Thursday, January 4, 2018
My Best Reads of 2017
It is incredible we've finished another year and I've read another 100 books. This year I read about 100 novels and around 45 graphic novels/issues/mangas. I've really enjoyed the books I picked up this year and it was hard to pick out just a few to mention. In the end though there are always a few that stand out from the rest. Let me know what your favorite books from 2017 were!
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Top Ten Tuesday - New to Me Authors from 2017
Welcome to the New Year! Happy 2018! Here I am back again and trying to get back in the habit of posting on here. Today I have a Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish. I read a lot of new authors in 2017 and so many of them were amazing. I can't wait to see who I'll discover in 2018 but I hope I can read more from these favorites as well.
1) Patricia Briggs - This year I started several series in the paranormal romance genre. Of all the ones I started this year, Briggs easily took the top spots with her two werewolf focused series. I loved the Mercy Thompson Series and I am also excited to read the next installment in the Alpha & Omega Series.
2) Ron Chernow - This year I finally sat down and finished the biography the musical Hamilton was based on. It was fantastic. I can't wait to read more of the biographies Chernow has written this year as I'm hoping to reading more biographies generally this year.
3) Kelly Barnhill- One of my favorite books of 2017 was The Girl Who Drank the Moon and, though I don't reach for middle grade books very often, I would really like to read more of her books.
4) Mackenzie Lee - Lee's debut novel This Monstrous Thing has been in my cart so many times and I finally read something from her this year. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue made me want to read her other works even more plus I can't wait to read her book based on her twitter feature Bygone Badass Broads.
5) Erika Johansen - Last year I read the first two volumes of the Queen of the Tearling Serie and I loved them. Johansen's approach to fantasy is really interesting and I like all the twists and turns she took me on last year.
6) Yaa Gyasi - Homegoing was incredible. I can't wait to read more from Gyasi, but so far there isn't anything new from her on Goodreads. Here's hoping there may be soon!
7) KJ Charles - I read so many KJ Charles novels, novellas and series last year. I can't wait to devour the rest of her collection in 2018.
8) CS Pacat - Another awesome find this year. Pacat's Captive Prince trilogy took me completely off guard and I hope I can explore more from her soon.
9) Emily Skrutskie - I can't wait to finish off this duology and hopefully I'll get my hands on the second book soon.
10) Carrie Fisher - I've heard amazing things about Fisher's autobiographies over the years. I finally tried one this year and I'm hoping to read more next year. Reading her works have made me sad, knowing she has passed away, but the audiobooks are quite good.
1) Patricia Briggs - This year I started several series in the paranormal romance genre. Of all the ones I started this year, Briggs easily took the top spots with her two werewolf focused series. I loved the Mercy Thompson Series and I am also excited to read the next installment in the Alpha & Omega Series.
2) Ron Chernow - This year I finally sat down and finished the biography the musical Hamilton was based on. It was fantastic. I can't wait to read more of the biographies Chernow has written this year as I'm hoping to reading more biographies generally this year.
3) Kelly Barnhill- One of my favorite books of 2017 was The Girl Who Drank the Moon and, though I don't reach for middle grade books very often, I would really like to read more of her books.
4) Mackenzie Lee - Lee's debut novel This Monstrous Thing has been in my cart so many times and I finally read something from her this year. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue made me want to read her other works even more plus I can't wait to read her book based on her twitter feature Bygone Badass Broads.
5) Erika Johansen - Last year I read the first two volumes of the Queen of the Tearling Serie and I loved them. Johansen's approach to fantasy is really interesting and I like all the twists and turns she took me on last year.
6) Yaa Gyasi - Homegoing was incredible. I can't wait to read more from Gyasi, but so far there isn't anything new from her on Goodreads. Here's hoping there may be soon!
7) KJ Charles - I read so many KJ Charles novels, novellas and series last year. I can't wait to devour the rest of her collection in 2018.
8) CS Pacat - Another awesome find this year. Pacat's Captive Prince trilogy took me completely off guard and I hope I can explore more from her soon.
9) Emily Skrutskie - I can't wait to finish off this duology and hopefully I'll get my hands on the second book soon.
10) Carrie Fisher - I've heard amazing things about Fisher's autobiographies over the years. I finally tried one this year and I'm hoping to read more next year. Reading her works have made me sad, knowing she has passed away, but the audiobooks are quite good.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Top Ten Tuesday - 10 Books I Hope Santa Considers
It has been quite a while since I posted a Top Ten Tuesday.
1) Fire Touch or Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs - These are the next two books in the Mercy Thompson series and I'm really excited to continue on with this series. I've been obsessed with paranormal romance series over the last year and this is just the continuation of that!
2) A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas - I love Sherlock Holmes and I love Sherry Thomas' other series so this is something I'm really excited to get my hands on this series at some point. Santa please?
3) Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas by Laura Sook Duncombe - This book looks and sounds really cool. I have a few non-fiction books about pirates and I'm anxious to add more to my collection.
4) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I borrowed this from my library a few weeks ago but didn't have the chance to read it. The concept of this story is so interesting and I've heard nothing but good things.
5) Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker - Jane Eyre from Mr. Rochester's point of view? Sign me up! Plus the cover is absolutely stunning. I hope I can get my hands on this eventually even if Santa doesn't bring it.
6) Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle - The Accident Season was one of my favorite books of 2015. It was a stunning debut and I am aching to reread it. Now I can't wait to get my hands on this sophomore novel.
7) The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis- Steampunk air pirates? A female commander? Sign me up!
8) Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard - Ever since this cover change, I've wanted to read this series in the worst way.
9) Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout - This book has been on my radar for ages, but I'm not sure if I'll like it. Therefore, I'd like someone else to purchase it for me.
10) The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie - After reading the first book, I'm anxious to see where the duology concludes though I've heard some mixed things so we shall see!
4) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I borrowed this from my library a few weeks ago but didn't have the chance to read it. The concept of this story is so interesting and I've heard nothing but good things.
5) Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker - Jane Eyre from Mr. Rochester's point of view? Sign me up! Plus the cover is absolutely stunning. I hope I can get my hands on this eventually even if Santa doesn't bring it.
6) Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle - The Accident Season was one of my favorite books of 2015. It was a stunning debut and I am aching to reread it. Now I can't wait to get my hands on this sophomore novel.
7) The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis- Steampunk air pirates? A female commander? Sign me up!
8) Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard - Ever since this cover change, I've wanted to read this series in the worst way.
9) Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout - This book has been on my radar for ages, but I'm not sure if I'll like it. Therefore, I'd like someone else to purchase it for me.
10) The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie - After reading the first book, I'm anxious to see where the duology concludes though I've heard some mixed things so we shall see!
Friday, December 1, 2017
December is Here! It's the End of the Year
Hey there Everyone. I hope you've had a great few weeks since I posted last. American Thanksgiving was last week and I had a lovely time with my family and friends. Unfortunately I had some health issues over the past week that landed me in the hospital. Even though I'm on the mend, I want to spend December on staying healthy and enjoying the holidays with my family.
So I won't be around much this month. I may post a few End of the Year updates, but its possible you won't here from me until 2018!
So I won't be around much this month. I may post a few End of the Year updates, but its possible you won't here from me until 2018!
See you soon!
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Tome Topple TBR (Round 5)
It is time, once again, for Tome Topple. This readathon is so much fun to participate in and last time I accomplished a lot. I've taken what I learned from that readathon and plan to read a physical tome as well as listening to an audiobook version of one tome. Check out my TBR!
Monday, November 13, 2017
GRWM & Booktuber Recommendations
This week I was excited to talk about some booktubers I really love. I had an inspiration based on Elizabeth from Books and Pieces. She reminded me how much I love the conversations booktubers start. So today I wanted to tell you most of the creators that make me think the most and inspire me to leave comments the most.
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Friday, November 3, 2017
Why My TBR Goal for 2017 was Unrealistic
It may be a little early to talk about goals from this year and whether we failed or succeeded. However, I already know the ultimate outcome for my TBR goal for 2017. I failed. I read a lot of books this year. Even so, I realize now that this goal was never going to happen this year.
At the beginning of this year I had high hopes that my TBR bookshelf would be reduced by the end of the year. According to my shelf on Goodreads I had 235 books unread and I set the ambitious goal (and I knew it was ambitious at the time) of reducing that number to 150. I also wanted to purchase fewer books than I did in 2016. So I stepped into 2017 hoping to buy less than 106 books and reduce my TBR by 85. I was going to have full shelves of books I have read!
Based on the fact I usually read around 100 books a year and there are usually 25-30 library books, ebooks, and audiobooks mixed in with what I read from my physical owned book, you may be thinking the same thing I was about half way through the year. That math doesn't add up. Both of us would be very very correct. This goal was never going to happen.
Some other things contributed to my failure to read this goal. First, I had quite a few books in my house and on my shelves that were not counted on my Goodreads TBR Shelf. I didn't realize there were quite a few books missing and I imagine I had closer to 250 books on my TBR shelf at the beginning of the year. The other reason was I didn't realize I would discover a second library I could subscribe to on Overdrive and I didn't know my friend would introduce me to Hoopla. Both of these discoveries led me to borrow more books and graphic novels from the library than I anticipated. Such amazing discoveries, but they destroyed any hope I had about reducing my TBR shelf to 150 in 2017.
Overall this year I did not make as much progress as I hoped for my TBR in 2017. At this point I hope to finish out the year under 200. That would be mean I finished the year 50 books fewer than 2016. If that happens, then I can start the real work of reducing it to 150 in 2018. Next year I also hope to get my entire TBR back onto the bookcase. Right now I am overflowing a bit, but it is quite an improvement from the beginning and middle of the year!
Do you make an effort to keep your TBR under a certain number? Do you even keep track? I've been making an effort to spend less money on books, be more conscious of the books I purchase, and ultimately have a smaller TBR. Please let me know your thoughts!
At the beginning of this year I had high hopes that my TBR bookshelf would be reduced by the end of the year. According to my shelf on Goodreads I had 235 books unread and I set the ambitious goal (and I knew it was ambitious at the time) of reducing that number to 150. I also wanted to purchase fewer books than I did in 2016. So I stepped into 2017 hoping to buy less than 106 books and reduce my TBR by 85. I was going to have full shelves of books I have read!
Based on the fact I usually read around 100 books a year and there are usually 25-30 library books, ebooks, and audiobooks mixed in with what I read from my physical owned book, you may be thinking the same thing I was about half way through the year. That math doesn't add up. Both of us would be very very correct. This goal was never going to happen.
Some other things contributed to my failure to read this goal. First, I had quite a few books in my house and on my shelves that were not counted on my Goodreads TBR Shelf. I didn't realize there were quite a few books missing and I imagine I had closer to 250 books on my TBR shelf at the beginning of the year. The other reason was I didn't realize I would discover a second library I could subscribe to on Overdrive and I didn't know my friend would introduce me to Hoopla. Both of these discoveries led me to borrow more books and graphic novels from the library than I anticipated. Such amazing discoveries, but they destroyed any hope I had about reducing my TBR shelf to 150 in 2017.
Overall this year I did not make as much progress as I hoped for my TBR in 2017. At this point I hope to finish out the year under 200. That would be mean I finished the year 50 books fewer than 2016. If that happens, then I can start the real work of reducing it to 150 in 2018. Next year I also hope to get my entire TBR back onto the bookcase. Right now I am overflowing a bit, but it is quite an improvement from the beginning and middle of the year!
Do you make an effort to keep your TBR under a certain number? Do you even keep track? I've been making an effort to spend less money on books, be more conscious of the books I purchase, and ultimately have a smaller TBR. Please let me know your thoughts!
Thursday, November 2, 2017
October Wrap Up (2017)
Overall October was a good month. We finally got a taste of the cooler fall weather in my area and it was my birthday month. Even so, I had a little bit of a slumpy month. I read a lot at the beginning of the month but struggled toward the end. Check out everything I finished in October.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Wrap up for #AllHallowsWeek
This year All Hallows Week has been a little rough and trying to polish it off today will also be a little rough. A severe cold hit me right in the middle of the ten days of the event this year and it really knocked me off my game. I'm sorry things have been a little slim and today there almost wasn't a post!
Today I want to list a few books I hope to feature next year or at least read before All Hallows Week rolls around again. I'd like to feature some Non-Fiction books in the future as well as more adult reads that have those spooky elements in them I love.
Today I want to list a few books I hope to feature next year or at least read before All Hallows Week rolls around again. I'd like to feature some Non-Fiction books in the future as well as more adult reads that have those spooky elements in them I love.
Happy Halloween and thanks for reading!
Monday, October 30, 2017
#AllHallowsWeek Review - Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Library
Ebook - 337 pgs
Delacorte Press (2007)
Rating: 4/5
In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.
For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.
The jump in
quality between books one and two is incredible. We delve a lot deeper into the
world of Fae and learn more about Mac’s abilities. The story arc was a lot
stronger and overall the book didn’t have the slow start that Darkfever did.
Personally, I found the description a little misleading. I do not find the
sexual assault, V'lane, attractive at all and his presence in this
pseudo-love-triangle is something I could dump from this series all together.
Though I still
don’t approve of Mac’s self deprecating tone either, she takes less crap from
Barrons and works more independently in this book. Mac’s journey is somehow
even darker in this book and she has to face consequences from her choices in
book one. Moning does a good job of almost answering my questions and keeping
me on the edge of my seat.
On an amusing
note. At the beginning of this book I finally realized Jericho Barrons has dark
hair. For some reason this has increased my opinion of him by more than is
reasonable. He does improve a little in this novel, but I'm hoping there is
some reason for his tortured exterior. There usually is. Book three is already
downloaded and I'm ready to keep rolling though this series. (After I finish
Stranger Things)
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Cool Weather Recommendations #AllHallowsWeek
As Halloween draws closer I wanted to recommend some books that are good for spooky reading as well as just cold weather reading. Even though I like all the spooky recommendations, I'm ready for general cool weather reading. I'm ready for long books and creepy books with atmospheric writing. Here are the best ones I've read.
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