Tag: Brom

Halloween Read-A-Thon Wrap-Up

Hello everyone! Today marks the end of the wonderfully fun read-a-thon that was first created by Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews. I’ve never really been one to read spooky books for Halloween or anything, so I’m really glad that I decided to switch things up this year and join in. I have to say that it actually went really well too! I did end up mixing things around a bit, but it all worked out well in the end.

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Can I just talk about how much I ended up loving this book? It was just so engaging and fun. I’ve already moved the sequel to my November TBR because I need to dive back into this world pronto.

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This turned out to be just a little different than what I was expecting. I found it to end up being more of a character study rather than a creepy murder mystery but I still really enjoyed it.

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I almost always read my books after sunset, because you know, I’ve got a full-time job and everything. So all of my books actually fit this requirement!

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I originally planned on reading The Child Thief for this challenge but I just couldn’t get into it and rather than put myself in a reading slump, I picked up Anna Dressed in Blood instead. So glad I made that decision because I really enjoyed this one!

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This was a really hyped book that I was both excited and nervous for. Luckily, it ended up being a really fun book even though the ending was a tad predictable.

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I fell a tad short of this goal due to not finishing The Child Thief. I did finish The Wonder during the last couple of days of this challenge, however, I didn’t have it on my original TBR so I won’t count it. Still, I I feel pretty proud with finishing all of the books that I did during this read-a-thon!

Did you participate in the Halloween Read-A-Thon? How did you do in regards to completing the challenges? Have you read any of the books on my list?

WWW Wednesday – October 25th, 2017

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

  • Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – audiobook
  • The Child Thief by Brom – physical copy
  • The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1) by Alison Goodman – physical copy

So I started The Child Thief last Thursday but just couldn’t really get into it and wasn’t making myself pick it up. Sometimes you just can’t force it, ya know? So I decided to set it aside and try the last book on my Halloween Read-a-thon TBR, The Dark Days Club. I just picked it up last night but am already over 100 pages into it. I think it was the perfect fit for me right now. I might have even brought it to work with me today! Shhhh, don’t tell anyone…

I also started listening to Simon on Monday. So far, it’s just alright for me. I don’t know if it’s the narrator or the writing style but I’m just not really connecting to the story. I don’t really like any of the characters either? I feel awful so far because this is such a beloved story, but I’m hoping it’ll grow on me as I continue listening to it. Also, what is up with Leah? I can’t stand her.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus – physical copy, 4/5 stars
  • Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth – audiobook, 4/5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised by One of Us is Lying. I’d heard great things about it and was really glad to see that they were all true. I wouldn’t say the mystery was the most engaging part of the book, but rather the characters themselves. Definitely recommend it and I should have a full review up at some point soon.

Stars Over Clear Lake was a really beautiful love story. It was just the right amount of bitter and sweet. I definitely recommend it for any WWII-era lovers or for anyone looking for a sweet love story.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake
  • The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Anna will be the final book of my October TBR and the perfect one to end this spooky month with. This seems to be a pretty well-liked book series and Blake is definitely killing it with the Three Dark Crowns series, so I’ve got high hopes for it! Then I’ll pick up The Wonder which was my first ever pick from Book of the Month Club last fall. It sounds extremely intriguing and I’m all for anything set in Ireland!

What are you currently reading? What books do you have up next on your TBR? Have you stuck to your TBR for October? Have you read any of the books on my list? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – October 18th, 2017

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

  • One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus – physical book
  • Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth – audiobook

I have to say that I’m really enjoyed One of Us is Lying so far. I’m almost getting a murder mystery version of The Breakfast Club from it, and I love that movie. I’ve heard good things about this one so I hope I continue to enjoy it!

I’m not very far into Stars Over Clear Lake but I like it so far. I always enjoy a good historical fiction story, especially one set during WWII. I’m expecting that my heart will be broken by the end of it.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge – audiobook, 2/5 stars
  • Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody – 5/5 stars, Review
  • The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss – 5/5 stars, Hype or Like Friday BOTM

I had a really good reading week, finally finishing A Face Like Glass, after what feels like forever. Seriously, I was afraid this damn story would never end. SOOOOOO LONG. But other than that, I sped through my two physical books and loved them both. I’m really looking forward to the next books from both authors. I think I was most surprised at how funny and engaging Alchemist’s Daughter was. The writing style was just lovely.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Child Thief by Brom
  • The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen, #1) by Alison Goodman

I plan to continue on with my Halloween Read-a-thon TBR with my next books. Once I get through these, I’ll only be one book away from completing my October TBR. I hope that these two books are engaging enough for me to finish them up fairly quickly so I can fit that last book in before the end of the month!

What are you currently reading? Did you finish any good books this week? What other books do you have on your TBR? Have you read any of the ones on my list? If so, what did you think of them?

October TBR and Halloween Readathon!

Hi, y’all! Today I’m going to combine my TBR for the overall month of October, with my TBR for the awesome Halloween Readathon being hosted by Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews. This readathon will run from October 10th through October 31st. You can find all of the details on this readathon by clicking on the link above! (FYI…It’s gonna be so fun and you should join!)

But let’s get to it, shall we?

Halloween Readathon TBR

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You may not find the cover for One of Us is Lying as creepy, but I definitely do. I think it’s a combination of the faces scratched out and the red permanent marker of the font covering it. I’ve already heard really good things about this book and can’t wait to dive in!

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What better time to read a book about a badass female demon hunter set in Regency England? Yeah, I’m so there.

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Peter Pan gets a dark makeover in this creepy retelling. I mean, just look at that cover! I have a feeling that I’ll never be able to think of Peter the same way again.

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This one will be really easy because I do most of my reading at night, so basically any one of my books will work for this one!

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I’ve had this book on my TBR for quite a while, but I also think it goes really well with the Halloween theme. I always associate circuses and carnivals with this time of year. Probably because clowns really creep me out…. Crap, I really hope there aren’t any in this book.

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This could be doable if I’m able to have enough time to pull another book from my October TBR. Fingers crossed though, right?!

Remaining October TBR

  • Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
  • One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns, #2) Kendare Blake
  • The Cutting Season by Attica Locke
  • Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake

I started Meddling Kids this weekend and am enjoying it so far. I’m really excited to pick up One Dark Throne after the cliffhanger the first book ended on. I really hope it ramps up the action and tones down the teen drama. Actually just now realized that I have two Kendare Blake books on my TBR for this month. Guess she likes to keep it dark… and I’m totally okay with that!

Are you participating in the Halloween Readathon? What books are you hoping to read this month? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?

August TBR: Where I Try Way Too Hard

Well it’s that time of the month again… And by that, I mean that a new month is starting which means a whole new monthly TBR! Obviously. I’m a little late getting out my TBR this month but I’ve just been really busy between work and all that jazz to sit down and formulate what my reading plans were for August. I was also in a bit of a mini reading slump this past week which affected my blogging plans. But I’m finally here, right?! So let’s get to it!

August Tome Topple Readathon TBR & Announcement

Yes, I am participating again this round! I’m joining in a few days late because of my stinking reading slump which has pushed me back just a tad. However, I have full plans to catch back up and finally start on my two book picks for this round!

Tome Topple is a readathon hosted by Sam @ ThoughtsOnTomes. She’s one of my favorite booktubers, in case you don’t recognize the name. This readathon is all about reading those big books on your TBR that you’re usually too scared to grab. The only rules is that the books must be over 500 pages and cannot be an anthology of short stories. Sounds easy, right?! This readathon is running from August 4th – August 17th. You can visit the Goodreads Group to learn more about the readathon.

And the choices for my readathon TBR are….

  • Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2) by Leigh Bardugo
  • Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

I’m aiming for only two books during this readathon, as I will be starting late due to the fact that I’m still reading Six of Crows at the moment. So the logical first book for the readathon should be its sequel, Crooked Kingdom. Then I want to finally pick up Lost Stars so I can check another Star Wars canon novel off of my list. I’ve also had both of these books since they were published, so you know, just a little behind on reading them. OOPS!

August TBR

  • Hunted by Meagan Spooner
  • Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1) by Leigh Bardugo – currently reading
  • A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
  • Heartless by Marissa Meyer
  • Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
  • Fuse (Pure, #2) by Julianna Baggott
  • American Fire by Monica Hesse
  • The Child Thief by Brom
  • The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society, #1) by Trenton Lee Stewart

I think I might be a little ambitious with my TBR for this month, especially after not really reading at all during the first week. However, if I can even get through half of these books then I will be satisfied. I think I have a really good mix of genres this month, which should help keep me from getting too bored. At least I hope so.

What books are on your TBR for this month? Are you participating in Tome Topple? If so, what books did you choose to pick up for it?

A Personal TBR of Books You Might Not Have Heard of

Hello, lovelies! I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about today, so thanks to those of you who voted in my Twitter poll and decided you wanted to hear more about my underrated TBR list.

As I was putting all of my books up in my new shelves a few weeks ago, I noticed how many books on my TBR shelf that I owned but haven’t really seen mentioned anywhere else. I know we all tend pick up books that we see on blogs, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube. It’s easy to get your interest piqued by seeing a book somewhere. I tend to buy popular books too sometimes, instead of taking the time to just browse the racks. However, there are still some days where I just spend hours browsing the bookstore or BookOutlet. This ends with me finding some hidden gems that I might not normally have heard about and now I have way more unread books than is probably healthy, haha! But I can say that I cannot wait to finally pick these beauties up!

P.S. I only included the books that I already own and only chose a handful from my shelves. Maybe I’ll post another list at a late date! 🙂

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The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson

I received this book in my Book of the Month Club box back at the beginning of the year. I think it’s basically about a rich school where all of the kids are horrible and torture a new teacher. I’m really interested in seeing how dark this one gets.

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The Child Thief by Brom

Think pyscho evil child-snatcher Peter Pan, and you basically have this really dark retelling of the boy-who-never-grows-up. This one has been tempting me a whole lot lately and I may have to bump it up to my TBR for next month. And yes, I know I’m a scaredy-cat and don’t usually read horror. I’ll be sure to only read this one during the day!

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Shadow Run (Kaitan Chronicles, #1) by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller

Y’all know I can’t resist a good novel set on a spaceship. SIGN ME UP.

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Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

A mystery romance set in the Regency but with magic, yes, magic. I feel like this will be a nice fluff book, perfect for a day when I’m feeling something light and cute. This will be my first Garth Nix book and I’m interested in seeing how I feel about his writing.

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A Song for Ella Grey  by David Almond

This one is a contemporary retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. If you don’t know that myth, it’s a tragedy. I expect a lot of tears to be shed during this one.

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Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhouse

From the synopsis of this book, I’m getting some serious YA version of Cloud Atlas vibes. While I absolutely hated Cloud Atlas (I shudder just thinking about it), Emily Henry recommends this book and I’m kind of obsessed with her books so I hope this one doesn’t disappoint.

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The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

This is a murder mystery set on an old plantation in southern Louisiana. I think this book is also a commentary on modern politics and race relations, and if that’s the case, count me in. This is also a #ownvoices novel too, which makes me even more excited!

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Age of Myth (The Legends of the First Empire, #1) by Michael Sullivan

This epic fantasy novel has really awesome rating on Goodreads right now, which makes me really excited to hear. I think the sequel was actually released recently too, so I may end up binging them sometime soon. I cannot wait!

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Every Man a Menace by Patrick Hoffman

This book sounds like such a trip (pun intended!), as it follows a shipment of MDMA from the making of it to its distribution in the United States. This is a straight crime novel, where no one is the hero. I don’t usually pick up books like this so we’ll see how it goes.

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The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates

I’ve never actually read any of Oates’ book (I know, I know!!), but this one sounds incredibly intriguing. It’s set in 1905 Princeton, New Jersey where a bunch of real-life famous people get caught up in curse and fall under the control of a paranormal force. Sounds intense, right?

What books do you have that might be under-the-radar of the book community? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?