Hey everyone! Well, the Sbooktober Readathon is officially over, and Halloween day is almost here. Last Sunday, I shared my TBR and now it’s time for me to wrap up how this readathon went for me!
Unfortunately, I didn’t get everything on my TBR read. But, this week was pretty busy for me, so I’m not surprised at all. But that’s okay, because readathons are just supposed to be fun! 🙂
Alrighty, here’s the challenges I did get to:
JOIN SBOOKTOBER
READ A HALLOWEEN THEMED BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE (THRILLER, SUPERNATURAL, GOTHIC, ETC)
Hocus Pocus & The All-New Sequel was such a fun and festive read! It was absolutely perfect for Halloween.
ENTER THE HAUNTED HOUSE
READ A BOOK THAT INCLUDES A HAUNTED HOUSE.
PERFORM AN INCANTATION
READ A SHORT STORY OR POETRY COLLECTION.
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn was my first experience with her writing, so I had no idea what to expect going into this story. Even though it was a short story, it was still so mind twisty and intricate. While there parts I, personally, didn’t care for, The Grownup was such a wild ride, and I definitely have an interest in reading more of Gillian Flynn’s books!
HOWL AT THE MOON
READ A BOOK AT NIGHTTIME.
So, I started Undead Girl Gang, but I didn’t finish it. I may finish it, but I may wait until next Halloween to get to this one. From what I read, I liked it, but didn’t love it, and being that I still have some other books I want to get to this month, this one is kind of being pushed to the side for now!
And that wraps up the Sbooktober Readathon for me!
Let me know if you participated and how you did. 🙂🎃👻
Thanks for reading!
Title: Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Pages: 218
Genres: Middle Grade, Horror
Summary
Bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic.
After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she happens upon a crazed woman at the river threatening to throw a book into the water, Ollie doesn’t think–she just acts, stealing the book and running away. As she begins to read the slender volume, Ollie discovers a chilling story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who both loved her, and a peculiar deal made with “the smiling man,” a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price.
Ollie is captivated by the tale until her school trip the next day to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a haunting history all its own. There she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she’s been reading about. Could it be the story about the smiling man is true? Ollie doesn’t have too long to think about the answer to that. On the way home, the school bus breaks down, sending their teacher back to the farm for help. But the strange bus driver has some advice for the kids left behind in his care: “Best get moving. At nightfall they’ll come for the rest of you.” Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie’s previously broken digital wristwatch, a keepsake reminder of better times, begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN.
Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed the bus driver’s warning. As the trio head out into the woods–bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them–the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: “Avoid large places. Keep to small.”
And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much! Going into Small Spaces, I expected to enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to love it. After seeing a couple people talking about Small Spaces on Bookstagram, I thought it looked like a fun and quick read for Halloween, so I decided to check it out from the library, not anticipating much other than something festive to get me into the Halloween mood. Once I started reading, however, I knew this book was going to be so much more!
Hello everybody! With Halloween coming up this Wednesday, I thought it would be the perfect time to do the Halloween Book Tag! I stumbled upon this tag while actually googling festive, Halloween book tags to do, and I came across this one from the Sassy Book Geek a couple of years ago!
1.) Favorite Scary (Must Read) For Halloween?
I’m going to go with Small Spaces for this one! I recently read (and absolutely loved) this book, and it was just the right amount of spooky and festive for Halloween!
2.) Scariest Book Cover, Like Ever?
I can’t think of one for this one, and I’m writing this at night so I don’t really want to go digging around for creepy book covers before I go to bed, so…I’m leaving this one blank. 😂🙈
3.) If You Could Go Trick-or-Treating With Any Author, Who Would You Pick?
Maybe Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi? The Miss Peregrine series is quite spooky. Plus, they have the cutest little baby girl, and I bet she will be so adorable in her Halloween costume! Who doesn’t want to go trick or treating with cute little babies in cute little Halloween costumes?!
4.) If You Could Dress Up As Any Bookish Character For Halloween, Who Would You Be?
Back when the Nancy Drew movie came out, I dressed up as her for Halloween. I looked for a picture to include, because I know I have one somewhere, but I couldn’t find it! This was probably one of my favorite Halloween costumes ever, though! I was so pleased with it, haha. 🙂
5.) If You Could Find Anything (From Any Book) In Your Trick-or-Treat Stash, What Would You Hope To Find?
Okay, this is a tricky one! Maybe a big treasure like Edmond finds in The Count of Monte Cristo? To be fair, though, I’m still working through that one, so I don’t know how it ends yet. Come the end of the novel, I may want to change my mind, lol!
6.) In What Fictional World Would You Like To Go Trick-or-Treating?
I don’t actually ever recall them celebrating Halloween, but if they did, I’d love to go trick or treating in Avonlea! I bet Anne and her friends would come up with the most elaborate and fun costumes, and I would imagine everyone would give out delicious, homemade treats to eat!
7.) What Book Villain Would You Not Like To Meet Alone In A Dark Alley On Halloween?
All of them, lol! But, I’m going to go with The Trunchbull! She’s actually super scary and I have not doubt she would steal all my candy.
8.) Would You Rather Dress Up As A Vampire, Zombie, Werewolf, or Shadowhunter?
I think a vampire or a werewolf would be super fun!
9.) Pick A Candy (Just One) From Harry Potter That You Would Love To Find In Your Stash?
I’ve got to skip this one, because I’ve only read the first Harry Potter book, and I don’t remember any of the candy except for those jelly beans!
10.) What Is Your Favorite Halloween Candy?
Reese’s Peanut Butter cups! 😋🙌🏼
I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to this fun and festive tag! I encourage you to do it, too! Also, what’s your favorite candy?
Thanks for reading!
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Hello everyone! Today for Blogtober, I’ve got an extra special post! Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Tessa Emily Hall, award-winning author of Coffee Shop Devos, Unwritten Melody, Purple Moon, and her latest release, Fallen Leaves! Today, I’ll be sharing that interview, and how you can enter to win a fun prize pack!
It’s time for another Blogtober Book Quote! Today I’m back with another Ray Bradbury quote, but this time it’s from his widely famous novel, Fahrenheit 451! I absolutely love this book, and this particular quote describes the atmosphere of autumn so incredibly well.
The autumn leaves blew over the moonlit pavement in such a way as to make the girl who was moving there seem fixed to a sliding walk, letting the motion of the wind and the leaves carry her forward. […] The trees overhead made a great sound of letting down their dry rain.”
~ Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury just has such a way with words!
Okay, so last week I shared with you all my TBR for the Spookathon. Well, now that the readathon is over, and I’ve moved onto Sbooktober, I thought I’d share how this readathon turned out for me!
In honor of the recent release of Hester Fox’s debut novel, The Witch of Willow Hall, today I’m sharing with you all my thoughts about the book as well as how you can have the chance to win a copy, plus a fun and festive prize pack!
Title: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox
Pages: 368
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published by: Harlequin’s Graydon House Books (Oct. 2nd, 2018)
Summary
Two centuries after the Salem witch trials, there’s still one witch left in Massachusetts. But she doesn’t even know it.
Take this as a warning: if you are not able or willing to control yourself, it will not only be you who suffers the consequences, but those around you, as well.
New Oldbury, 1821
In the wake of a scandal, the Montrose family and their three daughters—Catherine, Lydia and Emeline—flee Boston for their new country home, Willow Hall.
The estate seems sleepy and idyllic. But a subtle menace creeps into the atmosphere, remnants of a dark history that call to Lydia, and to the youngest, Emeline.
All three daughters will be irrevocably changed by what follows, but none more than Lydia, who must draw on a power she never knew she possessed if she wants to protect those she loves. For Willow Hall’s secrets will rise, in the end…
Add to your TBR list: Goodreads
Available at: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thanks to the publisher and Barclay Publicity!*
When I first found out about this book I was instantly intrigued. The synopsis drew me in, and I just knew that this would be a book I would enjoy. The book’s description may be what caught my eye, but once I started reading, everything else about this book kept me hooked to the pages!
Hello! In honor of Blogtober and Blogoween, today I’m sharing with you all my TBR for the second readathon I’m participating in this month!
The Sbooktober Readathon started today, October 21st and goes through October 27th! You can click here to get all the details!
I’ve decided to join the Lycans team, led by Vanessa @ Paper Faerie! 🐺🌕
Alright, here’s the challenges and the books I’ve chosen:
Join Sbooktober
Read a Halloween themed book of your choice (thriller, supernatural, gothic, etc)
What better book to start things off with than Hocus Pocus?! It just screams Halloween!
Clan Up
Pick a clan and read a book featuring your mascot (Corpse brides can read a book involving any type of bride, and vampire bats can a read a book with vampires or bats).
I bought this book a couple years ago, and I still haven’t gotten around to reading it. Being that it involves werewolves, I thought now would be the perfect time to read Unleashed!
Enter the Haunted House
Read a book that includes a haunted house.
Perform an Incantation
Read a short story or poetry collection.
I’m combining these next two challenges, and reading the short story, The Grownup by Gillian Flynn. I’ll be honest, I’m kind of scared to read Gillian Flynn’s books, so I’m starting with a short story to get a feel for her writing style!
Face Your Fears
Read a book based on something you are, or have been, afraid of.
The Fall of Candy Corn will be a reread for me, but it’s one I remember enjoying so much! This series is about a girl who works at a theme park, and just like most theme parks, this one goes all out for Halloween and features tons of haunted houses and scary mazes. I am so afraid of jump scares, like they do in theme parks!
🐺Lycan Challenges🌕
Howl At The Moon
Read a book at nighttime.
Undead Girl Gang is actually Sbooktober’s group book, and I decided it would work really perfectly for this challenge!
Pack Instinct
Read a book you feel like everyone else has read and you don’t want to miss out on.
Everyone I know who has read A Discovery of Witches loves it so much! I really do feel like I’ve been missing out. Hopefully I’ll love this one just as much as everyone else seems to!
And there you have it! That’s my [overly ambitious] TBR for this week! While I won’t be able to read them all, I’m really looking forward to reading a lot and trying to get to as many as I can. 🙂
Let me know, are you participating in the Sbooktober Readathon?
Thanks for reading!
Title: And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich
Pages: 352
Genres: YA, Paranormal, Horror, Mystery
Published by: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (Sept. 6th, 2016)
Summary
Stay away from the woods…
When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt’s home, it’s immediately clear that the manor is cursed. The endless creaking of the house at night and the eerie stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too—questions that Silla can’t ignore: Why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer? Who is the beautiful boy who’s appeared from the woods? And who is the tall man with no eyes who Nori plays with in the basement at night… a man no one else can see?
I discovered And the Trees Crept In at a library book sale I recently went to. I’d never heard of the book, but was instantly intrigued by the synopsis, and since Halloween was quickly approaching, I decided to get it! And let me just say, I am so glad I did!
Hello! Today I’m going to be doing the Fall Book Tag! It was created by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm, and I discovered it over at Arwa’s blog, One’s Peculiar.
Alright, let’s get started:
RULES:
- Please link back to Bionic Book Worm, as the creator of this tag!!
- Use the graphics – if you want 🙂
- Have fun!
I thought Replica by Lauren Oliver was such a unique and intriguing read! From the format to the storyline, this book really hooked me!
Frenzy was such a great ending to an already great series! This entire book series drew me in on the very first page of the very first book and hooked me until the end!
The 5th Wave was filled with so much action and adventure! This book was utterly un-put-down-able!
A Map of Days is the book I’ve been anticipating most for the entirety of 2018! It just came out earlier this month, but I still haven’t been able to get a copy. I am so eager to read this book!!
This book gave me all the feels! From the family relationships Charlie and her family have, to just Bill in general, to the fact that Andie and Clark from The Unexpected Everything made a cameo appearance, Save the Date gave me all the warm and fuzzies!!
I’m including Danger at the Drawbridge by Mildred A. Wirt (the original Nancy Drew author!!), Shadowland by Meg Cabot, and Intermission by Serena Chase because I really loved all three of these books, and I feel like they’re underrated!
I Tag:
Kathy @ Pages Below the Vaulted Sky
And, of course, anyone else who wants to do this!
Thanks for reading!
the calico books 