stay out of the basement by r. l. stine

This book was book #12 on my list. I read it as a kid and loved it (actually, I read pretty much EVERYTHING R. L. Stine ever wrote at the time and LOVED all of it) and saw it sitting on my bookshelf the other day and decided to give it a go. Why not? Kids books can be fun.

The Brewers move to a new home in a new state because the father accepted a new job at a university involving experiments on plants. However, he quickly loses his new job and continues his experiments in the basement of their new home. Margaret and Casey - his children - start to notice odd behavior in their father. He no longer wants to spend time with them, he no longer calls them by their pet nicknames, and he forbids them from entering the basement. But when their mom goes out of town he starts acting even weirder - he starts eating plant food and his old boss suddenly goes missing in their basement. What is REALLY going on down there? Margaret and Casey decide that they need to find out.

Like I said, I read it as a kid and loved it so I decided to give it another go all these years later. Even though it was a kids horror story it did not disappoint.

the magnificent mummy maker by elvira woodruff

I can't believe this book only has a 2.5/5 on Barnes & Noble, it was awesome! However, amazon.com gives it a 4.5/5, which I have to say is FAR more accurate.

Young Andy feels like his life sucks. His mother died when he was an infant, his father won't speak about her, then his father remarries to his stepmother - which isn't so bad but his stepbrother Jason (who is a bragging know-it-all) comes to move in with them. He's horrible at schoolwork and is always failing or just passing everything which makes Jason's good grades and smugness even harder to live with. The one good thing about his life is his new half-sister Winks (well, Vanessa but he calls he Winks).

Then one day all the fifth grade classes (including his stepbrother Jason's) are doing a unit on ancient Egypt. Andy slowly becomes interested with the topic and during a class field trip to the local museum he sees a real mummy and starts to feel strange. Next thing he knows he's a great artist, is doing well in his classes, and whatever he wishes comes true. But his wishes coming true scares him, and soon he makes a wish that will have an awful price if it comes true.

I have to say, this book was great. Were Andy's wishes really coming true or was it just coincidence? Is he actually good at art or is it the mummy's influence? Is his sudden passing grades the work of the mummy or his own hard work paying off? And, most importantly, will his final wish come true?

I like how the story ended (SPOILERS), with Andy finally learning about his mom and slowly becoming friends with Jason - who really wasn't that bad, just lonely and hurt.

Overall, a VERY good book!

five books i wish someone would buy for me

I decided to start a new type of blog post - Five Book I Wish Someone Would Buy For Me or FBIWSWBFM for short. This is the first one.

So, at this moment, if I could have ANY five books with or without a dent to my wallet what would they be?

1. "Shadow Moon" by Chris Claremont - it's a sequel to "Willow" which is book #2 on my reading list for this year. Fan opinion is 50/50 - apparently you either love it or hate it. I have a feeling I'm going to be in the "Hate It" camp even though I want to be in the "Love It" camp. So, I would appreciate it if someone else would buy it for me. However I know that is not going to happen so I'll probably buy it tomorrow. Used. Which, is not an insult as I actually prefer to buy my books used. Less pollution... 
2. "I Quit Sugar: Your Complete 8-Week Detox Program and Cookbook" by Sarah Wilson - a friend recommended it, I really want to read it, I really don't want to pay for it because I'm pretty sure I have a rough idea what it is going to say. It's not cheap - it's not expensive but it's not cheap - and used it isn't really any cheaper. In other words, I'm just being cheap.
3. "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith" by John Krakauer - totally NOT my type of book. Recommended by a cousin of mine who I have zilch in common with because of some rant I went into on facebook this one time about I can't even remember what. However, this book seemed to both support my argument and make me look at my argument in a different light. I want to read it but I also know it'll depress me so I don't want to read it. The issue with this one isn't price based at all, I'm just afraid to read it.
4. "Warrior Goddess Training: Become the Woman You are Meant to Be" by Heather Ash Amara - also totally not the type of book I'd normally read but it looks awesome so I might just have to get it. Also, it will fill reading goal #11 so there is that bonus.  
5. "Mermaids: the Myths, Legends, and Lore" by Skye Alexander - how freaking awesome is this?!? A book all about mermaids and their myths and lore!!! I NEED this book!!! There are more in the series, too!!! Unicorns, fairies, dragons, vampires - I need them ALL!!!

And that is it for today's FBIWSWBFM post. Tomorrow I should be putting up a post about the book I just finished last night.

cat among the pigeons by agatha christie

In case you are curious, this book also qualifies as #1 or #12 - but again, I'm not using it for either. Also, you should expect all of my book posts to come in double...

"Cat Among the Pigeons" had a LOT of themes going on all at once. On one hand it was the story of an exclusive girl's school in England where a very unfortunate and very random murder of the physical education teacher happened. On the other hand it was a story of political uprising in the fictional middle eastern country of Ramat. On one hand it was the story of two best friends - one of whom observed everything and the other of whom observed nothing. On the other hand it was the story of secret agents going rogue, a missing princess, and blackmail. How all of this tied together - along with another two murders - was something only Poirot could figure out.

Again, I saw the David Suchet movie on netflix and decided to reread the book. This book I enjoyed far more, even though Poirot didn't make an appearance until 2/3 of the way through (in case you are curious, he is in the entire movie). The story was fast-paced and while I don't mind slower stories this one had so much going on there was no time for slowness. The ending was just as clever as I remembered. Normally I don't care too much for Christie's spy/secret agent mysteries (but that's because most of those types of stories make me roll my eyes, it has nothing to do with Christie herself) but this one was very good.

hallowe'en party by agatha christie

Finally, finally, FINALLY my first post on a book I've read.

Two things. First, technically, this could count as book #1 (read it in a day - it certainly is short enough - even though I did not) or #12 (a book I've read before - because I have) but I'm not planning on counting it as either. Second, I like to read books in groups of two. I don't know why, it makes zero sense to me. Maybe because I like to keep reading about the same characters? Or same type of characters? Or same type of story? I have no clue. So, the next post will also be an Agatha Christie novel.

"Hallowe'en Party" was a Hercule Poirot/Ariadne Oliver mystery where Mrs. Oliver goes to visit a friend of hers, attends the setting up of a local Halloween party for children, and hears from a young girl there named Joyce that she once saw a murder committed. No one believes Joyce - she is known for lying and everyone thinks and/or assumes she is showing off for Mrs. Oliver - and later on poor Joyce is murdered giving credence to her claims to have once witnessed a murder. Another body follows as Poirot tries to find this supposed murder that happened years ago while preventing any more murders from happening.

I remember really enjoying this novel years ago when I first read it. I was inspired to pick it up again after seeing the David Suchet movie on netflix. The movie was a bit different from the novel in the end (they always are, right?) but it did do the novel justice. This time around I didn't enjoy the novel as much. Not sure why. I think maybe because it dragged on so with Poirot running from dead end to dead end. Still, it was a good book.

12 books for 2016

It's a few days later than I meant to, but here is the 2016 Reading Challenge!

There are 12 books, one for each month - though you can certainly read them all in one month if you wish. I'm a bit pressed for time. Most years I read a MINIMUM of 128 books ((2 books a week x 52 weeks) + (2 books a month x 12 months)). This last year I don't think I even read 12. Like I said, it was a crazy year. This year my personal goal is to read 64 books ((1 book a week x 52 weeks) + (1 book a month x 12 months)) and I'm hoping I will at least make that if not exceed that. So, because of my general lack of reading lately I'm only putting up a 12 book Reading Challenge. If I knock this one out by May/June maybe I'll put up a second one.

2016 Reading Challenge:

• A book you can finish in a day - I mean, how satisfying is that?!? To knock out an entire novel in one day? To take a day off from the everyday demands of life? The dishes and laundry can wait an extra day. Take a day to read a book instead. Have kids and are using that as your excuse not to? Read the book out loud to them. Yes, it'll probably take you longer this way but I'll forgive you.
• A book based on a movie you have already seen - a lot of Challenges will say to read a book that's going to become a movie, usually before going to see the movie. Why not do the opposite? Why not watch the movie then sit down and read the novelization of it? And I don't mean read the original book after seeing the movie, I mean read a novel based on a movie that is NOT based on a novel. Plenty of movies are so popular they release a novelization of it before, during, or after the movie is or was in theaters. So I don't mean watch "Lord of the Rings" and then sit down to read the novel that was published over 50 years ago, I mean watch "Star Wars" and then go out and buy the novelization and enjoy it.  
• A fairy tale rewrite/a book based on a fairy tale - rewrites and modern spins on fairy tales are pretty awesome takes on the original story. Maybe the evil bad guy (or girl) is actually the hero? Maybe the prince who shows up to rescue the princess is actually the bad guy? Maybe two different fairy tales overlap somehow with the events of one causing the events of another? Maybe the story is about Snow White & Prince Charming's daughter (or son)? Or maybe there are just zombies written into the story. Whatever the logic is behind the rewrite they are usually pretty fun. So give one a go and see a different perspective on a story you know so well. 
• The original fairy tale - after reading the rewrite (or, you know, before - I'm not picky) read the original (usually short) story. And I mean the ORIGINAL original. Not the Disney kid-friendly rewrite. Some fairy tales have more than one origin. Pick one or read them all. 
• A book you started but never finished - you know what book I'm talking about. Maybe it was a recommendation from a good friend, maybe it was a birthday present, or maybe it was your 11th grade high school assignment (I'm looking at you "The Scarlet Letter"...). It's been sitting on your shelf FOREVER, staring at you, mocking you. And you look at it the wall behind it in return and bluster, "You won't defeat me, I WILL read you." Only you forgot to tack that "eventually" on the end. You know it, and worst of all the book knows it - your words are empty. You know what? Make 2016 the year you kick that book in the ass. Show it who's boss. Read it and toss it like it probably deserves. Oh yeah, "The Scarlet Letter," that's your fate this year. Straight into the trash... No, seriously, donate it to your library after you read it. 
• A book someone gave to you (or recommended) - I have a few books that fit into this category. A friend of yours says, "Oh, this book was totally AWESOME and you MUST read it! It changed my entire life!!!" (or whatever). So you bought it... and then never opened it. Or your mom gave it to you for Christmas five years ago and it's still just sitting there because you feel too guilty to get rid of it. Just open it already.  
• An Extended Universe novel - just what is an "Extended Universe" novel you ask? Do you have a favorite tv show? Or even movie series? Chances are, if it's big enough, novels are published to supplement the show/movie. I kid you not. The X-Files, Star Wars, Star Trek, Fringe, and Doctor Who ALL have an Extended Universe. Sometimes these novels are considered cannon, sometimes they are not. But either way they ARE fun. Sci-fi not your thing? (I just noticed all the shows I mentioned were sci-fi themed...) Google your favorite tv show or go to Amazon's bookstore and look to see if your show also does novels. If the franchise is big enough, chances are they do. For some other shows that I know do novels check out Murder, She Wrote, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once Upon a Time, and Supernatural. Can't find a novel for your Extended Universe of choice? Go with a graphic novel, then.
• That library book - you know what one I'm talking about. That book you keep taking out from the library because you really want to read it but you don't actually read it? For crying out loud just read it already. Other people want to read it too. If you don't have one of those then go to your local library and check a book out.
• The first book in a series - go ahead and try to commit yourself to an entire series of books filled with characters you know you want to love and their exploits.  
• A non-fiction book about your religion - I know, what left field did that come from? Everything on this list is pretty light - a novel you can read in a day, a fairy tale, an extended universe novel, a book based on a movie, etc - but you should do some serious reading too. This is your pick. It can be a book of poems, a historical study, a collection of essays, a critique, a book of meditations (make sure you do them), a book of prayers, a book about a saint or deity - heck, even a cookbook! I don't care, just read SOMETHING non-fiction that pertains to your religion. 
• A book you normally would not read - we all have our preferred genres. I'll read anything, and by anything I mean ANYTHING. But even I have my preferences - fantasy, sci-fi, alternate Earths/timelines, mystery, horror, and religion (specifically my religion). You know what is not on my list? Aside from a lot of things, I mean. Thrillers. Self-help books. Romances. I normally don't read these books. This year, however, I'm going to give one lucky book a go.
• A book you have already read before - feel guilty rereading books when you have so many new ones to consider? Chuck that guilt and go back to an old favorite or to a book you have long sense forgotten the plot of but know you once enjoyed.

Now, I know some of these categories might overlap. For example, for me, "The Poisonwood Bible" could fall into "A book started but never finished" or "A book someone recommended". After all, it was a book two different friends suggested I read and then I had only read 3 pages of it before my copy got rained on... If the book you are reading falls into two, then pick one category for the book you are reading and pick a different book for the next category. 

Good luck and happy reading! 

first post?

About two years ago I had a blog that I loved called Runes & Ravens. In it I talked about all the books I was reading - my thoughts on them, quotes I loved from them, etc - and my reading goals. The name Runes and Ravens referred to both the written word and the power within them (in this case, runes) and the thoughts they can evoke (hence the ravens for Odin's ravens Huginn/Thought and Muninn/Memory or Mind). The title alone seemed to inspire me to read more and put my thoughts to paper (or, in this case, computer screen).

Eventually, as happens sometimes, life got a bit hairy. So I stopped reading so much and posting so much. And eventually I stopped reading and posting completely. In the end I decided to retire the blog so someone else could use the name if they wished and find their own form of inspiration from it. 

Imagine my delight six months ago (when my life started to straighten out again) when I realized the blog name was still free.

My old Runes & Ravens was long gone - all the posts are lost since I chose not to save them - but I could start a new Runes & Ravens. One where I once again talk about the books that move me, inspire me, make me think, make me cringe, make me happy, make me sad, make me wonder, make me marvel - a new blog where I can talk about what I am reading and the thoughts that run through my head while I do so. 

So, I restarted the blog. 

Then I did nothing with it. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it was hard to restart a thing I had not only ended but deleted completely? Whatever my reasoning was the day before New Year's Eve I saw my empty blog again and decided it was either time to do something with it or let it go for good.

So here I am, doing something with it. I'm going to start reading books again. And moreover, I'm going to start talking about books again.

I've already read two books so far this year. I'll try to post about them in the next few days. Then, I'm going to share a 2016 Reading Challenge a friend of mine sent me - and I'm going to try and do it. Then I'll share the Reading Challenge I wrote for myself - and I'll try to do that one too. And I'm going to talk all about it here on my new (old) blog.

So stick around if you want to hear about it. Meanwhile, I'm off to go work on book #3...