Happy New Year Friends! Once again it has been an age since I posted on here. I have recently missed blogging very much and want to attempt to integrate it back in my life. I don't want to make promises because it is so easy to slip out of the habit of posting. However, I have missed this in recent weeks unlike I have before. So in true ABBA fashion...here we go again.
These are ten books released in the first half of 2020 that I'm excited for. I doubt I'll purchase all of them up as I'm trying to reduce my book buying this year. However, I may try to use my library more than I did in 2020 since...they were closed.
Unfortunately, I'm not up to speed on a lot of new releases so I only have six releases to talk about. I intentionally haven't been paying attention to releases
As always please visit That Artsy Reader Girl for topics and to check out other Top Ten Tuesday Posts.
It has been a long time since I participated in Top Ten Tuesday and it has been even longer since my heart has been in it. Typically these TBRs are a bust for me because I am a mood reader through and through. However, I'm really excited about all of these books and I hope I can read them all before the end of the year.
One thing I realized when I was making this TBR is so many of the covers have a dark color scheme. I guess fantasy has covers with darker color schemes, but my fall TBR is very appropriate.
For month's I've thought about talking about the books and media I consume each week in some kind of wrap up post. I love to talk about books as well as other media. I'm honestly not sure what will get included in these each week so I'd love some suggestions.
We'll start with the obvious. Since this is a primarily a book blog, I'll start with the books I finished this past week.
Books:
The 5th Gender by G.L. Carriger - (#SpaceOperaSeptember Read)
This was a good. For some reason I didn't expect it to be as sexy as it was which is totally my fault because Carriger warned us it would be sexy. However, her San Andres series is sexy, but it also has a complex plot. There was plot here but there wasn't a lot of nuance to it and the book was mostly about our characters. Overall I gave this four stars and would definitely read more in this universe.
Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce - (Fantasy, #3 The Circle Reforged)
One of the worst things is to be disappointed by a book written by a favorite author. I adore Tamora Pierce, but this book just didn't do it for me. Because this is the third in a loosely connected series of books, I had a good idea what would happen in this book. I knew we were getting back story to some stories Briar, Rosethorn and Evvy talk about in the other two books. However, the execution left a lot to be desired. Pierce took on a lot of mature topics like war, torture and PTSD, but a lot of it felt glossed over. There were also several plot points that weren't well developed or resulted in plot holes.
Currently Reading: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Podcasts:
Mansplain Baseball Elsewhere:
Recently I found this podcast about baseball and hosted by three ladies. Though the hosts are all Braves fans and I am a Yankees fan, I love listening to their commentary on baseball and they do interviews with women in the baseball world. I cannot wait until I can listen to more.
Movies/Television
The Good Witch (Movie and Show) -
Earlier this month I started The Good Witch show on Netflix and I really enjoyed it. However, I felt like I was missing a LOT of context. I found out there are several movies on Hallmark about Cassie and her history in this town. So I watched the original movie and enjoyed that too. The story has a modern witchy vibe that reminds me of Practical Magic, but it is a little lighter and has less murder.
I hope you all have a good week. If you've enjoyed any of these, I'd love to chat about it. Hopefully
As promised, today I bring you my favorites. Though 2020 has been a heck of a year, there have been a few things that have been bright spots. I hope you are all doing well in this year and I hope you have a few things that have brought you joy.
Cold Brew - I've loved iced coffee for years, but this year I've been obsessed with cold brew. I've even tried making it myself a few times since we were in quarantine and I was trying to avoid going out to coffee shops to get a cup.
Painting My Nails - This year my job has changed a little bit so I'm not destroying my nails by opening boxes and packing up textbooks as often. Therefore I've been painting them more often and trying really hard to grow them out. I've always been a nail bitter especially when I'm anxious so having longish nails and healthy cuticles is a big accomplishment for me. I've really enjoyed doing different combinations of nail colors and trying to match them to my books lately.
Jedi: Fallen Order - Earlier this year I devoured this video game. It was enough of a challenge that I never got bored, but I didn't get overly frustrated either. (Rage quit is real with video games my friends) This game totally absorbed me for a few weeks and I definitely want to replay it at some point so I can attempt to find more hidden things now that I know what I'm doing. Our hero is fantastic and the game itself is beautiful. The graphics are *chef kiss*
Tik Tok- If you told me last year I would spend more time on social media, I would be appalled. Somehow I don't care with Tik Tok. I learn things, I get book recommendations and most importantly I laugh. There is so much comedy on this app that isn't offensive or gross. I love the creators I follow and how creative they are. I've spent a lot of screen hours on Tik Tok and it doesn't seem like I'll stop anytime soon.
My Kindle/Reading on my Phone - Over the past year I have been reading quite a few ebooks which has really helped my reading. It has been really interesting to discover ebook reading on my phone which I didn't do very much until the end of last year. I haven't looked back since I started doing this. Since I have a Kindle that isn't backlit, reading on my phone has been something I can do no matter what the lighting. Why didn't I do this before? The only issue has been I feel like I'm reading fewer of the physical books I've purchased.
These are a few of my favorite things in the year of 2020. I think I'll wait to talk about any of my favorite books until the end of the year since we are well over half way through the year at this point. We'll see if I'm still around the blog at the end of the year.
What are your favorite things from this year? What's been helping you through 2020?
It has almost been a year since I posted anything on this blog. I've thought about posting before, but this is the first time I've actually opened the post and started writing anything out. 2020 has been the trash fire of all trash fires for everyone of course, and it has been hard to find motivation to maintain anything beyond what is happening in real life.
If you'd like to see something I have been keeping up with, mostly, you can check out my Youtube channel. I've been posting at least weekly over there. I adore the community on Booktube and I've found that I can find new channels easier than I can find new blogs.
So, you may be asking, what has been happening and what is the point of this post?
Unsurprisingly in this time of quarantine and social distancing, I have been reading. My reading has looked different this year and I've had peaks as well as valleys. My next post (gasp) is going to be about my favorite things of the year so far. I think this is the best way to catch you up on where I'm at in this year and what I've been consuming.
Mostly this post is practice for me and to wet my toes for blog posts again. For a while I was really calling it in on this blog and I don't want to do that. My plan is to post when the fancy takes me and when I have something to say. If 2020 has shown me anything, it has been I need to give myself grace which I haven't been good at in the past.
Anyway, I hope you are well and I'd love to hear what you are reading or doing in 2020.
There are very few movies I have watched more than a dozen times. Practical Magic easily beats out the Harry Potter and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchises for me. I simply loved this movie to bits then it got me through a tough fall where I was watching it almost every day. I have an ongoing love affair with this movie and if you didn't already know, it is simply perfect for Halloween. Here are some of the reasons I adore it.
First I want you to promise me you will not judge this movie based on its trailer because the trailer is awful.
Ok, now that we are all past that...let's get into some reasons I recommend this movie.
1) Mysterious Magic - For a good chunk of this movie magic is quite mysterious. Is is real? Is it just town gossip? This movie introduces its real magic slowly and lovingly. The girls perform little bits of magic when they are children, but the stronger stuff shows up later.
2) Sisterhood - The sisterhood in this movie is no just about biological sisters, but also about the sisterhood of women. As the Aunts' say, "There's a little witch in all of us." Even though the story centers on Gilly and Sally and the strength of their sisterly bond, we see there is strength in finding your coven too.
(Side note: This part makes me cry every single time)
3) Timeless- With limited special effects most of this movie is timeless. Other than the corded phone and the fashion, this movie stands the test of time fairly well. Maybe someone cast a spell on it?
3) Midnight Margaritas- Witches and booze. What more can I say?
4) Dark, but not too dark - In Practical Magic there are some dark parts. There are certainly some things I wouldn't suggest trying i.e. exchanging blood with others and trying to bring your dead abuser back to life. However there is a lot of humor and lightheartedness in this story as well. If you are looking for fun but adult Halloween, this is for you.
6) Sally Owens- I am a Sally Owens and I adore her so much. I love her big heart and identify with her desire to fit in. Sally Owens is a business owner, a single mom and a witch. I want to be her when I grow up.
7) This Quote:
...and the entire letter Sally writes containing it.
Overall, this movie is great. It deals with a lot of tough topics like abuse, loss, and depression, but it also is humorous and full of hope. If you love this movie or watch it this season, let me know your favorite quote below.
In the fall I start to watch more shows and movies because I feel less guilty about spending my time inside. These are five recommendations that give me a fall vibe without being scary or gory!
1) Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries - This show has been a source of pure joy for me this fall. A lady detective hunts down murders all while collecting a found family full of amusing characters. I love the lovely balance of this show and how they tackled serious topics. This has some of the best slow burn romance I've ever watched. It is right up there with North and South. I loved this show!
2) Stranger Things -I honestly thought nearly everyone had seen Stranger Things, but I learned neither of my co-workers have watched it. So, I'm here to tell you that you should watch Stranger Things. This show is a nice blend of suspense and friendship. It is spooky and a little bit violent and has some gore. If you can handle that you are all set!
3) Cold Cast Files - If you like true crime, this is one you should check out. I find true crime fascinating and find the way detectives and police have solved some of these cold cases. Throughout the show the producers are respectful to the families and no one is blamed for the case going cold. Instead everyone tells how this crime went cold and how the pieces came together.
4) Falling Inn Love - On a lighter note I recommend this Netflix movie about a down-on-her-luck American who wins an inn through an online contest. She just happens to need the help of a New Zealand handy man who is also hot. This is cheesy and there are moments that don't make a lot of sense. However, that's what I love about romantic comedies. It is also amusing and has a little bit of historical mystery to it that I enjoyed.
5) Holey Moley - A miniature golf competition style game show that makes me laugh. Watch as competitors try to master an absurd mini golf course to win money and an ugly golf jacket. I have been watching these when I feel anxious in the evening and the announcers really give me a kick.
At the end of the day there are a lot of shows out there are these are just a few of my recent favorites that I think would be perfect for fall. What are you watching this season?
Tank is working as a bouncer when he notices something odd about the new sexy-as-sin bartender. He’s odorless, he’s amazingly popular with shifters, and he’s terrified.
A man without a smell.
Isaac is trying to escape his past. He hides in San Francisco because everyone knows that there are no werewolves in the Bay Area.
Until one walks into his bar.
Can Tank figure out Isaac’s secrets in time to save him? And can Isaac forgive Tank for being a wolf in time to learn how to love?
If I've said it
once, I've said it a hundred times. Gail Carriger writes great little stories
with a little bit of plot and a whole lot of heart. This adult gay romance is
in her same style just written for adults rather than young adult readers. This
second book worked better than the first. First of all, there was less
info-dumping in regard to the world building. I really enjoyed how this was
more balanced between worlding building and plot.
The pacing could
still use some work. These stories read really fast, but they get confusing at
the end when everything fit together. The solutions make sense, but they come
together in one scene so it can be overwhelming.
I really liked
Tank and Isaac. I liked how Carriger twisted the Omega lore to her purposes and
I had fun following the attraction between Isaac and Tank. The two of them had
great chemistry. The entire pack is full of personality. I appreciate how
diverse the cast is in this series and Carrgier defines sexuality on page so
there is clear representation.
I'm excited to
read more in this world. The next book is about a pair I'm extremely curious
about and I can't wait to see where Carriger goes next.
Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.
So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.
But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.
Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices.
After being away
from the Shadowhunter World for several years, I was afraid of trying this
short story collection or starting the Dark Artifices Series. I was sure I
would forget the tiny details that I enjoy connecting in a Cassandra Clare
book. This turned out to be a great refresher and a great introduction.
Cassandra Clare is not my favorite writer, but she writes compelling series
that I can fly through. In the end these novellas aren't that different.
Since Simon has
forgotten the details of his own life, each novella reacquaints him with
someone or something from The Mortal Instruments Series. I really enjoyed most
of these stories. There were ones that dragged, but this was a effective
collection that kept me interested. I wasn't expecting to be emotionally
connected to this book, especially since I wasn't attached to anyone in the
Bane Chronicles collection, but this was different. I actually loved a lot of
the characters that were introduced and even though these were short stories,
the world was expanded upon quite a bit.
I was pleasantly
surprised by this collection, and I appreciated the fact it refreshed my memory
to make me ready to dive into the next series.
How is October going by so quickly? Here we are in the second week and I'm only posting my September Wrap Up. The end of September was not the most successful reading stretch I've ever had. I seem to have a lot of trouble with reading when the seasons change especially into fall. I have a few books to tell you about, but I'm looking forward to October and some spooky reads!
Books Mentioned:
Sanditon by Jane Austen and Another Lady
Lady Mechanika, Vol. 3: The Lost Boys of West Abbey
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