Each of these books introduces another layer of paranormal being. We meet a poltergeist in this one. Sadly, we don’t get to know the ghost in the depth we have in the others, witches and vampires. Maybe that is yet to come? I suggest it.
Anyway, as fun as the previous books were, this one didn’t let me down. I’m getting used to not sleeping because the book has me wrapped up in all the yarn tangles.
I love the author’s way of telling a story and I think that Sarah Zimmerman brings it all to life. Her ability to switch accents or voices to act out each character.
My biggest problem is not being able to find another boxed set for books 10-12. Seems like I’ll have to read them one by one.
Bring ’em on! I love this series!
Category: Reading
The Vampire Knitting Club Boxed Set: Books 4-6 by Nancy Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This review is for the Audible edition with this ASIN: B09Z7BLVY4, with Sarah Zimmerman as narrator. The writing is marvelous, but Ms. Zimmerman’s acting is superb!
This series is so much fun that I can’t wait for the next box-set batch of books. As of the middle of the night, I’m already on to books 7-9. It is so much fun it is hard to leave the books and actually go to sleep at night.
Not into vampires, no worries. No biting happens; none of the scary or boring vamps who do interviews. Not conversant in knitting? No problem; no patterns are thrown in the works to get tangled in.
Yet, if you have had some experience with either the undead or yarn, you will feel the author is writing for you personally.
There is a little paranormal romance, but not enough to gum up the works. There is witchy fun despite the cozy murders that keep happening in each book. Regardless of these inabilities, the un-undead, non-knitting heroine will get it figured out.
Now back to my reading/listening fun.
My Planet: Finding Humor in the Oddest Places by Mary Roach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The world is far too serious. A person needs to step away and see the humor where they can. Here is a step in the right direction.
Have you read Mary Roach’s Stiff? If so, you will need no pushing to pick this up. Ms. Roach has the best sense of humor. This is a dangerous book if you are attempting to be quiet while your partner sleeps. I almost blew a gasket, trying to prevent the laugh-out-loud experience.
I wasn’t thrilled with narrator Angela Dawe’s voice, but I got used to it, and she had a handle on the reader or listener’s funny bones. Mary Roach just told stories about her life, or her take on life, and I can guarantee these situations you have lived through and had similar thoughts but maybe didn’t laugh as hard as the stories caused.
Though this was an Audible, I bet you could pick this up at the library. Give yourself a break for joy.
The Vampire Knitting Club Boxed Set, Books #1-3 by Nancy Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh, boy!!! This was so much fun!!! I’ve already picked up the next box set of three books. Sarah Zimmerman, the narrator, made this story even more fun.
Though we had vampires, there was no blood-sucking. And though knitting was part of the story, no patterns were given. Though for some of us, that would be fun to try, I think that would steal the magic from the story. And not all crocheters are saints! That’s all I’m saying about that.
And you don’t have to be a knitter or a vampire lover to love these stories. Just be ready for magic.
The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
From my stationary bike, I felt a part of this story. It inspired me to hope that maybe I would find my way to getting a real bicycle that would work out here in the dirt road backcountry I find myself a part of.
This seems a gentle beach story at first. But soon, a person can see there are many subjects brought up from the character’s point of view. A person needs to see all the layers of the story involved. Some may not agree with the views presented, but grab what you may and enjoy what you can. Mostly enjoy this young woman’s life and journey as she finds her way to adulthood.
I was lucky to be able to read this Kindle edition through NetGalley. Thank you.
My Alien Life by J. Martain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I don’t know how I heard of this book. It’s been sitting in my currently-reading list on GoodReads for quite a while. I think I loved the title. But it wasn’t what I thought. I finished my last read and was still awake, so I started this. Before I knew it, this book was gone. Oh! Oops! I didn’t realize it was just a novella or short story.
Something about this story reminded me of Where the Crawdads Sing. But I guess it was because of being raised a little differently than the norm.
I liked it because it made me think of my grandmothers and wish I had spent more time with them. But other than that, it was too short. I wanted to know what happened next. But that seems to be a standard complaint of mine. All books and stories are too short!
Anyway, this is it if you’re looking for something short and sweet.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Stephen King (Author, Narrator), Seth Numrich (Narrator), made this a story I didn’t want to end. It was difficult to put it down, even at four o’clock in the morning!
Just to let you know, I don’t like scary. Not books or shows. Sure, I like my Walking Dead, but the scary isn’t the zombies; it is other humans who think they know what everyone should want.
The other thing I don’t like is one more rewritten fairy tale. Ugh! But this isn’t. The fairy tale references are more a way for the reader to relate to what is going on for the main character, Charlie Reade. More than 40% of the book is about getting to know this young teen. You grow to love him and feel for him.
Please read the blurb here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6…
By the way, I was lucky to pick this up from Libby Audio. The narrator is so fabulous at all his voices, and I never felt he was demeaning to the characters he played, even though a few characters were horrible beings.
This wasn’t scary. Let me say that again. It is a little thrilling as you watch the adventure unfold, but not in a horror film way.
I hope you get the chance to read this or give it a listen (preferred). Enjoy!
A Witch in Wolf Wood: The Complete Series Books 1-5 by Lindsay Buroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a refreshingly fun read. First, it is only $.99 for the whole book bundle. I listened to text-to-speech. If you need to see what pulled me to read it:
Bookish introvert Morgen Keller never thought she would have a midlife crisis. That was before her husband divorced her, her boss let her go, and her grandmother died.
Forty wasn’t supposed to look like this.
When Morgen inherits Grandma’s old farmhouse in the small town of Bellrock, Washington, it could be a chance for a fresh start.
There are just a few problems…
A fearsome werewolf has claimed the property for himself, Grandma didn’t die of natural causes, and, oh, she was a witch.
Embroiled in a mystery, and heir to powers she knew nothing about, Morgen must turn to the only person who might be able to help: the werewolf who threatened to rip her throat out for trespassing.
This isn’t the fresh start on life that Morgen had in mind.
~~~
Lindsay Buroker has become a new favorite author. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. There were times in the book when she made the main character laugh at the author. I laughed out loud and woke my husband. Sorry.
I’d love to meet up with the characters later. I’d love to watch how the story unfolds after the end.
Meanwhile, I have picked up a couple of other book deals by the author to read in the future. I can hardly wait.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are many reviews of this book. It seems you either love it or hate it. I think I am near to the love it stage. After reading some really serious books recently, this book was fun. I’m 73. I lived through all of this that seems not to have disappeared at all. In fact, the feministic things that seemed to have happened in this book haven’t happened; any more than a dog with an excellent vocabulary hasn’t occurred. However, I do believe the dog part more than the female advancement that fictionally occurred here.
Outside of the near murder of a rapist by pencil near the beginning, most of this book is aimed at the hope that things can change, even though the 50s and 60s didn’t advance most of us.
The best part of this book was the voice of Miranda Raisom, the narrator. She kept the book lively and showed the humor within it.
The interview with the author, Bonnie Garmus, and Pandora Sykes at the book’s end was also interesting.
Rather than taking it to heart, I suggest this as a beach or summer read.
I am so grateful for the library system that helps us all read more, even when funds are less. I listened to the Libby audiobook.
It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond by Julia Cameron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve been meaning to review this. I finally remembered. A friend and I have been working through the book as a sort of class to get our creative muses up and running again. We would do the tasks and work on our memoirs as homework. We both picked up quite a bit through this book.
We both had the paperback, and I had the Audible, which we would listen to on Zoom while we followed along in the paper copy. That worked pretty well. We both felt we got more in touch with areas of our lives we wanted to improve.
My biggest gripe was that I felt too old for the book. It seems if you are an early retiree, this would be perfect. We had already passed the floundering when you aren’t part of the workforce. If, in fact, you are at that stage, I think this would be the perfect book to start the next part of your life.
Heather Henderson (Narrator) was excellent in leading our little ‘class.’
Darswords 
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