Tag: Red Rising

2019 End of Year Survey

2019 was a solid reading year for myself, if not as great as I was hoping it would be. However, I did get to read some amazing books and find new favorite authors so I can’t complain too much. I can’t wait to look back on everything that I’ve read over the past year!

If you wish to participate in the survey, please link back to the original creator – Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner.

2019 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 64
Number of Re-Reads: 2
Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

Best in Book

Best Book You Read In 2019?

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Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

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Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

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Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

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Best series you started in 2019? Best sequel of 2019? Best series finale of 2019?

Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?

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Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

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Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

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Book You Read In 2019 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

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Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?

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Most memorable character of 2019?

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Jude is a total badass and no one can say otherwise.

Most beautifully written book read in 2019?

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Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2019?

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Book you can’t believe you waited until 2019 to finally read?

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Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2019?

“By you, I am forever undone.” – The Queen of Nothing

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2019?

Book That Shocked You The Most

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OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

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Jude and Cardan… I think it’s pretty easy to see how I feel about this book.

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

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Morrigan and Hawthorne crack me up with their friendship. She’s cynical and he is Mr. Get-Into-All-of-the-Trouble.

Favorite Book You Read in 2019 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

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Best Book You Read In 2019 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.

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Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019?

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I will always go for the moody and brooding guys, especially ones with a bit of darkness in them like Nathaniel.

Best 2019 debut you read?

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Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

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Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

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Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2019?

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Hidden Gem Of The Year?

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Book That Crushed Your Soul?

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Most Unique Book You Read In 2019?

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Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

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Your Blogging/Bookish Life

New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2019?

I have done a terrible job keeping up with the bookish community this past year. Maybe that’s why I was affected by so many reading slumps – I wasn’t keeping myself hyped up.

Favorite post you wrote in 2019?

If You Liked That…Read This: Historical Fiction Edition

Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019?

Ummm, I did not take one. Oops!

Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events,  etc.)?

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to BookCon this past year but I was able to participate in the blog tour for Songs from the Deep!

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?

Probably when I finally reach over 1000 followers on my blog. I don’t really promote it a whole lot so it’s been nice to see it grow so much this year.

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

My reading life took a bit of a hit this year from going into so many random reading slumps, which has really affected my will to actually post regularly. It’s something I’m really hoping to not have an issue with this coming year.

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

The 5 Most Disappointing Books of 2019

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

Top 5 Audiobook Recommendations

Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I don’t think I really have one this year.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Hahahahahaha… Nope, didn’t finish either of one. Epic 2019 fail.

Looking Ahead

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2019 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2020?

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Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2020 (non-debut)?

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2020 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

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Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2020?

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One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2020?

Keep away from the dreaded reading slumps and try to consistently blog post.

How did you reading year go in 2019? What was a book that surprised you the most? Did you read a hidden gem of a novel? Did any books disappoint you? Please leave a link to your reading survey in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – November 13th, 2019

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?

  • Iron Gold (Red Rising, #4) by Pierce Brown – audiobook
  • Romanov by Nadine Brandes – audiobook, buddy read
  • The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw – physical book

I’ve finally crossed over the halfway point in Romanov. Unfortunately, the plot is still very slow and I find myself not really feeling engage enough to want to listen to it. I’ll finish it eventually but I’m not sure it will still be by the end of this week.

I’m about halfway through The Wicked Deep and I’m really enjoying it so far. There were a few interesting reveals that have piqued my interest especially, so I’m excited to see how that will affect the story moving forward. I’m hoping the pace will pick up soon because of it.

What did you recently finish reading?

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  • Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell – physical ARC

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book. It was engaging and the writing style was fantastic. I’m really excited to be a part of the blog tour for it and you will be seeing my review posted this Friday. Can’t wait to share my love for this story with you all!

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Last Magician (The Last Magician, #1) by Lisa Maxwell – physical book
  • Valiant (Modern Faerie Tales, #2) by Holly Black – physical book
  • Somerset by Leila Meacham – physical book

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What are you planning 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!

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

Finally July is over and we get to move on to August. One step closer to my favorite time of year.. FALL! However, we still must get through this summer time heat for just a bit longer. And I absolutely hate the heat.

Unfortunately, July was not a solid reading month for me. I was in the middle of the Iron-Tome-A-Thon and came to the realization that the reason for my lack of enthusiasm for the books I was reading, was that I’m in a bit of fantasy slump. Great timing, eh? However, I plan to set aside fantasy for the next month and I feel like that may be the perfect way to get back into reading.

Books Read

  • Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, reread
  • Golden Son (Red Rising, #2) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, reread
  • Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackon Bennett – physical book
  • Antigoddess (Goddess War, #1) by Kendare Blake – physical book

Total Books Read: 4

Overall in 2019: 47

Reading Challenge Updates

POPSUGAR

  • A reread of a favorite book – Red Rising (Red Rising, #1)

Goodreads Challenge

Total: 47/75

Previous Total: 43/75

Blog Posts

Book Reviews

WWW Wednesday

Discussions/Misc.

Did you get a lot of reading done in July? Do you struggle to read more in the summer? Were you able to read all of the books on your TBR? Did you read any new favorites? What book did you like the least? What do you plan on reading in August?

WWW Wednesday – July 31st, 2019

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?

  • Surprise, Kill, Vanish by Annie Jacobsen – physical book
  • The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon- physical book
  • Morning Star (Red Rising, #3) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, reread
  • Middlemarch by George Eliot – physical book
  • Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff – physical book

Still slowly making my way through Middlemarch and Surprise, Kill, Vanish. I haven’t picked those two up in over a week, but I plan to get a lot of reading done this weekend out by the pool.

Trying to break up the really heavy fantasy of Priory of the Orange Tree, I’m picking up Aurora Rising today. I’m really excited about this book as it sounds like it’s right up my alley. I am finally less than 300 pages away from finishing Priory, so I really hope to finish this behemoth by this weekend. But fingers crossed on that!

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Golden Son (Red Rising, #2) by Pierce Brown – audiobook
  • Antigoddess (Goddess War, #1) by Kendare Blake – physical book

I finished these two beauties yesterday. Obviously, I loved my reread of Golden Son. This is one of my all-time favorites series and its been really enjoyable going the audiobook route on this reread. I highly recommend that version to everyone! Also, I thoroughly enjoyed Antigoddess more than I thought I would. I loved the mix of mythology with the modern day. I will for sure be continuing with the trilogy.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson – physical book
  • The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1) by Jessica Townsend – physical book
  • The Oracle Year by Charles Soule – physical book

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What are you planning 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!

5 Books/Series That Need Adaptations

I first posted about this same discussion about two years ago, but I thought it was about time to revisit this topic. I am constantly reading books that I feel like would adapt really well to the small or big screen.

If you want to check out my previous post, you can see it HERE.

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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

I think this book would make for a great movie adaptation. It’s got a little mystery, some romance, friendships, and just a lot of heart. I could see Mindy Kaling directing or even just writing the screenplay for this one.

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Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry

I really believe this book would be a great movie adaptation on Netflix, along with the subscription service’s other recent YA movies. It’s a fun coming-of-age story focusing on family dynamics, as well an interesting look into what it means to fit in.

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Jade City (The Green Bone Saga, #1) by Fonda Lee

This slow burner with multiple storylines and mix of fantasy and martial arts would make for a really good dark tv show. I think it would be different from any other show currently out there. I could see one of the big channels such as HBO, Starz, Amazon, or Netflix picking this one up to adapt. The slow burner with multiple storylines and mix of fantasy and martial arts would be so interesting brought to life.

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Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown

Yes, I have this so many freaking times. Yes, I still believe this series needs to be adapted for tv. Yes, Pierce Brown is already screenwriting the series and has a showrunner in mind. No, he has still not announced who has picked up the rights.

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

Y’all, this series would make for such a creepy and engaging tv show. It’s dark and mysterious but being set against the extravagance of the Roaring 20’s, it would make for some gorgeous sets and costumes. I can see the cinematography being up for awards if done correctly. I think this could be a runaway hit if someone takes the chance on it.

What are some books/series that you think would make good tv or movie adaptations? Do you agree with my choices? Are there any current adaptations that you don’t like or would like to change?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WWW Wednesday – July 10th, 2019

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?

  • Surprise, Kill, Vanish by Annie Jacobsen – physical book
  • Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett – physical book
  • Golden Son (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, reread
  • Middlemarch by George Eliot – physical book

I’m finally making serious progress with Foundryside, after not reading all weekend. I am loving the multiple perspectives that the story bounces back and forth between. I want to see this story turned into a movie so badly right now. And because I’ve been putting my focus on this book, I haven’t really made any progress in my other ones. I also only started Golden Son today but I’m excited to dive back into it, because it was definitely my favorite book in the entire series.

What did you recently finish reading?

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  • Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook

Obviously I loved listening to the audio version of one of my all-time favorite series. It’s just as good as the first time I read it… And Darrow is still a badass.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden – physical book
  • The Savior’s Champion (The Savior’s Series, #1) by Jenna Moreci – physical book
  • Morning Star (Red Rising, #2) by Pierce Brown – audiobook
  • The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – physical book

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What are you planning 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 – July 3rd, 2019

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?

  • Surprise, Kill, Vanish by Annie Jacobsen – physical book
  • Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett – physical book
  • Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, reread
  • Middlemarch by George Eliot – physical book

Currently on a little non-fiction kick with Surprise, Kill, Vanish. I’m picking it up in between my other main reads like Foundryside and Middlemarch. I’m also about three quarters of the way through listening to Red Rising and should finish it by the end of the week (if I can turn off the podcasts long enough).

What did you recently finish reading?

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  • Winterspell by Claire Legrand – physical book

I actually enjoyed this book more than what I was expecting to, since you never hear anyone talking about this book really. It was much darker than what I was expecting but I also appreciated that Legrand wasn’t afraid to go that far. I hope to have a full review up within the next week or so.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden – physical book
  • The Savior’s Champion (The Savior’s Series, #1) by Jenna Moreci – physical book
  • Golden Son (Red Rising, #2) by Pierce Brown – audiobook

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What are you planning 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!

My July TBR

Now let’s see if I can get through this intense TBR for July, which is basically just my TBR for the Iron Tome-A-Thon, with a few random current reads mixed in. Fingers crossed that I make it through!

July TBR

  • City of Lies (Poison Wars, #1) by Sam Hawk – physical book
  • The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang – physical book
  • Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor, #1) by Mark Lawrence – physical book
  • The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1) by Katherine Arden – physical book
  • The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – physical book
  • Kings of the Wyld (The Band, #1) by Nicholas Eames – physical book
  • Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett – physical book
  • The Savior’s Champion (The Savior’s Series, #1) by Jenna Moreci – physical book
  • Middlemarch by George Eliot – physical book, currently reading
  • Surprise, Kill, Vanish by Annie Jacobsen – physical book, currently reading
  • Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook, currently reading

What do you plan to read during July? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think about them?

WWW Wednesday – June 26th, 2019

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?

Long hair beauty with pink flowers
  • Winterspell by Claire Legrand – physical book
  • Red Rising (Red Rising, #1) by Pierce Brown – audiobook
  • Middlemarch by George Eliot – physical book

I’m doing a reread via audiobook of the entire Red Rising series before the next book is released at the end of July. I forgot how amazing this story is and starting Darrow’s journey again from the beginning has been amazing. He’s such an interesting character, whether you like him or not.

I’m still slowing moving my way through Winterspell. It’s a heavy book and the world-building is taking me a little longer to fully grasp, but I’m really enjoying the story. I hope to finish this within the next few days.

I haven’t read much of Middlemarch this past week, as I’m just picking it up when I feel like it. I enjoy taking my time with such a long classic read. I think this one will take me all summer to work my way through.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal – audiobook
  • Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson – physical book, REVIEW

All I want to say is that I really enjoyed both of these stories. They’re extremely different but I had such a strong connection to both of them. I cannot recommend them enough!

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) by R.F. Kuang – physical book
  • Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett – physical book
  • The Savior’s Champion (The Savior’s Series, #1) by Jenna Moreci – physical book

Iron Tome-A-Thon begins on the 1st, so my focus for July is going to be adult fantasy. I cannot wait!

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What are you planning 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!

If You Liked That…Read This: Science Fiction Edition

Do you like space? Aliens? What about futuristic societies? If you answered yes to any or all of those, then I think you’ll appreciate today’s recommendations. I’ve always been a big science fiction reader, as that’s what my dad has always read and got me into from a very young age. Now I can’t get enough!

If You Liked The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams… Read Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente

If you enjoyed the really kooky aspect of Hitchhiker, then you’ll appreciate Valente’s writing as well. Both books explore the more minute details of what life is like for everyone else in space, especially the really strange customs of our alien neighbors. It’s sad to think that we haven’t actually been able to participate in a galaxy-wide singing competition.

If You Liked The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins… Read Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Both of these stories involve futuristic dystopian societies that are separated by “districts” in the former and “colors” in the latter. They focus on the struggle between classes and a rebellion against the ruling system in power. However, I would say that Red Rising continues to grow in scale with each book and far surpasses The Hunger Games in terms of writing quality. Be warned though, it is truly an adult trilogy as it contains extreme violence!

If You Liked Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff… Read Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre

If you enjoyed the unusual aspect of AIDAN and his interesting perspective, then I think you’ll appreciate the sentient ship in Honor Among Thieves, Nadim. The dynamic between him and his Honors is extremely interesting and is something completely unique to any other YA novel that I’ve read. Also, DIVERSITY!!! And it only gets better and better with the sequel.

Do you enjoy reading science fiction? Have you read any of the books on my list? Would you agree with my recommendations? What books would you recommend?