Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Title: Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Editors: Toni L. P. Kelner and Charlaine Harris

Pages: 352

Stars: 4 out of 5 stars 

You know a book series is popular when the fans clamor for more stories and more information about characters after the author has officially ended the series AND written a book to explain what happens to each of the characters after the final book. Charlaine Harris wasn't sure about turning her beloved Bon Temps and the characters over to other authors, but she was pleased with what the 15 invited authors submitted. 

The stories included in Dead but Not Forgotten are:

"Nobody's Business" by Rachel Caine (featuring Kevin Pryor & Kenya Jones)
"Tyger, Tyger" by Christopher Golden (featuring Quinn)
"The Real Santa Claus" by Leigh Perry (featuring Diantha)
"Taproot" by Jeffrey J. Mariotte (featuring Andy Bellefleur)
"Knit a Sweater Out of Sky" by Seanan McGuire (featuring Amelia)
"Love Story" by Jeanne C. Stein (featuring Adele Hale Stackhouse)
"The Million-Dollar Hunt" by Jonathan Maberry (featuring Mustapha Khan)
"Borderline Dead" by Nicole Peeler (featuring Desiree Dumas)
"Extreme Makeover Vamp Edition" by Leigh Evans (featuring Bev & Todd)
"Don't Be Cruel" by Bill Crider (featuring Bubba)
"What a Dream I Had" by Nancy Holder (featuring Alcide Herveaux)
"Another Dead Fairy" by Miranda James (featuring Claude & Claudia Crane)
"The Bat-Signal" by Suzanne McLeod (featuring Luna)
"The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars" by Dana Cameron (featuring Pam Ravenscroft)
"Widower's Walk" by MaryJanice Davidson (featuring Eric Northman)

Dead but Not Forgotten was edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner.

Doctor Who: The Doctor's Lives and Times

 Doctor Who: The Doctor's Lives and Times by James Goss and Steve Tribe

Pages: 256

Rated: 5 out of 5 stars

Presented as a collection of documents on the life and activities of the Time Lord, "The Doctor." The story of The Doctor is told using letters, journals, trial records, secret government files, news files and interviews with The Doctor's friends and enemies. 

In the midst of the documentation of the life of The Doctor, are behind the scenes stories, comments, photos, of the BBC show Doctor Who starting with the first season in black and white, through the current revival of the show now on BBC America. 

I have never seen any of the older episodes of Dr. Who so I learned a lot about the show's history and some of The Doctor's history that fills in some details about his life. These details aren't necessary to enjoy the more recent episodes but they do add some depth to the character and his relationships especially to the British government and alien species all over the universe, including his own people, the Time Lords of Gallifrey. 

The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 2: Political Scandal, Personal Struggle, and the Years That Defined Elizabeth II (1956-1977) by Robert Lacey

The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 2: Political Scandal, Personal Struggle, and the Years That Defined Elizabeth II (1956-1977) by Robert Lacey

Volume 2 of the official companion to the Netflix series The Crown examines the real-life issues that inspired the series, including the Suez Crisis, the race to space, the Duke of Windsor's ties to Hitler, and rumored trouble within the royal marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

304 pages.

The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1: Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the Making of a Young Queen (1947-1955) by Robert Lacey

The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1: Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the Making of a Young Queen (1947-1955) by Robert Lacey

The official companion to the critically acclaimed Netflix series offers an in-depth look at the early reign of Elizabeth II, highlighting the extensive research and additional material that helped form the show. Author and historian Robert Lacey serves as a historical consultant for The Crown.

322 pages.

War of the Sons (Supernatural #6) by Rebecca Dessertine & David Reed

War of the Sons (Supernatural #6)
by Rebecca Dessertine & David Reed

4/5  |  320 pages

Twenty-seven years ago, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. In the years after, their father, John, taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America... and he taught them how to kill it.


On the hunt for Lucifer, the boys find themselves in a small town in South Dakota where they meet Don - an angel with a proposition... Don sends them a very long way from home, on a mission to uncover the secret Satan never wanted them to find out.

I enjoyed this one.  It can be hard to capture TV characters, but I think this novel does a pretty good job.  I am going to start at the beginning of these novels and work through them as I re-watch the show in preparation for Season 15.  I will so miss this show.

Night Terror (Supernatural #9) by John Passarella

Night Terror (Supernatural #9)
by John Passarella 

3.5/5

381 pages

Alerted to strange happenings in Clayton Falls, Colorado, Bobby sends the boys to check it out. A speeding car with no driver, a homeless man pursued by a massive Gila monster, a little boy chased by uprooted trees — it all sounds like the stuff of nightmares. The boys fight to survive a series of terrifying nighttimes, realizing that sometimes the nightmares don’t go away — even when you’re awake...

Overall, not bad.  I'm always wary of tie-in novels, especially the ones for Supernatural.  It's hard enough to write good horror fiction, but add in the pressure of using a well-loved, well-established world, and well - it's usually crappy.  This one was better than the others I've tried.  The horror element was strong and the story held my attention.  My main complaint is the extreme gore (I had to skip ahead a couple of times) and the amount of time it took S&D to figure out the problem - longer than is true to their characters. 

The show will have its last season this year, so I'm excited these novels are out there. 

Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting by David Reed

Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting
by David Reed

4.5/5

272 pages

My name is Bobby Singer. In twenty-four hours I’m gonna lose my memory. So here’s everything you need to know.

Monsters, demons, angels, vampires, the boogeyman under your bed: I’ve seen it, I’ve hunted it, I’ve killed it. I’m not the only hunter out here, but there aren’t as many as there used to be. Not near as many as there need to be. I’ve learned everything I can about every damned critter that walks, crawls, or flies, and I’m not gonna let that all be for nothing. I’m not going down without a fight. I’m not letting everything I’ve learned disappear. So that’s what you’re holding in your hands—everything I know. Anything that’d be useful for Sam, Dean, and the hunters that come after me.

It’s a guide to hunting...it’s a guide to me. My last will and testament. Ya idjits.

This was a fun read and was true to the characters.  I love the show, and Bobby is a favorite, so it was really awesome to go on another adventure and get some back story from him. 

I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High

 I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High
by Tony Danza
Pages:
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

What starts out as an idea for a documentary television series becomes a lesson in the real-life struggles of teachers and teens across America, especially in the inner cities. Actor, Tony Danza started college wanting to teach high school history before he discovered acting. Now he has the chance to teach for one-year in inner city Philadelphia. But only one class a day of Sophomore English with a teacher agreeing to sit-in and monitor everything he does. The school board wants to make sure their students still get an education while the tv cameras are rolling.

Tony learns that teaching is the hardest job is ever done, physically, mentally and emotionally. He becomes connected to his students and learns how times have changed since he went to school in the city. He also ends up working for half of the school year for free because he caught the film crew and producer talking the teens into making trouble just to "spice up" the footage. He and the principal demand they leave, but Tony is able to stay and finish out the year with the students.

Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook: 40 Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey Recipes by Joanna Farrow

The perfect addition to every Doctor Who fan’s shelf, Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook features a cornucopia of delicious, easy-to-make recipes—from the simple, to the showstoppers—with an exciting Whovian twist. Enjoy the Doctor’s own favorite, fish fingers and custard, share some Cyberman Pie with friends, treat the family to Cassandra Pizza, or indulge your sweet tooth with a Supreme Dalek Cake.

Throwing a viewing party of your favorite episodes? Serve up some Ood Rolls, Salt and Pepper Sontarans, and Weeping Angel Food Cake. And don’t forget the centerpiece for every Whovian get-together, a Gingerbread TARDIS and, of course, 12 Cookie Doctors.

Illustrated with stills from the television show and seasoned with fun food ephemera and quotes from the Doctor’s universe, Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook has something weird, wacky, and tasty for every fan.

Yes, I am that kind of fan.  I love ALL things Doctor Who.  I read the comics and novels, watch every behind-the-scenes or featurette, and color in the coloring books.  So of course I own and love the cookbook.  This is seriously cute.  Will I ever cook anything out of it?  Probably not.  But man do I love the sheer adorableness of it all.  :)  Here are some pictures of the things you can make:

 

5/5

160 pages

Supernatural: John Winchester's Journal by Alex Irvine

Supernatural: John Winchester's Journal by Alex Irvine

After the death of his wife, Mary, at the hands of a demonic force, John Winchester sets out to learn everything he can about the supernatural, his young sons Dean and Sam in tow. Both prequel and resource guide, John Winchester's Journal is comprised to folklore, legend, and superstition. All you might ever want to know about the creatures that appear in the TV show Supernatural, and then some, appear in this guide.

218 pages.

Supernatural : John Winchester's Journal

 Supernatural: John Winchester's Journal
by Alex Irvine
Pages: 218
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Learn all of John Winchester's secrets from his journal. Not only the hunting tips that Sam and Dean use but also his thoughts about losing Mary and raising both Sam and Dean on the road.