My February TBR

February is going to be a month where I try and focus on a bunch of sequels/series that I need to catch up on. So I plan to try and get through a few of those this month, while sticking to standalones for the most part when it comes to my audiobooks. I really want to mix up the genres too so I don’t get too bogged down on any one for too long. Let’s see if that keeps me from falling into any sort of reading slump!


February TBR

  • Suggested Reading by David Connis – audiobook
  • Kingsbane (Empirium Trilogy, #2) by Claire Legrand – physical book
  • Valiant (Modern Faerie Tales, #2) by Holly Black – physical book
  • The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – audiobook
  • Winter of the World (The Century Trilogy, #2) by Ken Follett – physical book
  • The Vine Witch (Vine Witch, #1) by Luanne G. Smith – audiobook
  • Dark Age (Red Rising, #5) by Pierce Brown – physical book
  • Before the Devil Breaks You (The Diviners, #3) by Libba Bray – physical book
  • Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente – physical book
  • What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon – audiobook
  • The Devil’s Thief (The Last Magician, #2) by Lisa Maxwell – physical book
  • Reign of the Fallen (Reign of the Fallen, #1) by Sarah Glenn Marsh – physical book, buddy

What do you plan on reading in February? Do you have a lot of sequels or series that you haven’t caught up on yet? Have you read any of the books on my TBR? If so, what did you think of it?

Books I Meant to Read in 2019

Let’s be honest, there is always going to be books that you are really excited to read but just never get around to it. I have always had a really bad habit about buying so many books and then just never reading them but buying more instead. Though I’m pretty positive that’s just one attribute of being a bookworm, haha! And last year was no exception to this. There were quite a few books that I had totally planned to read but somehow never did. I don’t know how that happens, but it does… FOR SHAME.


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

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.

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First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

It started for pranks, fun, and forever memories.
A secret society – for the four of us.
The rules: Never lie. Never tell. Love each other.
We made the pledge and danced under the blood moon on the meteorite in the orchard. In the spot we found the dead girl five years earlier. And discovered the ancient drawings way before that.
Nothing could break the four of us apart – I thought.
But then, others wanted in. Our seaside town had secrets. History.
We wanted revenge.
We broke the rules. We lied. We told. We loved each other too much, not enough, and in ways we weren’t supposed to.
Our invention ratcheted out of control.
What started as a secret society, ended as justice. Revenge. Death. Rebellion.

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The Oracle Year by Charles Soule

Knowledge is power. So when an unassuming Manhattan bassist named Will Dando awakens from a dream one morning with 108 predictions about the future in his head, he rapidly finds himself the most powerful man in the world. Protecting his anonymity by calling himself the Oracle, he sets up a heavily guarded Web site with the help of his friend Hamza to selectively announce his revelations. In no time, global corporations are offering him millions for exclusive access, eager to profit from his prophecies.

He’s also making a lot of high-powered enemies, from the President of the United States and a nationally prominent televangelist to a warlord with a nuclear missile and an assassin grandmother. Legions of cyber spies are unleashed to hack the Site—as it’s come to be called—and the best manhunters money can buy are deployed not only to unmask the Oracle but to take him out of the game entirely. With only a handful of people he can trust—including a beautiful journalist—it’s all Will can do to simply survive, elude exposure, and protect those he loves long enough to use his knowledge to save the world.

Delivering fast-paced adventure on a global scale as well as sharp-witted satire on our concepts of power and faith, Marvel writer Charles Soule’s audacious debut novel takes readers on a rollicking ride where it’s impossible to predict what will happen next.

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

A formidable outlaw family that claims to be the first among nations.

A son destined to lead, thrust suddenly into power.

Three fierce young women of the Rahtan, the queen’s premier guard.

A legendary street thief leading a mission, determined to prove herself.

A dark secret that is a threat to the entire continent.

When outlaw leader meets reformed thief, a cat-and-mouse game of false moves ensues, bringing them intimately together in a battle that may cost them their lives―and their hearts.

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The Smoke Thieves (The Smoke Thieves, #1) by Sally Green

A shrewd princess whose father is plotting against her. A brave soldier turned traitor. A loyal servant on a quest to avenge his family. A streetwise demon smoke hunter in desperate need of money. A charming thief with no clue about his true identity. Their lives would never intersect, until a war between kingdoms bubbles up, and the dangerous truth about demon smoke intertwines all their fates. Welcome to The Smoke Thieves, a tangled web of political intrigue, shifting alliances, and forbidden love, in a world where sometimes no amount of magic can keep you safe.

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Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns, #4) by Kendare Blake

After the battle with Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, leaving her out of her mind and unfit to rule. Arsinoe must find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist rests heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.

Queen Katharine’s rule over Fennbirn remains intact—for now. But her attack on the rebellion exacted a high price: her beloved Pietyr. Without him, who can she rely upon when Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce? As oldest and youngest circle each other, and Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.

In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three dark sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested, and some broken forever.

The fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens.


Do you ever have plans to read specific books and then never do? Do you stick to your TBR religiously? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? What are some books you want to read this year? What are some books that you didn’t get to read last year but wanted to?

 

 

End of Summer Recap Book Tag

Fall is officially almost here and I am so happy. I am not a fan of the summertime and all of its hellish heat. However, I saw this awesome book tag over on the lovely Scorpio Book Dreams blog and decided that it was a good time to look back over the books that I’ve read during the past few summer months. I’m always talking about books on my TBR, so this will be a nice change of pace to reflect on the books that I’ve already finished. Please feel free to tag yourself!

Original post was created by Faith @ Bookself.


Which book can you not stop thinking about?

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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

I just really enjoyed this story. It was a nice feel-good story that I think everyone would enjoy picking it up. It was the perfect summer read for me. I keep waiting to hear that Mindy Kaling has optioned the rights to adapt into a miniseries or movie. I think she has the perfect writing style for a story like this.

Which book would you rather not have read?

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

This was one of my most anticipated releases for this year.. but dear God, was it sooooooo long. And trust me, I don’t mind lengthy novels. However, I could really feel the length with this story. It took far too long to actually get into the meat of the story, which caused me to not feel the need to ever pick it up to read. I’ll just continue looking forward to the next installment of The Bone Season series and try to forget that this book caused it to get postponed.

What genre did you read the most?

Surprisingly enough, due to my recent reread of the Red Rising series, my top genre this past summer was science fiction. Which I’m actually really happy about because it is one of my favorite genres to pick up. Not to mention the fact that all of the books for that genre that I have read recently were really good. I’m also in currently in the middle of two more!

What book surprised you the most?

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The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

I figured I would enjoy this book (helloooo, I’m a sucker for historical fiction!), but I didn’t realize how much I would love this story and all of its characters. Rye has always been on my list of English villages I’d love to visit, but now I am DYING to go see it during the summer and channel my inner Beatrice.

Which book disappointed you the most?

Just look above a couple of questions and that should answer this one too…

What was your favorite cover?

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Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Another lovely design by the supremely talented Charlie Bowater. I honestly love all of her designs.

What was your favorite summer release?

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Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This book was just as fun and engaging as what I was expecting from this writing duo. I thought it was a great start to another science fiction series from them. I loved how we get multiple POVs and they were each so different from one another. Also, let’s all give a cheer for the fae-inspired, Kal. Seriously… SPACE ELVES.

What book did you plan on reading but never got around to?

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Kingsbane (Empirium, #2) by Claire Legrand

I actually preordered this beauty but then I realized I desperately needed to do a reread of the first book before diving in. I’ve finally gotten around to downloading the audiobook version of it and so hopefully I’ll be able to finish that after my current listen of Iron Gold. So I’m hoping to add this to my TBR for next month. It’s just been begging me to pick it up.

What’s on your Autumn TBR?


What was your favorite summer release? Was there a specific book you meant to read but never got around to it? What books do you plan on reading during this fall?

Anticipated Releases Tag

I saw this really fun tag done by Lauren @ Fangirl Fury and just knew that I had to participate.. Because hey, who doesn’t love talking about new books?! Only a crazy person, that’s who. #GimmeAllDemBooks

Original tag created by Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx.


Most Anticipated Release(s) of the Year

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Supernova (Renegades, #3) by Marissa Meyer

I’ve been enjoying this series so much. I think Meyer has done a great job of showing how life is more shades of grey, rather than black and white. I appreciate that her writing has matured as well, compared to The Lunar Chronicles. I cannot wait to see what the end of Nova’s story will bring, especially after that shocking ending of the previous book. I NEED TO KNOW.

A Book You’re Not Anticipating

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Sea Witch Rising (Sea Witch, #2) by Sarah Henning

I never read the first book in this series and don’t plan to. Am I the only person who doesn’t really care about all of this villain origin stories trend going on? I kind of feel like I might be.

Most Underhyped Anticipated Release

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Suggested Reading by David Connis

I can never say no to a book about books and this one just sounds so amazing. I am a firm believer in no censorship when it comes to books, especially in high school. I can’t wait to see how Connis tackles this controversial topic!

A Book You’ve Been Waiting on Forever

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The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

Ever since finishing Salt to the Sea, I have been dying for another Sepetys novel. And I feel like it has been forever since this book was first announced and I cannot wait any longer for it. I love that Sepetys always chooses to cover historical events that aren’t usually covered in school or in novels.

A Book You’re Anticipating That’s Outside of Your Comfort Zone

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The Athena Protocol by Shamim Sarif

I’m typically not a big reader of thrillers, but something about the synopsis of this novel sounds too good to pass up. I expect a lot of nonstop action mixed with some twists and turns. Also, I’ve always had small desire to work in intelligence. Those guys are badass.

Your Top Three Can’t Wait Books of the Year

  • Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns, #4) by Kendare Blake
  • The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, #1) by Kiersten White
  • The Beautiful (The Beautiful, #1) by Renee Ahdieh

All three of these books have been on my radar ever since they were first announced, especially Five Dark Fates. This fall is definitely killing it in the new releases department.

Top Five Most Anticipated Backlist Books on Your TBR

  • The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
  • The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
  • When the Sky Fell on Splendor by Emily Henry
  • Defy the Fates (Constellation, #3) by Claudia Gray
  • The Last Magician (The Last Magician, #1) by Lisa Maxwell

What are some of your most anticipated releases? Do you usually keep up to date with new releases? What are some backlisted books on your TBR for the rest of the year? Are you excited about any of the books on my list?