Tristan is STRONG

Strong character, strong series, strong everything!  Tristan Strong Punches a Hole is the Sky is one of those books that I am so glad to have read, but now mad that I didn't wait until the second and third and fourth were published because I want more!  I will have to wait until October, sad to say! 
This is part of a Rick Riodan Presents which I think is a pretty cool venture!
I haven't read any other books from the RRP imprint, but man, Kwame Mbalia has written a book that spins together today's world and myths that I found fascinating and funny and smart.  I don't know if I ever will get into the genre, I enjoyed the first Percy Jackson book but never read further even though I know they were well loved and probably are awesome but they are just so not for me. 
Mbalia's writing, the voice of Tristan and the supporting characters, um who couldn't love Gum Baby and John Henry and man...I have to admit it...I have to...I even dig Anansi!  I laughed a lot through this book but it also holds many universal truths, like myths do.  October can't get here fast enough.
And man, man I hope this becomes a MOVIE!!!!

I Didn't Know Him

but Adam Wade seems like a really nice guy.  You Oughta Know Adam Wade was my introduction to him.   Here is why I couldn't be too enthusiastic about Mr. Wade.  I think I am jealous.  I have tried my hand at stand-up and I enjoy it and I have done well.  But more than telling jokes I am most successful when I tell stories.  Well, as you can imagine, when I found out that Adam Wade makes a living telling stories, my shadow self was on fire! 
"I am so much funnier than he is!"
"I could do better!"
Truth is, I am not!  And Mr. Wade is where he needs to be.  So if you enjoy laughing and love a good story, and your shadow self is in check, you will thoroughly enjoy getting to know Adam Wade. 

Tall Tales and Ghosties

Ozark Tall Tales, The Scariest Stories Ever, Wonder Tales from Around the World, There's No Such Thing as Ghosts:  Ghost Stories from the Southeast, Ozark Ghost Stories, Cajun Ghost Stories, Twenty-two Splendid Stories to Tell From Around the World, and Ghost Stories from the American Southwest are all published by August House and are part of the American Storytelling series.  I was to do some storytelling at a community event, which was later changed because of the weather and I needed some new material so I really did my research.  Even though I didn't

get to do that particular program, I have picked up so great stories to tell to classrooms and groups.  All very well done and very well read.  Some aren't for kids though, but adults love stories, too! 

What Can You Say?

Jackie Torrence?
Stories from her childhood? 
She narrated the book?
Made me laugh.
Made me cry.
Made me think.
All you can say is:
My Grandmother's Treasure = Perfection. 

Trolling

Is trolling a thing anymore?  The Trolls by Polly Horvath is a pretty funny book.  It's not laugh-out-loud funny, bizarre, hilarious like The Pepins and Their Problems.  But man, it subtly tells a story that is important, interesting and amusing. 
Siblings Melissa, Amanda and Pee Wee need someone to stay with them when their parents go on vacation.  Their regular babysitter is sick and there is no one to take care of them but their father's sister from Vancouver Island,  Aunt Sally. 
Aunt Sally is very different!  And she brings with her, stories of the family from long ago. 
The ending really made the book for me. 

So it was October...

and, as I have mentioned, I often have to tell scary tales in October.  I am always looking for some new one and I happened upon Scary Stories for All Ages (American Storytelling) available on audible and I bought it and really enjoyed it.   Great stories and well narrated on the audio.  Did I use any?  No.  But still, I loved this book.  

Many Bones

Obviously the book More Bones is second in a series, but I never read the first.  I need to go and do so now, as More Bones:  Scary Stories from Around the World is quite good!  The first one is called Ask the Bones.  I am going to get it at the library tomorrow!  And you should, too!  This is a collection of creepy stories from different places around the world.  The one from Japan is one of my favorites, and I use it when I have to do scary storytelling.  This book is worth buying, I think, if  you are a storyteller and called upon to do the scary thing.  I think I will get me a copy!