Xepherus Reads

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!   Tuesday Talks is an wonderful group on Goodreads that is a weekly discussion forum created by BookTubers Janie Johnson and her pal, Janelle. It is a fun and active group to be a part of.    This week's question is: Have you read a book out of your normal genre and you enjoyed it?     Reading outside of my usual genre of mystery and science fiction happens on occasion . When I go for something different I look for historical fiction or middle grade books to read. A lo t of middle grade books offer contemporary stories  and family-driven comedy that helps a great dea l with reading slumps, as well. I purchased a lot of Beverly Cleary books recently not only as nostalgia, but to help break up my reading sc hedule. I never tire of reading middle grade. Historical fiction , I find, can be a great alternative when choosing a different genre, I enjoy the mix of history, drama, and sweeping stories. G...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   The reason I like to start book reading challen ges near the end of Summ er is because I read a lot of books in the Autumn and Winter m onths . I find that I can cozy up into a blanket, brew up some coffee , and nestle in my reading area with some snacks. This allows for hours of non-interrupted story time that I can really get into.    When I think of Autumn reading I think of long series that span many books that keep me engaged for hours. I also lik e middle grade books, because the y remind me of when I was a kid under a tree with leaves falling from it, reading my favorite s from Lois Lowry, John Bellairs and Beverly Cleary. Reading in the Fall also is easier due to the weather. We have lower temperati res, and th at wonderful Autumn smell of leaves and apples are in the air.    Cozy time reading can be done in bed, in a fav orite chair, or outside in a park. It also gives you the option of pu...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads Book Club that meets weekly to answer questions presented.  Our moderators are YouTubers, Lainey (GingerReadsLainey, Welcome Back to YouTube!) and Samantha (ThoughtsOnTomes). I enjoy how every week this group brings the book community together. Great fun!   This week's question asks: What are your Top 5 Books that you would want to see as a television show? The Silver Blackthorn Series - This dystopian vision written by Kerry Wilkinson follows sixteen year old Silver Blackthorn and her rise as a leader of a resistance against an evil dictato r-king . It is filled with twists and turns, science fiction , and lots of action. I have read two of the three books, and I love this series. It would make an excellent event series that would end as teh books do, with exciting cliffhangers. Orhan's Inheritance - This amazing first book by a uthor, Aline Ohanesian tells the heartbreaking sto...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!   Tuesday Talks is an wonderful group on Goodreads that is a weekly discussion forum created by BookTubers Janie Johnson and her pal, Janelle. It is a fun and active group to be a part of.    This week's question is: Have you read a book where you feel the author missed the opportunity to write something more interesting in a book?    This question always is on my mind while reading a book. But thankfully I cannot say that this has happened all t hat often. But recently I had read Star Wars: Aftermath by Chuck Wendig . Th is novel had repeated bad reviews from Star Wars fans and readers alike. The book was criticized for many things, the main problem being that the book did not continue the story of Return of the Jedi with the main players of the original trilogy . The reviewers (no myself) picked apart this book not realizing its full potential.   But the author did miss the opportunity with a fe...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons !   Top 5 Wednesday is a Goodreads Book Club that meets weekly to answer questions presented.  Our moderators are YouTubers, Lainey (GingerReadsLainey) and Samantha (ThoughtsOnTomes). I enjoy how every week this group brings the book community together. Great fun!   This week's question asks: What are your Top 5 Characters that you would want as a family member ?   Princess Leia Organa- The bad-ass, Force wielding senator from Star Wars that takes crap from no one has my vote for my sister. Riley Moon- Janet Evanovich's newest protagon ist would be the best cousin to have. She was a lot of fun to read about, and her family would be fun to visit. Ramona Quimb y- This lovable Beverly Cleary char acter from the classic , middle grade series come s to mind as a great niece or god daughter. She is very friendly, courteous , albeit mischievous at times. She would make life interesting. Rubeus H a grid- Thi...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,   As a literary reviewer I am always receiving copies of books in advance for an h onest review. Several months ago I was sent the preview edition of Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutt o n by Netgalley , in association with Random House Books . I began reading the book , and thoroughly enjoyed what I was reading. Then I heard that Lorelei King was set to narrate the audio book, and I decided to wait to finish this novel with King's amazing voice to bring the story alive.   Fast forward to now, and I am very happy that I waited.        Curious Minds continues the genius collaboration between Janet Evano vich and screenwriter, Phoef Sutton. Their previous work, Wicked Charms , was one of my top reads and most-read review this year. I find their work together is fast-paced, often funny, and definitely dynamic . Se t in Washington, D.C.,  Curious Minds introduces r...