#NetGalley Book Review: A Tangle of Brungles by Shobha Viswanath

This has great images and a fun, if nonsensical story.
A Tangle of Brungles
by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo Fox (Illustrator)

File Size: 22942 KB
Print Length: 34 pages
Publisher: Karadi Tales (August 28, 2018)
Publication Date: December 1, 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B0821CCYL1
Genre: Educational, Illustrated, Middle Grade, Picture Book
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

To conjure up the charming Mr. Brungles, a coven of witches stir up the Great Brungle Brew. For this they toss in a parliament of owls, a cloud of bats, and a quiver of cobras, among many others. Do they succeed? The book is a hilarious twist on collective nouns.

Review:
One of the coven of witches decides she is ready to marry and she has chosen the handsome Mr. Brungle as her mate. Now, with a multitude of collective nouns -- lounge of lizards, mischief of mice, a quiver of cobras are just a few. The Great Brungle Breww comes together but will Mr. Brungle appear and cooperate in the plan?

I totally loved the idea of the collective nouns. Who knew that multiple cats are a clowder? As fun as the plurals are, the placement is random and the story pretty nonsensical. I think the effort of the collective nouns gets a little lost in the presentation. I will say that the illustrations are stunning in color and rendering. I suggest checking the Look Inside feature to see if it gets your interest or would be suitable as a fun teaching tool.

Source: NetGalley 2019-20 (Selected in December but received 2020.) This qualifies for my 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Final Day by William R. Forstchen

This is a solid conclusion of another post-apocalyptic series on my TBR list.

The Final Day
By: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Series: After (Forstchen), Book 3
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Political Thriller, Post-Apocalyptic, Thriller, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The highly anticipated follow-up to William R. Forstchen's New York Times best-sellers, One Second After and One Year After, The Final Day immerses listeners once more in the story of our nation's struggle to rebuild itself after an electromagnetic pulse wipes out all electricity and plunges the country into darkness, starvation, and terror.
After defeating the designs of the alleged federal government, John Matherson and his community have returned their attention to restoring the technologies and social order that existed prior to the EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) attack. Then the government announces that it is ceding large portions of the country to China and Mexico. The Constitution is no longer in effect, and what's left of the US Army has been deployed to suppress rebellion in the remaining states.
The man sent to confront John is General Bob Scales, John's old commanding officer and closest friend from prewar days. Will General Scales follow orders, or might he be the crucial turning point in the quest for an America that is again united? As the dubious Federal government increasingly curtails liberty and trades away sovereignty, it might just get exactly what it fears: revolution.
©2017 William R. Forstchen (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
John Matherson and his community are slowly starting to make a come-back after the break down of society as a result of an EMP strike two years ago. John struggles as the leader who has had to make some really hard choices, including executing vicious members of a gang and a young man who was stealing from the community. The community has no ability to house prisoners and he felt these actions, even if difficult, set the best example. However, the actions didn’t go over well with those who claim to be the restored government, particularly after John led a successful defense against being overtaken by a government-led attack by an overbearing military leader.

John, his seven-month pregnant wife, Makala, and the community are preparing to face a tough winter. They know that they have to be careful of threats from rogue groups as well as possible threats from the government too. When John is advised that a beaten man tried to reach him with a message from his old military friend, General Bob Scales. John was on the phone with Scales who was in the Pentagon on “the Day” when the call got cut off. John is excited that Scales may be alive, and John becomes intent on getting to him to try to find out what is really going on at the “federal” government level.

John manages to get a message to Scales at the risk of important resources. Scales shows up to meet with John and bring the orders that he is supposed to bring John back to the headquarters to face charges for assassination. Instead of taking John in, Scales lets him stay but tells him to lay low so that they can pretend he is in custody.

A couple of men in the community have made a remarkable discovery in the college basement. They are on the edge of having a chance to communicate or at least listen to conversations. But there is also a leak - maybe a mole - who is feeding information to the government. That leak sets John and Makala as targets and tensions rise between John and Scales. Then Scales gets a decoded message that triggers his suspicions and anger. This sends Scales, his troops, John and his hand-picked militia off on an unexpected tactical reconnaissance that is bound to stir up trouble.

It had been several years since I read books one and two in the series (One Second After and One Year After). Book three starts about two years after "the day" and fills in the background with a good reminder of what took place to this point. I really liked the detailed picture of this small mountain community struggling with realistic problems such as limited electricity, water, and food and other day to day items like soap and clothing. John has bittersweet memories that are accompanied by clear envy of his friend’s supply of real coffee! I was puzzled that John never tried to uncover the leak, and I was curious what the title “the final day” would reveal. I did enjoy the action and the twists as John and Scales uncover secrets that change the path of the future.

This story delivers a solid post-apocalyptic/dystopian mix of survival and military intrigue. I recommend the full series to readers who enjoy this genre.

Audio Notes: Bronson Pinchot does a solid job with the narration although the quality of the audio seemed ‘old’ to me. It just didn’t sound crisp. Also, the delivery tends to be a slow drawl which is a bit disconcerting even if it does fit the weary struggles of the characters. I did get over these audio issues and still enjoyed the overall product.

Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook, and 2020Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post February 9, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 10, 2020

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Hubby is doing better; somedays he has a little more energy then others he has none.
I picked up the daily wear contacts which are working nicely although I still need drops during the day.

Here you can see part of the reason I am having trouble keeping my birdfeeder filled. :-)
The squirrels and deer keep raiding the feeder.

Our temperatures ranged this week -- mostly warmer and then a dip back to high 30s. And we had rain on and off all week. That's okay - the rain will help bring in the green.

I enjoyed my reading and listening again this week. I finished two audiobooks and one light ebook. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited only 14 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Cornerfolds. Tracy is a bookworm and a proud wife and mommy to three fur babies. YA fantasy is her favorite and her blog features mostly YA.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post February 2, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 3, 2020.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Enforcing the Paw by Diane Kelly; Genre: Animal, Cozy Mystery, Police Procedures; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• A2020- Audio Book Review: Starfire by Jenetta Penner; Genre: Alien, Dystopian, Teen and Young Adult, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 7, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/13/2020.

• MBS January 2020 Reading List Wrap Up.

• Sharing Beyond Books #388 Comment Giveaway February 8, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/22/2020.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 9, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Final Day
By: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
This is the conclusion of another post-apocalyptic series on my TBR list.  
Source: 9/1/18 Audible Sale $5.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019-20)

A Tangle of Brungles
by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo Fox (Illustrator)
This has great images and fun, if nonsensical story.
Source: NetGalley 2019-20 (Selected in December but received 2020.)
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

Black Crow, White Snow
by Michael Livingston
Narrated by: Janina Edwards
Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
Release date: 05-02-19
This is a short, female-powered survival story.
Source: 5/17/19 Free Audible Original.
About This Audible Original
In a world where women hold all the power and men have barely been an afterthought, an intrepid shipmistress must put aside everything she knows if she is to save her people.
Bela is at the helm of the Sandcrow, a ship sent from calm seas to the far frozen north in search of a legendary power that could turn the tide of war. Locked into ice, the Sandcrow is lost. Now, for the shipmistress and her crew, a desperate voyage becomes a chilling struggle for survival against nature, fear, and prejudice.
If Bela can lead them to their ultimate destination, will the magic they find be their redemption—or their destruction?
©2019 Michael D. Livingston (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Winter Takes All
by ML Erdahl
I am still enjoying this at 85% in as
Crystal closes in on the killer.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (A2020 for LBC)

The Paradigm
The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times
By: Jonathan Cahn
Narrated by: Paul Michael
Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 11-06-17
Wow - This is more striking than even I expected!
Ladies Book Club chose this book to discuss in February.
Source: 2/1/2020 Audible Credit Purchased for Ladies Book Club.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Reimagining Mr. Right
by Wynter Daniels
I chose a romance for this week.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Former ugly duckling Sydney McCoy yearns to break into television. And the hottest guy she works with—TV sports personality, Chip Haggerty—could be her ticket to the airwaves. Too bad that Chip hardly knows Sydney is alive. Worse, she has no clue how to speak Chip’s sports-oriented language.
Up-and-coming real estate agent Levi Barnett is desperate to convince the owner of a hot downtown property to sell so the company Levi works for can redevelop the site into a multi-million-dollar complex. When he literally crashes into a woman he knew in high school who could champion his cause, he’ll do anything to get Sydney’s help. All she wants from him in return is help communicating with her office crush. No problem! But when Levi starts to fall for the beautiful Sydney, he wonders if he’s making the worst mistake of his life by being her would-be Cyrano de Bergerac.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Hometown Cowboy, Rocky Mountain Riders, Book 1
Written By: Sara Richardson
Narrated By: Laurie Winkel
Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
Date: January 2018
Duration: 9 hours 22 minutes
This is another romance for Valentines' week.
Source: 8/9/18 Two for One Credit Audiobooks.com.
NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH A COWBOY
Jessa Mae Love is done with relationships. No matter how tempting he might be, she cannot--will not--fall for a man like Lance Cortez. The outrageously handsome cowboy is practically a living legend in Colorado, as famous for riding bulls as he is for breaking hearts. What would a big-time rodeo star like him see in a small-town veterinarian who wears glasses, rescues animals, and cries when watching rom-coms? Turns out, plenty.
Raising bulls, riding the circuit, and looking after his ailing father--Lance never stands still for long. Yet Jessa catches his attention, and the more she tries to resist him, the more he wants her. When she agrees to move to the ranch to keep an eye on Lance's dad, Jessa tells him they have to keep it professional: no flirting, no sweet talk, and definitely no kissing. But with Jessa now living under his roof, that's easier said than done . . .

I'm going to keep track of my Alphabet here. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO: A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

February 9, 2020 - I am again enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I am on day 12 of a 21-day plan: Rooted. I am enjoying this study.

I completed three books and posted two reviews which keeps me up to date.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 17, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which are now planned for 2020.
(I have 22 NetGalley titles toward Alphabet letters.)
I have two author titles carried into January 2020.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I didn't request nor receive any ebooks for review.
I picked up a February free book at Christianaudio and two free Audible choices. 
I also picked up two for one credit at Audiobooks.com.
I picked one Kindle $.99 and added only 2 free kindle titles again this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

2/8/2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
The Girl in the Moon
Written By: Terry Goodkind
Narrated By: Elisabeth Rodgers
Publisher: HighBridge Company
Date: March 2018
Duration: 16 hours 21 minutes


The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Publisher: Recorded Books
Date: June 2017
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes


Kindle $.99

Cyber Armageddon Box Set: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Saga
by Mark Go0dwin
I have the first book on Audible which I hope to listen to it soon.

Free

2/7/2020 February Free Member Download at ChristianAudio.com

The Ragamuffin Gospel
Author Brennan Manning
Narrator Scott Brick
Runtime 6 Hrs. 42 Min. - Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio

2/8/2020 Two Free Member Audible Originals
Caffeine
How Caffeine Created the Modern World
By: Michael Pollan
Narrated by: Michael Pollan
Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
Release date: 01-30-20

Our Harlem
Seven Days of Cooking, Music and Soul at the Red Rooster
By: Marcus Samuelsson
Narrated by: Marcus Samuelsson
Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 06-27-19

I added only 2 free Kindle titles to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 9, 2020

Our substitute Sunday School teacher gave a lesson he titled, “Why, God?” We shared in praise and worship and then Pastor gave his second sermon regarding marriage in his series, Relationship Goals.

Last week Pastor stressed the importance of marriage and how Satan is constantly attacking marriages to separate husband and wife and separate them from God.

Last week’s point was:
Your marriage is under attack. You must choose every day to fight for your marriage together.
The enemy wants to destroy your marriage, destroy everything around you. Satan hates your marriage. Men – love your wives. Wives – respect your husbands.

This week Pastor titled his message “I Do Until You Did.”
Each couple is unique and has to learn to handle the pressure cooker that is life.
Our marriages face intense pressures, stresses and challenges -- financial, job, location changes, health, children, losses, infidelity, and so much more.

If you begin tracking what mate ‘did’ it creates problems. Keeping score will only stress love and respect. Marriage brings the two to become one. Keeping score defines the end of me and the beginning of you instead of preserving the union of “us”.

We each have the choice to model or conduct and our marriage after the example of Jesus or the example of the culture of the world. Many try to combine scriptural and secular but this still results in problems.

Ephesians defines the right attitude in marriage: Ephesians 5:15-31.
Verse 21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Marriage calls for mutual submission. It requires a conscious decision.
This is the attitude we need to hold “out of reverence for Christ”.
Some people agree to resolve issues and move on. Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”. But others live to be offended.
There is no room for scorekeeping. Verse 15: So...be careful how you live...

Is your marriage truly reverent toward Jesus?
Is your marriage filled with the Holy Spirit?
Is your marriage (and life) Christ-centered?

The Point: Marriage must be filled with and surrounded by the Holy Spirit to make it through the pressures of this life.

Are you allowing the enemy to win?
Imitate God, not this world.
Learn to:

• Forgive quickly and fully. (Don’t let the seed of criticism and bitterness create a sickness in your heart.)
•  Love fully and unconditionally
•  Put your marriage above all else, second only to Jesus.
•  Surrender your life and surrender your marriage to Jesus. Decide to make a change in you and your approach. Decide to love and forgive first.
•  Start growing together. (Not apart.)
•  Accept help, mentoring, counseling. It is not proof of failure but proof of determination and commitment.

Fight for your marriage together, as one body!

I thought this song would fit today.

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 5:15-17, 21-22 and 28 (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
…
28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.


I praise the God of heaven and give thanks for my husband of 34 plus years. I am grateful that we learned early to make Jesus the center of our home.

 

Sharing Beyond Books #388 Comment Giveaway February 8, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

10 commenters do not participate in Goodreads challenge, although some used to. Only five of us still participate in the Goodreads Challenge and Fredamans does a monthly Book Bingo challenge which sounds fun.

The Winner from SBB #387 comments is: #10 RUBYNREBA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #388

(One Question.)

Nikki asks: What's your favourite movie classic??

For years my favorite classic movie was Madam X which I haven't watched in years and I don't think it is counted as a true 'classic'. For true classic I would pick Wizard of Oz. My hubby would pick Shane, which may not make a 'classic' list.
I think "classic" may have different definitions.
Here is a list of Top 100 Classics at Rotten Tomatoes. I would not include movies after 1970 (50 years back) so that would eliminate 7 of those on the list.
I would include several others like The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Fiddler on the Roof and Peter Pan. Of course all of those are musicals and I was a big fan of those.

Image found at Rotten Tomatoes..

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month, I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify

Your turn to share. Nikki asks: What's your favourite movie classic??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 5 PM central.