Happy National Read a Book Day!

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Ariesgrl

Did you know September 6th is National Read a Book Day, in the USA? I know it is not yet an official holiday, but it still a bookish one, and one that must be celebrated.

While it remains unclear how this holiday came to be, it is celebrated every Sept. 6th. (I am guessing some introverts banned together for the cause.)

So tonight, I am going to finish Hocus Pocus and start my review rough draft. Then, if my mind is still wandering, I will make more of a dent in Chasing Your Tail.

What book are you reading on this treasured day?

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Happy Labor Day!

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Ariesgrl

This Labor Day, there was extreme humidity, a female Prime Minister elected in England, and I was sitting inside reading a cute romance book. I was actually getting caight up on a lot of work from yesterday, since the computer is back up and running, but I did sneak in a few pages and couldn’t wait to share it with all of you.

Chasing Your Tail by Kate Murray is centered around a baker in a cat cafe and a restaurant critic, who used to date said baker. What could go wrong? This was one I requested on Netgalley from Sourcebooks Casablanca, just based on the cover. There is a cute black and white cat on the cover looking up at the humans with a smile. So far, I have met a grumpy-ish orange cat that is adorable in the storyline.

When is the last time you read a book, solely based on the cover? I have chosen several often, mostly in the romance genre. One of my all time favorite ‘cover’ reads was The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. That book called me from across the bookshop and I went home and immediately read it.

No matter what you read today, I hope you enjoyed the day.

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Computer Issues

Posted on September 4, 2022 by Ariesgrl

Hello All,

Today has been full of computer and internet issues. ALL DAY. Started before the sun came up and seems it is not going to stop. Anyone else having fun with the Windows Defender bug alert going off every 5 seconds? At first, thought it was just me, but slowly the computer geniuses around the world put out the alert, and I seriously hope Microsoft fixes it soon… like tonight. I have work to do, lol.

So, since I am typing this on my phone, alas there will be no review tonight. In fact, I am trying to subside my frustrations by listening to the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert that was held yesterday.

In the meantime, I wanted to take a moment to ask you all to sign up for my weekly-ish enewsletter. If you used to get emails from me before, I apologize. I switched hosting servors this summer, and while I am grateful for Ariesgrl’s new home, it means that everyone will need to sign up for a new enewsletter. I understand the inconvenience, and I am sorry, but I hope you will consider subscribing. I will share my favorite books, cover reveals, giveaways and so much more.

How has your Sunday been?

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The Devil in Ohio

Posted on September 3, 2022 by Ariesgrl

Yesterday, I talked all about the fun side of Halloween and Fall. In a strong effort to will September to bring us cooler air, Mom and I watched a new show last night, The Devil in Ohio. This is definitely on the spookier side. One of the shows that has kept my brain intact throughout these last 5.5 months is Bones. So, I was intrigued to watch a new show starring the main actress, however I quickly became disturbed when I recognized the sheriff as a very bad guy from Bones. We watched a few episodes, and hopefully will finish the rest this weekend, as I have many questions. However, why am I discussing this show? Well, it is based on a book by Daria Polatin, which is also inspired by true events.

Have you all read The Devil in Ohio by Daria Polatin? It seems I broke my rule of ‘Read It Before I See It’ this time around. If you have read the book, how close is the limited series? Do I need to add this book to must Fall To Be Read list?

As we get nearer to Fall, do you change your reading habits? Or do you read the same styles all year round?

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Hocus Pocus Spell Book

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Ariesgrl

By: Eric Geron

It is September! Bring on the cooler air, the need for a blanket, the hot tea and long reads. I am so ready for this summer and the humidity to be gone!

Now while I am more of a winter, snow, Christmas, hot chocolate with tons of marshmallows kind-of-Ariesgrl, I do enjoy the fun aspects of Halloween. I love the costumes and I always watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Every now and then I get the urge to watch/read scary things, I am hoping this will be the year I get to read Misery by Stephen King. It is on my wish list, once again, so fingers crossed.

However, amidst all the leaves falling and pumpkin-everything, there is another yearly constant… Hocus Pocus! I love this movie. I watch it every year. I finally got Mom to watch it a few years ago and she enjoyed it. (She is all things All Hallow’s Eve and spooky.)

Today, my inner child is screaming for joy. (Quietly screaming, as my body is still fighting whatever the heck it is fighting.) There are 27 days until Hocus Pocus 2 comes out. Who else is stockpiling popcorn and getting excited?

In the meantime, I will be passing this very humid holiday weekend indoors, dreaming of cooler air and reading my very own Hocus Pocus Spell Book! From the fabulous cover to the letters from Winifred and the Sanderson Witch Museum Director this book is fabulous. So call all your “SISTAHS” and gather around the cauldron to see what kind of mischief can be made.

I will be back later with my full review, but I just couldn’t hold this magic all to myself. I got my copy at My Sister’s Books.

What are you planning on reading this weekend?

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The Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Ariesgrl

By: Carrie Doyle

The third book in the Trouble in Paradise series will be released January 31, 2023. This cover is so cute. If you want a chance to read this book, before the pub date, you are in luck. Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen Press is giving 50 arcs away via Netgalley. Click here, for your chance to win.

Summary:

It’s just fruity cocktails and island life for Plum Lockart…until a body washes up on the beach, and she must squeeze the day and catch a killer! 

On the tropical island of Paraiso, Plum Lockhart has a new zest for life. Not only is her new villa rental company growing like a weed, but things are also finally heating up between her and the handsome Director of Security at Las Frutas Resort. 

Plum’s thrilled when she gets an invite to dinner on the yacht of a wealthy music executive, grateful for a luxurious night on the water, surrounded by A-listers. But days later, one of the servers from the yacht—a girl with a dragonfruit tattoo—washes up dead, and Plum’s sweet bit of paradise quickly goes rotten. As the yacht prepares to set sail across the Caribbean, Plum hops onboard. But the zest laid plans turn deadly as it becomes clear that someone on the boat is a murderer…and Plum may be the next victim. 

I can’t wait to dive into this cozy mystery. What are your favorite vacation mysteries?

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The House on Prytania

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Ariesgrl

By: Karen White

Happy September 1st everyone. Today’s cover reveal is from one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her stand-alone novels, and the ones she writes with Team W. How many Karen White books, have you read?

The House on Prytania will be published on May 9, 2023. (You can either mark your calendars, or pre-order so you get it on the release date.)

Isn’t this cover stunning?!?!?! I love the covers of her Tradd Street series and it looks like the Royal Street series is continuing the charming details.

Will The House on Prytania be on your 2023 To Read list?

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Secrets of the Nile

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Ariesgrl

By: Tasha Alexander

Release Date: October 4, 2022

Lady Emily Mysteries #16

Lady Emily Hargreaves, her husband, her mother-in-law, and stepdaughter are all traveling to Egypt to spend time with a family friend. Lord Deeley has invited several of his friends to stay with him in Luxor. However, upon their arrival, after dinner, Lord Deeley is killed by cyanide. It is up to Lady Emily to figure out which of his guests committed this heinous crime.

Tasha Alexander weaves two tales throughout this story. The primary story is of Lord Deeley’s murder and the quest to find culprit. The other story is about a young Egyptian woman who creates sculptures and seems to be tormented by a great evil. Throughout Lady Emily’s story, readers will learn what it is like to be an English tourist in Egypt, visiting excavations and discovering mysterious artefacts. During the second story, readers will learn about the ancient customs, around Egyptian burials. The author peels back several layers of Lord Deeley’s personality, making sure each of the characters and the readers, themselves, will be guessing everyone is guilty of murder.

I felt like this title was missing something, maybe due to the fact that I have not read the prior Lady Emily books. The story was good, and the primary focus is on the current murder. However, if I knew more of each of the characters’ backstory, I would have understood their quirks better. I did enjoy the witty thoughts and chuckled at some of Lady Emily’s statements, and I could not fully predict the ending, with all the twists and turns.

Notes:

I signed up via Netgalley to honestly review a digital ARC from Minotaur Books. To learn more about this title, click here.

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Our World Books

Posted on August 30, 2022 by Ariesgrl

Today, I am sharing reviews of 2 exciting board books from the Our World series. They reminded me of my old Highlights Travel the World/Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego books, where I got to learn about different cultures. Of course, these are for a much younger reader, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I hope you do, too!

Our World: Egypt

Written by: Aya Kahlil

Illustrated by: Magda Azab

Readers will go on a journey through a day in Egypt, from waking up, to dinnertime. Readers will learn about shopping for food and see some boats. This book shows how some common words are written, as well as how they are pronounced. At the end, there is a glossary that provides definitions to the new words. Simple sentences and bright illustrations will attract even the youngest of readers.

Our World: Japan

Written by: Emily Satoko Seo

Illustrated by: Aunyarat Watanabe

Readers will learn about Japanese customs, such as bathing and exercising to music. The outdoors plays a big part in this book, with cherry blossoms, markets, and gardens. Phrases are written with pronunciations and a glossary is provided for definitions. Family members of all ages will be entertained and learn something new with this story.

Notes:

I signed up to honestly review these two titles from Barefoot Books publishers. To learn more about them: click on the title: Egypt or Japan. Both of these books will be published on October 18, 2022.

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All Dogs Come From Heaven

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Ariesgrl

By: Amanda Siegrist

Dogs are special, unique, soulful creatures. They love unconditionally, but have you ever looked at a dog and wondered where they came from? With a little determination, and a lot of investigation, this mysterious question might just be solved.

Amanda Siegrist does a brilliant job, plotting one child’s journey through town to figure out just where dogs come from. This book is beautifully illustrated and perfect for the whole family to read together. The rhythm of the words flows easily for young readers, while still building vocabulary. Older readers will smile and chuckle at the possibilities of how dogs are made, while remembering their own precious pets. This is an absolute must-read for every dog lover of any age.

Notes:

If you are interested in this book, please call My Sister’s Books, or click here to purchase through their Bookshop.org page.

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