Sharing Beyond Books #433 Comment Giveaway October 30, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.
Happy Halloween and Goodbye October.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#432 Nikki asked: Is there a book-to-movie (or tv series) adaptation that you wish was never adapted? Please share the movie and why.
Six commentors couldn't think of any movie/TV adaptation they wish hadn't been named. There were six specific titles mentioned with Lord of Ring trilogy mentioned twice. One person doesn't watch enough movies to comment.

For US participants: I need to update and refill the books available to US winners. I have used "Love" and "Christmas" titles as well as ARC titles. Since the supply is lower, I have author collections I could choose from, mostly romance - historical, suspense and some contemporary. What genres/books/authors would you like me to include?

The Winner from SBB#432 comments is #7 MARYP 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #433

(One Question.)

Miki asks: Did book prices go up since covid in your area or has the covid trouble affected books in another way (delay, number available etc)??

I haven't noticed higher book prices due to Covid, although I don't buy physical books very often. Our community didn't seem to have much trouble with deliveries until the last few months when we started experiencing mail and overnight delays.
This is business papers, not books. Last week we had four express packages delayed two days and one package ended up getting delivered to my house address! We believe it was a new driver who couldn't seem to find our temporary (3 years now) address that is in a shopping plaza!

Image found at BioSpace

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 them. .

October comments were provided by Fredamans, Nikki and Miki who all get $2.50 credit.
Your turn to share. Miki asks: Did book prices go up since covid in your area or has the covid trouble affected books in another way (delay, number available etc)??

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, November 13, 2021, at 5 PM central.

#FraterfestRat Audio Book Review: Gustav Gloom and the People Taker by Adam-Troy Castro

I enjoyed this story that combines darkneAdam-Troy Castross with sweet friendship.
Gustav Gloom and the People Taker
Written by
Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky

Run Time 4h 42min
Release Date: November 19, 2019
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Children's, Paranormal, Supernatural
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher Description
Enter an exciting new world of shadows from Hugo Award nominee Adam-Troy Castro. Meet Gustav Gloom.
Fernie What finds herself lost in the Gloom mansion after her cat appears to have been chased there by its own shadow. Fernie discovers a library full of every book that was never written, a gallery of statues that are just plain awkward, and finds herself at dinner watching her own shadow take part in the feast!
Along the way Fernie is chased by the People Taker who is determined to take her to the Shadow Country. It’s up to Fernie and Gustav to stop the People Taker before he takes Fernie’s family.

Review:
The community of Sunnyside Terrace view Gustav Gloom as the saddest boy they have ever seen. He seems to live alone in the dark Gloom mansion. When ‘helpful’ people go to the house to see what they can do, they either are never seen again or come out less than the whole person that went in. So they neighbors have learned to stay away.

Fernie What and her father and sister have just moved in next door to the Gloom mansion. The young sisters, especially Fernie, have a fascination with monsters and dark, scary stories. Fernie wants to visit the Gloom mansion even though she sees the dark shadows in the yard and has already seen a strange event with a neighbor dog. The first night in their new house, Fernie’s cat escapes and Fernie follows her to Gloom mansion. Fernie’s reluctance to enter the dark building is overcome by her desire to protect her cat.

As Fernie looks in the different rooms for her cat, she comes upon a huge library. A strange man explains to Fernie that the empty looking books are every book that has never been written. Soon Fernie finds herself under attack by a looming beast and a dark, evil looking man. Gustav snatches her from the attack and the two race off only steps ahead of danger as Gustav tries to get Fernie out of the building before she is caught by the People Taker. Gustav tries to explain the many dangers of the house as they rush through other strange rooms, sharing a little about themselves and becoming friends.

Fernie’s father and sister come looking for her when they find she is missing. They are met by a supposedly friendly ‘neighbor’ who lures them into the mansion. Can Gustav save his new friend and her family from the monsters in his home?

This is another dark but cute story that is good for younger audiences…as well as adults. The author has created rather unique monsters and situations in the dark and gloom that surrounds Gustav and his home. The scary adventure is softened by the sweet characters and their developing friendship. I notice that the ebook has some cute images that children would enjoy. I liked the audio version which seemed to soften the darkness a little for me. I do recommend this to middle grade students and their parents who will enjoy reading or listening with them.

Audio Notes: Jesse Vilinsky does a lovely job with the narration. The pronunciation is clear and distinct and conveys the somber tone of the setting while also sharing the emotions of the children. I expect that I will get more in the series and I would chose the audio version.

Source: November 2020 Chirp Purchase $0.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat (#6) goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 29, 2021

Happy Friday! Happy Halloween!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

I plan to try to put together a new box of books for next week as I start the 12th anniversary month of Friday Pick.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the October 22, 2021 Pick. There was one automatic win again last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.
CHRISTY gets Ghost Writer.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 22, 2021 Pick:
MYSTICA gets a GC

AND
ALINA gets a GC.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I'll take a bite out of a book. How about you?
Image found at Photo by gleestormont on flickr.

New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson


New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job

New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- 

All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost ELEVEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,376 books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors, your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to faraway places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

#Fraterfest Audible Book Review: Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2 by John Scalzi

This is a good, short mystery series.
Murder by Other Means: The Dispatcher, Book 2
By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto

Series: The Dispatcher, Book 2
Length 3h 33m
Release date: 09-10-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Mystery, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
From Hugo and Audie Award-winning author John Scalzi comes an exciting sequel to The New York Times best-selling, number one Audible hit The Dispatcher, performed by the incomparable Zachary Quinto.
Welcome to the new world, in which murder is all but a thing of the past. Because when someone kills you, 999 times out of 1,000, you instantly come back to life. In this world, there are dispatchers—licensed killers who step in when you’re at risk of a natural or unintentional death. They kill you—so you can live.
Tony Valdez is used to working his job as a dispatcher within the rules of the law and the state. But times are tough, and more and more Tony finds himself riding the line between what’s legal and what will pay his bills. After one of these shady gigs and after being a witness to a crime gone horribly wrong, Tony discovers that people around him are dying, for reasons that make no sense...and which just may implicate him.
Tony is running out of time: to solve the mystery of these deaths, to keep others from dying, and to keep himself from being a victim of what looks like murder, by other means.
©2020 John Scalzi (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tony is a dispatcher who is accustomed to killing … as long as it is within the rules which allow him to kill, or “dispatch” people whose lives may be saved when they come back to life. Tony agrees to take a job that isn’t quite on the up and up, but he needs the money. He doesn’t expect the situation to cause trouble as it isn’t in the interest of any of the participants to reveal the job.

As Tony is in the bank to deposit his fees, he becomes a witness to a bank robbery. The head of the gang turns to shoot the others, with that apparently being their get-away plan. The problem is, the first man shot stays down instead of disappearing. The dead man is the one in a thousand who stays dead. That means the cops can trace the identity of at least one of the robbers who turns out to be another dispatcher. As the investigation moves forward clues begin to point to Tony as part of the gang, if not its leader.

The lead detective is soon found dead, supposedly of a suicide. Then others associated with the robbery. Tony is in a race to uncover the true villains before others around him die of murder ‘by other means’ while the authorities focus only on him.

I like Tony’s character as he uses his assassin skills to help others even if it isn’t always comfortable. I enjoyed this mystery and the twists that Tony has to untangle. I also like that this is a quick listen. I recommend this to fans of mystery with a twist.

Audio Notes: Zachary Quinto’s narration fits this series nicely. His voice captures Tony’s personality and character and keeps the edgy nature of the mystery. I liked listening to this mystery.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook goals and #FraterfestRat #5.

Audible Book Review: The Dispatcher by John Scalzi 4.5

#FraterfestRat Audible Book Review: Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance by Tommy Krappweis

This is a fun listen with some minor issues.

Ghostsitter - A Crazy Inheritance
By: Tommy Krappweis
Narrated by: Michael Braun, Marc Vietor, Jay Snyder, Dina Pearlman, Cynthia Darlow, Stephen Bel Davies, James Fouhey, Jeena Yi, Jessie Cannizzaro, Kevin T. Collins, Mateo D'Amato

Series: Ghostsitter, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Literature & Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
A whole-family listen for fans of Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family.
When Tom is invited to the reading of a will of a great-uncle he’s never heard of, there’s no way to know what to expect. But on the long list of possible things to inherit, a travelling carnival ghost train is the very last on the list.
To get his full $10 million inheritance, all Tom has to do is run the antique ride until his 18th birthday. Easy. Except for a strange caped-creep he’s never met, who’s trying to con him out of the money...and the actual ghosts and ghouls who call the ride home.
Over the decades, vampire Vlarad, zombie Wombie, Hop-Tep the mummy, werewolf Welf, and ghost girl Mimi have created their own unique family, and they welcome Tom into their circle as a first-time "ghostsitter".
Keeping the spirits secret from the outside world is not easy, but with wit and ingenuity, Tom proves, time and again, that he is exactly the right person for the job.
©2015 Tommy Krappweis (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Tom is a young teen who has been raised by his lively grandmother. Tom is surprised to learn that he has inherited ten million dollars from an uncle he never met. Another stranger, Welf, arrives to take Tom and his grandmother to meet with a strange lawyer. The lawyer explains that Tom has to run his uncle’s antique travelling carnival ghost train in order to receive the inheritance. Before Tom has a chance to register everything a man in a cape with a red clad female companion push into the room. He offers Tom a significant cash price for the tour train. As Tom hesitates, a brawl ensues.

In another day, Welf takes Tom off to see the train. Tom is a bit dismayed when he sees what appears to be a dilapidated train which he thinks wouldn’t attract anyone. Tom soon learns there is more involved in the ride when he meets the unique team of unusual characters that work together to make the ride successful. This group includes a vampire, a zombie, a mummy, a ghost girl and of course werewolf Welf.

Tom is a little uncomfortable moving into his uncle’s very dusty caravan home and he worries he will not be able to fulfill his job as a “ghostsitter”. When the group is attacked by demon killing angels, Tom quickly learns that each member of the team, and that includes him, contributes to protect each other and keep the train going.

This is a fun story that has a little "Scooby Doo" vibe to it. The creatures are fun, rather than scary. It is an issue that the enemy are a type of angel but I don't think that has to ruin the story as Tom shows by pushing them to show mercy and love to other creatures. There are sound effects that add to the story and there is a quirky little song between sections that is surely designed for the kids to enjoy. I found it cute but after a couple of times I did fast forward to the next section. I plan to share this with my grandchildren because I do think they will enjoy it, but adults can enjoy it too.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast whose energetic delivery enhances the entertaining story. I would like to listen to more in the series.

Source: 6/20/2020 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and #FraterfestRat goals.