Little Free Library - My 3rd LFL Find In San Ramon, California

Tonight my hubby and I found a new Little Free Library in San Ramon, California... So new in fact, that the paint made the door stick and difficult to open!!

However, this Little Free Library is adorable!! It was a little difficult to locate at first because it is behind a rather large commercial property near the front entrance to a gymnastic school/academy. 

I was able to snag a copy of Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor from this Little Free Library.

Have you found a new to you Little Free Library lately?

Great News!! Los Angeles County Library Named National Award Finalist!

I learned through LA's NBC news station that Los Angeles County Library Named National Award Finalist! 

I learned the following information from reading the online article:

The Los Angeles County Library was named a finalist Monday for the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Thirty museums and libraries from across the country made the list of finalists announced by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It's the second year in a row LA County Library has been named a finalist.

Finalists are chosen for their noteworthy and innovative contributions to their local communities, according to the IMLS.

"The 30 National Medal finalists showcase the tremendous ability of libraries and museums to serve as vital community resources," IMLS Director Kathryn Matthew said. "The Institute of Museum and Library Services is honored to recognize these leading institutions.

Question of the Day... Are Your Used Books Worth Anything?

Yesterday, I came across an interesting article from Forbes Magazine's website titled, Are Your Used Books Worth Anything? by David Seideman. In the article, David Seideman wrote the following information:

Last March, Heritage Auctions sold a signed and inscribed first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby from 1925 for $162,500 at a rare book sale in New York City.

On Sunday, I took a break from my regular sports collectibles beat and spent two-and-a-half hours at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair’s Discovery Day. The hosts invited guests to “bring up to five treasures to be evaluated by our experts.” This is the book world’s annual version of the Antiques Roadshow.

A few of the 100 book owners on line carried small treasures, but the rest didn’t cover the fair’s $25 admission cost. I asked two dealers what the odds are of them striking pay dirt during their house calls to appraise personal collections. While one said the chances are one out of 10, another thought it’s more like one out of a 1,000.

David Seideman goes on to write in his article about which types of books are in demand and which books aren't in demand. Click on the very first link to read the entire article.

Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon

Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon is the third book I've read by Elle Boon. It's also the first book in the Iron Wolves MC Series. If you enjoy paranormal romances, then this novel may be the one for you.

I was able to download the ebook edition of Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon.

Although I've enjoyed reading other books by Elle Boon, Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon missed the mark for me. Sure there's some pretty hot sex scenes... And Rowan Shade sounds like a hottie. 

Overall though, the storyline, characters, and writing for Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon were so-so. I felt like the male characters were really sexist in their views of women and sex. Other plot details needed more flushing out in my opinion as well. Also, the abrupt ending for Lyric's Accidental Mate was awful. Additionally, some minor editing work needed to be done in a few areas of Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon.

The following is a plot summary for Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon from Amazon:

From USA Today Bestselling Author Elle Boon comes the first book in her bestselling series with over 500 Reviews. Find out how getting bit, makes a SEAL like Rowan Shade so much more and see how Lyric, a shifter, goes from savior to the one in need of saving.

Rowan would give his life to protect the woman he loves. Lyric is determined to save Rowan, even if it’s from her own pack. When They Collide, everything changes….

A WOMAN IN NEED OF SAVING…Lyric Carmichael is a shifter who’s used to fighting with odds stacked against her, but this time she might’ve bitten off more than she can chew. 

A BADASS SOLDIER…Rowan Shade, a Navy SEAL who’s used to wading into battles doesn’t hesitate when he sees a gorgeous woman being attacked by a group of men, only this time he might be the one needing saved. 

A LOVE BEYOND REASON…As Lyric introduces Rowan to her world as a new shifter, danger to the pack intensifies. Pack is everything to the Iron Wolves and when one of their own betrays them, they face a battle that could destroy them from the inside out.

A BAD GIRL WITH A BITE…A TOUGH AS NAILS SOLDIER… 

When They Collide, everything changes…

I am giving Lyric's Accidental Mate by Elle Boon a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Do We Still Need the Nobel Prize in Literature? Great Question!

I came across a thought provoking article on Electric Literature's website titled, Do We Still Need the Nobel Prize in Literature? by Carrie V. Mullins. In the article, Carrie V. Mullins wrote the following:

The Nobel Prize has been awarded in five categories since 1895, and over that time it has gained a serious amount of cultural cachet. You probably respect a Nobel laureate even if you don’t know much, if anything, about the actual criteria considered for the prize. Nobel stipulated that the prize for literature should honor the person who produced “the most outstanding work in an ideal direction.” It’s a vague directive, and one that has caused many issues of interpretation. Sara Danius, who was the Permanent Secretary of the Academy until she resigned last year, once told an audience at Duke, her alma matter, “What does it take to win the Nobel Prize in Literature? What do I know? I don’t know. All I know is that the criteria are simple, but tough. You get awarded not for a single work, but for a life’s work. You are expected to come up with something new in terms of content or form or both. And that is how you win the Nobel Prize in Literature.” In short, it’s an easily manipulated set of standards, and we just have to accept that the Academy knows what it’s doing. The problem is, that’s no longer obvious.

Carrie V. Mullins makes some good points in her article. Click on the above link to read the entire article. 

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is the fourth novella/short story I've read in the Cyborg Sizzle Series by Cynthia Sax. Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is approximately 68 pages and is the 13th read Cyborg Sizzle Series.

I was able to download Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax to my Kindle for FREE from Amazon. Below is my honest, unbiased review of Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax.

I must say that I really liked reading Jumping Barrel, Being Green, and Knowing Zip by Cynthia Sax despite each one being predictable, formulaic, and easy breezy reads. But hey, sometimes lowbrow reads are needed!

Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax is another predictable, formulaic, and easy breezy read. It pretty much follows the same formula as the three previous Cyborg Sizzle Series books I read and was as expected in that way. 

However, as much as I've liked the Cyborg Sizzle Series thus far, Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax was lacking/annoying to me... I felt somethings were said repeatedly between the two main characters. Like how many time can you say the same thing but in a slightly different without it becoming annoying??

Yes, there's also a lot of Insta-Love/Insta-Lust too in Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax, which I didn't mind as there was also action and a storyline as well. The dialogue between the main characters is a bit cheesy, but also part of the charm perhaps?

Below is the plot summary for Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax from Amazon:

A cyborg warrior and a Rebel female’s first mission together might be their last.

Arsenal considers himself to be a disposable cyborg. He drifts from assignment to assignment, forming no connections to anything or anyone. When the cyborg council requires a warrior for a high-risk mission, Arsenal volunteers. He believes no one will miss him if he dies.

He doesn’t realize he’s one female’s fantasy.

The moment Vicuska glimpses Arsenal’s image, she knows he’s the male she wants to spend her last moments in the universe caressing. The Rebel female craves the cyborg’s grim-lipped kisses, desires the touch of his hands, hears his deep voice in her dreams.

Their mission will end in explosions and death. That is certain if they fail or if they succeed. Whether or not they’ll find love during their dangerous assignment is the unknown.

All in all, I thought Dark Arsenal by Cynthia Sax was just okay and am giving it a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick

The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick is a steampunk, romance short story approximately 58 pages in length. 

I was able to download the ebook edition of The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick to my Kindle from Amazon for FREE. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick.

I like discovering new authors and exploring genres (like steampunk) that I only occasionally read from time to time. Short stories are often one of the best ways for me to discover new to me authors and expand my reading horizons. 

With that said, I wasn't wowed by The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick after I'd finished reading it. The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick was too predictable. The writing was okay. The storyline, characters, plot details, and dialogue all could have been vastly improved to make this short story a more captivating read for me.

The following is a plot summary for The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick from Amazon:

A gypsy's promise. A clockwork poison. A race to save a love balanced on the edge.

On the night they were to elope, a spurned lover returned. A gift, she claimed. But the clockwork contraption unwound a poisonous bloom, sending Lady Emily and Luca, her gypsy love, on a desperate race to reach the cure.

Note: The Tin Rose is a short story of about 9,000 words. The story takes place a few months before The Golden Spider opens.

I am giving The Tin Rose by Anne Renwick a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons

I read the ebook edition of Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons, which is a paranormal romance/erotica novella approximately 130 pages in length. Once Upon A Tiger is also the first book in the Tiger Shifters Series.

I was able to download Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons to my Kindle from Amazon for FREE. Below is my honest, unbiased  review of Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons.

In general, I like reading paranormal romances/erotica novellas and novels when they are done well. I enjoyed the premise and storyline behind Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons. The writing itself was okay, although some minor editing work needed to be done. The characters were decent. But overall, I felt like the storyline needed more punch to it. 

Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons was simply an okay read for me... An afternoon reading escape. I won't be continuing with the Tiger Shifters Series.

The following is a plot summary for Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons from Amazon:

She’ll never run.

Among the tiger shifters, Alexis Tarasova is regarded as fierce and dangerous, with a reputation that would make even the most daring tiger think twice about challenging her. Female tiger shifters may be rare and the mating run a critical part of their species’s survival, but Alexis is the only female Tracker and will not back down, even at the threat of tiger law. She will not be forced to mate. So when a handful of males band together to force her to participate in the run, Alexis chooses to stand her ground and fight instead.

He's forbidden to run.

Outcast from the tiger shifters after a vicious childhood attack left him mute, Victor Romanov has never taken part in the mate run. He’s never particularly cared, though, since the woman he loves refuses to take a mate. However, when he learns Alexis may be in danger, all bets are off. Nothing will keep him from her side.

Together, they’re unmovable.

The chemistry between them burns wickedly hot and forges them into an unbeatable pair. Alexis knows that being with Victor means she will have to break another one of her people’s laws—a move that might push the tigers too far. But, for Victor, she will risk everything, including her life, and do what she thought she’d never do—run.

I am giving Once Upon A Tiger by Kat Simons a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart

I read Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart in a single afternoon! Taming The Alpha is a paranormal romance/erotica novella approximately 129 pages in length and is the first novella in the Crescent Moon Series.

I was able to download Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart to my Kindle for FREE. Below is my honest, unbiased review of Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart.

I liked Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart. The writing was good for this type of genre. The characters and storyline were entertaining as well. So if you like paranormal romances/erotica with werewolf shape shifters, then this may be the read for you.

Below is the plot summary for Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart from Amazon:

After a year of lusting after his sexy employee, werewolf pack-leader Grant broke his no-involvement-with-humans rule and made a move on Talia. A month later the sex is still red hot and everything between them is perfect. Or so he thought. Until the night he shows up at her place expecting their usual ritual of mind-blowing sex and finds out she has other plans. And they don’t include him.

When Talia announces she’s tired of being his last priority, Grant realizes he might lose the only woman he’s ever cared about. He has to do something fast to fix their relationship, but she’s completely unaware that he’s not human. He’s not above using sex to bind her to him, but when she wants more than that he has a risky decision to make. If he admits the truth he risks not only his heart, but the safety of his pack and the existence of all supernatural beings as well.

I am giving Taming The Alpha by Savannah Stuart a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Women by Alice Walker (Poem) ~ Happy International Women's Day!!

Women by Alice Walker has been a long time favorite poem for me! I love the imagery of strong, smart women providing a pathway for future generations.