Category: Tags

2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

Folks, it’s true. I’m back! It’s been a long 18 months since you’ve heard from me, but my job got extremely busy and complicated last year and has just now decided to finally slow back down and let me get back to the wonderful world of blogging. Did you miss me? You know I missed you! And hey, what better way to get reintroduce myself to you than a mid-year catch up?

Best Book You’ve Read So Far

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far

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New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To

Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year

Biggest Disappointment

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I was super excited for this book when it was first announced. However, I found it to be incredibly slow and the mystery didn’t quite capture my interest like I thought it would. I was just expecting a little bit more from this one.

Biggest Surprise

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This is a series that I came across on Kindle Unlimited and I had no idea what to expect. But man, oh man, did this series have me hooked from the very first page. It’s not amazing, nor will the writing win any prizes, but it is soooo stinking fun. It’s my guilty pleasure series of 2021… and no, I do not feel one ounce of guilt for loving it. Definitely recommend it if you want some naughty fun, but fair warning that a large portion of it does deal with some very adult situations around extreme bullying.

Favorite New Author (Debut/New To You)

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Whattttttt?! Larkin’s choice is a rom-com writer?! Yes, it’s true! I started listening to Jenny Colgan’s books on audio earlier this year and really fell in love. They’re cozy and cute and the small Scottish village setting really becomes its own character. Her books are like eating your favorite comfort food. I can’t get enough!

Newest Fictional Crush

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Selwyn Kane. Bad boy and resident Merlin… Be still my beating heart.

Newest Favorite Character

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Sophie and Howl. I couldn’t really choose just one of them because their hilarious back and forth sassy comments made this book for me. I caught myself laughing aloud whenever they got into one of their arguments. And controversial opinion time: The book is wayyyy better than Miyazaki’s film adaptation. Like not even close.

Book That Made You Cry

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Yes, I bawled my eyes out at this finale. No shame.

Book That Made You Happy

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I was provided an ARC of this book from the publisher and enjoyed it so much. It had the cutest little romance that made me smile the entire time I read it.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought So Far This Year

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What Books Do You Need To Read By The End Of The Year

Favorite Book To Movie Adaptation You’ve Seen This Year

It’s not a movie, but the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix was absolutely amazing. It completely blew my expectations out of the water! I just really need season two to come out immediately, please!

What is your favorite book read of 2021 so far? Biggest disappointment? Have you discovered a new favorite author? What book are you most looking forward to reading in the second half of the year?

Past, Present, and Future Book Tag

I’m trying to get more into book tags, as I feel like they’re always really fun to do but I hardly ever participate in them. I saw this one a few days ago done by Danielle @ Life of a Literary Nerd and thought it was a good way to showcase some TBR books. It was originally created by Bookish Pisces.

RULES

  • Find a book published 10+ years ago.
  • Find a book that will be published THIS year.
  • Find a book that will be published NEXT year.

Past

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The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

The Thorn Birds is a robust, romantic saga of a singular family, the Clearys. It begins in the early part of this century, when Paddy Cleary moves his wife, Fiona, and their seven children to Drogheda, the vast Australian sheep station owned by his autocratic and childless older sister; and it ends more than half a century later, when the only survivor of the third generation, the brilliant actress Justine O’Neill, sets a course of life and love halfway around the world from her roots.

The central figures in this enthralling story are the indomitable Meggie, the only Cleary daughter, and the one man she truly loves, the stunningly handsome and ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart. Ralph’s course moves him a long way indeed, from a remote Outback parish to the halls of the Vatican; and Meggie’s except for a brief and miserable marriage elsewhere, is fixed to the Drogheda that is part of her bones – but distance does not dim their feelings though it shapes their lives.

Wonderful characters people this book; strong and gentle, Paddy, hiding a private memory; dutiful Fiona, holding back love because it once betrayed her, violent, tormented Frank, and the other hardworking Cleary sons who give the boundless lands of Drogheda the energy and devotion most men save for women; Meggie; Ralph; and Meggie’s children, Justine and Dane. And the land itself; stark, relentless in its demands, brilliant in its flowering, prey to gigantic cycles of drought and flood, rich when nature is bountiful, surreal like no other place on earth.

I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book (and the miniseries), so I think it’s finally time that I see what all of the hype is about. I always appreciate a good sweeping love story. I’ll probably read the book first and then watch the show as well to see how they measure up to one another.

Present

40645629Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.

But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show’s guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.

Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he’ll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.

As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous…and momentous.

I was in love with Zentner’s debut novel, The Serpent King, but have yet to check out his more recent releases. I think I’ll be picking this one up over Goodbye Days, as I’m not ready for a good cry at the moment. Haha! I’ve heard this one is a bit more lighthearted and a fun read, which is just what I need.

Future

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The Silence of Bones by June Hur

1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.

As they delve deeper into the dead woman’s secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.

But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.

June Hur’s elegant and haunting debut The Silence of Bones is a bloody tale perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Renée Ahdieh.

Ummm, a historical murder-mystery set in 1800’s Korea?! I don’t see how this book isn’t being screamed about all over the book community because it sounds amazing. I am really not looking forward to having to wait until next year to finally be able to pick it up.

What is a backlisted book on your TBR? What about one that is being/or has been released this year? Do you already have a 2020 release that you’re looking forward to reading? Have you heard of or read any of the books on my list?

The Audiobook Tag

I saw this awesome tag on Kristin Kraves Books page. I’ve really gotten into listening to audiobooks in the last couple of years, so I thought this would be the perfect tag to do.

Please feel free to do it as well! I’d love to see your answers!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS LISTENED TO AUDIOBOOK OR WHEN DID YOU BEGIN?

I definitely have not always listened to audiobooks. I was very against them personally for the longest time, as I just knew that there was no way that I would be able to really focus on what I was listening to. I thought that I would have a hard time really taking in the story without actually reading the words.. Well I was wrong. I finally decided to give audiobooks a shot about two years ago and I haven’t looked back since. It’s such a unique reading experience that I really appreciate. I also feel like some books actually translate better via audio as well, such as Daisy Jones & The Six or Sadie.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUDIOBOOK?

I honestly couldn’t really decide which audiobook I loved more. They are both so different from one another, while also just amazing. I really appreciated the cast for Sadie and how this story seamlessly flowed as via audio. While I love that the actual author narrates The Night Tiger.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT AUDIOBOOKS?

I tend to listen to my audiobooks while I’m working or driving, which means that I occasionally don’t always fully focus on the story and end up missing parts of the story. And for me personally, I have a harder time listening to a fantasy story than I do with historical fiction of contemporary, as it requires more focus to fully be able to grasp the world and story.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE DIFFERENCE IN EXPERIENCE BETWEEN PHYSICALLY READING A BOOK AND LISTENING TO IT?

This is a hard question to answer, but I think that audiobooks can sometimes really bring a story to life by giving it that cinematic element with the narration, such as the full cast version of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. There are also some books that I think just translate better as audiobooks. I also think audio versions can help some of those slower paced novels that we struggle through.

HOW AND WHEN DO YOU LISTEN?

Like I mentioned earlier, I tend to listen to audiobooks while I’m at work or when I’m driving. I like to switch them up with the podcasts that I listen to on a regular basis. (Feel free to ask me for some podcast recommendations as well!) I use Audible as well for my books. I appreciate their return policy sooo much.

WHAT STYLE/GENRE DO YOU PREFER?

I actually tend to gravitate towards historical fiction with my audiobooks and then just sprinkle in some contemporary and fantasy. I’ve recently gotten into science fiction as well, which I used to always just want to physically read. I’m surprised that I enjoy listening to it just as much as reading it.

WHAT ARE SOME AUDIOBOOK/NARRATOR RECOMMENDATIONS?

I don’t have any specific narrator recommendations but I’ll definitely give you some audiobook recommendations listed below!

  • Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
  • Sadie by Courtney Summers
  • The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
  • Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye
  • Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld – Side Note: This trilogy is narrated by actor Alan Cumming and he does an amazing job!)
  • This is Our Story by Ashley Elston
  • Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
  • The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – Side Note: I highly recommend the full cast version!

Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks? What are your favorite audiobooks? Do you prefer to listen to a certain genre?

Seven Deadly Sins Book Tag

I always enjoy a good book tag, even though I don’t do them as often as I’d like to. And I’ve been seeing this one floating around and it just looked fun as hell! Something about the seven deadly sins has always intrigued me. I really feel like someone needs to write a book involving it somehow… Can you imagine a world-building revolving around them? Someone go write this book immediately.

Also, please feel free to participate as well if you’re interested!

WRATH – What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

I think I’m going to have to go with J.K. Rowling. She goes and creates one of the most beloved book series in history… then continuously takes away from the original magic she created by basically rewriting some of it via Twitter. Like I don’t need an author to try and back-peddle and be like, “well I know I never said so-and-so (nor implied) but I’m saying it now 20 years later to seem more hip”. Either write some more books or just shut up, please.

GLUTTONY – What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

Let me go ahead and say that I am not a re-reader. The only time I really reread a book is if it’s part of a series and I need to refresh before the next release comes out. So I have reread Harry Potter probably 8 times, since I always reread the series before the next book came out. However, I’m going to go with Pride and Prejudice this time. I’ve reread that book multiple times over the years and I will probably continue to do so for the rest of my life. It’s the classic love story and I will never get enough of it.

SLOTH – What book have you neglected to read due to laziness?

I don’t really neglected a book due to laziness, as my problem revolves around being such a mood reader. However, I will say the closest one is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. It’s such a long book and also literary historical fiction, so I’m just waiting for the right time to focus all of my energy on it. But it is on my list for must-reads this year!

PRIDE – What book do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

I don’t think I’ve ever really done this? But I do feel a sense of accomplishment knowing I read Gone with the Wind, Atlas Shrugged, The Count of Monte Cristo, and War and Peace in grade school. Something about pushing myself through such long and challenging books at such a young age makes me proud of myself. Also, a little ashamed because I rarely challenge myself like that anymore. Hahaha!

LUST – What attributes do you find attractive in male or female characters?

I’m a simple girl, just give me witty and sarcastic characters. Also, dark and brooding, maybe a bit of an asshole. You know, I tend to gravitate towards those typical stereotypes. My favorite characters have to have some kind of personality… And if they’re anything like the freaking awful character of Mal from the Grisha Trilogy, I will immediately hate them. Thank you and goodnight.

ENVY – What book would you most like to receive as a gift?

Hmmm.. this one is kind of difficult. I really want to get back into Rick Riordan’s books, so I would love the boxed set of The Heroes of Olympus, to go along with my boxed set of Percy Jackson. I really want to do a reread of those soon and then finish the sequel series. I think I might be too far behind to move on to his other series at this point, but I’ll be happy with just those two.

What are some of your answers to these questions? How do you feel about J.K. Rowling now? Do you agree/disagree with my answers?

Book Tag: I Should Have Read That

I warned my blogging bestie, Britt @ Geronimo Reads that I was going to steal this tag from her.. and y’all know I keep my promises! Ha! But seriously, I hardly ever do any book tags anymore but I love talking about the books on my TBR, even ones that I’m ashamed to admit have been there for eternity. So this just seemed like the perfect tag to dive into on a Friday.

Please feel free to do this tag as well!

A book that a certain friend is always telling you to read

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Summer of Salt by Katrina Leno

Britt has been RAVING about this book ever since she finished reading it recently. Contemporary is a genre I’m very picky about reading, but I think she’s finally convinced me that this book it totally worth giving a chance. I plan to snag it on audio at some point soon.

A book that’s been on your TBR for forever and yet you still haven’t picked it up

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Middlemarch by George Eliot

I’ve had this sitting on my shelves for like 5 years now and every year I say that I’m finally going to pick it up… and it still hasn’t happened. BUT! I really do plan on picking it up this summer. It’s a special goal of mine and by golly, it’s gonna happen!

A book in a series you’ve started but haven’t gotten around to finishing yet

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The Savage Dawn (The Girl at Midnight, #3) by Melissa Grey

I read this series about a year ago but never got around to finishing the last book. It was an alright series but nothing special. I feel like I’ll probably read the finale at some point this year just so I can say I completed the series. It is a really pretty cover though…

A classic you’ve always liked the sound of, but never actually read

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The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I actually made it through about 20 pages of this book in junior high before accepting that I just wasn’t ready to take on such a project as translated classic Russian literature. I do plan to return to the book at some point though and try to give it another shot. I mean if I read War and Peace when I was 16, then I can surely handle Dostoyevsky at 28.

A popular book that it seems everyone but you has read

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The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang

Oh, don’t you even worry your pretty little head about this one. I will most definitely be reading this beauty soon. I think I may wait and binge it when the sequel comes out in a few months.

A book that inspired a film/TV adaptation that you really love but just haven’t read yet

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, #1) by Jenny Han

I actually go back and forth on reading this series. I really love the movie and I just feel like I won’t appreciate the book as much if I try and read it now. Contemporary isn’t really my favorite genre to read either…

A book you see all over Instagram but haven’t picked up yet

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I actually had this book pre-ordered and it’s sitting pretty on my shelf right this second. I plan to pick it up either later this month or next. SOOOO EXCITED!

What are some books that have been on your TBR shelf for a long time? Have you read any of the books on mine? If so, what did you think of them? Should I finally read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before?

Three Day Lyrical Challenge – Day Three

A big thank you to Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts for tagging me to do such a fun tag!

The Rules

  1. Thank the person who nominated you.
  2. Share one of your favorite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
  3. Nominate three other bloggers each day. (I always hate tagging specific people, so if you like this tag then please feel free to do it!)

Speechless by Dan & Shay

[Verse 1]
You say you’ll be down in five
The smell of your perfume is floating down the stairs
You’re fixing up your hair like you do
I know that I’ll be a mess
The second that I see you
You won’t be surprised
It happens every time
It’s nothin’ new

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s always on a night like tonight
I think you can read my mind
‘Cause when you look at me with those eyes

[Chorus]
I’m speechless
Starin’ at you standin’ there in that dress
What it’s doin’ to me ain’t a secret
‘Cause watching you is all that I can do
And I’m speechless
You already know that you’re my weakness
After all this time I’m just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I’m speechless

[Verse 2]
It started when you said hello
Just did something to me
And I’ve been in a daze
Ever since the day that we met
You take the breath out of my lungs
Can’t even fight it
And all of the words, out of my mouth without even tryin’

[Chorus]
And I’m speechless
Starin’ at you standin’ there in that dress
What it’s doin’ to me ain’t a secret
‘Cause watching you is all that I can do
And I’m speechless
You already know that you’re my weakness
After all this time I’m just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I’m speechless

[Bridge]
Yeah, baby, mmm
It’s always on a night like tonight
I think that you can read my mind
‘Cause when you look at me with those eyes

[Chorus]
I’m speechless
You standin’ there in that dress
Girl, it ain’t a secret
‘Cause watchin’ you is all that I can do
Oh, I’m speechless
You already know that you’re my weakness
After all this time I’m just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I’m speechless

[Outro]
Oh, you know it, baby

I’m a sucker for a good love song. Sue me.

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Do you listen to country music? Have you heard of Dan & Shay before?

Three Day Lyrical Challenge – Day Two

A big thank you to Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts for tagging me to do such a fun tag!

The Rules

  1. Thank the person who nominated you.
  2. Share one of your favorite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
  3. Nominate three other bloggers each day. (I always hate tagging specific people, so if you like this tag then please feel free to do it!)

Jesus Christ by Brand New

 

[Verse 1]
Jesus Christ, that’s a pretty face
The kind you’d find on someone that could save
If they don’t put me away
Well, it’ll be a miracle

Do you believe you’re missing out?
That everything good is happening somewhere else
With nobody in your bed
The night is hard to get through

[Chorus 1]
And I will die all alone
And when I arrive I won’t know anyone

[Verse 2]
Jesus Christ, I’m alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
Because this problem is gonna last
More than the weekend

Jesus Christ, I’m not scared to die
But I’m a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot
Do I float through the ceiling

[Chorus 2]
Or do I divide and pull apart
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
This ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?

[Bridge]
I know you’re coming in the night like a thief
But I’ve had some time, O Lord, to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I’m someone you can trust
But I’m scared I’ll get scared and I swear I’ll try to nail you back up
So do you think that we could work out a sign
So I’ll know it’s you and that it’s over so I won’t even try
I know you’re coming for the people like me
But we all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we turn out hate in factories
We all got wood and nails
And we sleep inside of this machine

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Have you ever heard of Brand New’s music before? What are some of your favorite songs?

Three Day Lyrical Challenge – Day One

A big thank you to Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts for tagging me to do such a fun tag! I never get to talk about all of the amazing music that I listen to with y’all, so this is perfect!

The Rules

  1. Thank the person who nominated you.
  2. Share one of your favorite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
  3. Nominate three other bloggers each day. (I always hate tagging specific people, so if you like this tag then please feel free to do it!)

Flicker by Niall Horan

 

[Verse 1]
When you feel your love’s been taken
When you know there’s something missing
In the dark, we’re barely hangin’ on
Then you rest your head upon my chest
And you feel like there ain’t nothin’ left
I’m afraid that what we had is gone

[Chorus]
Then I think of the start
And it echoes a spark
And I remember the magic electricity
Then I look in my heart
There’s a light in the dark
Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me
That I wanna keep
Please don’t leave
Please don’t leave

[Verse 2]
When you lay there and you’re sleepin’
Hear the patterns of your breathin’
And I tell you things you’ve never heard before
Asking questions to the ceilin’
Never knowing what you’re thinkin’
I’m afraid that what we had is gone

[Chorus]
Then I think of the start
And it echoes a spark
And I remember the magic electricity
Then I look in my heart
There’s a light in the dark
Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me
That I wanna keep
Please don’t leave
Please don’t leave

[Bridge]
And I want this to pass
And I hope this won’t last
Last too long

[Chorus]
Then I think of the start
And it echoes a spark
And I remember the magic electricity
Then I look in my heart
There’s a light in the dark
Still a flicker of hope that you first gave to me
That I wanna keep
Please don’t leave
Please don’t leave

This song just gets me every single time. If you ever want me to get emotional, all you have to do is play this damn song. Also, totally saw him in concert last summer and it was probably one of the best experiences. It’s very chill and just has an intimate feeling to it, which is helped by how relaxing his music is. I highly recommend seeing him live if you ever get the chance!

What are some of your favorite lyrics? Have you seen Niall Horan in concert? What was the best concert experience that you’ve had?

Three Bookish Things Tag

I saw that Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books did this tag a few days ago and I was immediately like, now this’ll be fun! I haven’t done a tag in a while and loved getting to prepare answers for this one. I officially tag whoever else wants to do it! Let’s spread the tag love, y’all! 😉

THREE READ ONCE AND LOVED AUTHORS…

Author – Revolution
Writer Shannon Chakraborty of Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers (BSFW) 02/13/2016

  • Claire Legrand – Furyborn was my first introduction to Legrand’s writing but I was immediately hooked. That book just hit all of the buttons for what I consider makes an amazing fantasy story. I can’t believe I have’t read any of her other books before but I definitely plan to pick them up in the future. Ohhhhh, yes!
  • Jennifer Donnelly – I think y’all already know how much I enjoy a good historical fiction novel and Donnelly delivered with These Shallow Graves. It was the perfect mix history, mystery, and a dash of romance. I needsssss more books like this one!
  • S.A. Chakraborty – Bow down to this queen! Her debut novel The City of Brass is my favorite of 2018 so far and I literally think about it at least a week. The wait for the sequel is breaking my heart.. January just seems sooooo far away and it’s not okay! Also, if she wants to toss out a new book every single year for the rest of her life, that’d be super cool with me.

THREE TITLES I’VE WATCHED BUT HAVEN’T READ…

Yes, I have seen all three of the adaptations of these novels but haven’t read the books yet. And if you’re thinking, Larkin you should be ashamed of youself.. Don’t worry because I’m way ahead of you on that front. I obviously plan on picking up Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before soon. Those adaptations got me hooked! As for The Alienist, I think I’ll just stick with the miniseries.

THREE CHARACTERS YOU LOVE…

  • Victra from Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown – Victra is my main bitch. She’s snarky, independent, a bit crazy, and just cool as hell. I love that she’s not afraid to do what needs to be done, even though it might be a bit drastic at times. I will continue to root for her until the end of time. You go, girl!
  • Nina from Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo – Nina is like my twin. We both love to tease people, we can never get enough of sweets, and we’ve got some curves. I also just love how kind she is. Basically, we would be best friends in real life. YOU DESERVE TO LOVE AGAIN, NINA!!!
  • Hermione Granger from Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling – Because, obviously… Side note – I retyped her name 10 times because it didn’t look right. I might’ve had to Google it to make sure I wasn’t going insane.

THREE SERIES YOU BINGED…

  • The Queen of the Tearling Trilogy by Erika Johansen – This is one of my favorite fantasy series ever. It’s very complex with so many different layers to the story, and only gets deeper and deeper with each book. It’s also nice to have an adult fantasy that revolves around a female MC, especially one as awesome as Kelsea… Also, if you’re not convinced enough to read this one, just know that Emma Watson is trying to get this adapted for the big screen and will be producing it. You know, just FYI. 😉
  • The Bone Season Series by Samantha Shannon – This one probably shouldn’t count since only 3 of the planned 7 books have been released, but I binged all 3 in two days last summer so I’m counting it. This series is just freaking amazing and I hate how long it takes between each release, but I will follow it through to the end. Shannon just gets me and will forever be an auto-buy author for me. I can’t recommend this series enough. Bonus points for this one currently being optioned for television!
  • The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo – While this one didn’t end the way I was hoping for, I still really enjoyed the ride. The Darkling will forever be my one of my favorite villains in literature. Honestly, he deserved so much more! Also, Mal is the absolute worstttttttttttttt and I will stick by that until the end of time. Ugh, I just hate him. #stillsalty

THREE UNPOPULAR BOOKISH OPINIONS…

  • Mal Sucks – Please see above.
  • Keira Cass = Crap – Sorry, but I just cannot with her books. When I first read The Selection, I didn’t think it sucked too much but it definitely wasn’t this amazing series that everyone said it was. But now when I think about it, I have no idea how I even finished that series. You think there is really this huge revolution/rebellion conflict going on but it ends up being nothing but a sidenote to this stupid love triangle. And the writing overall is really less than mediocre. It’s gonna be a no from me, Dog.
  • No More Ebook ARCs – I have completely stopped using sites like NetGalley and Edelweiss, because I just do not enjoy reading eBooks. And honestly, I’m over requesting ARCs in general, I think. I don’t like being pressured to read a book in a certain amount of time, as I’m completely a mood reader which makes deadlines really hard for me. More power to those of you who can do it with no problem, I wish I had that kind of willpower!!

THREE CURRENT FAVORITE BOOK COVERS…

  • Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
  • The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy, #2) by S.A. Chakraborty
  • The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Let’s give a shout out for 2019 releases because they are just killing it with these covers, ya’ll!

THREE BOOKISH GOALS FOR THE YEAR…

  • Read at least one Book of the Month book from my TBR each month.
  • Continue to read more diverse books.
  • Complete as many series as possible.

What are three of your bookish goals for the year? What movie adaptations have you seen but haven’t read the book? What are some of your unpopular bookish opinions?

2018 Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

I think I say this every year, but it’s true… HOW THE HECK IS JUNE ALMOST OVER?! I mean, I could’ve sworn that January was yesterday and it was cold outside. Now, I start to melt like a popsicle as soon as I step outside. (Damn you, Texas weather!)

As always, I wasn’t tagged to do this tag. I just did it last year and decide to keep the tradition going!

Best Book You’ve Read This Year?

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The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty

I wish I could just describe to you how much I loved this book. I binged it in less than 24 hours during a personal readathon back in January, and it has been on my mind ever since. This book has everything that I love in a story and the fact that it is based off Middle Eastern mythology just makes it even better. If you haven’t tried this book, please please do!

Best Sequel You’ve Read in 2018?

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Legendary (Caraval, #2) by Stephanie Garber

For me, an amazing sequel elevates the original story to a completely different level, and I think Legendary did just that. The plot immediately pulled me in and brought a whole new element to the overall story. I also enjoyed Tella so much more as a main character than I did Scarlett. I just know Finale is going to blow us all away when it’s released!

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To?

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Defy the Worlds (Constellation, #2) by Claudia Gray

I absolutely loved the first book, Defy the Stars, and cannot believe I have put off picking up the sequel for so long. Luckily, that’ll be rectified very soon as I plan to read it next. I cannot wait!!! I’ve missed Abel so darn much.

Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year?

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Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, #1) by Mary E. Pearson

I am soooo excited about this newest series set prior to the events in Pearson’s The Remnant Chronicles. I ended up falling in love with that trilogy after a rough start with the first book. I’ve got really high hopes for this book, y’all!

Also, honorable mention goes to Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7) by Sarah J. Maas… because, obviously.

Biggest Disappointment?

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Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

I really don’t get the hype surrounding this book. I listened to the audiobook for a couple of hours before finally DNFing it. There’s barely any dialogue and the character is written in such an unbelievable way that I couldn’t enjoy the story. I think pretentious is the best word to describe this book. I think I’ll just stick to watching the film instead.

Biggest Surprise?

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The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1) by Erika Johansen

This series has some very mixed reviews so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I figured it be boring or something.. I WAS WRONG. This entire trilogy completely took me by surprise and solidified itself as one of my all-time favorite series. If you were turned off this series because of the reviews, I recommend still giving it a try. I recommended it to my dad and he really enjoyed it! I’ve also heard rumors that Emma Watson is working to turn this into a movie and I am so hype for it.

Favorite New To You Or Debut Author?

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Claire Legrand

I read Furyborn (Empirium, #1) back in May and absolutely loved it. I haven’t read any of her other books but it makes me really want to pick them up. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for the sequel!

Newest Fictional Crush?

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Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms, #3) by Morgan Rhodes

Let’s talk about my new boo, Magnus. I’ll be honest and admit that he kind of creeped me out by his unnatural obsession with his stepsister in the first couple of books. However, he really grew on me in Gathering Darkness. He finally seems to be doing his own thing and that sexual tension he has going with Cleo is giving me life right now. Hate to love, FTW!

Newest Favorite Character?

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The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black

I think we can all agree that Prince Cardan is such a gem of a character. I love how awful he is and yet, you can’t help but like him for some twisted reason. Extremely complicated characters like him will always be my faves. I cannot wait to see how he responds in The Wicked King! Is it January yet?

Book That Made You Cry?

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The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #3) by Erika Johansen

Damn, that ending.. It was a killer. But at the same time, after I finished bawling my eyes out, I realized that it was also more bittersweet and a little hopeful. Johansen did such a great job with this finale.

Book That Made You Happy?

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Jackaby (Jackaby, #1) by William Ritter

I went into this book with zero expectations and maybe that helped how much I ended up enjoying it. It was just fun, quick read that made me laugh. I liked how it was a twist on Sherlock Holmes but also was able to really be its own thing, especially by incorporating the supernatural. I really want to get to the sequels at some point later this year.

Favorite Book-To-Film Adaptation?

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I reallyyy enjoyed this movie. It was just a fun ride from start to finish. I liked some of the changes they made to help transmit the book to the big screen, though they did leave out some parts that I think would’ve been nice additions to the overall story.

Favorite Post You Have Done This Year?

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year?

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Onyx & Ivory by Mindee Arnett

Let’s all be honest, that is one wicked gorgeous and unique cover. I’m a little bit obsessed with it. It makes me want to pick up the book even faster!

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of the Year?

  • Reign of the Fallen (Reign of the Fallen, #1) by Sarah Glenn Marsh
  • Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Renegades (Renegades, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Honestly, there’s way too many books that I need to read before the year is over but that’s nothing new. I do plan to get to each of these soon though, as a couple have their sequels being released this fall.

What book has been your favorite of 2018 so far? Least favorite? What book(s) do you want to read before the end of the year? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?