ARC Review: Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

Title: Seafire Series: Seafire #1 Written by: Nathalie C. Parker Published: August 28, 2018 by Razorbill (Penguin Group) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men. The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.  But when Caledonia's best friend and second-in-command just barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether or not to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all...or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

Finally! The book I have been wanting to read all summer. I picked this book up at ALA and I am so glad that I did because it was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was an amazing story about kickass female pirates with a thrilling plot.

Seriously, this book had a completely amazing plot. I'm a plot driven reader and in order for me to love a book I need a plot full of action and adventure and this was absolutely what I found here. There were so many daring escapes and epic battle scenes that all good pirate stories have. There was this great undercurrent of survival amid a story of revenge and friendship. And Parker did a really great job in writing a non-stop narrative that didn't feel too over the top. The book really built to an exciting conclusion with a lot of fun along the way. A lot of the books I have been reading lately fall apart in the plot department and that is where Seafire really thrived.

The other best thing about this book was the characters. Caledonia for one was a great character. It's pretty easy to root for the female captain of a pirate ship. I mean seriously, how could you not love a swashbuckling female who is leading a crew of amazing young women. But what I liked most about her is that she's not perfect. She's vulnerable and makes mistakes that have real consequences. I like the fact that she didn't do everything right and she had to learn from her screw ups and live with the consequences. It made her all the more likable and complex.

But the real heart of this book was the relationships. It's very much a book about family and found family. The crew of the Mors Navis really has built something so great. They care about one another and do anything for their fellow sister. It really is a sisterhood built on teamwork and mutual respect. And they are there for each other no matter if the other person screws up. The best example of this is with Caledonia and Pisces. The two are best friends and have been through so much together. They both make some decisions that the other person doesn't agree with throughout the book but they forgive and come together when it is needed. But not all the relationships here were good. And yes, I am talking about the romance. At first I was so happy that there wasn't going to be a romance in this book and then it got shoehorned in there unexpectedly with the weirdest pairing. There were much better places to take a romance in this book and the decisions the author made felt very forced. But I'm hard on romances in general so take that for what it's worth.

I also don't know how I feel about the world of this book. I was expecting it to be a fantasy but it wasn't really. It wasn't sci-fi wither to be honest. I don't know what this was. It kind of read like a low-key dystopia. There were elements of technology and what felt like modern times but it definitely wasn't. And then there is this whole thing with the villain Aric Athair and his Fivesons who were interesting villains but didn't get the attention they deserved. I think on the whole this world was kind of a less is less situation. It was definitely cool and interesting but I feel like there could have been more attention placed on the world building. Maybe it will be explored more in future books. Honestly, I'm hoping that it is because there is a lot there left unsaid.

But all in all this was a really great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a thrilling plot full of action and adventure, great characters I became very attached to, and a lot of promise for future books in the series. It wasn't perfect but I really loved it.

I give Seafire by Natalie C. Parker 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrilling an exciting read. If you like books about pirates or are looking for a feminist story about sisterhood and found family definitely check it out.

Have you read Seafire? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

February Wrap Up and March TBR

Read in Febuary: Pirates

Wow! I had a really fantastic reading month. The shortest month of the year and I read more books than I did in any month last year. To be fair there were a few comics, novellas, and short reads in the pile but still, a victory is a victory. The highlight of my month was once again being blown away by some highly anticipated reads. Most of the books I read too were good 4 star reads, although there were a few disappointments, and a few that were even better than I expected. I read a total of 16 books this month which is amazing. There was 12 new books this month and 4 rereads.

As far as challenges go, I'm doing well. YAY! I actually ahead for my Goodreads goal of reading 150 books this year, which I want to bask in because I don't it will stay that way. Thanks comics and novellas! I'm also ahead of my goal for the Debut Author Challenge of reading 25 debuts by reading 5 debuts this month for a total of 7 for the year. I'm also ahead for the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge having read 5 more books for that challenge reaching a total of 8 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 TBR Pile Challenge by reading two books for that this month getting a total of 4 towards my goal of 25 for the year. And finally, a new challenge for me this year, the Audiobook Challenge. I listened to 5 audiobooks this month including rereads, giving me a total of 7 for the year which is on track for my goal of 30 or more. I am killing these challenges so far which is a great way to start the year.

But let's get to the good stuff...

The Books

1.) Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 10 out of 10 

2.) The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutsie 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

3.) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

5.) Rebel Bully Geek Pariah by Erin Jade Lange 
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]
6.) Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto 
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) Calamity by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 10 out of 10 [My Review]
8.) The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig 
Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) The Smell of Other People's Houses  by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch 
Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
11.) The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
12.) Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, 
and Brooke E. Allen Rating: 9 out of 10
12.) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [Review to Come]

Rereads:
13-15.) The Reckoners Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson [Reread Review]
16.) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab [Reread Review]

Other Posts

Hamilton Book Tag
Stacking the Shelves: February Haul
Waiting on Wednesday: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Podcasts - Please Feed My Bookworm Thoughts 
Episode 2 - 2016 Debuts
Episode 3 - The Girl From Everywhere Review

To Be Read in March: Retellings

My March theme month is another exciting one. I love a good retelling and I'm really exciting about some of these books. There is a great balance between fairytales, folklore, and Shakespeare. There is also a good balance between genres which is exciting. There are also some amazing new releases coming this month that I'm so so excited to read. As usual I have my definite reads including review copies and new releases that I have preordered, then my potential reads that I may or may not read depending what I have time to read. I'm not sure I can keep this reading rate up but either way, it's going to be another great month, I can feel it.

1.) In Real Life by Jessica Love - Add to Goodreads
This is not a retelling but it looks like an interesting contemporary. I'm about a third of the way in and I'm liking it so far. It's fun and fluffy. Thanks St. Martins!

2.) Charmed by Jen Calonita - Add to Goodreads
This will also be fluffy. It's the second book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series which I read last year and really liked. It's a cute MG fairy story about villains rubbing a boarding school. Thanks Sourcebooks!

3.) The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters - Add to Goodreads
My first Cat Winters book and I can't wait! She's been on my list for awhile. Plus gender-bent, diverse Hamlet set in Oregon in the 1920's. How cool is that! Thanks Abrams!

4.) The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner - Add to Goodreads
This is a standard contemporary but it sounds good and I've heard great reviews from people. I have heard that it's emotional and that slightly worries me but I'm excited. Thanks Random House!

5.) Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - Add to Goodreads
I'm so excited about this debut. I've heard really good thing about it and it sounds right up my alley. It's both a Western and set in a Middle Eastern setting with folklore and fantasy elements. I'm so excited to read it.

6.) The Skylighter by Becky Wallace - Add to Goodreads
The Storyspinner was one of my favorite books of 2015 and so it's sequel is obviously one of my most anticipated reads. I flailed so hard when I got a copy in the mail. Thanks Simon!

7.) Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K Johnston - Add to Goodreads

This sounded interested, I mean it's marketed as Veronica Mars meets Shakespeare but I wasn't really excited until I read a preview and it is fantastic! The voice is amazing and I need to know what happens next.

8.) Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan - Add to Goodreads
This is a modern retelling of A Tale of Two Cities with magic so I'm on board. I've seen some mixed reviews but I'm interested so I snagged a copy on Negalley. Thanks HMH!

So those are the books that I have planned. I'm still trying not to plan out too many reads and keep some backup books in case I have holes in the schedule. I have a few potential or backup books that I may end up reading as well.

Rereads

The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkowski: The Winner's Curse, The Winner's Crime
The final book in this trilogy is coming out at the end of the month so I'm getting ready by reading the first two books to refresh my memory and marathon it.

Potential Reads

Scarlet by A.C. Gaugen - Add to Goodreads
Beauty by Robin McKinley - Add to Goodreads
Briar Rose by Janet Yolen - Add to Goodreads
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer - Add to Goodreads
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson - Add to Goodreads
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz - Add to Goodreads

There you have it. All the books I plan to read in March and a few potential reads. What are you reading this month? Are there any of the same books on your list? Have you read any of these? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

Title: Blackhearts Written by: Nicole Castroman Published: February 9, 2016 by  (Simon & Schuster) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.  Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.  Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England?  From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

You may know that it is pirate month here on My Thoughts Literally and this book was a big part of why that theme exists. And if you listened to Britt and my most recent podcast you know that this is among my most anticipated debuts of the first half of this year. So needless to say, I was really excited to pick this book up. And while it wasn't what I was expecting, it was a fantastic read full of great characters and an interesting historical setting.

What I liked about Blackhearts is that it's not your average story of swashbuckling pirates on epic high seas adventures. It's much more nuanced. I felt like it was a much more character driven story. At its heart this is an origin story about Blackbeard, but if you go deeper you realize that it is kind of also about what could have driven people to piracy. The book has multiple perspectives. We have Anna, the maid who feels trapped in her position and torn between two worlds, and Teach, the son of a wealthy merchant who spent a year at sea and desperately wants to go back. Throughout the book, each character has really interesting development as they navigate the waters (pun intended) of these worlds that they no longer belong in or just started belonging in. Their circumstances and the actions of lots of devious and odious secondary characters, place them in situations where they have to use their intelligence and resourcefulness to get out of whatever pickle they may have been in which added a lot of drama and character development. I was definitely invested in each of their story and I could see what motivated them to make the choices that they did make.

One of the things that I was nervous about going into this book was the romance. You probably know I'm not much of a fan of books that are just about romance and I had heard from some reviews that this was a focus for Blackhearts. And I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the romance. Maybe because it was more of a slowburn. Anna and Teach did not get together for awhile and even their attraction for one another was slow. So when it did happen, it felt deeper and easier to get behind. I really appreciated their connection to one another. They understand each other on a deeper level and I felt their mutual connection and I liked watching it develop throughout the book.

I think for me, this book reads more like historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres and I find the 18th Century to be a really compelling time period. Castroman did a great job of setting up the period and what life was like for both the wealthy as well as those who worked for them. It had a bit of an upstairs/downstairs Downton Abbey vibe to it in that respect. But it also was a really good look at what society was like as a whole. The themes it addresses and the plot development is much more focused on the historical time period and the desire to step out of that role. Both Anna and Teach were trying to figure out where they belong and they have this great desire to be themselves while still satisfying others. I love that aspect of historical fiction and it was added some interesting drama. You also had the pirates angle. It wasn't a really big part of the book but the idea of privateers and pirates was there under the surface. I think in the next book there will be more about actual piracy.

And while it was an interesting read, the plot did feel a little basic at times. Now don't get me wrong, it did have some moments of action that were great and exciting, but in general it was much more character driven. However, there were also some interesting twists that I didn't see coming which was good. but on the whole I was left wanting more and not in the "I desperately need book 2 way," although I do want book two. I think for me I went into this book expecting it to be more of a traditional story about pirates and their high seas adventures. But here the plot was more of a coming-of age story set in a historical time period. That's not a bad thing. It was really entertaining, just not what I was expecting.

On the whole, Blackhearts was a good read. It loved spending time getting to know Anna and Teach and I am excited to see where their stories lead. The historical setting of the book was also a real highlight. It was a much different pirate story and that in and of itself makes it a great addition to this month.

I give Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman 8.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. This is definitely a book geared more towards fans of historical fiction and romance. If you are looking for an action-packed read this may not work for you but it was a thoroughly entertaining book.

Have you read Blackhearts? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie

Title: The Abyss Surrounds Us Series: The Abyss Surrounds Us #1 Written by: Emily Skrutskie Published: February 8, 2016 by Flux (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: For Cassandra Leung, bossing around sea monsters is just the family business. She’s been a Reckoner trainer-in-training ever since she could walk, raising the genetically-engineered beasts to defend ships as they cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. But when the pirate queen Santa Elena swoops in on Cas’s first solo mission and snatches her from the bloodstained decks, Cas’s dream of being a full-time trainer seems dead in the water.  There’s no time to mourn. Waiting for her on the pirate ship is an unhatched Reckoner pup. Santa Elena wants to take back the seas with a monster of her own, and she needs a proper trainer to do it. She orders Cas to raise the pup, make sure he imprints on her ship, and, when the time comes, teach him to fight for the pirates. If Cas fails, her blood will be the next to paint the sea.  But Cas has fought pirates her entire life. And she's not about to stop.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed by my opinion. ***

I went into this book thinking that it was going to be more of a hard SciFi novel and that's not what this book was. But strangely, that was not a disappointment. The Abyss Surrounds Us was not what I expected, in fact it was better than that. It was a fantastic read with an interesting world, great characters, and a fast-paced plot.

I was instantly engaged in the world of this book. It was this fantastic combination of a dystopian setting, fantasy creatures, and swashbuckling pirates. The world here definitely comes alive with a great show instead of tell style of world-building. I read this book as part of my pirates month so the sea faring aspects were fantastic and engaging but that was only the start of why this world was so good. It's a futuristic setting with fractured states and risks of pirates attacking ships that in and of it self would have been cool but it goes deeper than that. But what I liked is that it doesn't come right out and tell you about the inequalities of the world. You see them, you sense them, you feel them. This book had some great under currents of power and control which I loved. I also really enjoyed the fantasy creatures, the sea monsters. There was some great science involved with their creation and training. It felt rooted in real life which made it really interesting. Plus they were seriously badass.

But all the characters were just as badass, amazingly, and complex Most of the book took place on the pirate ship so there was a diverse and quirky cast of characters to meet and love, including a super devious villain that was terrifying and mysterious which I loved. But the best character was the main character. I almost immediately connected with Cas, and well it was more than the fact that she and I share a name. She was a wonderful strong female protagonist. Despite being captured by pirates and being in a very vulnerable position, and scared of what will happen to her, she doesn't take crap from anyone. She's tough and smart. But she's not perfect. She's a fantastic combination of brash and reckless while overthinking things at the same time. She was real and complex and I was so invested in her struggle. I was also invested in her relationships, especially the romance. This was a great slowburn romance. Like painfully slow at times. You could feel the growing attraction and affection between the characters but it wasn't until almost the end that things really happened for them. And it was also really great to see that portrayed in a f/f relationship. Not only do you not see that very often but it's super rare in SciFi/Fantasy.

Everything in this book combined to create a fast-paced and engaging plot. The Abyss Surrounds Us is not a long book. at under 300 pages it is a quick read. But that's not because of a lack of pages. I cruised through reading this book because the plot was engaging and interesting. For one thing, there was tons of cinematic action scenes and lots of high-stakes adventure on the high seas that really kept me reading. There was lots of drama between Cas and the pirates that kept me engaged as well. And while the twists weren't really surprising, but they weren't predictable either. It all flowed really well as things built to a thrilling conclusion.  I'm pretty sure this is the start of a series and I really liked that while it left things open for more, there was a clear conclusion and resolution. But I definitely need more. I need to know what happens next because I am seriously hooked.

On the whole, The Abyss Surrounds Us was a great book full of adventure, quirky and complex characters, a thrilling plot, and an interesting world. I enjoyed it so much despite the fact that it wasn't what I was expecting. It was a great read and I can't wait to see what's next for this world and this debut author.

I give The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you are looking for something different look no further. If you are like strong female protagonists, pirates, or a world full of fantasy creature then check this book out. It a fast an fun reading that I would definitely recommend.

Have you read The Abyss Surrounds Us? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

January Wrap Up and February TBR

Read in January: Time/Dimensional Travel

It's a new year and the first month of 2016 is over! Time really does fly! This is quiet and approproate statement considering my theme this month was time travel and dimensional travel. The highlight of my month was definitely being blown away by some highly anticipated reads. It was a pretty good way to start the year. I didn't get to read as many books as I had hoped but you know what I'm not going to already panic about meeting goals. It's too early for that nonsense. I read a total of 12 new books this month including 1 reread. That's pretty good. Plus two 10 star reviews and some honestly amazing books.

As far as challenges go, it's a new year and that means new challenges. YAY! I am a little behind for my Goodreads goal of reading 150 books this year, but like I said... too early to panic. I'm on track for my goal for the Debut Author Challenge of reading 25 debuts by starting the year with 2 debuts this month. I'm also on track for the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge having read 3 books for that challenge towards my goal of 36. I'm also on track for the TBR Pile Challenge by reading two books for that this month towards my goal of 25 for the year. And finally, a new challenge for me this year, the Audiobook Challenge. I listened to 3 audiobooks this month which is on track for my goal of 30 or more for the year.

The Books

1.) Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley 
Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Truthwitch by Susan DennardRating: 10 out of 10 [My Review]

3.) Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray 
Rating: 9. out of 10 [My Review]

4.) The Borden Murders by Sarah Miller Rating: 7.5 out of 10 [My Review]

5.) Passenger by Alexandra Bracken Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]

6.) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

7.) Written in Red by Anne Bishop Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]

8.) The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
Rating: 10 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor Rating: 8 out of 10 [Review to Come]
11.) The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry [Review to Come]
12.) A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray [Reread Review]

Other Posts

Crossing Over: Dimensional Travel
Stacking the Shelves: January Haul
Discussion Posts: My Book Buying Ban, I Used to Be Book Prejudiced
Waiting on Wednesday: The Raven King by Maggie Steifvater, The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkowski
Please Feed My Bookworm Thoughts Podcasts: Episode 1 - 2016 Releases

To Be Read in February: Pirates!

In February I'm so excited for my next themed month. I mean it's pirates you guys, who wouldn't be excited? I have review copies of some books I'm really excited to read and there are some new releasescoming out that I have been desperately waiting for. I'm predicting another great month.

1.) The Abyss Surrounds Us by Eily Skrutsie - Add to Goodreads
I got an ARC of this from Netgalley and I;m really excited. It's about space pirates and I heard the romance is f/f which is always exciting for SciFi/Fantasy.

2.) Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - Add to Goodreads
I'm excited for this historical fiction book by an author that has been on my list for awhile. It kind of feels insensitive to include it during my pirate month but it comes out now and Britt and I are reviewing it together for our podcast.

3.) Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto - Add to Goodreads
This is one of my most anticipated debuts of the year and I'm so excited to read it. It's a dark fantasy Westerm which is totally up my alley.

4.) Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman - Add to Goodreads
This is another exciting debuts. It's going to be a month of debuts. It's historical fiction about Blackbeard and Anne Bonny as teenagers. How cool is that! I'm so excited to read my ARC from Simon Teen.

5.) Calamity by Brandon Sanderson - Add to Goodreads
This is the final book in The Reckoners trilogy and I am anxiously awaiting it despite knowing that it will absolutely destroy me I'm sure.

6.) Rebel Bully Geek Pariah by Erin Jade Lange - Add to Goodreads
Throwing in a random contemporary as a palette cleanser is always a good idea. Plus this one sounds really interesting, it's like the Breakfast Club which I usually enjoy.

7.) The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig - Add to Goodreads
This fit last month's theme of time travel but also this month's pirate theme. I got the UK edition from Netgalley just this week so I'm excited to read it soon!

8.) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E Schwab - Add to Goodreads
So excited! This is the sequel to my favorite book of 2015 and I'm sure this one will be just as wonderful because obviously

So those are the books that I have planned. Like I said I'm trying not to plan out too many reads and keep some backup books in case I have holes in the schedule. I have a few potential or backup books that I may end up reading as well.

Rereads

The Reckoners Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson: Steelheart, Mitosis, and Firefight 
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab - Original Review

Potential Reads

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - Add to Goodreads
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - Add to Goodreads
A Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - Add to Goodreads
Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase - Add to Goodreads


There you have it. All the books I plan to read in February and a few potential reads. What are you reading this month? Are there any of the same books on your list? Have you read any of these? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!