cute

Merry Xmas

GOD JUL

We have celebrated Xmas twice already, on Friday and yesterday on Xmas, and one last time today. Then Xmas is over.

So from me, Baby S and Lucifer, enjoy!

Movie Review: Dunkirk

Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German Army, and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy

1h 46 min / 2017 / Action Drama History

My thoughts:

Man this was slow. But for the first time among all the slow movies I have watched it totally worked! It felt like a slow slow wait until you meet your doom. And they hardly spoke at all it seemed at times, but it worked. It felt like everyone just wanted to live and some were sleepwalking, while others tried their best to get home.

Damn, all white men look the same. All white men with dark hair and that was everyone. So this one guy found another guy, and might have met a bunch of other guys during the movie too. Maybe they all died, maybe they all made it to the end. Dunno, they all looked the same. So that was Beach Men.

Then Kenneth Branagh stood and stoically watched the sea. Good Branagh.

Then there was Cillian Murphy who was scared shitless.

Old guy and Son with boat. Old guy was so  cool and calm.

RAF guys. Thank god, he was blonde. So him I remember.

A few tears wanted to come when the boats came but then the baby cried and ruined that.

The feels man, the feels!

This one would have been amazing at the cinema. Not the same with a screaming baby ;) But still so good and so, so British and calm in the face of utter destruction.

SO yes, this one you should watch.

Joint Discussion: The Hate U Give

Happy December everyone! Happy Holidays!

This month Blodeuedd and I read and discussed "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas. Blodeuedd is in red and I am in green. Don't mind the technical difficulties I had! LOL

Author: Angie Thomas

Title: The Hate U Gives

Genre: YA

Pages: ebook

First Published: Feb 2017 

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Amazon)

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. 

So, what did you think? I did not think it lived up to all its hype. For me it felt like everyone loved it cos it was relevant and cos of its subject. But I felt the story and writing lacked. Sure it was a good book in the end, but at the same time it was that kind of good that did not make me actually read more by the author...if that makes sense.

I felt very underwhelmed myself with this. I felt it was SO over-hyped. Yes, it was pretty good. I enjoyed reading and seeing things happen in a different light. But I think it was only popular because it discussed a controversial topic in an interesting light.

[Carole goes MIA]

CaroleI where are youuuuuuu?

Ok I will continue talking to myself then. I just felt that there should have been more emotions, it should have made me feel. But every time then something else happened. A new storyline. Starr thinking of other things. I really wish the focus had been the shooting and only that. For it really to hit you in the chest and making you want to riot.

Now I was all, ok, yup, that happened. Damn cop should just confess and said he was a scaredy cat who dropped the ball on that. But of course that would never happen. And he really should work in another area if he is like that, scared of his own shadow. But then hey I would not dare to be a cop, I would have my gun out all the time. Omg, I would totally shoot everyone. Oh look a cat walked by, boom. Ok, I can so not be a cop! Better not even try.

Sorry! I disappeared. My computer man.

I did feel at the beginning right after the murder. I felt so bad for Starr especially when we learn this isn’t the first person she watch get murdered right in front of her. I do wish that they would’ve just focused on one thing. There was a lot going on all around them with family drama, town drama, gang drama, and the drama of the murder. Just too much emotion and I didn’t cry like I wanted to because I didn’t have time to focus on the one bad thing.

I agree...the cop should’ve just been honest and said he made a mistake. That is what bothers me in situations like this. He got scared thought the kid was going for a gun but he wasn’t and killed him. Granted, the kid should’ve stayed still and not opened the car door. You never know if the cop is scared or jumpy and trigger-happy. But cop...just admit you messed up!!

[Carole goes MIA again] Omg Carole where are you!!!

Ok so we made it clear I should not be a cop. Starr as a character was pretty weak. I did not care much for her. Her at the end...did not see that. But I am glad she finally got some character, and sure I get it, two worlds, she had to grow. But come one, bohoo my boyfriend is white. Seriously? Now all white people are bad? A white cop shot your friend and now you hate your white boyfriend? So if a black cop had shot Khalil, and for the same reason then…

Carole!!!!!! I am totally talking to myself here, you can always put in your thoughts after mine, lol.

I also felt like it told me at one point that cos black people live where they live they do not get the same chances, true true, but it said then that cos of that then crime is ok. No, just cos you are poor does not mean stealing, selling drugs and shooting people at parties ok. But then if I was poor, and bad at school and saw no other way...nope, would still be on the straight and narrow. I could not do jail. Crime only pays for those higher up. You might live well for a while but you will not make it out. And would not that be the goal, to get out!?

COMPUTER!!!! GAH!

Starr was an interesting character to watch grow. She was very, very weak. However, I enjoyed seeing it. I enjoyed listening to her internal debate and complex. It did upset how after the situation she was scared of her boyfriend because he was white and so was the cop. Yes, she gets over it, but still….I love the boyfriend though and how he stuck by her in through of all this mess. Showed that he truly loved her.

I liked Starr’s parents a lot even though I disagreed with some of the father’s ideas and thinking. Sure he was able to get a fresh start after going to jail from his life of crime. Kuddos to him!! However, it really bothered me that he excused the behavior that crime is okay because it is a step towards becoming a good person and becoming respectable and getting out of that life. Oorrrrrrr not be in that life. Be like Starr’s mom and uncle. Go to school and become a nurse or a detective.

[Again...Carole disappears] Carole!!!!! Where art thou?

Also all white people suck. I learned that. White people are only tolerated if they like the same things, like Chris, who was a wigga. That makes me sad. Like all black people hate all white people :/

Omg Carole you are here!

I’m hereeeee! Holy cannoli. Sorry I keep having issues and leaving you here all alone! Hopefully no other issues arise *looks around scared*

So! Yes, I felt so bad for Chris. He loves Starr so much, but he is so judged because he is white. Not fair at all. He is a good guy. I loved Maya too. Hailey needed a kick in the teeth. She was a little BYOTCH.

Yes, stop being friends with Hailey! Ugh, Hailey. But I loved how Chris always tried to cheer her, Starr, up, such a sweetie. And she needed a guy like that, normal plain Chris.

I loved the Dad’s nicknames for Chris. They made me laugh. I also loved his, “Chris? What kind of boring name is that!” Hahahaha. The Dad was funny. I feel like he was comic relief in a lot of ways.

Lol, oh the dad, yes he was not easy on Chris ;) And Chris IS a boring name. Sorry Chris! I also liked how the dad had gotten out of the criminal lifestyle. I would have rather read a book about that.

I would love a story about the Dad and the Mom. That would be a good read. I want to see them and see what happened in more detail. I want to understand WHY she stayed with him when she had SO many reasons to leave. He was not a good guy for a long while there. But she stayed and now he is a business owner and is a good guy.

Yes, that would be a strong story. She stayed by him and that could not have been easy, but he got out. He changed and they got their kids into a good school so their kids could get out.

That would an amazing story. I would read it.

Now that could make me cry! Write that!

Yes, yes! I don’t want it to be a short story. I would the WHOLE story written down. From when they met to right before Kahlil’s murder.

Yes, a good story. While this, eh, could have been better.

I’ll admit the first couple of chapters were rough to get through. I feel like the author was trying WAY too hard to get the reader to slide into this world and see from this POV. I get the dialogue sounding legit, but the rest of the paragraph? It was too much. After a while, the author did get better and calmed down a bit. However, like I said earlier, there was too much going on. It was hard to focus on the main story-line.

Yes, too much going on, some things could have been left out. I get that she wanted to tell all these stories and tie it together at the end, but it did not add to the story.

Maybe those extra stories could’ve been told in other stories. For example, maybe Seven could’ve had his own book going over the drama of his Mom and whatnot. There was a lot going on and I feel it took away from the emotion for me. However, I did enjoy reading all the drama...I’m a sucker for drama like that! LOL

A Seven book, a DeVante book, yup I could see that and that would have worked well. Now, too much.

Drama is good and all, but it does not make this book the star everyone claims it to be. ANd I thought we would be all over it and instead, hype, total hype, and dunno what everyone see in it when they claim best book of the year.

Agreed. All the extra sideline stories took away the main objective of the story. Don’t kill innocent people and that Black Live Matters. That was what the author was going for. It is there, but buried deep at some points of the story. My main takeaway from reading this is...own up to your faults and your mistakes. If the cop had flat-out said that it was an accident and he got scared. Don’t make the victim the enemy. You messed up. Take responsibility for your error. There was no reason for all of this to be prolonged and etc.

They never do, they never do :/ And yes that prime objective of the story would have made it powerful, but she tried to tell so many other things too.

At least it gave us a good discussion :D Wohooo, since some books we have nothing to say about

I will give this book props...there is a lot to discuss. I feel we can go on and on. My only issue with the book was the writing and too many stories going on. Is this book of the year? No. But it was worth a read for sure.

It is the perfect book to read in school and discuss. I do feel every school should do just that. So many different things to discuss

Yes. I can see this being a book kids in school could read. Granted there are a lot of swear words, but nothing any of those kids hadn’t heard before.

Lol swear words, yes, I am sure they have never heard those, but I also know how schools and parents are. But F that. They should still read it and discuss. These things are important and swear words never killed anyone. Guns do.

*nods* Yes. I agree full-heartedly. It is interesting and should be read and discussed.

S0, anything more to add?

Mhmmm there is a lot to discuss, but I feel we went through a lot. One of the longer discussions we had! But overall, I liked the story. It wasn’t amazing. It was good and a must-read especially with what is going on in the world. It is good for the brain to read from other POVs. I would love to see this discussed in schools. I say read it.

Yes good, but not amazing, and also a book that should not just be read. You should really talk about it afterwards.

A perfect book for group discussions or on a one-on-one basis like us. Anything else?

Nope. All good.

The end! Until 2018!!! :D

Yay.

Early Audio review: When you love a Scotsman - Hannah Howell

With danger closing in from all sides, Abigail Jenson works tirelessly to protect her small Missouri farm. She doesn't require saving-but a handsome officer appears on horseback just as ruthless marauders set her cabin ablaze. With nowhere else to turn, Abigail allows the soldier with the seductive Highlander's gaze to escort her to shelter in a nearby town. Matthew MacEnroy was reluctant to join his adopted nation's conflict-until an enemy attack wounded two of his brothers. Bravely doing battle has its price when a proud, independent beauty comes under his watch-no military man can risk the powerful emotions their attraction has unleashed. But when Matthew himself is caught in the crossfire, Abigail leads their long journey home to MacEnroy valley . . . and her caring touch sparks the promise of a bold future together. 

Audio CD, 8 h
Expected publication: December 26th 2017 by Tantor Audio
Seven Brides for Seven Scotsmen #2
Historical romance
for review

My thoughts:

Another damsel in distress and one that is saved by Union soldiers (but she can shoot better than them but if the odds are against you then they just are.)

Abigail was kind, a good shot, had learned medicine from her dad, and well I can not say anything bad about her,

Matthew, oh these brothers, is that how you court a woman? Ask...talk...I really hope the next brother gets a woman who says, nope! We shall talk a bit first. But I mean he is a sweet guy, the best, just, ask man, ask.

The war is raging on, though they do have it somewhat better where they are. Mostly marauders in these hills. But there is fighting, death, mayhem, but also a blossoming romance. Sometimes you just have to go for it among all the rest.

And the epilogue, aye, I liked that.

Narrator: Justine Eyre

I do like her voice, and her Scottish accent, lol, aye it makes me lol. Her range is perhaps not the best but she is so pleasant listening too.

Mr Darcy's Miracle at Longbourn - Rose Fairbanks

Less than a month after Fitzwilliam Darcy left Hertfordshire, he regrets the decision. Still, stubborn as they come, he will abide by the choice even if his heart freezes over worse than a December chill. 

At Longbourn, Elizabeth Bennet rejects the Christmas themes of unconditional love and forgiveness. In her mind, Mr. Darcy deserves neither and not only for insulting her upon first sight. Elizabeth is certain Darcy is behind her sister’s heartache. 

Fate has other plans, however, when it throws them together again and again and again. Christmas magic works on their hearts and minds as the calendar refuses to budge from December 23. What will it take to see Christmas Eve? How many lives need to change? 

Kindle Edition, 280 ish

Published December 8th 2017

Pride and prejudice variation

own

My thoughts:

I do admit, I am not a fan of the same day happening over and over again. What saved this one (after me being confused for a while, should have read the blurb!) was that things changed a lot. 

Darcy and Lizzy sure had a hard time getting together.

Bingley and Jane not so much.

Colonel Fitzwilliam finds something he wants.

Lydia learns something.

Mrs Bennet has a change of heart.

Mary blossoms.

Georgiana puts her food town.

Poor Kitty.

FU Wickham.

And then they all lived happily ever after. I liked that.

I will never ever tire!

To catch an heiress - Julia Quinn

When Caroline Trent is kidnapped by Blake Ravenscroft, she doesn’t even try to elude this dangerously handsome agent of the crown. After all, she’s been running from unwanted marriage proposals. Yes, Blake believes she’s a notorious spy named Carlotta De Leon, but for six weeks until her twenty-first birthday, when she’ll gain control of her own fortune, hiding out in the titillating company of a mysterious captor is awfully convenient—and maybe just a little romantic, too.

Blake Ravenscroft’s mission is to bring “Carlotta” to justice, not to fall in love. His heart has been hardened by years of intrigue, but this little temptress proves oddly disarming and thoroughly kissable. And suddenly the unthinkable becomes possible—that this mismatched couple might be destined for love. 

Mass Market Paperback, 377 pages
Published July 30th 2002 by Avon Books (first published July 1st 1998)
Agents of the Crown #1
Historical romance
Library

My thoughts:

For some reason my library had two "new" Quinn books. They do not seem to know the order of things, sure this is book 1 but when I emailed and asked if they would get book 2 they said they had so many Quinn books. But hey I read one ;)

Anyway in the middle of the book it turned into an almost farce. Oh the things that happened, it made me lol. It was so silly, but fun.

Ugh, I am bad at reviewing today. Get it together gal!

Blake is an agent that needs to catch a spy. He does catch a woman. Idiot him thinks she is the spy even though she says he kidnapped her. Fun times! Obvi these two fall in love too. Oh and his fellow agent was fun, you know book n 2 that the library wont be getting cos they have so man Quinn books (totes out of order.)

Conclusion:

Rather silly and fun

Cover

Dull

Audio Book Challenge and TMST Best books of 2017

Challenge Details

• Runs January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018. You can join at anytime.
• The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2018 than you did in 2017.
• Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
• ANY genres count.
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
• If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.
• Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. First update in June 30, 2018 and last update in December 15, 2018.

Levels

• Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
• Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
• Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
• Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
• Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
• My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
• Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I did not think I would do as well as I did this year (will post about that later this year), but what a audio year! I am a bit afraid to go for Marathoner, but what the H! I will!! I really have fallen in love with audio.

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

December 19th Best Books of 2017

Howl because it was so funny. Every Heart gets best novella by far. Strange the Dreamer cos she sure always writes a strong first book. To the Bridge Edge best fiction of the year. The Bear for its fantastic fairytaleness. Irresistible you most amazing contemporary. The Heart for the story it managed in just novella format. Spellslinger for it's lightness and Nice Dragons for the laughs.

And Top 2 goes to these two-

Gather The Daughters stayed with me and damn it was twisted. You all have to read it.

Asking for it also stayed with me and was so emotionally draining listening too. I still feel her hurt in my soul. This one you have to listen to.

Audio: Between Shades of Grey - Ruta Sepetys

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously - and at great risk - documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. 

Audio CD, Unabridged , 6 CDs, 7 hours, 47 minutes
Published March 22nd 2011 by Penguin Audio
Historical fiction / YA
Sync!

My thoughts:

I read some reviews, and the author talked about it at the end too, what you ask? That people do not realise how many millions and millions of people that Stalin murdered. What school did you go to?!

Lithuania is occupied by Soviet. Her father is a professor and in the night they are taken away. Fascists bourgeoisie pigs as they are. They are sent to Siberia to work. To die.

Lina is 15 and loves to draw. Her brother Jonas is 10. Her mother has a coat filled with things to sell. I thought they had it bad first, but it actually gets worse. We only follow them for a year but it is a horrible year filled with death, tears, but also so much love. Love for each other and the will to go on. To survive and to get back to Lithuania (of course I googled, damn, either they were denied entry when the Soviet started to release prisoners in the 50s, or they were discriminated against.)

I cried, how could I not. There was this one part with a baby that just broke me.

I am so grateful for those that fought so we could keep our independence. We could easily have been the Baltics. No one should have to live under that Communist regime of terror.

It is a good book, it is a sad book. There is so much hope in the face of despair and I do not know how anyone could have survived what they did. But people survived, against all odds.

Narrator Emily Klein 

I liked her voice for Lena, but to be honest she did not really do all the other voices that differently. But in the end it worked anyway cos the story was good.

One thing, in print it was surely obvious but here it was tricky with the flashbacks. Suddenly i was all wtf is Lena doing?? Oh, flashback. 

Cover

ok

Carole's Sunday Review: Shadow by the bridge

Author: Suzanne Zewan

Title: Shadow by the Bridge

Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery

Pages: 368

Published: November 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

11-year-old Fritz Reynolds recalled his father telling him that man is the only creature who can find amusement in killing. Little did he realize that those words would become the theme for his teenage years growing up in the rural hamlet of Linden, New York. In this coming-of-age story, Fritz takes us back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered at the general store to listen to radio shows, drank barrel-aged cider, and worshiped at the Baptist church every Sunday. All was picturesque in his close-knit farming community until terror was unleashed on them. 

Gotta love a good mystery especially a murder mystery in a small town in the middle of nowhere. 

This story follows Fritz who sees a murder happen before his very eyes however he couldn't identify the killer so there was no reason to say anything so he didn't. He kept it to himself. Years pass and Fritz and the town tried to forget that horrible murder. Well...the past repeats itself and murders start haunting the town again. 

This was a good mystery...I was completely in the dark and I had no idea what was going to happen. Yes, this was a true story, but I had no knowledge on this so I was along for the ride. I felt bad for the little town because it is scary to have people you know slaughtered and you have NO idea who did or even why. Scary stuff. I really felt for Fritz that he kept such a dark secret for so long. I think he should've said something. MAYBE he could've helped. IDK. But yes, I get that he was a little kid and was scared to say somthing. 

But yes, this was a fun read. I really enjoyed it. There were some parts that seemed to drag on and on, but those slow parts were worth it in the end. 

I do wish we had more of a closing in the end. But sometimes life doesn't end with a little bow on top. 

If you need a good mystery, this is a good one for you to check out especially since it based off of a real one so it makes it even better. I should do some research and learn about the real deal. Poor Fritz! Poor little town! Poor murder victims...but so good overall. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.