Pick-a-Shelf discussion

What did you read for supernatural?

Did you discover a new supernatural being? Or did you read a stereotypical/typecast supernatural ones?

I read Trail of Lightning which had the typical supernatural beings- gods and spirit beings, monster, zombies and vampire type creatures. It was a short and compelling read and I want to read the sequel .

I read The Haunting of Brynn Wilder, which was a bust for me. It was more of a slice of life/romance with a side of mystery than it was a supernatural story. The conclusion felt a little lackluster. Since it's so early in the month I may try something else :)

I read You Let Me in which was a really creepy book about faeries. Or you could believe her psychologist which would make it a book about psychosis caused by trauma which is really disturbing!

Coralie, that sounds awesome! And creepy.

Coralie, your description of the book was just intriguing enough that I went to check it out. I have been avoiding horror with determination, but the book description lured me in. I have added it to my wishlist!

My first supernatural read of the month was a dud. Scarlet Heat was supposed to be a sexy vampire book but had the stupidest women characters in the history of fiction. They were dumb as rocks!!! ALL of them were TSTL - and this includes the heroine, a witch that helps her out and TWO female villains. I laughed my ass off when the hero chomped the head of one of them. I was like...THAT'll teach you!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

ETA:
Rating: 2 stars
Used for: Bookpoly
Nominate: action

I forgot to post this here :)

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan 3 stars

It's supernatural because there is a witch who casts a spell, etc.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I nominate beach reads

Hounded by Kevin Hearne - 4 stars

Thanks, Tien, for recommending this book to me! I would never have considered reading it if not for your recommendation and this month's shelf - and I'm so glad I did!

The book does not only have supernatural beings of several sorts (druids, vampires, witches, werewolves, ancient gods... you name it), but is also humorous, which I didn't expect. It is fast-paced, adventurous, and highly entertaining.

Totally loved it!

*

I nominate animals.

I've read two supernatural books so far and they were so-so.

This first is Love and Other Wild Things by Molly Harper. I loved the first book in this series set in a quirky town in which the supernatural and human residents live side by side. This 2nd book is OK but lacking the romantic elements that made the first book so entertaining.

The second book is Bound to Darkness by Lara Adrian. This is book 13 in a long running series in which vampires are actually the offspring of aliens who travelled to Earth centuries ago. I love the premise of this series and rated most of the previous books highly. Nevertheless, this one fell kind of flat mainly because the heroine is SO whinny and annoying that I just wanted to slap her silly.

Just in case you have already checked, I just remembered to nominate something.

First Supernatural book I read this month was The Last Star. It is the last book in The 5th Wave trilogy. And I was rather disappointed. It seemed to drag so much more than the others, the characters were just... I don't know, out of character/changed/now irritating/something. And the ending was not satisfying. 2 stars, seriously was not feeling it.
Was able to use in my Seriously Serial challenge and Trim the TBR.

I nominate Fae.

Oops! I also forgot to nominate a shelf.
I nominate love-hate relationship.

I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I enjoy this series and have read it many times. This book is my favorite in the series. I used it for a few of this season's challenges. I nominate mysteries
5 stars.

I read The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
2.5*

My rating doesn't reflect the quality of this book, more just that it wasn't for me. The first in this series was ok because I was interested in the way Greek myth was built into the modern world. But with that out of the way, this second book was just another kids fantasy adventure. Fine if that's what you like, but it wasn't right for me.

Used for seriously serial
I nominate beach reads

Meg wrote: "I read The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
2.5*

My rating doesn't reflect the quality of this book, more just that it wasn't for me. The first in this series was ok bec..."

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm planning to read this book very soon as I also need it for Let's Book It May. I loved the first one for the same reason you mention, but I'm not sure a simple kids fantasy adventure would be my cup of tea, either...

Meg wrote: "I read The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
2.5*

My rating doesn't reflect the quality of this book, more just that it wasn't for me. The first in this series was ok bec..."

Rick Riordan's books aren't for me, either, but some of my kids liked them.

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Meg wrote: "I read The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
2.5*
"

Hopefully you like it - it might be one that depends on your mood. I read the audio and I didn't think the narrator was great, which doesn't help. Either way, at least it's a quick read!

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Hounded by Kevin Hearne - 4 stars

Thanks, Tien, for recommending this book to me! I would never have considered reading it if not for your recommendation and this m..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Marina!!

I borrowed book 3 from the library when we pulled this shelf and err, got home & realised that I haven't read book 2 yet lol Haven't had a chance to get back to library yet, ah wells...

Lol Tien, I need to rely on Goodreads to check which books I've already read, I'd do the same otherwise 😂

I have not gotten to the book I planned to read, but I just realized that one I am struggling with (genre: horror) fits this shelf. I will report back once I have completed it.

D.G. wrote: "My first supernatural read of the month was a dud. Scarlet Heat was supposed to be a sexy vampire book but had the stupidest women characters in the history of fiction. They were du..."

Oh we can nominate shelves? In that case, I nominate action.

oh no, DG, didn't you know... did you know there are points in nominations too? Here they are:

Entries for your nominated shelf will be calculated as follows;
+1 - posting the book you've read for this Monthly Shelf & star rating
+1 - word review (at least 3 sentences of your thoughts/feelings on the book)
+1 - link to another PAS challenge* where you've included this book

*if you link to 2 other PAS challenges, you'll earn 2 additional entries, and so on.


how-to thread

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Lol Tien, I need to rely on Goodreads to check which books I've already read, I'd do the same otherwise 😂"

I usually do but I think that day I got too lazy at the library...

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Book #2 in Wayward Children
4.5 stars

Often I think I'm done with fantasy/paranormal stories, but then I find a series like this that reminds me that it can be amazing. This story focuses more on character details than on magical details, but still introduces a fascinating world (or worlds). Creepy vampires, a mad scientist, queer romance, strained family relationships, a magic world inside a hidden doorway - this book has it all.

Used for Let's Book It, Trim that TBR, and Seriously Serial
I nominate domestic thriller

Finished The Birthing House. This book has been on my TBR since 2013. I finally read it for Trim as one of the books for the lowest ratings. I gave it 3*.

My biggest issue with it was that it was Genre: Horror. Since my husband's death, my tolerance for this genre has waned. I no longer desire the darkness of most of that genre.

The interesting part to me occurred after reading the book, when I learned that this is a debut book and that the author lives in a birthing house of his own! Yikes!

I nominate young adult as an antidote to this darkness!

Tien wrote: "oh no, DG, didn't you know... did you know there are points in nominations too? Here they are:

Entries for your nominated shelf will be calculated as follows;
+1 - posting the book you've read for..."

Oh thanks for the info, Tien! I was out of GR for a lot of 2018-2020 (when my husband got sick and passed away) so I didn't realize the changes.

I'll update my post above to add the rating and shelf. :)

I read Blood Trail by Tanya Huff ★★★, which I also read for Bookopoly and Let's Book It!.

It's the 2nd book in a series that takes place in Canada, full of the zeitgeist of the '90s, which some years ago inspired Blood Ties.-

In the first book we meet Vicky Nelson, a private investigator whose apparently routinary case takes a supernatural turn. In that first book she meets Henry Fitzroy, and one of the most interesting aspects of the novel is watching them work together and learn more about each other. So when I grabbed the second installment I believed it would pick up the story from where the first book had left it but, for some reason, the book started months later and the reader is only given a few clues about what happened in those months.

Vicky again has a case with supernatural aspects but, in this case, it's the victims that are unusual, and she ends having to abandon the city, where she feels safe, to travel to their farm.

The story was interesting and I really enjoyed the change of setting, the dynamics between the characters and how her friend from her cop days- and occasional lover- gets entangled in the whole mess and I'll definitely keep reading the series, but I believe the author missed many opportunities to make this book more suspenseful and memorable. All the elements were there! Instead, the supernatural elements were introduced directly and so were the culprits and their motives, leaving us waiting for the main character to catch up... I remember the TV series had many suspenseful moments, so I suppose someone added them later.

I really like these old covers! Rating: 3 stars ~ Shelf nomination: Space

D.G. wrote: "Oh thanks for the info, Tien! I was out of GR for a lot of 2018-2020 (when my husband got sick and passed away) so I didn't realize the changes."

oh D.G., I'm so sorry; what a tough couple of years you've had... I did notice that you weren't around much and I did think life's probably busy but my heart goes to you & family xo

ps: not to worry about updating your post; I've noted your nominations :)

I read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. ★★★★


This is the story of a young boy who grows up in a graveyard raised by ghosts and other occupants of the cemetery. As a toddler, he wanders to the cemetery after his family is murdered and the tale begins. I enjoyed the story and the cast of characters that raise the boy.

I nominate beach reads.

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov - 4 stars

I read this book for the first time when I was about 20, and I remember loving it. This time I loved it, too, but I think I read it in a different way. You can either read it as a classic "fantasy" novel or as a complex classic dealing with Russian society, culture, and politics of the time. I decided to both enjoy the supernatural story and understand a little more about the context. I was helped by this awesome website, which I definitely recommend to anyone who wants to understand more about this wonderful novel.

It might not be the easiest read, but it's worth every minute.

*

Used for Bookopoly and Trim That TBR.

I re-nominate animals.

I read The Restorer by Amanda Stevens [26-may-2021] ★★★


I really liked the mystery vibe and paranormal part of the book. The plot was good with several plot twist and it kept me guessing about who was the murderer. The romance however was lacking and the end was not completely satisfying. I hope the next book gives more answers.

Used for:
- Let's book it May - borrowed
- Seriously serial

I'd like to nominate:
Gift

I read Thunderhead by Douglas Preston.

4.5 Stars

I absolutely loved this adventure into Utah with great characters, archeological finds and just the perfect hint of supernatural horror.

I nominate vampire

Lusie wrote: "I read The Restorer by Amanda Stevens [26-may-2021] ★★★


I really liked the mystery vibe and paranormal part of the book. The plot wa..."

I love this series and the gothic atmosphere.

I read a second book that fits this shelf. I read Interview with the Vampire. I'm not sure if it was because it was an audiobook and the narrator was fantastic, or the wording was just that lovely, but boy was this nice to listen to lol. Very much enjoyed it and definitely plan on continuing the series. 5 stars.
Fit the Seriously Serial Challenge.
If I'm allowed to nominate again for a second book (have never made note of that before cause I usually only do one), then I nominate Fae for this one too.

I read two books for this shelf, and both were fine, but not quite my cup of tea right now. I'm not sure why, but maybe I've overloaded on fantasy and need more mystery or science fiction to round out my reading diet.

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London was disappointing primarily because it's by the author of the Abhorsen series. I'm giving it 3 stars, but rounded up from 2.5, and in my opinion, it doesn't really measure up to those books. I read it for Bookopoly.

Fated is the first in a series that I thought I'd enjoy. But again, I'm giving it a scan 3 stars, and probably won't be following up with any more in the series. I didn't manage to make it fit into any challenges.

Susan wrote: "The Left-Handed Booksellers of London was disappointing primarily because it's by the author of the Abhorsen series. I'm giving it 3 stars, b ..."

oh no!! I enjoyed it, actually, I thought it was just a lot of fun. Definitely not as epic as Abhorsen so I guess I understand that this just didn't measure up to your expectation after Abhorsen lol

I didn't plan much since I thought I'd hit this shelf even as I read as per usual...

Rivers of London (Rivers of London #1) ★★★★
This has been on my radar for a while though I never added it to my TBR formally... for some reason, title nor cover appeals but it was on audio and I decided to give this one a go. It was a fun supernatural mystery; enjoyed it & will try the next in series

Crescent Calling (The Crescent Witch Chronicles #1) ★★★
An easy fluff witchy read - nothing particularly stand out but it was just relaxing

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3) ★★★
ah... not sure if I liked that ending... poor Harry! Sometimes, I wish he's a bit less of a bumbling sort of man. And I just found out that there was a tv series based on this series!! Not the best, I think I only managed half a season before I got kinda bored lol

Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 3 ★★★★
A well-loved series which I loved seeing in manga illustrations!

This was a pretty easy shelf for me since I do read a lot of paranormal - I was lazy updating though. Sorry!


Book: Equal Rites - 05.07 ★★★
# Tags: 16
Review:
Not really my favorite genre - being more fantasy than paranormal. I had trouble getting into it but people tell me this isn't the best entry into Discworld. I'll try a another to see if it sparks my interest more.
Challenges: May Let's Book It
Nomination: wizards

Book: Lacybourne Manor - 05.11 ★★★★
# Tags: 23
Review:
More my style! Fairly typical Kristen Ashley style although the male MC wasn't as heavy handed as usual. Well, not after the first 3rd of the book. Anyway, was interesting reading about how the past connected to the future.
Challenges: May Let's Book It
Nomination: gothic

Book: Twice Tempted - 05.12 ★★★★
# Tags: 133
Review:
I love Jeaniene Frost and her world. Although I was glad to see Vlad come around, I thought he swung a little too far from his aloof self. But I'm not complaining!
Challenges: May Let's Book It
Nomination: vampires

Book: Changeless - 05.31 ★★★★
# Tags: 278
Review:
It's been along time for me between books so it took me a bit to remember all the connections. I really love Alexia's snark! And her relationship with Conall is fun. I didn't like the ending and I understand it's drawn out for awhile in the next book - but better one book than a whole series! Moving right along to the next though!
Challenges: April Let's Book It
Nomination: steampunk