Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Review - The Final Girl Support Group

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

My Favorite Quote: "Dying isn't the important thing. It's nothing more than the punctuation mark on the end of your life. It's everything that came before that matters. Punctuation marks, most people skip right over them. They don't even have a sound."

5 out of 5 gnomes

Do you like horror movies, if so this book is definitely for you. I love how it combined all these horror movies/tropes and gives you final girls to root for.

I sped through this book because I didn't want to put it down.

It felt like the best kind of horror movie and was full of surprises and moments that'll make you raise your eyebrows and go "Whoa."

I adore how complicated the main character is and how she never gives up.

Overall I really enjoyed the author's style and the build up in the book. The atmosphere is intense and will have you wondering who to trust.

Then that ending was the cherry on the sundae of it all and tied everything together so very well.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Review - I Wish You All the Best

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

5 out of 5 gnomes

A journey of a book/a really strong read.

My Favorite Quote:
“I have a secret method.” “And that is?” He leans in closer and whispers, “I’m making it all up.”

I think this is the first book I've read with a nonbinary character. The main character Ben goes through so much but it's a relatable journey at the same time. You'll find yourself worrying/rooting for them throughout the book.

I love how they grew as a person and the relationship between them and Nathan is so well done.

This story shows how fractured and broken a family can become. It also shows how vital a found family can be.

Overall check out this book ASAP.

Friday, April 19, 2019

Audiobook Review - On the Come Up

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Audiobook of On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Narrated by Bahni Turpin

Phenomenal Flow 
Overall: 5 gnomes out of 5 gnomes
Performance: 5 gnomes out of 5 gnomes
Story: 5 gnomes out of 5 gnomes

Angie Thomas has written another fantastic book. The story works extremely well as an audiobook, especially the rap parts. The whole story and characters feel very timely. You’ll definitely feel yourself drawn in and wanting to know what happens next.

Turpin the narrator really excels here too at bringing all these characters to life. I mostly listened while driving and it really makes the commute fly by. I even found myself talking back to it at parts saying things like oh no or don’t do it and of course laughing at some very funny parts.

Bri’s character and all her family and friends are really well done. The side characters along with the main all fell fully fleshed out. Her aspirations to become a star and take care of her family seem like they might just happen at the end of the book.

Story takes a look at how going viral can be good but also plenty of bad. Shines while reading/listening to Bri’s journey and her figuring out who she is and who she wants to be.

Overall really make sure to check out On the Come Up because it’s brilliant. J

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Review - Wolfman Confidential

Noir+Mystery+Monsters=terrific third book

* Received from the publisher for review/also bought a copy too.

* 5 out of 5 gnomes

I continue to adore this series. It's like a weird little niche of noir/horror/mystery with a lot of humor thrown in. The world drags you in and the intriguing characters make you want to keep reading and learning more.

The mystery is really well done. The main character Nick has some hard decisions to make in this book and I can't wait to see what happens next.

In other words, if you haven't read this series you should because it's extremely absorbing and fun.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

My Life as a Fictional Librarian: Special Program for Clowns





My Life as a Fictional Librarian

All was pretty normal until things started to get a little bit fictional. I know sounds like a tagline for a bad romantic comedy or action movie, but believe me this is no normal library.

I had of course heard of special libraries but this was a special squared kind of library.


The Beginning:

I was just out of college and needed a job ASAP. The problem is though they tell you that all these librarians are gearing up to retire, they never do. I had been on more than a couple of interviews and still nothing. One day while perusing the internet I saw one of those ads that just pop up it said:

Are you teeming with a plethora of potential? Do you get along with all sorts of people and personalities? Are you patient as well as good at teaching computer skill? If these all pertain to you then apply today to the Thaddeus Molehill Learning Library.

After so much failure I thought, hey why not try this out. After I sent my application in things started to get interesting fast…


Getting to the Interview:

I received a very fancy letter (it was actually closed with a wax seal.) After asking myself what this was all about because who heard of wax seals being used on anything anymore? I would soon come to learn that the Thaddeus Molehill Library was a myriad of very old school along with the new technology. When I got to the library I was greeted at the front desk by a rather short man with a prodigious beard.

It turns out that the guy’s name is Neil and he’s a Special Projects Library Assistant. He tells me to wait right there and the committee will be ready to meet with me shortly. Then five minutes later this chanting starts and a door down the hall just pops open. As I walk towards the door I think to myself, “What exactly did I apply for?”


The Interview:

When I walked in the room, there was a large table with five rather unique souls sitting around it. The first was a man in a full suit of armor, the second was a woman who seemed to be actually glowing a bit, the third was a very short man with a tremendously full beard, the fourth was a lady who seemed to be covered in a variety of flowers, and last but not least was a large man who I swear seemed to be made out of stone.

For a second I thought maybe I’d eaten a bad sandwich or something but then the stone guy stood up and introduced himself as the Director of the Library, Gregory Goyle. I am apparently very good at keeping a poker face or I went into a kind of trance because I started answering all their questions without batting an eye.


First Day of Work:

Today I figured out that to clock in I have to actually punch the time clock… Apparently this place loves being literal. I walked in the door and saw a gold clock actually go running by and then the Director yells, “Don’t let Kronos get away, you have to punch him!” I caught it and lightly punched it only to hear an automated voice say, “Now Clocked In.”

After that going to my desk seemed perfectly normal, then the first patron of the day walked in… Everything seemed normal when he went to the study table. A couple of minutes later though I heard a tea kettle whistle and noticed that a whole formal tea had appeared on the table and my coworkers were nowhere to be seen.

This is how I was introduced to Mr. Haber, a problem patron that many on staff don't like to deal with. I on the other hand thought he was very charming if not a bit odd. He started quizzing me on types of tea and then I helped him find a nice website where he could order all the tea his heart desired. After he left I turned around and saw everybody staring at me, then one of my fellow assistants said, "Wow, the new hire has skills."


Lost and Found:

Today a girl came to pick up her red hoodie from our lost and found. Then things got a little weird. I turned around to pick it up and the box was gone then when I turned again I saw just the sleeve sticking out so I pulled and then I heard a growling sound. After dropping it, out from under the desk bounds what looks like a small wolf holding the hoodie. After screaming the girl just looked at me and said, “Don’t worry about Wolfy he just wants to play.”


Special Program for Clowns:

The things I didn’t know before joining this very special library are vast but today was something special. I learned that there are more clown types than I thought possible and probably gathered up a plethora of nightmare fuel while I was at it.

I was put in charge of this program because I'm new and everyone else doesn't deal so well with these patrons.  The goal is to train Clowns, not clowns mind you but Clowns with a capital C. Believe me, there are no humans under these Clown’s makeup. The most positive outcome of the day was convincing many of them not to sharpen their teeth.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Review - To All the Boys I've Loved Before


5 out of 5 gnomes

This is one of those books that I’ve of course heard about and even bought on kindle but never got around to reading. Then I watched the movie version on Netflix and it was so freaking good/adorable. Both the movie and the book may lead to excessive smiling and actually laughing out loud-itis.

The family, concept, and the whole plot is just so well done. You think that you know where the plot is going but there are a heck of a lot of surprises in there too. 

I adore how close the family is. The sisterly relationship felt really authentic. You know the whole love them more than anything but still can get exceedingly mad at them.

Book Josh is a lot skeevier than movie Josh, at least in my opinion.

The movie and the book are just about equal in awesomeness and now I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and hopefully see more movies in the future.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Review - Like Never and Always

Like Never and Always by Ann Aguirre

* Received from the author for review.


4 gnomes out of 5 gnomes

This is the kind of book that slowly creeps up on you and before you know it, you can't put it down. Part tragedy part maybe ghost part mystery part let's say complicated romance equals a book that will have you rushing to see what happens.

After a car wreck Liv wakes up in the wrong body so you'll definitely wonder what's going on right away.

There's plenty of surprises and suspense as Liv tries to navigate her new world. Her best friend Morgan had some very scary secrets and now she has to deal with the fallout.

The voice and complicated relationships including friendships are really well done. Go in expecting a bucketful of emotions and surprises and you won't be disappointed.