Tag: Rae Carson

January Wrap-Up: Reviews, Reading Challenges, etc.

It is seriously mind-boggling how fast moves as you get older. I mean, I’m 27 now…. HOW AND WHEN DID THIS EVEN HAPPEN?! At least I can be consoled by the fact that so many releases are coming out this year, that with time moving so quickly, I’ll get to all of the amazing books faster. That’s how it works, right?

Books Read

  • Iron Gold (Red Rising, #4) by Pierce Brown – physical book, 5/5 stars
  • The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn – audiobook, 3/5 stars
  • Into the Bright Unknown (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1) by Rae Carson – physical book, 4/5 stars
  • The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury – physical book, 4/5 stars
  • These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly – physical book, 5/5 stars
  • Beast of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang – physical book, 5/5 stars
  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine – physical book, 5/5 stars, FULL REVIEW
  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani – physical book, 3/5 stars
  • The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis – audiobook, 3/5 stars
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty – physical book, 5/5 stars, FULL REVIEW

Okay, I’m just a tad behind on my reviews. I’m really sorry!

Total Books Read: 10

Overall in 2018: 10

Reading Challenge Updates

POPSUGAR

  • A book about time travel – The Jane Austen Project
  • A book about feminism – The Female of the Species
  • The next book in a series you started – Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3)
  • A book that’s published in 2018 – Iron Gold (Red Rising, #4)

Goodreads Challenge

Total: 10/75

Previous Total: 0/75

Blog Posts

Book Reviews

WWW Wednesday

Hype or Like Friday

Discussions/Misc.

How did your reading month in January go? Did you read more books than you were expecting? Did you participate in #24in48?

WWW Wednesday – January 24th, 2018

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?

  • The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy – audiobook
  • Iron Gold (Red Rising, #4) by Pierce Brown – physical book

I only listened to a little bit of The Disappearances so I’m not really far enough along yet to have an opinion. I guess I do like that it’s set in WWII, which I wasn’t aware of before I bought it. You know how I like my historical fiction!

I’m about 100 pages into Iron Gold and I’m already obsessed. It feels soooo good to be back in this world! I’m also really liking all of the different POVs. I think my favorite has to be Lysander, which I wasn’t expecting. I love that he’s a booknerd and so smart! Also, Victra is still awesome and my fictional twin. 🙂

What did you recently finish reading?

  • The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis – audiobook, 3/5 stars
  • Into the Bright Unknown (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) – physical book, 4/5 stars
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty – physical book, 5/5 stars
  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani – physical book, 3/5 stars
  • These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly – physical book, 5/5 stars

I finished all of these books during my personal #24in48 read-a-thon this past weekend. I had a really good reading weekend overall and enjoyed all of these books for the most part. However, The City of Brass and These Shallow Graves are the two main stars. I would actually officially list The City of Brass as one of my all-time favorite books now. It was THAT amazing.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Since I can’t decide what to read next because my FairyLoot with The Cruel Prince hasn’t even shipped yet… Here’s the books left on my January TBR. Hopefully I’ll be able to figure out what to read next before I finish Iron Gold. I obviously won’t be finishing all of these before February, haha!

  • From a Certain Point of View by Ben Acker
  • Wandering Star (Zodiac, #2) by Romina Russell
  • Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, #2) by Morgan Rhodes
  • The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black
  • I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
  • The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

What are you currently reading? Did you finish any good books this week? What do you plan on reading next? Have you read any of the books on my list? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

My Personal #24in48 Readathon and Giveaways!

Hi y’all! So as I’m sure most of you know, next weekend (January 26-28) is the official #24in48 Read-a-thon. Now I participated in the previous one last July and really enjoyed it. I think I actually completed 4 books that weekend. Yeah, for real! But unfortunately, this month’s read-a-thon falls on my birthday weekend and I will be out of town and unable to participate. However, not only is it supposed to rain this weekend here, I will also have the entire house to myself for a couple of days. Which means…

I have decided to hold my own personal #24in48 read-a-thon!

Starting tonight at 6pm CST, I will be live tweeting my read-a-thon on my Twitter account @larkinchurchill. If you follow my tweets all weekend, there will be two opportunities to win some giveaways! I will be doing a giveaway on Saturday and again on Sunday. I haven’t decided if both will be a 2018 preorder of your choice, or one will be a current release and the other a preorder. Might do a Twitter poll to determine what everyone would prefer…

I finally finished my audiobook yesterday and so now I’m currently in the middle of three physical books. My goal this weekend is to finish all three, and then hopefully finish a 4th and start a 5th. I’m behind on my January TBR and really want to catch up some during this read-a-thon!

Current Reads

  • These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly – page 141 of 488
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty – page 303 of 533
  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani – page 140 of 488

Total Pages to Read: 925

TBR

  • Into the Bright Unknown (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson – 343 pages
  • Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Ben Acker – 477 pages

Total Pages to Read: 820

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter for your chance to win in the giveaways!!! Also, feel free to follow along with your own read-a-thon! Be sure to tweet me if you’re joining in on the fun so I can follow your progress and join in on some reading sprints!

WWW Wednesday – January 17th, 2018

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?

  • The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis – audiobook

I’m a little over halfway through this audiobook with about 3 hours left and so far, I’m just a little underwhelmed. It started off really good but now it’s starting to drag and we aren’t getting as much of Alex’s POV as I would like. I’m going to need this to start picking back up soon because it’s totally losing me right now.

  • These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly – physical book, buddy read

I just started this one last night with Britt and am loving it so far. I really like the writing style and different characters. The plot is extremely interesting and I love how it’s tackling feminism in the Victorian era. I am such a sucker for good historical fiction.

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

Guys, I’m halfway through this one and am OBSESSED. There’s so many different moving parts that I’m constantly kept on my toes waiting to see what will happen next. The hype is so, so, so real with this one.

  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani – physical book

This was the original book that Britt and I were buddy reading, but as we were really struggling with it, we decided to switch over to These Shallow Graves. However, I’m going to power through this one til the end. Middle grades are pretty easy reads so hopefully this one starts to take off and makes me want to actually pick it up and finish.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang – physical book, 5 stars
  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine – physical book, 5 stars, REVIEW

These are both just amazing books/series that I recommend everyone go and pick up. Seriously, one is just full of warm fuzzies and the other is an underrated epic adventure series full of action and book lovers. Just read them both – you won’t be disappointed!

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Wandering Star (Zodiac, #2) by Romina Russell
  • Into the Bright Unknown (Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson

These are the next two books on my TBR. One of my goals this year is to finish or catch up on series that I’ve already started and so I really want to stick to that. I’m so excited and a little sad to finish up the Gold Seer Trilogy as it’s been one of my favorite trilogies. I’m also really interested in seeing what happens next in Wandering Star, as the first book ended on a really crazy twist!

What are you currently reading? Did you finish any good books this past week? What do you plan on reading next? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – January 10th, 2018

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?

  • The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis – audiobook
  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine
  • Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang

Slowly making my way through Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance. I’m really enjoying the sweet story, I just think that I’ve been into more action driven plots lately which has me putting this one aside more. However, I plan to finish this one this week!

I just started listening to The Female of the Species yesterday and am enjoying it so far. I was a little confused at first by what was going on but it’s starting to come together more now. I just don’t really like how Alex’s chapters are the shortest.

I picked up Ash and Quill last night and even though I’m only a couple of chapters into it, I’m already back in love with this world. I swear that this series doesn’t get enough recognition and I really wish more people picked it up. It’s awesome, y’all!

What did you recently finish reading?

  • The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn – audiobook, 3/5 stars
  • The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury – 4/5 stars, review to come
  • This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston – audiobook, 5/5 stars

I really enjoyed The Forbidden Wish and This Is Our Story. They were both so different from any of the other books I had read recently, with This Is Our Story becoming one of my favorite reads of 2017. The Forbidden Wish was such a beautiful retelling. The writing was just gorgeous and now I’m really interested in picking up another book from the author. I had really high hopes for The Jane Austen Project, but it just didn’t really meet my expectations. I enjoyed it but feel like there was just something missing. Maybe I should’ve read the actual book instead of just listening to the audiobook version?

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Into the Bright Unknown (Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson
  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani
  • Wandering Star (Zodiac, #2) by Romina Russell

I’m both sad and excited to pick up the final book in the Gold Seer Trilogy. I’ve fallen head over heels for these characters that Carson has created and I’m not really ready to let them go yet. I’ve got my fingers crossed for a happy ending though!

I’m going to be buddy reading The School for Good and Evil with Britt from Geronimo Reads and am so excited to start it. I know it’s one of Reagan from PeruseProject’s favorite middle grade series and like we have the exact same reading tastes so I’m looking forward to diving into this one.

Then I plan on continuing the Zodiac series by picking up the sequel. I really enjoyed the first book when I read it last month for Hype or Like Friday. It ended on such a great cliffhanger that I cannot wait to see what happens to the characters next… probably a bunch of awful shit if it’s anything like the first novel.

What books have you read this past week? What are you currently reading? What do you plan on reading next? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

A Really Big Book Haul!

It’s been ages since I’ve done a book haul post. And I mean, who doesn’t love getting to see what other readers have picked up recently? I know I do! (Even if my wallet doesn’t appreciate it as much.)

  • Everless by Sara Holland
  • Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Ben Acker
  • Into the Bright Unknown (Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson
  • Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang
  • The Shadow Hour (The Girl at Midnight, #2) by Melissa Grey
  • The Refrigerator Monologues by Catherynne M. Valente
  • Titans by Leila Meacham
  • Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
  • The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia, #1) by Sarah Beth Durst
  • Duels and Deception by Cindy Anstey
  • Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali
  • A Gathering of Ravens by Scott Oden
  • The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn
  • The English Wife by Lauren Willig
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty
  • Renegades (Renegades, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Have you bought any good books in the last couple of months? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?

My January 2018 TBR

Well as 2017 comes to a close (in just a few days, in fact!), I’m already looking forward to what 2018 has in store for me.. Have I figured out what my reading goals for this coming year? Absolutely not, because I’m a procrastinator. However, I do think I have finalized my TBR for January. Hey, it’s better than nothing! And I may be overly ambitious with this TBR, but I really want to try and start the year off with a bang.

  • The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine
  • Into the Bright Unknown (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson
  • The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) by S.A. Chakraborty
  • The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1) by Soman Chainani
  • Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View by Ben Acker (anthology)
  • I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo
  • The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury
  • The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black – Hype or Like Friday January BOTM
  • The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • Wandering Star (Zodiac, #2) by Romina Russell
  • Rebel Spring (Falling Kingdoms, #2) by Morgan Rhodes

What books do you plan on reading in January? Have you read any of the books on my TBR? If so, what did you think of them?

Books That Need Adaptations

I would like to thank Britt for giving me this idea because I was completely out of inspiration today. I just hate when that happens!

Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

I feel like the steampunk/alternate history WWI setting of this book would translate so well onscreen. All of the interesting contraptions and creatures could really be so vivid and amazing with the right director, like Steven Spielberg or Guillermo del Toro. In fact, the more that I think about it, the more that I want it to happen. Anyone know anyone in Hollywood?

The Bone Season Series by Samantha Shannon

I would seriously die if this series hit the big or small screen. I want to say that it was optioned for television but I can’t remember for sure. I’d be all up on that for sure if it was though!

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Armada by Ernest Cline

I know that Ready Player One is coming out in March, but I think that Armada would have been a better book suited for adaptation. There’s an actual war going on in this plotline and if you’ve read the book, you’ll know that that opening scene is great. I might’ve had some issue with this book, but I’d definitely pay some money to see it in 3D.

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Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

I think we can all agree that there aren’t enough good Westerns being made anymore. And one that’s mixed with fantasy and steampunk elements, starring a kickass female main character? It’s the movie that we didn’t even know we needed but now we have to have it!

 

Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson

Oh, did you think I was kidding about Westerns? I wasn’t.

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The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

If I’m being honest, I really just want this brought to screen so I can obsess over Nikolai and the Darkling. Maybe I’ll get really lucky and they’ll change the storyline up enough to kill off Mal. Oh, what a glorious day that would be!

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Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

This series has actually been optioned for the big screen but nothing has moved forward past that. I don’t know what the heck is wrong with Hollywood because this could be the next great science fiction series! I definitely seeing this one becoming a total blockbuster hit.

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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I’m already a sucker for any WWII setting movie and for my favorite historical fiction novel to show up on the big screen would be a match made in Heaven. I’ll go ahead and get the tissues ready.

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The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

Okay, I know every single one of you has been thinking the same thing when it comes to this series. I’ll actually take this one as a tv show so we can really flesh out this world and the characters. Who’s with me?!

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The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

Now this is actually a thriller that I would go see at the movies. The atmosphere, the story, the characters… Yeah, I think this would be a really good movie right about now.

What books would you like to see turned into a movie or television show? Do you agree with the ones on my list?

The Fall Book Tag

Fall is one of, if not, my favorite time of the year! I’m also quite partial to winter because it’s when Christmas and my birthday is… though I promise it’s not all about presents, haha! Really, I just love cold weather. Give me sweaters and leggings all day, every day!

Anyways, big shout out to one of my faves, Lilly @ Lair of Books for tagging me to do this! If you haven’t followed her yet, I highly suggest you hurry your little butt over there to do so because she’s got such an amazing blog (not to mention, she’s such a sweetheart!).

The Rules:

  • Please link back to Bionic Book Worm, as the creator of this tag!! She wants to see your answers!!
  • Use the graphics – if you want 🙂
  • Have fun!

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A Million Junes by Emily Henry

I will never stop recommending this book. Emily Henry can write the most beautiful stories that will both lift you up and break your heart. If you haven’t picked up either of her novels, I highly suggest you do. No one can write magical realism like this woman can!

 

 

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Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2) by Victoria Schwab

All I have to say is READ THIS SERIES. If you haven’t already, prepare for the perfect ending to such a dark and amazing journey. I literally died when I finished this one.

 

 

 

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Love, Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey

This book is just so stinking cute. I can promise that it will make you smile while reading it. I mean, who can resist a sassy heroine falling in love with a sassy hero? I surely can’t!

 

 

 

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Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

This book is just so freaking awesome. Kate is one of the most badass heroines that you’ll ever come across and I want to be her best friend. Seriously, one of my top 5 reads of 2016. The companion novel comes out really soon too!

 

 

 

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Armada by Ernest Cline

I think it’s pretty easy to see where science fiction novels tend to be pretty action packed, and Armada is the perfect example of that. The book starts off with a bang and doesn’t stop once. You’ll never have to worry about getting bored with this one!

 

 

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Into the Bright Unknown (Gold Seer Trilogy, #3) by Rae Carson

Y’all, I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on this beauty. This trilogy has been such an underrated gem. I just don’t understand how it’s been able to fly under the radar for so long. I just know this finale is going to kill me and I’m not even ready for it.

 

 

Tag, You’re It!

Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews

Yvo @ It’s All About Books

Stephanie @ Adventures of a Bibliophile

I tag anyone else who wants to do this fun tag! And if you’ve already been tagged, please ignore!

Happy fall, y’all!

What are some books that make you think of fall? Have you done The Fall Book Tag? If so, please leave a link in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendation Series #1: Historical Fiction

Hello, lovelies! I thought it was a good time to start a recommendation series. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting top 10 recommendations for different genres. I always find it fun to see what other bloggers like to recommend, so I thought you’d all enjoy some new recommendations from me! And if not, oh well. At least I’m giving you a heads up, right? Am I not merciful?! (Bonus awesome points if you get that reference.)

My first post in this series is all about that beautiful historical fiction. You may not realize how much of a historical fiction fan I am, but it’s true. I LOVE IT. I know a lot of people can’t really get into it, but maybe one of the books on my list can change that if you’re one of those people.

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Walk on Earth a Stranger (Gold Seer Trilogy, #1) by Rae Carson

This trilogy is simply amazing. There is a lack of Westerns in YA but this definitely helps make up for it. It’s also fun how it mixes in a little bit of the fantastical. Trust me, this is a great place to start your foray into historical fiction.

 

 

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Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

If you’re interested in lesser-known areas of history, then you’ll appreciate this novel that follows different teenagers as they all seek freedom from WWII aboard a German ship. You will cry, but you will love it.

 

 

 

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The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray

In love with the Roaring 20’s? Enjoy a little creepy spookiness? This series is so fun that you forget it’s even historical fiction except for the hilarious twenties-style phrases that come out of Evie’s mouth.

 

 

 

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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This is one of my all-time favorite books. If you haven’t read it yet, then please do! You will fall in love with these characters as the two sisters try and navigate Nazi-occupied France.

 

 

 

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Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

This is the penultimate classic when it comes to novels set during the Wild West. You’ll laugh and cry right along with this awesome cast of characters as they drive cattle from Texas to Montana.

 

 

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Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon

I’m sure you’ve heard of this one by now, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. It’s more than just a romance. There’s political intrigue, real historical figures events, and non-stop action. The hype is real, y’all!

 

 

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The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor

This is a more recent read (or actually listen, but I digress..) and I really enjoyed it. It’s beautiful and sweet, following two different points of view, one in 80’s California and the other in 30’s Austria. If you don’t find Kristoff adorable, then I’m not sure we can be friends. 😉

 

 

What historical fiction books would you recommend? Have you read any of the ones from my list? Did you enjoy them? Are you a historical fiction fan?