April 2026 Book Count:

 Joan of Arc: A Life From Beginning to End By: Hourly History

Non-Fiction: Biography, E-book

Gilt Frame By: Matt Kindt & Margie Kraft Kindt

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Mystery, History, 216 pages

How to Be a Bourbon Badass By: Linda Ruffenach

Non-Fiction: Food, 175 pages

Murder in Victorian Western Michigan By: Michael Delaware

Non-Fiction: History, True Crime, 192 pages

Small Town Spirits By: Zack Keller, Gabriele Bagnoli & Valerio Alloro

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 88 pages

Women With ADHD: By: Jane Kennedy

Non-Fiction: Science, E-book

Rainbow! Volume 1 By: Sunny, & Gloomy

Fiction: Graphic Novel, YA, Fantasy, 224 pages

 Manga Yokai Stories: Ghostly Tales from Japan By: Lafcadio Hearn, & Inko Ai Takita

Fiction: Manga, Short Story, Horror, Folk Lore, 128 pages

Dogs Are People, Too: A Collection of Cartoons to Make Your Tail Wag By: Dave Coverly

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, YA, 224 pages

The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake By: Luke Pisano, James Werner, Stella Aykroyd et al.

Fiction: Pop Culture, Graphic Novel, humor, 136 pages

Given the copyright date on this, I am 99% sure that it was written before Pope Leo, ruining/improving a line joking about the Pope being from Chicago.

 Dilexi Te: Apostolic Exhortation on Love for the Poor By: Pope Leo XIV

Non-fiction: Religion, E-book

The Underwater Welder By: Jeff Lemire

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci-fi, Mystery, 224 pages

Hey, Mary! By: Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman

Fiction: Graphic Novel, YA, Religion, History, Biography, 128 pages

Women Who Fly: Goddesses, Witches, Mystics, and other Airborne Females By: Serinity Young

Non-fiction: History, Religion, 392 pages

Bad Dreams in the Night By: Adam Ellis

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Horror, Fantasy, 256 pages

 All Good Things: A Treasury of Images to Uplift the Spirits and Reawaken Wonder By:Stephen Ellcock

Non-fiction: Art, 320 pages

No Longer Human By: Junji Ito & Osamu Dazai

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Horror, 616 pages

I'm the Catlords' Manservant, Vol. 1 By: Rat Kitaguni

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, 194 pages

I'm the Catlords' Manservant, Vol. 2 By: Rat Kitaguni

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, 194 pages

I Love Him to Pieces By: Evonne Tsang, & Janina Görrissen

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 128 pages

Made for Each Other By: Paul D. Storrie & Eldon Cowgur

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 128 pages

My Boyfriend Bites By: Dan Jolley & Alitha E. Martinez

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 128 pages

Under His Spell By: Marie P. Croall & Hyeon Do Park

 Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 128 pages

I Date Dead People By: Ann Kerns & Janina Görrissen

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 128 pages

Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China By: Thomas J. Mazanec

Non-fiction: History, Religion, Poetry,  E-book

Alchemy: An Illustrated History of Elixirs, Experiments, and the Birth of Modern Science By: Philip Ball

Non-fiction: History, Science, Religion, 256 pages

A Bite of Pepper By: Balazs Lorinczi

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Paranormal, YA, 224 pages

A Haunted Road Atlas: Next Stop: More Chilling and Gruesome Tales From And That's Why We Drink By: Christine Schiefer & Em Schulz

Non-fiction: History, Paranormal, True Crime, Humor, 304 pages

The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash [Manga], Vol. 1 By: Tou Fukino, Honobonoru500, & Nama

 Fiction: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, 180 pages

The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel By: Dan Santat

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci- Fi, Mystery, Children's, 256 pages

I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf By: Grant Snider

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, 128 pages

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam By: Thien Pham

Non-fiction: Graphic Novel, Memoir, Food, 234 pages

Gyo By: Junji Ito

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Horror, Sci-fi, 398 pages

Dandy Detects By: M. Louisa Locke

Fiction: Mystery, Short Story, E-book

February 2026 Book Count:

 Jack the Ripper By:Val Horsler

Non-fiction: History, Mystery, 144 pages

Ghost Book By: Remy Lai

Fiction: Paranormal, Graphic Novel, 320 pages

Invader ZIM Best of Skool By: Eric Trueheart, Aaron Alexovich, Warren Wucinich et al

Fiction: Pop Culture, Sci Fi, Graphic Novel, 104 pages

The Ribbon Skirt: A Graphic Novel By: Cameron Mukwa

Fiction: Graphic Novel, YA, 192 pages

Ghosts By: Raina Telgemeier

Fiction: Paranormal, YA, Graphic Novel 240 pages

Echo: The Saga of Maya Lopez By: David W. Mack Ill By: Joe Quesada

Fiction: Pop Culture, Graphic Novel, 296 pages

Terry's Crew By: Terry Crews, Cory Thomas

Fiction: Children's, Graphic Novel, 208 pages

G.I. Joe: Hearts and Minds By Max Brooks, Howard Chaykin, Antonio Fuso

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Pop Culture, 132 pages

Chickenhare By: Chris Grine

Fiction: Children's, Graphic Novel, Humor, 160 pages

Vintage Soup Forgotten Recipes: A Retro Cookbook That Will Provide a Wide Selection of Irresistible and Nourishing Soups From the Good Old Days By: Kevin Palmer McDermott

Non-fiction: Cooking, History, E-book

The Third Horseman: A Story of Weather, War, and the Famine History Forgot By:William Rosen

Non-Fiction: History, 302 pages

Mooncakes By: Suzanne Walker, Ill By: Wendy Xu

 Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, YA, 243 pages

Night of the Living Cat, Vol. 1 By: Hawkman Ill By: Mecha-Roots

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci- Fi, 184 pages

Vintage Mediterranean 5-Ingredient Recipes: A Retro Cookbook That Will Provide a Wide Selection of Healthy and Delicious Meals to Guide You on the Mediterranean Diet By: Kevin Palmer McDermott

Non-Fiction: Cooking, History, E-book

Weird to Exist: Simple Comics About Complex Emotions By: Alison Zai

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, 144 pages

Celtic Mythology: A Captivating Guide to the Gods, Sagas and Beliefs By: Matt Clayton

Non-Fiction: History, Religion, E-book

Super-Villain Team-Up/M.O.D.O.K.'s 11 By: Fred Van Lente et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Pop Culture, 120 pages

What Stalks the Deep By: T. Kingfisher

Fiction: Paranormal, Horror, 179 pages

Sensor By: Junji Ito

Fiction: Manga, Horror, Paranormal, 240 pages

You Brought Me the Ocean By: Alex Sanchez

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Pop Culture, Paranormal, YA 208 pages

Girl in Dior By:Annie Goetzinger

Fiction: Graphic Novel, 128 pages

Muted: Volume 1 By: Miranda Mundt

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, fantasy, 320 pages

Catholica: The Visual Culture of Catholicism By: Suzanna Ivanic

Non-fiction: Religion, 256 pages

I Thought You Said This Would Work By: Ann Garvin

Fiction: E-book 

Zero Girl By: Sam Kieth

Fiction: Fantasy, Graphic novel, 128 pages

Never Open It: The Taboo Trilogy By: J.M. Ken Niimura

Fiction: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, 406 pages

We Live Here: Detroit Eviction Defense and the Battle for Housing Justice By: Jeffrey Wilson, Bambi Kramer

Non-fiction: History, Graphic Novel, 240 pages

Saint Everywhere: Travels in Search of the Lady Saints By: Mary Lea Carroll Ill By: Joe Rohde

Non-fiction: Religion, Biography, Memoir, 160 pages

HP Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers By: R.J. Ivankovic

 Fiction: Poetry, Classic, Horror, 102 pages

Nothing Special, Volume One: Through the Elder Woods By: Katie Cook

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, Paranormal, Fantasy, YA 416 pages

America's Buried History: Landmines in the Civil War By: Kenneth R. Rutherford

Non-fiction: History, E-book

Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena By: Philomena Cunk

Non-Fiction: Humor, 304 pages

Nothing Special, Volume Two: Concerning Wings By: Katie Cook

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, Paranormal, Fantasy, YA 352 pages

January 2026 Book Count:

 My current official book goal is 100 books this year, but I am hoping to need to up that once I reach that number.  

The Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook by: Coinneach MacLeod

Non-fiction: Cooking 256 pages

2 Dumb Dinos by: Eric Filipkowski & Nathan Hamill

 Fiction: Humor, Graphic Novel, 80 pages

Haunthology By: Jeremy Haun

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Story, Paranormal, Horror, 152 pages

Box of Light, Vol. 1 By: Seiko Erisawa

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, 192 pages

Radium Girls By Cy

Non-Fiction: History, Graphic Novel, 134 pages

Sandcastle by: Pierre Oscar Lévy & Frederik Peeters

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci Fi, Horror, 112 pages

Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2 By: P , Suji Kim, namu

Fiction: Manga, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, 368 pages

Moan By: Junji Ito, Jocelyne Allen

Fiction: Manga, Graphic Novel, Horror, Short Story 272 pages

And to Think We Started as a Book Club... By:Tom Toro

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, 201 pages

KOLCHAK: The Night Strangler Files by: Richard Matheson, Christopher Mills, Amin Amat

 Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Mystery, 126 pages

Lucifer, Volume 1: Cold Heaven by: Holly Black

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Mystery, 144 pages

Snake-Eater By: T. Kingfisher

Fiction: Fantasy, Paranormal, 267 pages

Japanese Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Japanese Folklore, Myths, Fairy Tales, Yokai, Heroes and Heroines By: Matt Clayton

Non-Fiction: History, Religion, E-book

The Spanish Flu: History of the 1918 Great Influenza born from H1N1 Virus. The Deadliest Pandemic that the Human Race Has Faced and Overcome. By: Bryan Anderson

Non-Fiction: History, Science, E-book

A Short History of London By: Sinead Fitzgibbon

Non-Fiction: History, E-book

Vintage Southern Baking: A Retro Cookbook That Provides an Abundance of Irresistible Treats From the South By: Kevin Palmer McDermott

Non-Fiction: Cooking, E-book

Kolchak The Night Stalker: Monsters Among Us By: Christopher Mills, David Michelinie, Don Hudson

 Fiction: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, 188 pages

The Witch's Wings and Other Terrifying Tales By: Tehlor Kay Mejia et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Horror, Short Story, Children 192 pages

The Raven & Other Poems By: Edgar Allan Poe

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Story, Classics, Poetry 55 pages

East of West, Vol. 9  By: Jonathan Hickman et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Fantasy, 136 pages

Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil By Jeff Smith et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Pop Culture, Fantasy, 240 pages

The Big Book of Horror: 21 Tales to Make You Tremble By: Pedro Rodríguez, Alissa Heyman et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Classics, Horror,  112 pages

Folktales and Legends of the Middle West By: Edward McClelland, David Wilson

Fiction: Religion, Paranormal, History 160 pages

Dinosaur Philosophy By: James Stewart, K. Roméy

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, 144 pages

Look Hamlet By: Barbro Lindgren, Anna Höglund et al

Fiction: Classic, Poetry, Children 32 pages

Stitched #1: The First Day of the Rest of Her Life By:Mariah McCourt

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Children, 96 pages

The Great Lakes Avengers: Same Old, Same Old By: Zac Gorman et al

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci Fi, Humor, Pop Culture 160 pages

Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery By: Christine Mari

Non-Fiction: Memoir, Graphic Novel, 304 pages

Foundations of Chinese Civilization: The Yellow Emperor to the Han Dynasty (2697 BCE - 220 CE)

Division to Unification in Imperial China: The Three Kingdoms to the Tang Dynasty (220 907)

Barbarians and the Birth of Chinese Identity: The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to the Yuan Dynasty (907 - 1368)

The Making of Modern China: The Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1368-1912)

 By: Jing Liu

Non-Fiction: History, Graphic Novel, 

168 pages

168 pages

168 pages

176 pages

In. By: Will McPhail

Fiction: Graphic Novel, 267 pages

50 States of Murder: An Atlas of American Crime By: Harold Schechter

Non-fiction: History, True Crime, 288 pages

Alley By: Junji Ito

Fiction: Manga, Graphic Novel, Horror, Short Story 344 pages

Baking with Kafka By: Tom Gauld

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, 160 pages

We Ate Wonder Bread: A Memoir of Growing Up on the West Side of Chicago By: Nicole Hollander

Non-Fiction: Memoir, Humor, 160 pages

August 2025 Book Count:

 A Generation of Vipers By: Sarah Yarwood-Lovett

Fiction: Mystery, E-book

The Studebaker Brothers: The Lives and Legacy of the Family Behind the Famous Automobile Company by: Charles River Editors

Non-fiction: History, Biography, E-book

1001 Cranes By: Naomi Hirahara

Fiction: Children, 240 pages

(Note: this is not the story of the girl who made 1001 cranes while dying from the effects of the atom bomb dropping.) 

Ungrateful Mammals By: Dave Eggers

Non-fiction: Art, Humor, 144 pages

Murder Your Employer by: Rupert Holmes

Fiction: Mystery, Humor 400 pages

(Read largely at work)

Artful Halloween: 31 Frightfully Elegant Projects By: Susan Wasinger

Non-fiction: Arts & Crafts, Holidays 128 pages

Vintage 5-Ingredient Recipes of the 1980s: A Retro Cookbook That Will Revive the Flavors and Sparkle of a Highly Memorable Era By: Kevin Palmer McDermott

Non-fiction: Cooking, History, E-book

Serial Killers Unmasked: A Chilling Account of 10 Serial Killers Hidden in the Shadows of History By: Ethan Wright

Non-fiction: History, True Crime, E-book

The Mystery Boxes By: Kazu Kibuishi et al.

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Short Stories128 pages

The Girl in the Walls By: Meg Eden Kuyatt

Fiction: Children, Mystery, Paranormal, Poetry, 288 pages

The Hidden Doors By: Kazu Kibuishi et al.

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Short Stories, 128 pages

The Lost Islands By: Kazu Kibuishi

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Short Stories, 128 pages

Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest By: Gregg Olsen

Non-fiction: True Crime, 432 pages

Books 326-366

As the title shows I have completed my reading goal for the year. 

Meet Kit: An American Girl : 1934 by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 68 pages

Kit Learns a Lesson: A School Story  by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 61 pages

Kit's Surprise: A Christmas Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 71 pages

Kit Saves the Day  by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 68 pages

Happy Birthday, Kit! by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 67 pages

Changes for Kit by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 75 pages 

Really Truly Ruthie by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 75 pages

Kit's Tree House by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 56 pages

Kit's Home Run By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 46 pages

Midnight in Lonesome Hollow: A Kit Mystery by: Kathleen Ernst

Fiction: Mystery, History, Children's 181 pages

A Thief in the Theater: A Kit Mystery by: Sarah Masters Buckey

Fiction: Mystery, History, Children's 192 pages

Vern, Custodian of the Universe By: Tyrell Waiters

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi, Humor, YA 168 pages

Twistwood Tales By: A.C. Macdonald

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Humor, YA, 160 pages

Surprise Island By: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Fiction: Classic, Children's Mystery 192 pages

Squire & Knight By: Scott Chantler

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, 176 pages

The Yellow House Mystery By: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Fiction: Classic, Children's Mystery 192 pages

Accidental Magic By: Iris Beaglehole

Fiction: Mystery, Paranormal, E-book

Absolutely No Thoughts Of Pounding During My Fun Day With This Kind T-Rex Because I'm Aromantic And Asexual And That's A Wonderfully Valid Way Of Proving Love Is Real By: Chuck Tingle

Fiction: Short Story, Humor, E-book

The Black Bestiary: A Phantasmagoria of Monsters and Myths from the Philippines By: Budjette Tan

Fiction: Graphic Novel 128 pages

Forgotten Drinks of Colonial New England: From Flips & Rattle-Skulls to Switchel & Spruce Beer By: Corin Hirsch

Non-fiction: Cooking, History, 128 pages

The Magician By: Rebecca Serle

Fiction: Short Story, E-book

Molly Learns a Lesson: A School Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 88 pages

Molly's Surprise: A Christmas Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 64 pages

Happy Birthday, Molly: A Springtime Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 65 pages

Molly Saves the Day: A Summer Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 69 pages

Changes for Molly: A Winter Story by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 80 pages

Brave Emily  by: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, 76 pages

Molly's Route 66 Adventure By: Dottie Raymer

Fiction: Children's, History, 32 pages

Cowboys and Aliens By: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg

Fiction: Sci-Fi, History, Graphic Novel 103 pages

Molly's A+ Partner By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 48 pages

Molly Takes Flight By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 40 pages

Molly and the Movie Star By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 40 pages

Molly's Puppy Tale By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 48 pages

Molly Marches On By: Valerie Tripp

Fiction: Children's, History, short story 40 pages

American Ghost Stories: True Tales from All 50 States By: Michael A. Kozlowski

Non-fiction: Paranormal, History, 272 pages

The Prophet: A Graphic Novel By: Pete Katz & Kahlil Gibran

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Classic, Religion, Poetry 128 pages

Oyster War By: Ben Towle

Fiction: Graphic Novel, History, Paranormal, Mystery 168 pages

Julie: The Big Break By: Megan McDonald

Fiction: Children's, History, 120 pages

Julie Takes a Stand By: Megan McDonald

Fiction: Children's, History, 128 pages

Happy New Year, Julie 1974 By: Megan McDonald

Fiction: Children's, History, 88 pages

Julie and the Eagles By: Megan McDonald

Fiction: Children's, History, 88 pages

Books 201-225

Meet Kirsten: An American Girl by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 59 pages

Kirsten Learns a Lesson: A School Story by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 69 pages

Kirsten's Surprise: A Christmas Story by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 62 pages

Happy Birthday, Kirsten: A Springtime Story by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 58 pages

Kirsten Saves the Day by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 88 pages

Changes for Kirsten: A Winter Story by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 64 pages

These are the main stories of the American Girl books about Kirsten, an immigrant from Sweden who moves to Minnesota in 1854.  

Kirsten's Promise by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 56 pages

Kirsten on the Trail by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 39 pages

Kirsten Snowbound by: Janet Beeler Shaw

Fiction: History, Children's, 39 pages

These are all additional short stories about the American Girl Kirsten.  In these ones she helps an boy who's mother died, finds her lost brother with the help of Singing Bird,  & survives a snowstorm with no adults. 

Deadpool: Samurai, Vol. 1 by: Sanshiro Kasama illustrated by: Hikaru Uesugi

Fiction: Manga, Pop Culture, YA, Humor, 224 pages

Deadpool: Samurai, Vol. 2 by: Sanshiro Kasama illustrated by: Hikaru Uesugi

Fiction: Manga, Pop Culture, YA, Humor, 224 pages

Deadpool goes to Japan to join the Samurai Squad (because its sort of part of the Avengers & he is getting paid a lot to do it.)  There he & other heroes (that have powers that are vaguely similar to some A list heroes) fight bad guys and other superhero things.

Her Royal Highness Seems to Be Angry Manga, Volume 1 By: Neko Yotsuba(Illustrator), Kou Yatsuhashi (Original Creator), Mito Nagishiro (Character Design) 

Fiction: Manga, Mystery, Fantasy, 176 pages

Her Royal Highness Seems to Be Angry Manga, Volume 2 By: Neko Yotsuba(Illustrator), Kou Yatsuhashi (Original Creator), Mito Nagishiro (Character Design) 

Fiction: Manga, Mystery, Fantasy, 176 pages

Her Royal Highness Seems to Be Angry Manga, Volume 3 By: Neko Yotsuba(Illustrator), Kou Yatsuhashi (Original Creator), Mito Nagishiro (Character Design) 

Fiction: Manga, Mystery, Fantasy, 176 pages

A warrior, sorceress  princess's kingdom falls to the enemy and she see everyone one she loves die.  She kills herself rather then fall into enemy hands, only to wake up a thousand years later in the body of another teen.  

The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories Ed. By:Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Alina Pete

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Stories, Folklore, 135 pages

This book is a collection of traditional Native American stories told in a graphic novel format.

The Night Marchers and Other Oceanian Stories Ed. By: Kel McDonald, Sloane Leong, Kate Ashwin

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Stories, Folklore, 256  pages

This book is a collection of traditional stories from various groups of peoples of Oceanian, from Hawaii to the Philippians told in a graphic novel format.

The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories Ed. By: Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, C. Spike Trotman

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Stories, Folklore, 208  pages

This book is a collection of traditional stories from Africa told in a graphic novel format.

The Nixie of the Mill-Pond and Other European Stories

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Short Stories, Folklore, 216  pages

This book is a collection of traditional stories from Europe told in a graphic novel format.

 And Then You're Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling over Niagara by: Cody Cassidy, Paul Doherty

Non-fiction: Science, Humor, 256 pages

A book that goes over exactly how one would die (and occasionally survive) various rare to impossible situations, with the details of how and what would actually happen (according to what we currently know about X.) 

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by: Candace Fleming

Non-Fiction: History, Biography, YA, 304 pages

A look at that last Tzar & his family from his young life to finding his and his family & servants remains & where they are now.  Besides the history of their lives there are sections about the lives of the people of Russia at the same times so one can compare the lives of the average Russian and the rulers. 

The Jonah Complex: Rediscovering the Outrageous Grace of God by: Greg Haslam

Non-fiction: Religion: E-book

I am not having a good time picking religious books, this one was written by a fundamentist, reformed preacher. So they felt it was important to randomly argue for fundamentist creationism, but then went on about things that the Bible did not say happen, but it was very important that the reader 100% sees how this thing the Bible never said was an important part of the story of Jonah. (And it wasn't just something that many Bible scholars agree on that could be implied, especially if one did not see the story as having symbolic or poetic meanings.)

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Deathly Relics by: Sam Siciliano

Fiction: Mystery, History, Classics, 272 pages

Sherlock is in Rome and get's asked to solve a mystery for the Pope.

The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity by: Carlo M. Cipolla

Non-fiction: 96 pages

An attempt to explain stupidity, including charts.

The Singing Bones by: Shaun Tan

Fiction: Folklore, Poetry, Art, 185 pages

A collection of short poems on the stories of the Brothers Grim with art for each story.  I would suggest reading the short retelling of the stories at the end if you are not familiar with most of the stories. 

How to Make Friends and Oppress People: Classic Travel Advice for the Gentleman Adventurer by: Vic Darkwood

Non-fiction: History, Travel, Humor, 256 pages

A classic travel guide that includes advice actually given in historic travel guides from the 1800's to early 1900's. 

November Books:

Vintage Tattoos: The Book of Old-School Skin Art by: Carol Clerk

Non-fiction: History, art, 256 pages

A book on the history of tattoos as well as the artist and personalities that were important in the era of vintage tattooing.

Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons by: Jon Peterson

Non-fiction: History, Pop Culture, Biography 368 pages

The story of Dungeons and Dragons: from games that the creators made before D&D, to the early years of the game, to the fight over D&D and the Satanic Panic.

The Complete Whiskey Course: A Comprehensive Tasting School in Ten Classes by: Robin Robinson

Non-fiction: Science, History, Food and Drink, 304 pages

This book deals with many of the things one might want to know about whiskey and whiskey tastings.

The Last Session Vol. 1 by: Jasmine Walls, Ills by: Dozerdraws

Fiction: Graphic Novel, Pop Culture, 128 pages

This book is the story of a group of friends who meet in an after school group that ended up becoming a D&D group.  They are now graduating and going in different directions and so are finishing out their game. 

Eating Salad Drunk: Haikus for the Burnout Age by Comedy Greats Ed by: Gabe Henry, Ils by: Emily Flake 

Non-Fiction: Poetry, 240 pages

Haikus by famous comedians on a variety of subjects.

Dorsai! (Childe Cycle #1) by: Gordon R. Dickson

Fiction: Sci-Fi, Audio Book

Donal Graeme is an odd Dorsai who ends up living a very interesting life. 

Month of Halloween Part:1

 Some of these books were picked out before Halloween or are not topical. (The trivia books with will appear in this and the next posting are for a possible spot on a trivia podcast.) 

The Living Flame of Love by: Juan de la Cruz (St. John of the Cross)

Non-Fiction: Religion, Classic, Poetry, E-book

Part of this book is his poetry as well as an explanation of it's meaning.  And part of it is letters that he sent to various people.  

Brick Greek Myths: The Stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon, and Other Ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus by: John D. McCann, Monica Sweeney, Becky Thomas

Fiction: Classic, Pop Culture, E-book

A retelling of the major Greek myths told in Lego.  

The Romanovs: A Captivating Guide to the Last Imperial Dynasty to Rule Russia and the Impact the Romanov Family Had on Russian History by: Captivating History

Non-fiction: History, E-book

A short history of the Romanov dynasty in Russia.  It highlights the major people and events including of course the end of the Tsars in Russia.

Opium and Absinthe by: Lydia Kang

Fiction: History, Mystery, E-book

This book takes place in NYC shortly after the book "Dracula" came out. Tillie is the younger daughter in one of the wealthy, society families.  She has a riding accident and is given opium for the pain.  Soon after the accident her older sister is murdered.  From the way she was killed it looks like it was a vampire.  Besides the bite marks the major possible clue to what happened was an absinthe bottle found next to her.  Tillie is determined to solve her sister's murder, and gets help from unexpected places while also dealing with her growing use of the opium.

The Best Bar Trivia Book Ever: All You Need for Pub Quiz Domination by: Michael O'Neill

Non-Fiction: History, Science, Art, Sports 265 pages

Mostly a good collection of the trivia likely to show up in things like bar trivia games.

The Professor & the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity & the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by: Simon Winchester

Non-fiction: History, Biography, E-book

The story of the main creator of the Oxford English Dictionary and the American, who was found criminally insane, who was the biggest outside contributor to it. 

The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down by: Colin Woodard

Non-fiction: History, 405 pages

This book tells the story of the heyday of Pirates in the Caribbean and who and what ended much of it.

 Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails, with More than 500 Recipes by: David Kaplan, Nick Fauchald, Alex Day

Non-fiction: Food, 320 pages

A collection of cocktail recipes as well as information on how to bartend/make good drinks, the bar and people connected to the bar.

Frankenstein Takes the Cake:

Frankenstein Takes the Cake by: Adam Rex
Fiction: Humor, Poetry, 48 pages

I collection of interconnected bits about Frankenstein's monster's wedding, as well as the other monsters.

The Fall of Arthur:

The Fall of Arthur By: J.R.R. Tolkien ed. by: Christopher Tolkien
Fiction: Poetry, E-book

This book is Tolkien's version of the tales of King Arthur, and his son's commentary and notes on the book.  The actual story of King Arthur is only about a quarter of the book.  Most of it is note and commentary.  Some of it is interesting to see how the story connects with the tales of Middle Earth, or how Tolkien worked on things. 

Beware!:

Beware!: R.L. Stine Picks His Favorite Scary Stories edited by: R.L. Stine
Fiction: Short stories, paranormal, classics, poetry, children's, 211 pages
Physical Book Count: 26
Book Count: 59

This book is a collection of short stories, sections from books, poems and other quick reads that all fall under the theme of scary stories.  

Note to Self: The Divine Comedy and Vita Nuova:

The Divine Comedy and Vita Nuova By: Dante Alighieri
Classics, Poetry, Literature

This book I also took since last year to read, but because it was part of a series of classes, and not just because it took me that long to get through it.  And that is why it doesn't have a book count connected to it.   But after having to do all the work for the classes I wasn't going to not note that, "Hey, I did actually read the whole thing."

A Book in Review: Wicked Girls

Wicked Girls A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials By: Stephanie Hemphill
Fiction: YA, historic, poetry 406 pages
Book Count: 38

This book is unusual, as it is written as a series of poems from all of the main characters, who were all real people (although a couple of names were changed.) It tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials from the point of view of the girls who accused others of witchcraft. It is based off of the most popular ideas of why it happened and also deals with underlining social issues of that time. At the end it includes historic information on the people involved and a list of books and websites for more information.