BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tv. Show all posts

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Bea Reviews Unnatural Habits & Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood

Series: Phryne Fisher #19
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 4th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

1929: Girls are going missing in Melbourne. Little, pretty, golden haired girls. And not just pretty. Three of them are pregnant, poor girls from the harsh confines of the Magdalene Laundry. People are getting nervous. Polly Kettle, a pushy, self important Girl Reporter with ambition and no sense of self preservation, decides to investigate and promptly goes missing herself. It's time for Phryne and Dot to put a stop to this and find Polly Kettle before something quite irreparable happens to all of them. It's all piracy and dark cellars, convents and plots, murder and mystery .... and Phryne finally finds out if it's true that blondes have more fun.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Bea Reviews Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood

Bea's Book Nook, Review, Away with the Fairies, Kerry Greenwood
Series: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries #11 
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press 
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: August 1st, 2017 (re-release)
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository*  | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from the publisher:


Monday, July 10, 2017

Bea Reviews Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

Bea's Book Nook, Review, Midnight Crossroad, Charlaine Harris
Series: Midnight, Texas, #1
Publisher: Ace Books
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 4th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Get ready for the new drama Midnight, Texas on NBC with the first book in Charlaine Harris' paranormal mystery series about a small town where only outsiders fit in...

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and the Davy highway. It's a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There's a pawnshop with three residents. One is seen only at night. There's a diner, but people stopping there tend not to linger. There's a newcomer, Manfred Bernardo, who just wants to work hard and blend in. But Manfred has secrets of his own.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Bea Reviews Raisins and Almonds by Kerry Greenwood

Bea's Book Nook, Review, Raisins and Almonds, Kerry Greenwood
Series: Phryne Fisher #9
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 6th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Phryne Fisher loves dancing, especially with gorgeous young Simon Abrahams. But Phryne's contentment at the Jewish Young People's Society Dance is cut short when Simon's father asks her to investigate the strange death of a devout young student in Miss Sylvia Lee s East Market bookshop. Miss Lee has been arrested for the murder, and Phryne believes that she is a very unlikely killer. Investigation leads her into the exotic world of Yiddish, refugees, rabbis, kosher dinners, Kadimah, strange alchemical symbols, and chicken soup. With help from the old faithfuls Bert and Cec, her taxi driver friends; her devoted companion Dot; and Detective Inspector Call me Jack Robinson, Phryne picks her way through the mystery. She soon finds herself at the heart of a situation far graver and more political than she at first appreciates. And all for the price of a song .

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Bea Reviews Hidden Universe Travel Guide: Star Trek: Vulcan by Dayton Ward

Bea's Book Nook, Review, Hidden Universe Travel Guide: Star Trek: Vulcan, Dayton Ward
Series: Hidden Universe Book 1
Publisher: Insight Editions
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: July 19, 2016
Challenges: NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Set in the Star Trek universe, this Hidden Universe travel guide explores all that Vulcan—Spock’s home planet—has to offer in an interactive guidebook.

Plan your next trip to the planet Vulcan! Find restaurants that serve the best fried sandworms and Vulcan port. Take a trip to the Fire Plains or experience spring break at the Voroth Sea. Learn all about the native Vulcan people and their unusual customs. Discover how to correctly perform the traditional Vulcan salutation (you really don’t want to get this wrong). Learn key Vulcan phrases such as Nam-tor puyan-tvi-shal wilat: “Where is your restroom?” Find out what to do if you suddenly find yourself host to a katra—a Vulcan’s living spirit—at an inconvenient moment. All this and more can be found within the pages of this essential travel guide to one of the most popular—and logical—destinations in the known universe.

This Hidden Universe travel guide draws on 50 years of Star Trek TV shows, films, and novels to present a comprehensive guide to Spock’s iconic home world. Modeled after real-world travel guides, the book will explore every significant region on Vulcan with fascinating historical, geographical, and cultural insights that bring the planet to life like never before. Also featuring a dynamic mixture of classic Star Trek imagery and original illustrations created exclusively for the book, Hidden Universe Travel Guide: Star Trek: Vulcan is the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of Star Trek and will thrill pop culture fans and hardcore Star Trek fans alike.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Bea Reviews Star Trek: Manifest Destiny by Mike Johnson & Ryan Parrott, Art by Angel Hernandez

Series: Star Trek
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date:  July 5th 2016
Challenges: I Love Libraries |
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository*  | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the STAR TREK franchise with this all-new adventure! At the edge of explored space, Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise come face to face with a new Klingon threat... with the fate of the galaxy at stake! Also includes the Klingon Language version of issue #1!

Friday, October 9, 2015

Love Star Trek? Love Writing? Strange New Worlds Fan Fiction Contest Returns for 2016

This just sounds fun! I remember reading ST fan fic years ago and for many years I read and enjoyed the authorized Star Trek novels. Now here's a chance for you to write your own authorized Star Trek, set in any of the ST worlds: TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager, Enterprise, etc.

Simon & Schuster, as part of its celebration of Star Trek's upcoming 50th anniversary, will bring back its popular Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fan fiction writing contest. The orignal Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was a yearly collection of Trek short stories published between 1998 and 2007, with the amateur writers' works chosen via an open submissions process. The new contest for 2016 will result in 10 grand prize winners who will have their stories published in the print and eBook formats as part of an all-new and official anthology from Simon & Schuster (yea, this is going on my wish list!). Additionally, the two first prize winners will receive a free self-publishing package from Archway Publishing.

The deadline is January 15, 2016 for submissions by U.S. residents only, and the winners will be announced on March 31, 2016, with the winning stories selected by a panel (to be named in the near future). And, to make the 2016 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds a fully fan-created package, fans will soon be asked to submit their artwork for cover consideration. Visit www.startrekbooks.com for additional details.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Bea Reviews Star Trek: The Original Series: Shadow of the Machine by Scott Harrison

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Series: Star Trek: The Original Series
Format Read: eGalley
Challenges: NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 9, 2015
Buying Links: Amazon*  | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

An e-novella set in the Original Series universe—taking place immediately after the events of the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

After its recent encounter with V’ger, the U.S.S. Enterprise has returned to dry dock to finish its refit before commencing its second five-year mission. The crew has been granted a two-week period of shore leave before preparations for their next voyage begins. Shaken by their encounter with V’ger, Kirk, Spock, and Sulu travel to their respective homes and must reflect upon their lives—now forever changed.

Quote-Tastic & Review: Star Trek Vol 9 The Q Gambit by Mike Johnson

Publisher: IDW Publishing
Series: Star Trek: Ongoing
Format Read: eGalley
Challenges:  NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: 
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository*  | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

The crew of the new Star Trek film franchise encounters the classic villain Q for the first time in this galaxy-spanning adventure developed in association with screenwriter/producer Roberto Orci! The mischievous Q sends James T. Kirk on a quest that will see the Enterprise joining forces with familiar faces from Star Trek lore. Collects issues #35–40.

Friday, December 12, 2014

ARC Review of The City on the Edge of Forever by Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton, David Tipton, J.K. Woodward (Illustrations)

Publisher: IDW publishing
Format Read: eGalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 3, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

For the first time ever, a visual presentation of the much-discussed, unrevised, unadulterated version of Harlan Ellison's award-winning Star Trek teleplay script, "The City on the Edge of Forever!" See the story as Mr. Ellison originally intended!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Steph Reviews The Making of George A. Romero's Day of the Dead by Lee Karr

Publisher: Plexus Publishing Limited
Format Read: Ebook
Source: From the Publisher for an honest review
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Released in 1985, Day of the Dead was the final film of George A. Romero's classic zombie trilogy, which forever changed the face of horror filmmaking. Set in an apocalyptic world where the living-dead epidemic has wiped out most of humanity, the movie quickly acquired cult status, and — with one remake released in 2008 and another planned for 2014 — its influence on popular culture can still be felt today. Now, for the first time, the full history of the making of the iconic original film is revealed. Drawing on a wealth of exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, author Lee Karr leaves no stone unturned in detailing the movie's preproduction, shoot, release, and legacy. Filled with behind-the-scenes gossip and previously unpublished stories from the set, as well as over 100 full-color photos, this book gives Day of the Dead the resurrection it deserves.


Saturday, May 24, 2014

SPOTLIGHT & GC GIVEAWAY: American Ride with Stan Ellsworth


American Ride 

Today's spotlight is different; instead of showcasing a book, I'm showcasing a TV show. American Ride features a history teacher who travels around the US on a motorcycle and teaches us about American history. Since I just reviewed a historical reference book earlier this week, it seemed appropriate to share this.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The premiere episode of Bitten

Well, "Bitten", based on Kelley Armstrong's book of the same name has now premiered in both Canada and the US. Mild spoilers ahead so stop now if you don't want to know!

If you watched, what did you think? Despite some unnecessary changes and questionable casting, I liked it. The episode stayed pretty true to the book but by no means covered the whole book. It was a little slow though and I hope they don't try to drag out the book for all thirteen episodes that have been ordered. I'm curious to see, if the show continues, whether it follows the other books or goes it's own way. The sneak peek of the episodes seem to cover the entire first book and to be fairly true to the book. Still, how are they going to stretch a 436 page book out to 13 hours?

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Review of Star Trek FAQ: by Mark Clark

Publisher: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
Series: Star Trek FAQ #1
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon     The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Star Trek FAQ tells the complete story of Star Trek, from the before the beginning (the books, films, and TV shows that inspired producer Gene Roddenberry to create Star Trek) until after the end (when the show emerged as a cultural phenomenon in syndication), and including dramatic behind-the-scenes stories (e.g., Leonard Nimoy's struggle with alcoholism and actress Grace Lee Whitney's controversial firing) often omitted from "authorized" histories of the program. Along with in-depth looks at the pre- and post-Trek careers of the show's iconic leads, Star Trek FAQ includes profiles of guest stars and "redshirt" extras alike, as well as the many writers, technicians, and artisans whose efforts enabled Star Trek to take flight. The book also explores the show's unprecedented resurgence in the 1970s with chapters devoted to early Star Trek fiction, merchandising, and the short-lived animated series. Combining a wealth of fascinating information about every facet of the show's production with original analysis of Star Trek's enduring appeal and cultural influence, Star Trek FAQ goes where no Star Trek book has gone before.

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts:

YES! YES! YES!


See those three guys on the cover? Bones, Spock, and Kirk? My first tv crushes, my first real celebrity crushes. Now, Scotty is actually my favorite, but he didn't make the cover, boo hiss. Bones is my second favorite and it's a close call, they're practically tied for favorite. I have a photo of James Doohan as Scotty, SIGNED! Heck, Scotty is one of my nicknames (despite my utter lack of mechanical ability). So, yeah, when the egalley of this book became available for review, requesting it was only logical. :) I also ordered a print copy.


Call me a Trekkie, Trekker, Trekaholic, whatever. I'm not too picky about the term used. I'm a fan; not one who knows every last detail down to Zefram Cochrane's birthday (if I did, I wouldn't need the book, lol.) but more than just a casual fan, who, say, knows the names of the big 3 stars but none of others. I'm in the middle. I had a fair amount of knowledge already. That was a pretty good starting base for this book. Actually, this book would be good for the casual fan who wants to know more about the series, and also for the committed fan who wants or needs a new reference source.


This is a comprehensive book that looks at just about everything related to the show (there may be some things forgotten or left out but nothing comes to mind.) Clark made each chapter stand-alone so that the reader can easily skip chapters if they decide:
"While it's perfectly acceptable to read this book front to back, Star Trek FAQ has been designed for nonlinear consumption. Each chapter functions independently. Although this inevitably results in some duplication of information between sections, I have tried to minimize repetition. So feel free to flip around."
This format works well, and I recommend it over reading straight through as I did.

David Gerrold, who wrote the classic episode, "The Trouble with Tribbles" (or DID he? Read and find out.), in his forward to the book, talks about how much has already been written about Star Trek:
"Maybe it's time to call in the EPA. A new Star Trek movie or TV series will cause whole forests to be plowed under, cause the sea level to rise, and the deplete the oxygen levels of this planet. I fear for the future of humanity!
Okay, and maybe I had too much coffee this morning, too.".....
 "The important thing here is that a lot has been said about Star Trek and a lot of the stuff said about Star Trek has been like a game of Russian Telephone."...
The point being of course, that much has been written and said and passed on, but much of it is inaccurate. Clark pulls together numerous sources (there's a comprehensive bibliography), from the actors, the studio, producers, series writers, even TV Guide, and presents the facts. He does so in a chatty, easy to read, sometimes humorous, way that felt like I was talking about the show with one of my ST loving friends. He also goes beyond details such as who wrote which episode but gives us the behind the scenes info: in many instances Roddenberry re-wrote episodes, some so much so that it bore little resemblance to the script submitted by the credited writer. He also looks at the acting careers of the ST actors, all of them, before and after their stints on ST, looks at the various conflicts amongst actors and producers, talks about why ST had the impact it did, how it fits into TV's history of science fiction shows, influences, awards, Roddenberry's inspiration, etc. As I said, it's comprehensive.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who has any interest at all in the original Star Trek show. Clark is at work on a sequel, Star Trek FAQ 2.0, scheduled for 2013, that will look at the growth of the ST franchise, including the movies and the TV spin-off, Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I received an egalley from the publisher for review.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Review: Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson & Sam Stall

Book Blurb:  Journey to the Final Frontier of Sci-Fi Zombie Horror!

Jim Pike was the world's biggest Star Trek fan—until two tours of duty in Afghanistan destroyed his faith in the human race. Now he sleepwalks through life as the assistant manager of a small hotel in downtown Houston.

But when hundreds of Trekkies arrive in his lobby for a science-fiction convention, Jim finds himself surrounded by costumed Klingons, Vulcans, and Ferengi—plus a strange virus that transforms its carriers into savage, flesh-eating zombies!

As bloody corpses stumble to life and the planet teeters on the brink of total apocalypse, Jim must deliver a ragtag crew of fanboys and fangirls to safety. Dressed in homemade uniforms and armed with prop phasers, their prime directive is to survive. But how long can they last in the ultimate no-win scenario?

*This is an original work of fiction, horror, and parody, and is not officially sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the owners of the Star Trek® brand. 


My Thoughts: I'm not generally a zombie fan but I AM a Trekkie. I've loved it since I was a little kid. One of my very best friends, I met over 20 years ago in college because of Star Trek. We had a class together but hadn't talked until she spotted me reading a Star Trek comic book (yes, this was back before they were graphic novels) as I waited for class to start. We've been good friends ever since. I spotted this book over the summer at my local independent book store, picked it up and skimmed through it. I've been to some ST conventions and the authors seemed to know what they were talking about plus it didn't seem campy despite the cover art so I decided to give it a try.

     The book moves quickly and contains some twists and turns, though a few parts were predictable. There are a few small plot holes, but the book is written in good fun. It's funny but not sarcastic or biting, the convention parts felt real, and the characters were likable. I did want to slap Jim a time or two, he was exceedingly self-absorbed, but he's written that way and some of the other characters did it for me. :D

     There's a running gag concerning the friendly rivalry between Trek fans and Star Wars fans which was fun but not overly done. There are some puns (hello, the name Jim Pike? Awesome)  but the book never becomes childish or crosses the line into ridiculous. I didn't completely buy into the explanation for where the zombies came from or how they developed but but it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book. It was fun, had lots of neat little ST references, and I read it in one sitting.


Publisher: Quirk Books

Release Date: July 28, 2010



I borrowed this paperback from my local library.