Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you are all doing well. What a month April was, I realised during the month that I needed to take some time off from working to relax and try to not be so stressed. I think that worked a bit but not as much as I had hoped, generally I feel very tired at the moment but anyway, life goes on. As far as reading goes, April wasn’t a bad month. I was happy with me reading not only because I got quite a bit in but the books I was reading I really enjoyed.
So, let us see what books I did read!
From my April TBR:
The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrews: I did not read, I was looking forward to this one but I decided to prioritize series for the moment so I didn’t have time to read this one.
Way of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell: I did not read this one either which is a shame because I really wanted to, I love Sebastien’s writing and I can’t wait to get back into this series.
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black: I did not read this one
Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi: I DID read this one, finally, after so many years of it being on my TBR and wondering if I’d like it or if I should unhaul it. Spoilers for the book review: I loved this book.
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco: As of a few days before the end of the month I am currently reading this and I plan on finishing it before May – again, loving this book and I can’t wait to see how this series ends.
From outside of my TBR I finished From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout which I started from my March TBR but I didn’t quite finish before the end of March. Another book I loved so, all together I read three books this month and loved all of them.
What did you read in April? Any books that you loved?
Happy Friday bookish People! So, it is April already and with that it comes time to share my TBR for the month with you.
Recently, I have been focusing on reading mysteries and crime fiction and they’re all blending into one now so I read some historical fiction and some non-fiction in March and then I went to Gollanczfest and now I am completely in the fantasy mood. To read it and to write it. So, as you can probably tell my April TBR is full of fantasy!
Happy Friday bookish people! I thought it would be fun today if I shared the top ten books I want to reread within the next twelve months. I have to say I’m not usually the type of person who rereads books, there are a few that I have loved and read over and over but not many but recently I have been thinking about rereading these ten books:
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah penner
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Lady in the Tower by Marie Louise Jenson
Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Happy Tuesday bookish people! It is already the end of February so of course it is time to do this month’s wrap up.
I had a much better reading month than in January, I have been finding that I am enjoying it more. Whether that is because of the books I have been reading or just because February was a relaxed month (in comparison to January that is).
So, onto the wrap up!
Sense and Second Degree Murder by Tirzah Price – I did not read this one – it is one of those books where I really want to read it too much that I am scared to read it
Murder at the house on the hill by Victoria Walters – I did not read this book
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson – I did not read this
The Accidental Medium by Tracy Whitwell – I did read this well, currently I am reading this but it will be finished by the end of the month
Everyone in my family has killed someone by Benjamin Stevenson – I did not read this
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson – I did read this and spoiler alert, LOVED it.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – I did not read this
Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens – I did read this
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black – I did not read this
Book Lovers by Emily Henry – I did not read this
The Agency of Scandal by Laura Wood – I did not read this
Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict – I did not read this
The very secret society of irregular witches – I did read this (my favourite book this month)
Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey – I did not read this
So, from my TBR I read 4 books and I also read A Study In Charlotte by Brittany Cavalaro which means I read five books this month!
What did you all read in February, did you enjoy them?
Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. I am bringing you the Count to 10 with me book tag!
First Book in a series – Shadowscent The Darkest Bloom
I don’t really know why I chose this one it was just the first book that jumped into my head for this question, I believe this is the first book in a duology.
Two or more copies of the same book – Finale by Stephanie Garber
I have two copies of this book, I bought the hardback edition as soon as it came out because I couldn’t wait and then I had to get the paperback edition to match my copies of the first two books in the series so I ended up with two copies but I do love them both.
Three colours on the cover – The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
This cover has all sorts of pastel colours on it so I thought it would be a nice choice for the three colours on the cover.
Four or more perspectives – The Gilded Wolves
I had a really difficult time with this one I ended up having to choose a book I thought had four or more perspective but I couldn’t actually check so I think The Gilded Wolves does.
Five Star Read – Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I had to choose this book, it was my biggest surprise five star read so it sticks in my head often.
Six or more short stories – How the King of Elfhame Learned to hate stories
I love this collection of short stories, it really adds to the Cruel Prince series for me, it gives a lot of extra context to the characters in the series.
Seven on the cover of the spine – the 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
I loved this book and I can’t believe I had a book to answer this question, I thought I would have an awful time looking for one but I found it on my shelves really easily.
Eight letters in the title – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
My favourite classic is the perfect book for this question.
Ends on a page ending with a 9 – Spirit Bound
This book ends on page 489 in my edition so I was happy I found this one. This is the fourth (or maybe fifth?) book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.
Ten books in a series – Rivers of London
I have to admit, again I am not 100% sure on my answer to this question. My copies of these books are on my top shelf and from there they all blend into one but there are a lot of books in this series, so it has to be somewhere in the region of ten.
That’s it for this book tag, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Happy Friday bookish people! Next weekend is Mother’s Day and so I thought why not have a look and see if there are any Mother’s Day themed book tags around and I found one on YouTube by blissful and bookish so that is what I will be doing for you today.
Best Friend: Pick characters in a book whose friendship you admire the most:
For this one I went with Irene and Kai in The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman. To begin with they don’t really get along and it was great seeing the friendship start to develop and what I like most about it is that they have seen the worst of each other and still they are there when the other needs them.
Comfort: what’s a book that always puts you in a better mood:
For this one I chose Lady in the Tower by Marie Louise Jenson because it is one of my favourite books and no matter what mood I am in or what has happened it always makes me feel calmer when I read it.
Doesn’t Give Up: What’s a book that you were tempted to DNF but instead finished:
I chose The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater because I didn’t love the book and I found it took me a long time to read it but I don’t like to DNF books so I pushed on and I did end up giving it three stars and I will read the rest of the series.
Selfless: What’s a book that you had to sacrifice for:
I went with the Queen of Nothing because I sacrificed having a complete set of paperbacks because I couldn’t wait to read the final book in the series so I bought it in hardback as soon as it came out.
Love: What’s your favourite love story:
I had to go with Caraval, the characters of Scarlett and Julian, by Stephanie Garber. Definitely my favourite love story even though it isn’t a romance book.
Homemaker: If you could live with a fictional family whose home would you go to:
I would go and live with the Brown Sisters in Talia Hibbert’s novels because they seem very supportive and fun and I don’t know anyone quite like them in real life.
Forgiving: name a character you hate but would eventually have to forgive:
I had to go for Eli Ever from Vicious by V E Schwaab, although don’t actually have a reason for it, I just think I would end up forgiving him.
Teacher: name a book that has taught you thins that will stay with you forever
I chose Stalking Jack the Ripper because it taught me that you don’t have to fit yourself into society’s expectations.
Dedication: what’s a book that you would like to dedicate to your mum and why:
I struggled with this one, I was looking for a title that would resemble this question but I couldn’t find one so I went with a book series that I think my mum would enjoy reading which is the Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices) series by Cassandra Clare.
That’s it for this book tag, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Wednesday bookish people! And Merry Bookmas day 8! I can’t believe it’s already the 8th of December. Today I want to share some books that I think would make cosy and Christmassy reads. I have read one or two of the books but not all of them, the ones I haven’t read are ones that I have read the synopsis and thought they were right for this list or I’ve heard other people talk about them.
First up is…
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
‘If I had my way, every idiot who goes around with Merry Christmas on his lips, would be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Merry Christmas? Bah humbug!’
Introduction and Afterword by Joe Wheeler To bitter, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas is just another day. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner appears, warning Scrooge to change his ways before it’s too late.
Part of the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, this abridged edition features an in-depth introduction and discussion questions by Joe Wheeler to provide greater understanding for today’s reader. “A Christmas Carol” captures the heart of the holidays like no other novel.
Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas hols in snowy Cambridge. Hazel has high hopes of its beautiful spires, cosy libraries and inviting tea-rooms – but there is danger lurking in the dark stairwells of ancient Maudlin College.
Two days before Christmas, there is a terrible accident. At least, it appears to be an accident – until the Detective Society look a little closer, and realise a murder has taken place. Faced with several irritating grown-ups and fierce competition from a rival agency, they must use all their cunning and courage to find the killer (in time for Christmas Day, of course).
The fabulously festive fifth mystery from the bestselling, award-winning author of Murder Most Unladylike.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.
It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with “woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the “girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.”
Dr. Seuss’s small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps of all time. For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His “wonderful, awful” idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.
Looking quite out of place and very disturbing in his makeshift Santa get-up, the Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos’ presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. He takes the ramshackle sleigh to Mt. Crumpit to dump it and waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they wake up and discover the trappings of Christmas have disappeared. Imagine the Whos’ dismay when they discover the evil-doings of Grinch in his anti-Santa guise. But what is that sound? It’s not sobbing, but singing! Children simultaneously adore and fear this triumphant, twisted Seussian testimonial to the undaunted cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy, and of course, the growth potential of a heart that’s two sizes too small.
This holiday classic is perfect for reading aloud to your favorite little Whos.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
In Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, the holidays are anything but merry when a family reunion is marred by murder — and the notoriously fastidious investigator is quickly on the case. The wealthy Simeon Lee has demanded that all four of his sons — one faithful, one prodigal, one impecunious, one sensitive — and their wives return home for Christmas. But a heartwarming family holiday is not exactly what he has in mind. He bedevils each of his sons with barbed insults and finally announces that he is cutting off their allowances and changing his will. Poirot is called in the aftermath of Simeon Lee’s announcement.
Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle
A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.
My True Love Gave To Me Edited by Stephanie Perkins
If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or New Year’s there’s something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love.
That’s it for today’s bookmas post, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Happy Tuesday bookish people! Merry Bookmas day 7. Today I am going to be showing you what I think are the best book covers of 2021, now I’m not just showing books that were published in 2021, I’m not even sure if there are any published in 2021 on my list, but the books that I have read in 2021. I have chosen my top ten and it’s a collection of books I wanted to read and books I was on a book tour for.
Up first is…
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A Craig
This book is a retelling of the twelve dancing princesses and it has one of the most beautiful covers of all the books I own.
How The King of Elfhame Learned To Hate Stories by Holly Black
This is a companion to the Cruel Prince series by Holly Black and depending on the version there are white, black and purple covers that I’ve seen.
Ever Cursed by Corey Ann Haydu
This is an interesting books about witches and the power of women
The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant
This is a middle grade book that has a beautiful dust jacket and a beautiful cover under the dust jacket
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
The colours on this cover are fantastic
Instructions For Dancing by Nicola Yoon
This cover fits the book perfectly – I have posted a book review for this book on this site this year as part of a blog tour
Secrets of the Stars by Maria Kuzniar
Charmcaster by Sebastien De Castell
The illustrations on these covers are so detailed
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holt
and finally…
Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
That’s it for my favourite book covers of the books that I have read so far this year, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Happy Friday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day so far. Today I am bringing you the third round of my Friday First and Lasts segment. For today’s round I will be giving you three first and lasts which I hope you will enjoy!
Up first is:
No Number Nine by F J Campbell and The Secrets of the Stars by Maria Kuzniar
“Philippa Mitchell was eighteen when she left England/ it was her home” – This one actually works really well together, which surprised me but I like the sentence that it created.
Next is:
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson and Modern Faerie Tales by Holly Black
“Dead-eyed that’s what they said wasn’t it?/ Consider it done” – ooh now this one works so well together! It gives me a very strong murder mystery from the POV of the murderer vibe, that’s probably a little strange but there you go. And both books were written by a Holly which shouldn’t make me as happy as it does.
My final one for today is:
Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey and Get A Life Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
“There’s a bird in the store/ with a wry smile he said seriously “I know”” – okay. There’s so much to say about this one. It does work, grammatically but honestly, if there was a bird in a shop that I was in just flying around and someone with me just said ‘I know’ I would be so irritated with them… although maybe that does work for this one..I’m not sure, let me know what you all think.
That’s it for this week, I hope you all enjoyed it!
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