Audio: Anna and the apocalypse - Katherine Turner

Audio CD, 5 h 40 min

Published October 23rd 2018 by Macmillian audio

Horror Comedy

For review

My Thoughts

This novel is inspired by the coming movie,  and I do say, I am sure this is loads better because the movie is a musical, which just sounds weird. This was so much better.

Anna is bored with her little Scottish town. She is bored with high school. Just the same people, the same idiotic teachers, but hey at least she had her pun loving best friend.

Christmas is coming, and zombies.

Suddenly there is a zombie apocalypse!  And then it started to feel very Shaun of the Dead. There was humour, witty remarks and for me it worked splendidly. I like dark humour. I like that they had time to joke in the face of danger and death. It made me think I would have really liked the movie (except it is a musical, so random, but will still watch it.)

Conclusion:

Fun, and an apocalypse to die for. Pun intended.

Narrator

Fiona Hardingham is a great narrator. She brought life to the characters and their snark. She kept up the danger, the wisecracks and the ugliness of it all.

Blurb:

Anna and the Apocalypse is a horror comedy about a teenager who faces down a zombie apocalypse with a little help from her friends.

Anna Shepherd is a straight-A student with a lot going on under the surface: she’s struggling with her mom’s death, total friend drama, and the fallout from wasting her time on a very attractive boy. She’s looking forward to skipping town after graduation—but then a zombie apocalypse majorly disrupts the holidays season. It’s going to be very hard to graduate high school without a brain.

To save the day, Anna, her friends, and her frenemies will have to journey straight to the heart of one of the most dangerous places ever known, a place famous for its horror, terror, and pain…high school.

This novel is inspired by the musical feature film, Anna and the Apocalypse. 

Terminal Alliance - Jim Hines

The Krakau came to Earth to invite humanity into a growing alliance of sentient species. However, they happened to arrive after a mutated plague wiped out half the planet, turned the rest into shambling, near-unstoppable animals, and basically destroyed human civilization. You know—your standard apocalypse. 

The Krakau’s first impulse was to turn around and go home. (After all, it’s hard to have diplomatic relations with mindless savages who eat your diplomats.) Their second impulse was to try to fix us. Now, a century later, human beings might not be what they once were, but at least they’re no longer trying to eat everyone. Mostly. 

Marion “Mops” Adamopoulos is surprisingly bright (for a human). As a Lieutenant on the Earth Mercenary Corps Ship Pufferfish, she’s in charge of the Shipboard Hygiene and Sanitation team. When a bioweapon attack wipes out the Krakau command crew and reverts the rest of the humans to their feral state, only Mops and her team are left with their minds intact.

Escaping the attacking aliens—not to mention her shambling crewmates—is only the beginning. Sure, Mops and her team of space janitors and plumbers can clean the ship as well as anyone, but flying the damn thing is another matter. 

As they struggle to keep the Pufferfish functioning and find a cure for their crew, they stumble onto a conspiracy that could threaten the entire alliance… a conspiracy born from the truth of what happened on Earth all those years ago. 

My thoughts:
Janitors in space, why not, I have seen it before (you have to watch Space Janitors, omg, looove that show).

Humans as always effed up and are now mindless beasts. The planet is kaputt. In comes aliens, saves a few and put them to work. As mercs and as janitors. One of those janitors is Mops, smart, resilient and really good at cleaning. And suddenly she is in charge of a space ship and what the, how does one even steer this thing? Ha, perfect.

I did have issues reading it, but that was ebook issues, I can not read ebooks anymore. The baby says NO. It takes too long reading them and that makes me lament. Funny should be read fast. You hear that, read it fast to enjoy it :)

Right where was I. Alien conspiracies. Bad aliens wanting to shoot them out of the sky. Scary humans. And so many things to clean!

Conclusion:
There is humour, there is action, but mostly there is humour, witty, sarcastic and fun.

Cover
Of course I love it

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: November 7th 2017 by DAW
Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse #1
Sci-fi
Netgalley

Carole's Sunday review: A fistful of love

Author: Om Swami

Title: A Fistful of Love

Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, & Philosophy

Pages: ebook

Published: Feb 2016

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

Wisdom and Humour from a Monk's Bowl A man was sitting with his friends in a local inn. After a couple of drinks, he asked his friends, "Do you love me?" "Of course, we do," they replied. "So do you know what I need?" No one answered. "If you don't know what I need then how can you say you love me?" To love and to be loved is the most basic human need. No wonder we are attracted to people who give us attention, care about us, and love us. Yet, love also remains the greatest challenge in most relationships. Why? A Fistful of Love is a collection of insightful, thought-provoking nuggets of wisdom appreciated by millions around the world. This book is full of humour and narratives most beautifully woven into learnings of life that will make you stop and think. A must read. Om Swami is a mystic living in the Himalayan foothills. He has a bachelor's degree in business and an MBA from Sydney, Australia. Prior to renunciation, he founded and ran a multi-million dollar software company successfully. 

Not sure why but I really love books like this. I love looking at life through another's eyes. I love learning about other people's philosophy and view on life and everything in it. This was a no-brainer for me to pick up and read. 

I am so glad I read this. This was awesome and I loved it! Lots of wisdom, but it had humor too which made me really like the author. The author seems so wise but also so down-to-earth that the words on the page really struck a chord with me. 

I soaked this book up and all of the pages. The author was honest and made amazing points. Sure there were a couple of points where I had my own opinion and might not change my viewpoint, but it gave me a chance to see something different. 

I think the quote that really struck me was: 

"Life does not know what you want. It only sees what you do. And even if it could understand what you want from it, it is too unattached, too wise, to take you seriously. Have you ever noticed how a split second flies? This is the life we dearly hold, protect, cherish, and cling to for decades."

Life waits for no one.

The little anecdotes made the points really shine. Also, I really think the format and organization of the book made it better. 

In the end, this was a wonderful book. I really connected with this book on a lot of levels and just reading it gave me a sense of calm. The sprinkles of humor made this even better. In a way it symbolized how you should live your life....yes, take it seriously but you need to have some laughs and good stories too. Highly recommended. This gets the shiny 5 star stamp. 

Carole's Sunday review: Dating tips for the unemployed - Iris Smyles

Author: Iris Smyles

Title: Dating Tips for the Unemployed

Genre: Fiction & Humor

Pages: 320

First Published: June 28th 2016

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

In twenty-four absurd, lyrical, and louche episodes, “Iris Smyles” weaves a modern odyssey of trying to find one’s home in the world amid the pitfalls and insidious traps of adult life. A wickedly funny picaresque touching on quantum physics, the Donner Party, arctic exploration, Greek mythology, Rocky I, II, V, IV, VI, and III respectively, and literary immortality, Dating Tips for the Unemployed is a wistful if wry ode to that awkward age—between birth and death—when you think you know what you want but aren’t quite sure what you’re doing.

When I read the summary I felt like I had no choice but to read it. It is something different and unique, but with the same message that books like this want to get out: finding yourself and finding where you belong. 

Hilarious and sad all at the same time. I loved the main character - Iris. She was a mess as she was stumbling her way through relationships, family meetings, and just life in general. I loved her. I seen a lot of myself in her, so this made it so MUCH funnier! However....I will be honest....it took me about five stories before I realized that this book was centered around the same character. You are probably asking yourself what I am talking about? At first I thought it was different characters, until I re-read the summary and I realized it was the same character.

Why? Well, I think it was because the beginning was jumping around so much. At first the storyline was scattered around so much that I thought it was different people. I finally realized it was still Iris. That is honestly my only compliant. The beginning confused me, because it was jumping years too much.

Other than that, I couldn't put this book down. I simply adored the stories and the characters. Some of her exes needed a slap in the face! Ugh. But sometimes Iris was a total snot and selfish. 

Honestly? I want to read more by the author. I love her voice and writing style. She can be tragic and funny all in one sentence. She certainly knows how to encompass life, because life is tragic and funny all at the same time. Brava!

In the end, I highly recommend this if you want a story about people stumbling through this silly thing we call life. The characters were fun. The stories were fun. My only compliant is the beginning, because it jumped around too much for my liking. Out of five stars, I stamp this with....mhmmm....4 stars.

Bigfoot Loose and Finn Fancy Free - Randy Henderson

Finn Gramaraye is settling back into the real world after his twenty-five-year-long imprisonment in the otherworld of the Fey. He's fallen in love again with Dawn, the girl next door who waited for him. He's proved his innocence of the original crime of Dark Necromancy, and he's finding a place in the family business--operating a mortuary for the Arcane, managing the magical energies left behind when an Arcane being dies to prevent it from harming the mundane world.

But Finn wants more. Or different. Or something. He's figured out how to use the Kinfinder device created by his half-mad father to find people's True Love, and he'd like to convert that into an Arcane Dating Service. It's a great idea. Everyone wants True Love! Unfortunately, trouble always seems to find Finn, and when he agrees to help his friend, the Bigfoot named Sal, they walk right into a Feyblood rebellion against the Arcane Ruling Council, a rebellion being fomented by unknown forces and fueled by the drug created by Finn's own grandfather. 

My thoughts:

What would I compare this book too, oh I forgot that I hate comparing books. Ok let's not compare it to another book. Instead let me tell you that it is urban fantasy mixed with humour and a mystery. 

Finn is not a kick-ass hero. No, he is nerd lost in time since he spent 25 years getting his memories sucked out of him and not experiencing anything new (read book 1 to understand.) He is clumsy at times, but trying his best. And for that I like him, he is really normal, well for the exception that he is a necromancer.

In this book he decides to use an invention to find true love for people, well people and people.... His first client is Bigfoot, and soon Finn is in trouble. The Fey are up to something. The Arcana Council are asses as always. War seems to be brewing again. And can poor Finn ever find the time to get time for a date with his girlfriend?

Like I said, humour! I always like that. A mystery as someone is dead, but what really happened? That got really complicated. 

I did find the book even better than book 2. Something I do like when that happens. And at the and I found myself looking forward to book 3. Everything ended well enough, but yes there is something going on....

Conclusion

An amusing urban fantasy tale

Paperback, 512 pages
Publication: February 16th 2016 by Titan Books
Finn Fancy Necromancy #2
Urban fantasy
For review

The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse - Daphne Lamb and Fitreaders check in

#FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in :D

Sat 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Sun 1 h walk and 30 min walk

Mon 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Tue 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Wed 4 km bike

Thu 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Fri, 4 km bike, 30 min walk

Meh week. I have worked for a couple of weeks now and had my first cold, and still has. No energy, lingering on almost fever territory. I know you should rest, but when I get them all the time I am all SIGH.

......................................

Welcome to the Apocalypse. Your forecast includes acid rain, roving gangs and misplaced priorities, in this comedic take on the end of the world as we know it, from debut author Daphne Lamb.

As a self-entitled, self-involved, and ill equipped millennial, Verdell probably wouldn’t have ranked very high on the list of those most likely to survive the end of the world, but here she is anyway. Add in travelling with her work addicted boss, her boyfriend who she has “meh” feelings for, and a handful of others who had no businesses surviving as long as they have, and things aren’t exactly going as planned. But despite threats of cannibalism, infected water supplies, and possibly even mutants, Verdell is willing to put in as little effort as she can get away with to survive. 

My thoughts:

This book meant to be hilarious, but it tried WAY too hard. I mean WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too hard. It was ridiculous. In the end I wanted everyone to just die. They did not deserve to live because they were so stupid.

Girl whatever her name was, stayed on floor X with coworkers. People were dying from sickness on other floors. Society was crumbling and they were, wait for it, working. Yes working. Thinking of memos, why the phones wont work and shit like that. I was all, what? You are stuck in a building, starving, dying and working. Get the F out. Survive!

They are saved. And they continues being stupid. Not thinking of surviving and more. Just being stupid. Thinking of stupid things. I did not get it. Was I missing something? Was I supposed to laugh when they wrote notes in a board and pretended it was twitter? No. They were stupid, and if that is the people that survives an apocalypse, then humankind is doomed. And deserves to be wiped out.

It could have been funny, it failed.

Paperback, 218 pages
Published August 11th 2015 by Booktrope Editions
Apocalyptic humour
NG

Review: Road trip of the living dead - Mark Henry

With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy sidekick Gil, celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is ready to take a big bite out of Seattle's supernatural nightlife. But what's a zombie chick to do when her "Mommie Dearest" gets sick? If you're Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch--or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it.

Packing their stiletto pumps and plasma into a sketchy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winebago, Amanda, Wendy, and Gil hit the highway. Of course, they'll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop, and an unsightly horde of Kmart shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls, this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning. . 

My thoughts:

What went wrong? I liked book 1, even when she ate people, but here, I was just lost. I just found myself sitting up and saying what? all the time. Maybe it was me, tired, not interested, maybe I should have put it down. But as it was now it was one big what? How did that happen? Excuse me?

It still was semi funny and weird, and then I have nothing more to say. I was confused! What can I write in a review then?

Conclusion:

'I was going back and forth between a 2 and a 1. But I just wished the book to be over so I could get out of the maze in my head. It's a shame, but I can't say I like the book then can I?

Cover

Not good

Series. Amanda Feral #2
Genre: Horror humour
Pages: 261
Published: 2009 by Kensington
Source own

Review: Alien vs Alien - Gini Koch

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the American Centaurion Diplomatic Corps are still recovering from their introduction to Washington D.C. politics, parties, and conspiracies. So when compromising pictures arrive, no one’s too surprised. They’re also the least of anyone’s worries.

Evil androids running amok, birds of all kinds and from all places creating havoc, a Senator trapped in an ever-tightening web of intrigue, and escalating international tensions all seem tough but manageable. But the disappearance of Jeff Martini and Charles Reynolds during the International One World Festival signals more than the usual nastiness — and it looks like even ACE can’t help them.

Then new trouble arrives in old packages and even with the best hackers in the world, beings from near and far, the full might of Earth’s military, and the Wonder Twins on their side, Centaurion Division’s outmanned and outgunned.

Now Kitty’s racing against the clock to find not only Jeff and Chuckie, but to keep the peace between Middle Eastern countries, all while searching for the bases of super-soldier operations — to stop them or die trying.

My thoughts:

As I have reviewed many Kitty books before I will try not to go into details  I just feel I have said it all already. But I will try.

The book is crazy, but if you have read Koch's books before you already know this. If you haven't then what are you waiting for? Crazy stuff is happening all over the place, Kitty is as smart (in her weird way) as ever. She has a new talent that you will get to see in action. Non stop action.

I do not know what to say, I enjoyed it. There was quite a mystery about who is bad, who is after them, what the &%& is happening? There will be aliens, androids and new freaky things to get to know. Things does not cool down in Kitty's world.

The romance, well someone will find romance. Martini seems to be cooling down on the jealousy (lol, well sort of). I missed Reader. Christopher and Amy are happy. Not much of Mama Katt. White, yay (he is so cool), Chuckie..eh, sorry but I just do not like him. Oh and there is someone..."bitchy", oh you will laugh when you see what I mean.

And the end makes me want more!

Conclusion:

Crazy action, hidden secrets and evil baddies. Koch never fails to surprise.

Cover:

Dos Santos!

Series. Katherine "Kitty" Katt #6
Genre: Sci-fi romantic humour
Pages: 432
Published: Dec 4th 2012 by DAW
Source. For review

Review: Random Magic - Sasha Soren

Genre: Oh, I can't say, fantasy, humour mix perhaps
Pages: 397
Published: 2010

When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

Plot:

It just has to be read, but I can give it a try. Alice in Wonderland has gone missing, and Henry Whiterspoon is sent to find her. In a strange land he encounters a young doodle witch named Winnie, gods, demigods, floating cities, and all kinds of weird things.

My thoughts:

By now you have noticed that this is one strange book. Think Alice in Wonderland meets The Hitchhikers' guide to the and whatever other book that is filled with humour and nonsense.

I enjoyed this book because it was just so strange, not too strange, but come on, Alice in Wonderland with mad hatters and bunnies. You know how strange books can be. Here the world seems new, it's not Wonderland, except it is. But we meet a bunch of new characters, the Nine Muses, and one is drunk while another is being chased by Eros. The big bad wolf, Thor, Baba Yaga, vampires, and we get to hear that Hades has lost control over a part of the underworld and that is now a casino.

With many books you can figure out what is going to happen, but with this one, just try because you will fail. New strange adventures are always around the next corner. New fun things waiting to happen, dangers to avoid and Alice to find.

The book is amusing and utterly silly. You can't miss the beginning and the quotes from reviews, those are hilarious and written by the author. Every chapter has this little box about what is gonna happen and I do think those were the best part of the book. I would like to go into the author's mind and see how she thinks. How did she write this funny, illogical, and fantastical book?

Recommendation and final thoughts:

It is not for those that want to walk the straight line in literature. It is the book for those who enjoy the silly, the strange, the weird, the fantastical and just a good adventure. And she is such a good writer and the way she plays with words, oh that brain of hers.

Reason for reading:

I am not one to turn down strange

Cover:

Ok if the artist drew something and did not think about Nicole Kidman I will be amazed.

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This book is on tour now and there are prices to win and fun things to do. So check out my tourpost for dates and blogs to visit!

But a few coming stops are:

Dec. 16
Chick Loves Lit

Twitter: @shanynlee

Review

Feat.: ‘The Secrets of Random Magic’

Dec. 17

This Miss Loves To Read

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Review

Feat. ‘Fairy Tale Top 10: Random Magic’

Dec. 18

Booklover - Book Chicks

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Review

Feat.: Video review of Random Magic

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Winning cover revealed on Dec. 20

Review: Queen of Babble in the big city - Meg Cabot

Queen of Babble in the big city by Meg Cabot

Genre: Chick-lit
Pages: 288
Published: 2007

Lizzie Nichols is back, pounding the New York City pavement and looking for a job, a place to live, and her proper place in the universe (not necessarily in that order).

"Summer Fling" Luke's use of the "L" (Living Together) word has her happily abandoning plans to share a one-room walk-up with best friend Shari in exchange for cohabitation with the love of her life in his mom's ritzy Fifth Avenue pied-à-terre. Lizzie's landed a non-paying gig in her chosen field—vintage wedding gown rehab—and a paying one as a receptionist at Shari's boyfriend's father's posh law firm. So life is good . . . for the moment.

But almost immediately her notoriously big mouth is getting her into trouble. At work she's becoming too chummy with society bride-to-be Jill Higgins, inflaming the ire of Jill's troublesome future mother-in-law. At home she's made the grievous error of bringing up the "M" (Marriage) word to commitment-shy Luke. Once again joblessness and homelessness are looming large for hapless blabbermouth Liz—unless she can figure out some way to babble her way to a happily ever after.

I do like chick-lit, it is always funny, sweet and totally silly, and a girl needs silly now and again.

This is the second book about Lizzie Nichols, in the last book she found her prince charming, and he is really a prince too, if one of many French ones. They are living together on 5th Avenue until she can find something with her friend Shari. She also wants to find a job working with what she loves, wedding dresses. Things do not go as she expected and she ends up living with Luke, working as a receptionist, and working free in a little shop. Not really what she wanted but she is not about to let New York chase her away.

She wasn't really a blabbermouth in this one, perhaps she has learnt her lesson. Still she is too curious and she keep making seeing things that aren't there. It doesn't help that she goes a bit wedding crazy, and she barely knows the guy. But come on, it is chick-lit and the genre needs misunderstandings and embarrassing moments.

I do like Lizzie, yes she is silly, has some wired ideas about little animals and men, and looses it when they talk about marriage. Ok there I didn't see the problem, break up with someone who doesn't want to get married, even though they are the love of your life. One can be in love and not  married. So yes she has some ideas, and she is also only 23, what is the rush? The younger chick-lit books are always so, well you know.

Luke is somewhat grey to be honest, I am not sure any more if I want them together, but since the 3rd book is called getting hitched then I guess they live happily ever after.

What I did like about this book was that it had through out it pages with paintings of different weddings dresses, gloves, what do do during the wedding, after, and a lot for a bride to be to know. All belonging to Lizzie, I guess she is working towards her wedding dress shop goal. So those were really cute.

All in all a cute and funny book that took no time at all to read.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: That is the Swedish cover, the book is green and it looks very nice and chich-litish.

Reason for reading: Library book

Final thoughts: Cute chick-lit