November Wrap Up and December TBR

Read in November: Magical Realism

So this will come as no surprise based on the fact that I have only been posting about twice a week this month but it was a rough month for reading. I still haven't had much time to read but I do feel like I am getting back on track not that the month is over. I mean I posted four times this week. That's pretty good! Anyways, I read a total of 8 books this month. Most of them were pretty good read, it's just that it took me much longer to read them than expected.

For challenges, I am doing okay but not as well as I would hope on some of the individual challenges I have official finished my Goodreads goal of 120 books for the year and am feeling good about being ahead. I wanted to finish it this month and I did just that.. But I will definitely finish it in November. I was on track for the Debut Author Challenge of 25 debuts, but this month I only read 1 debut, making my total for the year to 20. With the rate I'm going I would have to read only debuts to meet this goal and that isn't happening. For the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge, I read 3 book this months which makes my total to 34 for the year. My goal is 36 which I can totally do. I so got this. For the Rock My TBR Challenge I didn't read any books for that this month towards my goal of 25 for the year bringing my totally up to 12 for the year. I'm definitely not meeting this one. Oh well, you win some you lose some. But either way, here are the books.

The Books

1.) This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Silent Night by R.L. Stine Rating: 8 out of 10 [Podcast Review]
 3.) Renegades by Marissa Meyer Rating 8 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Runaways Vol. 5: Escape to New York by Brian K. Vaughn
and Adrian Alphona Rating: 9 out of 10
5.) The Empress by S.J. Kincaid Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

6.) Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray
 Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) Invictus by Ryan Graudin Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars [My Review]
8.) Artemis by Andy Weir Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To Be Read in December: Read This Already!

Once again, I am hoping to have more time to read in December but I really doubt it. Plus my plan is to take this month to read all the books I wanted to read for the year but didn't have the time to read. So it's like my catch up month which I am actually kind of excited about.

Books for Review

 

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao  - Add to Goodreads
I read the first chapter of this ages ago when I was trying to decide what to read next and I never finished it. I need to stop waiting and actually read it

The Knowing by Sharon Cameron - Add to Goodreads

What has taken me so long with this book? I loved the first book in the series. I got a copy at ALA and yet I still haven't read it. This month for sure.

The Arsonist by Stephanie Oakes - Add to Goodreads

My friend Michelle let me borrow this book back in September when I was doing a historical mystery month and it's so up my alley. But I haven't read it yet and I really need to. So I can return it.

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller - Add to Goodreads

I have heard really good things about this book and I really wanted to read it but I haven't yet. I think maybe I can read it as one of my e-books this month

 

The Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston - Add to Goodreads
This is a book by an author that I wanted to read more from. I loved her first book I read and this one sounds super fascinating but I haven't taken the time to read it yet so maybe this month is the time.

You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando - Add to Goodreads

I had received an e-ARC of this book like a year ago and despite the fact that I love a good mystery and spy story I have not yet read this one.

Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire - Add to Goodreads

I am a big fan of Gregory Maguire and all of his books. I picked this one up at ALA and it had been completely abandoned like some schmuck didn't even know what they had. But I've been saving it for Christmas time because it's a Nutcracker retelling.

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart - Add to Goodreads
And once again, a book from an author that I liked and wanted to read more books from, and a book I got at ALA and wanted to read that didn't get a chance. Are you noticing a trend? Just wait.

New Releases

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand - Add to Goodreads
Speaking of Christmastime, this is A Christmas Carol retelling and it sounds really amazing. I just got this in the mail from my TBTB Secret Santa and like I'm practically reading it immediately.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - Add to Goodreads
No body freak out, but I still haven't read this book. But I was waiting until some of the hype died down and now that they year is coming to an end I really want to take the time so it's in the debut year at least.

Backlist Books

Imprudence by Gail Carriger - Add to Goodreads
I planned to listen to the audiobook for Imprudence ages ago and I haven't yet. I'm making it my priority. I even just bought the audiobook so I have no excuse.

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis - Add to Goodreads
I have wanted to read this book for ages and even had a copy but I still haven't read. But this month is all making me read those books that I have been putting off and this is like the best example of that. Well, there are probably better examples but still.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in December. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

October Wrap Up and November TBR

Read in September: Magical Realism

Just as I suspected, it was a rough month for reading. Between my move to Rhode Island and my starting of my new job, I haven't been able to read much. But of I am being entirely honest I kind of underestimated just how little time. Although I think maybe that was because the past few months have been really good so in comparison this seems really slow. But I read a total of 7 books this month. But the good news is that most of them were really good reads. Although I did DNF one book, so there's that/

For challenges, I am doing okay but not as well as I would hope on some of the individual challenges. I made my Goodreads goal 120 books for the year and that was a really good decision because I am really close to finishing it. I wanted to finish it by the end of this month but that didn't work out so well. But I will definitely finish it in November. I was on track for the Debut Author Challenge of 25 debuts, but this month I didn't read any debuts, making my total for the year stil at 19. I'm not going to finish it but I'll probably end up with 20. For the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge, I read 1 book this months which makes my total to 31 for the year. My goal of 36 for the year is still doable as all I'll have to do is read 2 a month until the end of the year. For the Rock My TBR Challenge I didn't read any books for that this month towards my goal of 25 for the year bringing my totally up to 12 for the year. I'm definitely behind on this one but I might be able to meet the actual challenge goal of 15. My slow reading month definitely got in the way of me completing these goals as well.

The Books

1.) Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Bad Dreams by R.L. Stine Rating: 6 out of 10 [Podcast Review]
 3.) All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Steifvater 
Rating 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth by Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp 
and Laura Martin Rating: 9 out of 10
5.) Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel Jose Older
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]

6.) Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) La Belle Sauvage by Phillip Pullman Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

Other Posts

Discussion Post: Life Update: I Quit My Job and I'm Moving
Waiting on Wednesday: Artemis by Andy Weir,
Blog Tours: The Memory Tree by Kali Wallace Promo

To Be Read in October: Science Fiction

I am hoping to have more time to read in November but I remain cautiously realistic in the fact that I am probably not going to be able to read much more than last month. But there are some books coming out that I am super excited about. Some that are among my most anticipated for the year. Plus I am excited to shift to a different theme as I have been reading a lot of fantasy and historical books lately.

Books for Review

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada - Add to Goodreads

I'm part of the blog tour for this book and am super excited to read it. I wanted a copy at ALA but I wasn't able to get one so I'm excited to be on the blog tour.

Artemis by Andy Weir - Add to Goodreads

I have been wanting another book from Andy Weir since I read The Martian over two years ago. Plus even if it wasn't Weir I'd want to read this book because it's about a female thief on the moon.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao  - Add to Goodreads
I read the first chapter of this last month but didn't have the time to finish it. But I liked it and I have heard good things and I want to read more.

Renegades by Marissa Meyers - Add to Goodreads

I am so excited to read this book. I love books about super heroes, I love Marissa Meyers, so could the two combined be anything but amazing!

 

The Knowing by Sharon Cameron - Add to Goodreads

I LOVED The Forgetting and I am super pumped that there is another book in this series. I wanted to read this last month but I didn't have the time. This month I am making time!

The Inevitable Victorian Thing by J. Acrum- Add to Goodreads
This is another perfect read for the Halloween season. It sounds really interesting and I know a few people who have read it and loved it.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray - Add to Goodreads

I have had a copy of this book for a very long time and I still haven't read it. I mean they did archive the book before I could download it and then randomly didn't after awhile.

New Releases

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid - Add to Goodreads
I LOVED The Diabolic and I was so excited about more. The second book comes out today and I am super excited to read it. I made sure I finished the audio for La Belle Sauvage before today so I could start it immediately.

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray - Add to Goodreads
I started this book last weekend after seeing the delightful Libba Bray again. It's a pretty hefty read so I haven't been able to finish it so I'm still reading.

Backlist Books

Imprudence by Gail Carriger - Add to Goodreads
I planned to listen to the audiobook for Imprudence this month but I didn't get the chance. I still do want to read it and I think it fits this month's theme enough so I'll try again.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in November. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

January Wrap Up and February TBR

Read in January: Fantasy

Well this month's wrap up is embarassing for me. I have not been reading much lately and January is the worst month I have had in a really long time. Life kind of got in the way. I was super busy with work and then I got sick. Like really sick. Nothing serious but I just couldn't read. I couldn't focus on the books, all I could do was watch Netflix, YouTube videos, and nap. I'm slowly climbing out of the reading slump and reading more regularly now that I'm feeling better but for me, this month was bad. Really bad. I read 5 new books and no rereads.

For challenges, I am not doing well on those either. It's hard to meet those goals if I'm not meeting my other goals. My Goodreads goal is to read 150 books for the year and I am totally behind with that. But it is still early so I think I can still make up for it. I'm also behind for the Debut Author Challenge of 25 debuts,  having read 1 this month which brings my total to 31 for the year. For the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge, it was a slow month for that too, but I'm still hoping to reach my goal of 50 for the year. For the Rock My TBR Challenge I read no book for that this month towards my goal of 25 for the year. And finally, the one that I doing well with is the Discussion Challenge, I have done one post for that, on track for twelve in the year.

The Books

1.) The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
3.) Windwitch by Susan Dennard Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Caraval by Stephanie Carber Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]

DNF Review: 
5.) The Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova [My Review]

Other Posts

Crossing Over: Fantasy Heist Stories
Challenges I'm Doing in 2017
Tsar's Guard Spotlight: Vika and Nikolai's Cinnamon Rolls
Discussion Post: Fantasy Tropes I Actually Like
Throwback Thursday Review: The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire
Waiting on Wednesday: The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon, A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi
Stacking the Shelves: November and December Haul

To Be Read in February: Historical Fantasy

Well now that January is behind me, I am staying positive and moving on. Already I think I am back on track because I am reading more and I am reading multiple books. And I am really excited about some of the books I am planning to read in February. Plus I am really excited about this theme. Historical Fantasy is my favorite subgenre and there are some really great books which fit this theme.

Books for Review

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones - Add to Goodreads

I have heard nothing but great things about this book and I am super excited to read it. I've already started it and plan to finish it this weekend.

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham - Add to Goodreads
This one sounds like a totally fantastic me book. It's one of those books that has a mystery in the present being something that happened in the past. And it's about the Tulsa Race Riots which is pretty cool.

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Matsi - Add to Goodreads
I got a copy of this from Netgalley and it sounds super interesting. It's alternative history that shows us living in the technologically advanced world that they imagined for us in the 50's but of course there are problems.
 

Gilded Cage by Vic James - Add to Goodreads

I have a copy of this from Netgalley and it definitely sounds interesting. I've heard some mixed reviews but it seems like the kind of fantasy I would enjoy.

Rebel Genius by Michael Dante Dimartino- Add to Goodreads

I keep putting this one off  but I am hoping to get to it now. I am doing a rewatch of Avatar the Last Airbender right now and it's rekindling my desire to read this.

 The Song Rising  by Samantha Shannon - Add to Goodreads
This comes out at the beginning of March and I could not be more excited. I am a huge fan of this series and it has been such a long wait for this book.

New Releases

The Dark Days Pact by Allison Goodman - Add to Goodreads

I read The Dark Days Club last winter and loved it. It's such a fun and interesting story. I'm currently rereading it and listening to the audio which is narrated by Fiona Hardingham so I can listen to the sequel.

The Valiant by Lesley Livingston - Add to Goodreads
I am so excited about this book. It sounds totally up my alley. I mean it's about a kickass female gladiator. I love unique historical fiction and this totally fits that bill. 

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab - Add to Goodreads
I am absolutely nervicited about this book. It's the third and final book in the Shades of Magic series and I know it's going to be amazing and also totally wreck me. I should maybe reread AGoS first though.

Backlist Books

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows - Add to Goodreads

This is my book club book for the month and I am super super excited about that because I cannot wait to read this book. Why have I waited this long? I don't know!

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis - Add to Goodreads
I probably won't read this but just in case I need something else, this one fits the theme and is one that I have been wanting to read lately.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in February. We'll see. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

April Wrap Up and May TBR

Read in April: ARC April

Well I started the month with a bit of a reading slump but thanks to comics and some highly anticipated releases I finished really strong. This was one of those months where I look back at what I read and I think, "wow, I read all that?" To be fair, a few books I read mostly in March but still. I think it was a bit of a hit or miss month for me. But I did read a total of 9 books for ARC April so that's good. On the one hand I loved some anticipated reads and on the other I had my first DNF of the year and my first 2 star review. Most of the books I read too were good 4 star reads, although there were a few disappointments, I read a total of 16 books this month which is amazing. There was 13 new books this month and 2 rereads.

As far as challenges go, I'm still doing well. YAY! I'm majorly ahead for my Goodreads goal of reading 150 books this year, which is super exciting. I may see if I can do it without rereads but let's not get ahead of ourselves, it's only April. I'm also ahead of my goal for the Debut Author Challenge of reading 25 debuts by reading 3 debuts this month for a total of 12 for the year. I'm also ahead for the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge having once again read 4 books for that challenge reaching a total of 17 towards my goal of 36, that secondary goal of 50 may be possible if I keep this up. And I'm also on track for the Rock My TBR Challenge by reading 3 books for that this month getting a total of 9 towards my goal of 25 for the year. And finally, the Audiobook Challenge. I listened to 5 audiobooks this month including rereads, giving me a total of 15 for the year which is ahead of my goal of 30 or more. I am still killing these challenges, which is great because I am so competitive.

The Books

1.) Elantris by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkowski 
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

3.) The Haters by Jesse Andrews Rating: 7 out of 10 [My Review]
4.) We Are Robin Vol. 1 by Lee Bermejo Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

5.) Paper Girls Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughn Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

6.) Lies We Tell Oursleves by Robin Talley 
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry 
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]
8.) The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin Rating: 10 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) Girl About Town by Adam Shankman and Laura L. Sullivan 
Rating: 6 out of 10 [My Review]
11.) The Raven King by Maggie Steifvater 
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
12.) The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [Review to Come]

Rereads:

13-15.) The Raven Cycle by Maggie Steifvater [Reread Review]

Other Posts

DNF Mini Review: Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan
The Tsar's Guard Parade: Ludmila's Pumpkin Caramel Bars
Waiting on Wednesday: The Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, And I Darken by Kiersten White

Podcasts - Please Feed My Bookworm Thoughts 
Episode 6 - BEA Tips and Tricks
Episode 7 - Interview with Roshani Chokshi, Author of The Star-Touched Queen

To Be Read in May: High Fantasy

Okay, I have officially become stressed out by my TBR Pile and the amount of books I want to read versus the amount of books I can read. I have also become stressed out by the amount of books I have to review so... *tries not to panic* So this month I'm taking the potential reads thing a little further and just throwing up everything that I want to read and then going with what sticks. I am still sticking with the theme and reading high fantasy books this month though, mostly.

New Releases

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh - Add to Goodreads
I got this in the mail this week. I need to reread The Wrath and the Dawn and then I'm reading it.

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye - Add to Goodreads
I've been waiting on this debut for so long and it's almost here. Can't wait!

The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury - Add to Goodreads
The sequel to The Sin-Eater's Daughter (which I loved) comes out in June but my lovely friend Britt sent me the UK paperback

Backlist Books

Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce - Add to Goodreads
Nobody freak out but I'm reading this series for the first time. Are you freaking out? I might be.

Books for Review

Genius: The Game by Leopoldo Gout - Add to Goodreads
This sounds like a pretty interesting Sci Fi read but I may skip it this month because of other reads I'm excited for.

Gena/Finn by Kat Helgeson and Hannah Moskowitz  - Add to Goodreads
I love contemporaries about geeky characters and a f/f romance that starts between fanfic writers, yes please.

The Devil and the Bluebird by Jennifer Mason Black - Add to Goodreads

This is a debut and it sounds like a really interesting Magical Realism book, which I've been very into lately.

Roses and Rot by Kat Howard - Add to Goodreads
This is a retelling, of I think Snow White and Rose Red, set in a boarding school. I've heard good things so I'm excited.

The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You by Lily Anderson - Add to Goodreads
This sounds like a fun contemporary with a hate to love relationship. I've heard a Beatrice and Benedict comparison.

The Shining Sea by Mimi Cross - Add to Goodreads
This is my book club book for the month. It's not my usual read but I'll give it a try with an open mind.

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson - Add to Goodreads
This sounds like an interesting LGBTQI read but I may bump it to a month where it better fits the theme.

The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May - Add to Goodreads
I having been waiting to read this review copy for so long. And been waiting even longer for this book. IT IS TIME!

Rereads

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - My Review
Like I said, I need to read this before I can read The Rose and the Dagger.

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury - My Review
I could use a refresher on this book before I read it's sequel.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May - My Review
I could definitely use a refresher from this book before I read its sequel. It's been two years since I read it.

There you have it. All the books I might read in May. Consider all of these potential reads. There is no way I can read 17 books this month, especially with BEA coming up. But I'll do what I can. Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!