May Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

Finally, things are starting to feel a little bit normal, especially because the schools in The Netherlands opened back up, which means that I could go back to work!

The government opened up the schools, with half of the kids in a classroom. That means I'm teaching 50% of my kids the one day, and the other 50% of the kids the next day.

This made me realize how much I've missed them and how much I've missed my job. I was inside the house all the time and I'm usually gone all the time. It feels good to be out the house every day and it gives me back a bit more of feeling like life is getting back to "normal". Next week all the restaurants will open, with half the customers and I'm going back to playing handball, so I feel very grateful.

I was able to read more, I could find the piece and quiet inside myself, so I'm happy about my blog posts this month. I decided to also pick up audiobooks again, since I felt like I missed that, now that I had to drive my car to work and back home again. That's usually the moment I love to listen to audiobooks.

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great month with loads of sunshine.

🌞

Review: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)

Author: James Dashner

Started reading: May 13th 2020

Finished the book: May 27th 2020

Pages: 384 / 12:42:09 hours

Genres: YA, Dystopian

Published: October 6th 2009

Source: Audiobook

Goodreads score: 4.02

My score:

Synopsis

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human. When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. Everything is going to change. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.
Remember. Survive. Run.

Review: In the Glow of the Lavalamp: Stories of Bad Sex and Other Misfortunes

Author: Lily Wilson

Started reading: May 10th 2020

Finished the book: May 14th 2020

Pages: 184

Genres: Short Stories, Humor, Sex

Published: April 2nd 2017

Source: Got a physical copy from the author

Goodreads score: Not enough ratings

My score:

Synopsis

In the Glow of the Lavalamp delivers ten stories of sex gone hilariously wrong, set in the bathtubs, back seats, battlegrounds, and bedrooms of America. These tales confirm that bizarre is indeed the nature of the universe and humor may be the best path through it. A grad student rappels down the side of a building on a bed sheet in an attempt to escape shame. An unlikely couple destroys a family heirloom when desire careens out of control. A bumbling lothario nearly beheads his lover when his seduction plans go awry. A middle-aged woman finds herself entwined in a passionate embrace at a Civil War battlefield. Earnest people, hell-bent on believing that reality lies at the surface of things, scramble toward acceptance of their humanity as they stumble over the unspoken and unacknowledged.

Review: The Otto Digmore Decision (Otto Digmore #2)

Author: Brent Hartinger
Started reading: May 17th 2020
Finished the book: May 21st 2020
Pages: 253
Genres: New Adult, LGBT
Published: January 15th 2020
Source: Digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.44
My score:

Synopsis

Otto Digmore is back, still trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood (despite his facial scars), but frustrated by all the schemers who'll stab you in the back to get ahead. But then Otto's good friend Russel Middlebrook sells a screenplay, a heist movie set in the Middle Ages — and Otto has been cast in an important supporting role! For twelve weeks, Otto and Russel will be on location together in England and Malta.
Problem is, once production is underway, it quickly becomes clear that the director is ruining Russel's script. If the movie ends up being the bomb that both Otto and Russel expect it to be, it could ruin both their Hollywood careers forever.

But Otto and Russel aren't willing to take that chance. Together, they hatch a crazy plan to make a good movie behind the director's back. But how far are they willing to go to save their careers? Are they willing to become exactly the kind of scheming backstabbers they always said they hated? And what if Otto and Russel disagree?

Review: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1)

Author: Andrew Peterson
Started reading: April 27th 2020
Finished the book: May 10th 2020
Pages: 304
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Published: March 18th 2008
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.30
My score:

Synopsis

Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning. Extra features include new interior illustrations from Joe Sutphin, funny footnotes, a map of the fantastical world, inventive appendices, and fanciful line art in the tradition of the original Frank L. Baum Wizard of Oz storybooks.

Magazine Review: SOILED

Today I'm reviewing a magazine filled with short stories for children about architecture and the built environment. The magazine has 180 pages and I will shortly talk about each story in the magazine.

The overall look for this magazine is great. The red and blue and all the geometric shapes made it look very attractive.

Review: Down to the Woods (Helen Grace #8)

Author: M.J. Arlidge
Started reading: April 27th 2020
Finished the book: May 3rd 2020
Pages: 492
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Published: September 20th 2018
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.20
My score:

Synopsis

There is a sickness in the forest. First, it was the wild horses. Now it's innocent men and women, hunted down and murdered by a faceless figure. Lost in the darkness, they try to flee, they try to hide. In desperation, they call out for help. But there is no-one to hear their cries here...

DI Helen Grace must face down a new nightmare. The arrow-ridden victims hang from the New Forest's ancient oaks, like pieces of strange fruit. Why are helpless holidaymakers being targeted in peak camping season? And what do their murders signify? Is a psychopath stalking the forest? Is there an occult element to the killings? Could the murders even be an offering to the Forest itself? Helen must walk into the darkness to discover the truth behind her most challenging, most macabre case yet.

Sunday Post #17

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Two Short Stories #11

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is an action paced short story and the other book is a wordless picture book.

Let's dive right in.

Review: The Eternal Winter (Stone Keepers, #2)

Author: J.L. Trepanier
Started reading: March 15th 2020
Finished the book: May 2nd 2020
Pages: 352
Genres: Fantasy
Published: March 4th 2020
Source: Audiobook from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis

Elaro may have returned home to Agraxia with the Stone of Courage in hand, his mission publicly declared a success, but he knows the truth: he failed his team--and himself. All he has left to show from his journey to Valeria is one traumatized alchemist and a feral human child named Abel.

Now, Elaro has been tasked with turning that feral child from a skittish little boy into the legendary human warrior meant to save Terranum. Unfortunately, Abel is hiding a dark secret that may put all of Terranum in jeopardy.

Between dealing with Abel’s violent outbursts and with the mistakes from Valeria following him around like ghosts, Elaro must find a way to prepare his new human apprentice for the future journey to the Tower of the Heavens— if he can trust him— without losing his own soul in the process.