All The Books : August & September 2018 - Part 1 : Giveaways, Non Fiction & Reviews

You know, no matter what life throws at me, I try to keep a positive attitude! And I feel really blessed because this period in my life was filled with books!

I managed to accrue a pile of books that can literally bury me; so many, in fact, that I had to split this particular post up into multiple parts....!

So, without any further ado, let's get on with the show! Lol

Giveaway Wins

I participated in a Read-A-Thon during July, hosted by PopTheButterfly (on Instagram), and I won one of the prizes - I was shocked but extremely happy!! Thank you, Paige!

The prize included a "colour your own" bookmark and a pack of Children of Blood and Bone temporary tattoos.

Timeless by R. A. Salvatore (Uncorrected Proof): I have not read this yet, but I hope to soon.

Centuries ago, in the city of Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, the City of Drow, nestled deep in the unmerciful Underdark of Toril, a young weapon master earned a reputation far above his station or that of his poor house.

The greater nobles watched him, and one matron, in particular, decided to take him as her own. She connived with rival great houses to secure her prize, but that prize was caught for her by another, who came to quite enjoy the weapon master.

This was the beginning of the friendship between Zaknafein and Jarlaxle, and the coupling of Matron Malice and the weapon master who would sire Drizzt Do’Urden.

R. A. Salvatore reveals the Underdark anew through the eyes of Zaknafein and Jarlaxle—an introduction to the darkness that offers a fresh view of the opportunities to be found in the shadows and an intriguing prelude to the intriguing escapes that lie ahead in the modern-day Forgotten Realms. Here, a father and his son are reunited and embark on adventures that parallel the trials of centuries long past as the friends of old are joined by Drizzt, Hero of the North, trained by Grandmaster Kane in the ways of the monk.

But the scourge of the dangerous Lolth’s ambitions remain, and demons have been foisted on the unwitting of the surface. The resulting chaos and war will prove to be the greatest challenge for all three.

Fenrir Chronicles : The Prince by Nanishka Torres: including a hand written note from the author.

In the realm of Fenrir, the royal family reigns with peace and justice. Science and reason are the driving forces behind every diplomatic decision. Religion is not allowed in the political arena.

Most people respect that decree.

The radically religious group known as Staxeons do not.

Prince Callum is diplomatic. That is until Staxeons kidnap the man he loves. Then he will do anything required to make sure he is returned safely.

That includes seeking the help of the enemy.

The world knows what Fenrir's prince is capable of.

The Staxeons are about to learn first hand.

Rating: 3/5

I also won a bunch of vouchers from Bargain Books SA and that is how I secured most of these books! Thank you so much!

Review Copies & ARCs

Running With The Wolves by J. E. Reed

Ten realms will test everything.

For two years she led an alliance, forming bonds with people from around the world—but someone was watching. Chronopoint was only meant to be a game, until she found herself trapped in that world.

Fighting to survive, Kiuno discovers she’s not the only player who has been thrown into this strange land. Hideous, twisted monsters only seen in nightmares plague their every move. Untold powers lie at the hands of the chosen and flames dance at her fingertips.

Can Kiuno find the players from her alliance or will she be too late and discover death has taken far more than she ever imagined?

Find my full review up on my blog.

Rating: 4/5

Brother Thomas And The Guardians Of Zion : Foundations Of Faith by Michael Chrobak

Thomas could think of a million places he'd rather be right now than on a Confirmation retreat. After all, his parents had forced him to attend. It's only Saturday morning and already he wants to leave. All that changes when Thomas is challenged by a dark presence that wants nothing more than to see his faith fail, a faith he didn't even know he had. As the darkness consumes him, Thomas' entire world breaks apart. Can Thomas find the strength to resist the darkness? Will he become the person Father Dominic believes he will be? Can he really accept the quest to find the Guardians of Zion or was that just a dream? If only he had superpowers. But then again, perhaps he does...

Review coming soon!

Orpheus by Katja Bart

"Some bad boyfriends just break your heart. Mine put a curse on my voice and left me to fend for myself.

"But I will get my own back. And I won't let anybody, human or Fae, to get in my way."

Stephanie has not spoken a word to another human in two years. Determined on getting revenge, she waits, isolated and angry. But just as the Fairy who cursed her returns to London, Steph meets someone who shakes her resolve. Or does he?

"Magic is real and my neighbour has powers. That bothers me a lot less than it should.

"All I want is for my Dad to be okay again. I don't care what deal I have to strike to make it happen."

The only thing Travis did was help a crying girl. He did not expect to stumble into a world of curses and Faustian pacts. But he isn't going away from it, even if that means putting himself in harm's way.

Review coming soon!

Non Fiction Titles

And now we get to the books I got at the Bargain Books SA Ware House sale a couple weeks ago; first, the non fiction titles that caught my eye.

Stonewall : Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum

"That’s the Stonewall.
The Stonewall Inn.
Pay attention.
History walks through that door."

In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families for being gay. Most doctors considered homosexuality a mental illness. There were few safe havens. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run, filthy, overpriced bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, was one of them.

Police raids on gay bars happened regularly in this era. But one hot June night, when cops pounded on the door of the Stonewall, almost nothing went as planned. Tensions were high. The crowd refused to go away. Anger and frustration boiled over.

The raid became a riot.

The riot became a catalyst.

The catalyst triggered an explosive demand for gay rights.

Ann Bausum’s riveting exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national Gay Rights movement that followed is eye-opening, unflinching, and inspiring.

Steampunk Your Wardrobe : Sewing and Crafting Projects to Add Flair to Fashion by Calista Taylor

Steampunk Your Wardrobe is a step-by-step guide to capturing the steampunk aesthetic in apparel. It begins with easy-to-do projects such as embellishing existing garments, and progresses to more complicated alterations. Projects are also included for making steampunked jewelry and accessories. The author provides clever and eco-friendly techniques for restyling common garments into stylish steampunk attire. Readers will discover 19 simple and creative ideas for repurposed fashion from your closet or the second-hand shop that require little to no sewing skills. This revised edition features a gorgeous new 8-page gallery of Steampunk inspiration selected by fashion designer Evelyn Kriete, a moving force behind the worldwide Steampunk trend.

The Way I See It : The Musings of a Black Wonam in the Rainbow Nation by LeratoTshabalala

Lerato Tshabalala first came to our attention in 2011 with her 'Urban Miss' column in the Sunday Times, and since then she has by turns entertained, exasperated, amused and confounded her fans and critics alike. Now, with her first book, she looks set to become the national institution she deserves to be. With her customary wit and keen insight into social, political and cultural affairs, Lerato shines a bright - and controversial - light on South African society and the quirky ways of the country. She is brutally honest about her experiences as a black South African in post-apartheid Mzansi, and no subject is too sacred for her to explore: annoying car guards, white-dominated corporate South Africa, cultural stereotypes, economic and racial inequality, and gender politics, among many other topics, come under her careful - and often laugh-out-loud - scrutiny. The Way I See It is written for people who are hungry for a book that is thought-provoking, funny, irreverent and truly South African all at the same time. It is light but full of depth: like a supermodel with an MBA!

Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

In 2014, award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way that discussions of race and racism in Britain were being led by those who weren't affected by it. She posted a piece on her blog, entitled: 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' that led to this book.

Exploring issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, Reni Eddo-Lodge offers a timely and essential new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism. It is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Pink is my favorite color. I used to say my favorite color was black to be cool, but it is pink—all shades of pink. If I have an accessory, it is probably pink. I read Vogue, and I’m not doing it ironically, though it might seem that way. I once live-tweeted the September issue.

In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman of color while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years and commenting on the state of feminism today. The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society, but also one of our culture.

Bad Feminist is a sharp, funny, and spot-on look at the ways in which the culture we consume becomes who we are, and an inspiring call-to-arms of all the ways we still need to do better.

And I got something for my autistic nephew, too - he is going to absolutely love this book!

Self-Destructing Science : Space by Isabel Thomas, Illustrated by Nikalas Catlow

Warning: this book will self-destruct! Packed full of fun and exciting science-based projects which use its pages in different ways, this book will have you tearing, folding, cutting, experimenting, and scribbling as you find out all about the wonders of outer space.

As each page is destroyed, you'll make everything from a Martian bug to a pocket rocket, using nothing more than the pages of the book and a few simple household items. The easy-to-follow instructions and amazing illustrations make science and learning more fun than ever!

Have you read any of these books? See anything that tickles your fancy? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to like and share!

Part 2 coming real soon! Until next time...

Keep smiling