Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2019

I'm so excited to be joining the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2019, hosted by Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy! It's a great way to celebrate nonfiction in picture books and check out what others are reading and reviewing. You can find more info about it and the linkup to join in here!



My goal for this year is to read 12 nonfiction picture books! I decided at the beginning of the year that I was going to start highlighting some new topics and genres on my blog that I'm really into, and that includes picture book biographies and nonfiction picture books in general. I'd like to feature a different topic each week, which means each topic gets read once a month since I have 4 topics (picture book bios, nature, cultures, and strong girls). I'll probably end up reading more than 12, since some of my nature and culture books will probably be nonfiction picture books also. But 12 is the official goal!

I can't wait to get started! Look for my first nonfiction picture book review coming the first week of February! #nfpb2019

{ The Sunday Post }: September 23, 2018

The Sunday Post is a weekly wrap-up meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to recap the past week on our blogs, share new books we've received, and talk about what's coming up on our blogs for the week ahead.

{ New Books }

I got so many great books this week!! Isn't that the best feeling?... when your shelves are stocked with more books that you can realistically read at any given time... I don't know, it just makes me feel so happy and complete. lol.

{ From NetGalley } :

First of all, that DC Ink sampler looks like it's full of amazing ladies and I can't wait to read it!! It has samples from Mera: Tidebreaker, Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, and Teen Titans: Raven.

I had The Wren Hunt on my Fall 2018 TBR list and requested it not really expecting to be approved... but SURPRISE, it is mine now and I'm so excited. :3

The Histronauts have a series of middle grade time travel adventures and I can't wait to check out ancient Egypt with them.

I am a little bummed though, because Time for Bed, Miyuki got archived literally RIGHT after I was approved for it, so I didn't get to download it. :/ I'll have to try to find it at the library or a bookstore because I really wanted to read it! It looks like a beautiful picture book!
 
{ From the library } :

Ok, when I hit the library, I hit it hard. I take that "maximum items allowed" limit on my card as a challenge. And the moment the list of new books comes out each week, I am online placing holds on all the good stuff.

And look at all this good stuff that came in this week!! A CLUE GRAPHIC NOVEL. I am soooo excited to get to that!! There was a big beautiful new edition of The Princess Bride, which I unfortunately have not yet read but have had on my TBR for like forever. Hopefully I can get this version read before it's due back!

Some neat middle grade novels too - Mightier than the Sword is supposed to be interactive and put *you* in the story, and Mystery in the Mansion is a choose-your-own-adventure style mystery!

Rounding out my haul are some nonfiction picture books, which I'm really into lately. I love books (obviously) so I had to get that first one about the collection at the British Library. My undergrad degree was in Archaeology so I'm interested to read this picture book bio of Howard Carter (who discovered King Tut's tomb). And Magnificent Creatures has been getting rave reviews, so I had to see what the buzz was about.

{ Latest Reviews }

Archival Quality
by Ivy Noelle Weir & Steenz
Read my review here (2 stars)
Suggested tags: young adult (ages 13-17), graphic novel, mystery, ghosts, mental health







Spectacle, Vol. 1
by Megan Rose Gedris
Read my review here (4 stars)
Suggested tags: young adult (ages 13-17), graphic novel, mystery, ghosts, circus/carnival

{ Last Week at the Book Nook }

• I started a 2018 Halloween Reading Challenge! Never hosted a challenge before, but I figured one of my favorite holidays was a good excuse to start! I loooove reading creepy books to get me in the spirit. You're welcome to join no matter what gets you in the mood for All Hallow's Eve - kidlit or adult, Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, fiction or nonfiction, horror, gothic, suspense, humor, romance... anything! You can sign up here!

{ Goals for This Week }

This is looking like a busy week for me, so I'm going to set my goals a little low... Hoping to kick it up next week!

• Read and review at least 2 books.
• Participate in at least 1 new book blog meme.
• Join a reading challenge.

That's it for me this week! How did your week turn out? Link to your weekly wrap-up post in the comments - I'd love to come visit! :)

The 1st Annual Halloween Reading Challenge!

So I'm browsing some book blogs today, and I see some Christmas Reading Challenges... and I'm like "oh that's awesome, I'll have to get involved in that this year..." But then I thought, "wait, you know what I love reading more than Christmas books... Halloween books..."

Am I the only one who loves to read as many spooky stories as I can get my hands on during the month of October?? Why can I not find any Halloween Reading Challenges out there?

If they exist, please point me in their direction. If they don't exist... well, I'm about to start one. :D

 

<center><a href="https://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/2018-halloween-reading-challenge.html"><img alt="http://pidginpeasbooknook.blogspot.com/p/2018-halloween-reading-challenge.html" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7wuf_iMR8Jzop9XbWc6m6PGWw5Mz3pQo8BFMfJoebfMRsBS5y2okPLi5Tym22HBajPIE7lXjwhrDOluE2WKfQnBxhaBp9NNQRbMXfzmds8LZhFIBVrKQlUleShsKP0W6gVfO4FVUJVM/s320/Halloween+reading+challenge.png" width="320" /></a></center>

 { The Rules }

There aren't going to be a lot of rules, since I'm starting this so late into September... just an excuse to read some creepy books and have fun!

1. Spread the word about the Halloween Reading Challenge! Blog it, tweet it, pin it, however you best like to spread info! We gotta get the word out since I'm starting this so close to October!
2. Make a blog post about the books you intend to read for the challenge - you can find my list below. (You can of course read off-list... this is just a starting point.) Feel free to use the image above in your post if you'd like, but please be sure to link back to the Halloween Reading Challenge page so other bloggers can find the sign-up if they want to join in.
3. Add your name and blog to the link-up here. Visit the other bloggers who signed up to see what they're reading too!
4. You can link your reviews as you get them done, or you can link a wrap-up post. The last day to link up a post is November 2 (when Dia de los Muertos ends, in case you're wondering).
   
5. Feel free to read whatever genres and subjects interest you - kidlit or adult, Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, fiction or nonfiction, horror, gothic, suspense, humor, romance... whatever gets you in the mood for All Hallow's Eve!
6. Read as many or as few books as you want... just have fun!

Sign up here for the 2018 Halloween Reading Challenge!


Link to your reviews and/or wrap-up posts here: (coming soon... please stand by!)

 { My Halloween Reading List }

There's no way I'm going to get to read all of these this year, unfortunately. :/ Some of them are rereads, some are classics that I'm way overdue to read for the first time, some are new finds that I hadn't heard of until now... and I'm excited to read every one (eventually)!

Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney Challenge #1

We've been given Challenge #1 in the Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney!

Decide in which tropical location here on Earth, Kai first kidnapped Persephone all those years ago. Then find a photo of that place and tweet the photo along with the following message.

#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney http://bit.ly/1cNXx2b Kai kidnapped Persephone here. #MyDateFromHell

When I think "tropical," I think Tahiti. It's so exotic and gorgeous. I think it's the perfect place for Kai to kidnap Persephone!

#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney – spread the word.

Tellulah Darling's Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney

Woo!! I'm a part of this! I'm so crazy excited!! :D

So, background info: I'm a pretty big fan of Tellulah Darling. She writes such fun, spunky books. The first one I read was Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls (read my review here), and then through Netgalley I got to read the first book in the Blooming Goddess Trilogy, My Ex From Hell (read my review here). I was totally hooked on her trademark snarky style mixed with a creative take on Greek mythology in the first book in the series, so I was thrilled when she offered to let me read the second book, My Date From Hell, and invited me into the Sassy Girl Swoony God Tourney!

Over the course of 6 weeks, us tourney participants will be getting video challenges that we can take part in. In mid-October, we'll be posting our reviews of My Date From Hell. And there will be prizes too! The fabulous Ms. Darling is offering:
- a signed copy of My Date From Hell
- a T-shirt with a design of one of Kai's tattoos
- a character named after the winner in the final book of the trilogy

(That last one made me do a little dance in my chair. How awesome would it be to have a character named after you in a series you really enjoy??)

The first challenge has already been posted - I need to get on the ball! I'm so excited to get into the tourney! I love getting the chance to really be invested in books I read. Thanks for the opportunity, Tellulah Darling! :)

#SassyGirlSwoonyGodTourney – spread the word.

NetGalley Wellness Challenge

NetGalley is offering a 9-week challenge to help members improve their "NetGalley health," which includes working on their profiles and learning why reviews and feedback are important. I just signed the pledge and signed up for a webinar! Check out the NetGalley Wellness Challenge info page and start improving your "NetGalley health" too!

... And you get this fancy badge for getting involved with the challenge! :)

2013 Debut Author Challenge

I'm so excited to be participating in the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Tara at Hobbitsies! The goal is to read 12 young adult or middle grade books from debut authors, meaning this is the first YA or middle grade book they've written. You can share your reviews with others participating in DAC and enter to win monthly prizes too!

You can find more DAC details here. Also, there's a Goodreads group to help you stay connected and a Goodreads Listopia list to help you find books.

Here are the 12 books I hope to read this year: