FrightFall Read-A-Thon

I joined another one!  This one is only for one week. The FrightFall Read-A-Thon is hosted by Michelle@ The True Book Addict.  To participate, you read one horror/ scary book.  (Five children's book count as one book.)

To join, click Here.

My Reading List:

Picture Books:
The Tailypo by Paul Galdone
Bone Soup by: Cambria Evans
The 13 Nights of Halloween by:Guy Vasilovich
Precious and the Boo Hag by: Patricia C. McKissack & Onawumi Jean Moss
Goodnight Goon by: Michale Rex

 Older Elementary/ Middle Grades Chapter Books:
Ninth Ward by : Jewell Parker Rhodes

YA Books:
Lily Dale: Awakening by: Wendy Corsi Staub

2012 Spooktacular Reading Challenge

I've joined the 2012 Spooktacular Reading Challenge! 

To participate, you must read 3 paranormal books and post reviews between October 1st and 31st.  I'm so excited! For more details click here:

My Reading List for this Challenge:

Haunting Jasmine by: Anjali Banerjee

Title: Haunting Jasmine  Author: Anjali Banerjee Publisher: Berkely Trade Pages: 304

I checked this book out from my local library after reading a review on another site.

From the back cover: Divorcee Jasmine Mistry is intent on restarting her life when she gets the chance to do just that.  A call from the past brings her home to Shelter Island, a green dot on the middle of Puget Sound, to run her beloved aunt's bookstore.  The familiarity is heartening- the rocky beaches, pewter skies, country boutiques and above all, Auntie's Bookstore, nestled in a quaint Queen Anne Victorian, and believed, not incidentally, to be haunted.

Although my fiction tastes normally run toward southern fiction, I felt I had to give this one a try. It has books, it has ghosts, it has a female character who finds her independence... I was intrigued.  I admit, I was afraid I would find a sappy romance here- a woman loses her love but is saved by another man.  (I hate those books!)  This book was surprisingly different.  I don't want to spoil it. I will say that the book is realistic in its depiction of the character's divorce and the way she deals with her former husband's infidelity. However, the book also has a magical quality. The bookstore is haunted- not just by any ghosts, but by the ghosts of authors, no less.  Beatrix Potter, Edgar Allen Poe...even Dr. Seuss makes an appearance.
While the book is not a traditional romance-I HATE those- there is an underlying theme of love.  How does love change over time?  How does love change us?  Jasmine is reeling from the pain of her ex-husband's infidelity while her sister is planning a marriage to the man of her dreams.  A family friend walks away from the "perfect family" and never looks back. Again, the thing I love the most about this book, is that the character finds her ability to start over and find her place in this world within herself, not from a man. Does a man have a place in her life? Yes...but I won't spoil that for you....Let's just say he is a catalyst for change...and that's not a bad thing....

Read this book if:
* You love books and book stores
*You love books about women who save themselves
*You love reality with a little magic thrown in

Growing Up Pschic- Story of Not Just Surviving but Thriving--and How Others Like Me Can, Too

Title:Growing Up Psychic- Story of Not Just Surviving but Thriving--and How Others Like Me Can, Too Author: Chip Coffey Publisher: Three Rivers Press, 2012 Pages: 256


I bought this book from Amazon in ebook form for my Kindle Fire, because I didn't want to wait until I could get to the book store. I wanted it right then!

I wanted to read this book because I adore Chip Coffey. I've been a huge fan of his since I first saw him on Paranormal State. He's a southerner too...What's not to love? :o)
I expected this book to be more of a personal memoir, and it does contain some of his own personal experiences. However, it also discusses the experiences of the children he has worked with and gives advice for parents of children with psychic abilities.  His advice is practical and down-to-earth.  His tone is warm and caring. His own experiences with the cruelty of others allows him to  prepare both parents and children for making their way in an intolerant society.  There is also a list of recommended books for further reading.
I enjoyed this book. It was as entertaining as it was informative.  I especially enjoyed the stories in the appendix - amazing personal experiences.  I can't wait to read his next book!

Read this book if:

• you or someone you love has psychic ability
• you are a Chip Coffey fan
• you love to read about personal psychic experiences

Extreme Paranormal Investigations

Title: Extreme Paranormal Investigations Author: Marcus F. Griffin Publisher: Llewellyn Publications 2011 Pages: 241

I checked this one out from my local library via inter-library loan.  

From the back of the book:

Join Marcus Griffin, founder of Witches in Search of the Paranormal (WISP) as he and his team explore the MIdwest’s most haunted properties.

This book was unlike any other book I have read about paranormal investigation.  I honestly found it refreshing.  In the Epilogue on page 237 he writes. “Collecting evidence of a haunting has never been as important to me as interacting with those who were being haunted; proving that ghosts exist was never as important to me as spending time with the ghosts.”  That is one of the things I love about this book- Griffin isn’t obsessed with science.  He does rule out any evidence that could possibly be caused by non-paranormal reasons.  However, he also relies on the intuition and metaphysical knowledge of team members.  In addition to this, he is a great writer. He has a natural writing style that builds suspense and leaves the reader wondering what will happen next.  

Although Griffin and I are of different faiths, at no point in this book did I feel my own faith was insulted or challenged.  I actually found that we have many common beliefs.  I was impressed with WISP’s respect for nature and with their desire to investigate without harming the environment. All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of WISP’s adventures.

Read this book if:

*you love the paranormal

*you are interested in ghost hunting