Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2015 - Finished

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

I really meant to do an update during the week but never got around to it. My goal was to read at least 7 books but I would have liked to read 10.
I reached my goal and read 8 books as there were a couple of days where I basically read nothing. I read 4 of these books during Dewey's Read-a-Thon. And I read one Sunday evening after the Read-a-Thon.

As usual I have enjoyed taking part in this Read-a-Thon and I will hopefully be able to take part in the High Summer Read-a-Thon but it often falls while I am away on holiday.
Thank you Michelle for hosting.

List of books:

1. The Man in the Crowd by M. Sydnor Jr.
2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
3. A Little Love by Amanda Prowse
4. THE TEA SHOP: Cakes, Ice Cream & Afternoon Tea by De-ann Black 
5. The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
6. The Woman In Black by Susan Hill
7. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
8. The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss

The Slow Regard of Silent Things is set at The University, where the brightest minds work to unravel the mysteries of enlightened sciences, such as artificing and alchemy. Auri, a former student (and a secondary but influential character from Rothfuss’s earlier novels) now lives alone beneath the sprawling campus in a maze of ancient and abandoned passageways. There in The Underthing, she feels her powers and learns to see the truths that science—and her former classmates—have overlooked. From Goodreads.

This was nothing like I expected. I at least thought I would find out a bit more about where Auri was from or maybe even how long she had been living beneath the University. You get no such answers from this book.
It is a weird but interesting tale of how Auri sees the world. Everything has it's place and its own name and things will be unhappy if they are not in their place.
The title is very accurate description of this book.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Yahtzee Challenge
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
Spring Into Horror 2015

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

The Alpha and Omega novels transport readers into the realm of the werewolf, where Charles Cornick and Anna Latham embody opposite sides of the shifter personality. Now, a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business...
For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not travelling because of Charles's role as his father's enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal - or at least it starts out that way . . .
Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae's cold war with humanity is about to heat up - and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire. From Goodreads.







Good to be back in Mercy's world. This is the fourth book in the Alpha & Omega series about Anna and Charles and these books can't be read out of order.
Again Anna shows the strength an Omega wolf possesses and Charles shows he will do everything to protect Anna and all other wolves including their families, even if they are not in his own pack.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hugh Jackman
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Holding out a Hero
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
Crazy Challenge Connection Read your age
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor in London, is summoned to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, and to sort through her papers before returning to London. It is here that Kipps first sees the woman in black and begins to gain an impression of the mystery surrounding her. From the funeral he travels to Eel Marsh House and sees the woman again; he also hears the terrifying sounds on the marsh.
Despite Kipps’s experiences he resolves to spend the night at the house and fulfil his professional duty. It is this night at Eel Marsh House that contains the greatest horror for Kipps. Kipps later discovers the reasons behind the hauntings at Eel Marsh House. The book ends with the woman in black exacting a final, terrible revenge. From Goodreads.





Another Horror book that I didn't find particularly scary. At least it was slightly scarier than The Haunting of Hill House and I felt sorry for Arthur that the ghost followed him.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: All About the Stars
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Crazy Challenge Connection Read your age
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015 

The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

After a long and eventful life Allan Karlsson is moved to a nursing home to await the inevitable. But his health refuses to fail and as his 100th birthday looms a huge party is planned. Allan wants no part of it and decides to climb out the window... Charming and funny; a European publishing phenomenon.
Sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, Allan Karlsson is waiting for a party he doesn't want to begin. His one-hundredth birthday party to be precise. The Mayor will be there. The press will be there. But, as it turns out, Allan will not . . .
Escaping (in his slippers) through his bedroom window, into the flowerbed, Allan makes his getaway. And so begins his picaresque and unlikely journey involving a suitcase full of cash, a few thugs, a very friendly hot-dog stand operator, a few deaths, an elephant and incompetent police. As his escapades unfold, Allan's earlier life is revealed. A life in which - remarkably - he played a key role behind the scenes in some of the momentous events of the twentieth century. From Goodreads.

I wasn't wild about this book. The part in present day was okay and interesting though it at times was a bit too unrealistic and fantastical. I didn't like the historical part about Allan meeting all these different Heads of States and making himself invaluable to them, it seemed a bit too easy for him to get near them. A bit too political for me.

THE TEA SHOP: Cakes, Ice Cream & Afternoon Tea by De-ann Black

Jayne's job is to find suitable pop-up shops for businesses looking for temporary premises on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland.
Rich and handsome Brodan McBride, a master baker, becomes one of her new clients and opens a pop-up tea shop selling cakes, ice cream and afternoon tea in one of the busy seaside towns. She also meets Fergus, a gorgeous bespoke tailor who makes Brodan's expensive suits. Jayne's friend and hairdresser, Ceard, isn't sure that she should become romantically involved with either of them.
Although Jayne is attracted to Brodan, is he the man for her? Or is Fergus and his well-cut suits a better fit? Then again, has she been friends with the man who was meant for her all along?
In the busy seaside town, with its lovely little tea shop, gossip, cakes and ice cream, there's only one thing for sure -- Brodan McBride grinds his own nuts. From Goodreads.




Another short, cute romance from De-ann Black. I seem to be returning to her books at the moment when I need something easy, very light and fluffy to read and I like that her books are set in Scotland.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Zodiac
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015

A Little Love by Amanda Prowse

Everybody needs a little love in their lives...
Pru Plum is the celebrated owner of a famous Mayfair bakery. She wears Chanel and her hair is expensively cut. Few would believe that this elegant woman turned sixty-six last year.
But Pru is not the confident, successful businesswoman she appears. She has done shameful things to get to where she is today. And she will do anything to protect the secrets of her past - especially when, for the first time in her life, she has finally fallen in love...
From bestselling author Amanda Prowse, this is a story about love, loss and lies - and finding happiness before it's too late. From Goodreads.






This was good and it was quite enjoyable that the MC was in her sixties. This also meant she had a past and that comes back to haunt her when she finds the love of her life. Pru and her cousin Milly has done what they needed in their youth to get to where they are now.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Arrival
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Barreling Through
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Solemnly Swear
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre. First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting;' Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. From Goodreads.

This is defined as horror, but this book is not horror for me. Yes I can imagine the creepiness of a house like that and would probably not like to stay there but reading this book doesn't scare me at all.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Who is ... The Death Eater?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: the 50 States Amazing Book Hunt
Spring Into Horror 2015

The Man in the Crowd by M. Sydnor Jr.

Every young players dream, their first major goal in pursuit of a basketball career, is to be part of the High School State Championship Game. The event where all eyes are on the main stage, focused on the dedicated players from each team who pour their heart, soul, sweat, blood and tears onto the court. This is the day where stars become Legends.
All-American Jeremiah Pierce has finally led his St. Bishop Knights to the California State Championship Title Game after three years. Before the start of the game, he gets a call from an unknown voice threatening him to lose the game or else. From Goodreads.

I like the story and the struggle Jerimiah has with himself after being threatened, which is what pulls this book up to 3 stars. I did not like the ending. I guess the author wants the readers to decide what those last few lines mean but I like the end of a standalone book to be neat or at least give the answers to who the bad guy was but this didn't.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Pass The Parcel
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Who is ... The Death Eater?
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly
Spring Into Horror 2015

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2015 - Goals

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

My goal this time will be at least 7 books, I would like to make it to 10 (this is including some easy read books just under 100 pages) as I am taking part in Dewey's Read-a-Thon end of the week. As usual I have a huge list to chose from. Books that I need for other reading challenges that I am taking part in.

Some of the books I hope to read:

1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
2. The Man in the Crowd by M. Sydnor Jr.
3. Cows by Matthew Stokoe 
4. Dog Day Wedding by Rich Amooi
5. Ovenpå er der Stille by Gerbrand Bakker (original title Boven is het stil/ English title The Twin)
6. A Bag Of Moonshine by Alan Garner
7. Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly
8. Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
9. Careful What You Witch For by Amanda M. Lee
10. Who, What, Where, When, Die by Amanda M. Lee
11. A Man For The Summer by Ruby Laska
12. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
13. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
14. The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
15. St. Lucy's Home for Girls raised by Wolves
16. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
17. A Stitch in Time by Amanda James
18. Malicious Mischief Lora Young

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2015

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

I am taking part in this challenge for the fourth time. At the moment I am not sure what I am reading apart from my scary book which will be The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. 

Official dates are April 20 through 26. Guidelines for the read-a-thon can be found HERE or you can access in the tab at the top of the blog. Any information you need about the read-a-thon can be found there. We will have one Twitter chat. I will announce the date and time in the starting post. Please do be sure to check the guidelines, as it explains all about signing up and starting the read-a-thon. Our Twitter hashtag is #SpringHorrorRAT

Just remember...the one main "rule" of Spring Into Horror is that you must read ONE scary book (which can be a thriller, mystery, Gothic novel, or similar for those who are faint of heart). The rest of the week...anything goes! 


List of books read:

1.