I have fallen off the NetGalley wagon hardcore this year. Okay to be honest, the last few years. I’ve been sitting at 34% feedback rate for way too long and I really need to fix that! I’m hoping to bring that up in the next two months.
Here are 6 titles I’m hoping to get through before the end of October;
There’s been a lot of hype around Belladonna and The Book Eaters. I’m super excited to get into both of these titles the most. I do hear that The Book Eaters is a bit more than just… creatures eating books though. I haven’t heard too much about We Made it All Up but I seem to be drawn to titles with similar themes.
I’ll confess, I haven’t read Harry Potter. It came out when I wasn’t really into fantasy titles, so I always just skipped over it. I do like the movies and I hope to some day read the books. I’m really curious about The Psychology of Harry Potter since there’s so much that goes around about the books. I frequently go down rabbit holes when it comes to casually looking up The Hamilton’s so of course The Scandalous Hamiltons kind of caught my attention! I’m a sucker for all things Peter Pan. I have to many retellings though that made my DNF list. I think the only one I actually finished was Tiger Lily and that was years ago. Hooked looks interesting. It’s always a wonder what these villains did or what their lives could had been like.
I know 6 titles isn’t going to boost my feedback rate by much but hey, it’s a start!
Does anyone else go on bookish pre-ordering spree’s just so they get reminders of book release dates…? Just me…? I know it’s not just me!
Actually, I just checked my pre-order list and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be… for once. I actually only have 3 titles I’m super excited for in April and one I’m really really excited for in May (and probs my most excited title of the year).
| Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.
While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.
Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?
I fell in love with Abby’s writing after reading The Friend Zone; I have yet to finish that series… I should really get on that, soon. Her newest novel is releasing in April and I suppose it’s the start of a new series? Or a stand alone? Either way it sounds like it’s going to be amazing. I miss reading my rom-com’s and I have no idea why I stopped!
| Sisters of Moonlight by Katherine Livesey
Each step was like an old familiar song…
Still recovering from the inferno that consumed Kelseth lighthouse, apothecary Lily Knight, powerful witch Alice Blackwell, and their newfound family find refuge in a mysterious mist-wreathed castle to regroup and draw up a plan of action.
Because the shadows are closing in and Hecate Winter, High Priestess of the notorious coven that almost cost Alice her life, is only getting stronger…
But there are murmurings of an even more sinister threat brewing on the horizon – and it has something to do with the castle.
When Alice’s nightmares begin to bleed into her daily reality, everything changes.
This is actually the second installment in the Sisters of Shadow series which I seemed to have picked up earlier this year. The covers for this series are gorgeous! I tried not read the blurb as I posted this because the first book sounds so good and I don’t want to spoil myself! I’m really looking forward to picking up this series soon!
| All The Best Liars by Amelia Kahaney
Tic-tac-toe, three girls in a row. Nine years old and inseparable. Friends for life, or so they think . . .
Best friends Syd, Rain, and Brie grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the stifling California desert, desperately wishing for a way out.
When a deadly fire is set two weeks before the end of high school, nothing will ever be the same. In the end, each of them will escape—but not in the way any of them expects. One will do it by dying, another by lying, a third by taking the fall.
With gorgeous, taut prose and twists to the very last page, All the Best Liars alternates between the present and the past to unravel the truth behind the fire and the cost of the secrets at the heart of their friendship.
This def gives me We Were Liars vibes and that book blew my mind when I finished it. It was such a good book. I luckily got it for review back when it was released and that novel has stayed with me since! I’m always looking forward to similar plots. I’m also such a sucker for alternating timelines!
| Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
The prequel to We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.
A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts. A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow. A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy. A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes.
Welcome back to the Sinclair family. They were always liars.
My most anticipated title for 2022. I can not wait for this one! I do feel like I need to revisit We Were Liars before this one is released!
What is your most anticipated title for April? Or for 2022?
I was scrolling through NetGalley last night and it occurred to me that the books I’m interested in now are things I have always wanted to read but just never picked up. Meanwhile the things I use to inhale are things I don’t even reach for or think about anymore.
I started getting into YA in 2006 after I read Twilight. I had just left my job (for my mental health) and I was waiting to board my plane for a birthday trip to Vegas with my then boyfriend (who is now my ex husband). I remember reading it on the plane (I usually sleep) and I didn’t pick it up again until we flew home. Then that week I pretty much finished the series. I didn’t pick up another YA book until 2009 when he left for the Airforce. I needed something to take up my time and distract me from the fact he was gone (we were literally together every day for years so this was really hard for both of us; and honestly after that relationship I was never really able to stand being with some daily, but that’s another thought for another post lol).
I started with the Sweep series and that’s when I started a book blog with my sister (in law) Marissa. We both read YA and we would sit in B&N and pick a pile of books to skim through, swapping with each other. My ex would usually read like.. computer or fitness books or something. And at the time I was actually a beauty blogger/youtuber. I noticed books were kind of taking over my channel so I kind of decided to just make a whole different channel then I made my own blog to follow. And that’s when everything changed. I miss those days of no IG or worrying about stats or followers.
I started getting tons and tons of books for review. I was lucky enough to work with Scholastic, Penguin Teen, Harper Teen… I got to do a campaign for Every Day by David Levithan and Splintered by AG Howard. And for a long time my preferences were YA paranormal, contemporary, Fairytale Retellings, Middle Grade, Erotica and Chick Lit. Along the way I discovered Dystopia and books with gothic elements were fun. I wasn’t really a mood reader though, I could pick up any one of these genres and finish the book perfectly fine.
I feel like now that I’m older and maybe because I have such limited time to myself, if I’m dreading picking the book back up or if I just seem to forget about it then it’s a DNF. I mention this a few times but 2021 has been the year of finally getting into Historical Fiction for me. And I’m pretty excited about it. I always wanted to get into it but my mind would always travel to “well there’s that new hot release I should review…” and I think now that I can ENJOY books without feeling like I have this stack that are waiting to be reviewed, I can take as long as I want reading anything I want.
These days I’m likely to pick up Historical Fiction, YA paranormal (bonus if it’s with gothic elements), Middle Grade, Fairytale retellings re still my weakness. I try to pick up a Chick Lit book esp if it’s from an auto buy author for me but I don’t find myself reaching for them as much as I use to. I don’t find myself picking up witch fiction much either even though I’m still drawn to them.
This was just something I randomly thought of as I was scrolling through NetGalley and realizing I was skipping over books I would had normally reach for!
Have you noticed your reading habits have changed over the years? Or have they mostly stayed the same?
Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schawb Cassidy Blake #2 Release Date: September 3rd 2019 by Scholastic Genre: Middle Grade > Historical Fiction > Ghosts Source: Scribd Format: Audiobook Summary:
Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.
She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass’s parents are filming their TV show about the world’s most haunted cities. Sure, it’s fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there’s true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.
When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter — and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.
And if Cass fails, the force she’s unleashed could haunt the city forever.
If I thought City of Ghosts was amazing, Tunnel of Bones is even more epic. The story behind this one was much more creepy (anything dealing with a kid ghost is always just a little bit more creepy). Tunnel of Bones takes place in Paris and I’m really curious to know if this place is real, but I’m too scared to look it up. The idea of a huge graveyard of bones under a beautiful city is just a mind blowing idea. The stories of the people who were buried and who were lost under there just adds to the curious factor of it all.
Cassidy’s extreme actions to find answers is what I like about her the most; this time it lands her a new friend and an interesting lesson in history. The way Schawb weaves stories of past and present is done so flawlessly. The banter between Jacob and well, anyone, was the best part of this book. Then again it’s the best part of every book in this series.
We do get to know a little more about Jacob in this one; not enough to really have a full story but we get a look into a few things. I think it helped to make his friendship with Cass even stronger. I don’t ship them but I do enjoy their pure friendship!
I’m currently listening to the 3rd book and I’m really hoping this isn’t the end!
It’s that time of the year again when I do Middle Grade March.
I thought I got that idea from an Owlcrate thing they did a few years ago but I could be wrong? I just searched there videos and I didn’t find anything for it this year. But this is a month I gather up all most of the middle grade books I didn’t get into last year… or DNF’d like 4 years ago. You know what, there are no rules to this, ok? lol a few are from my Owlcrate JR boxes and a few are books I’ve had sitting on my Kindle TBR and one series I fell in love with this year. So, I’m pretty excited.
My anxiety has been unreal the last few days and it’s not only draining but it’s also making me angry, which hasn’t happened in a long long while. I mean I’m more likely to speak my mind, if that’s the case but also, anger drains me. So I’m looking forward to picking up a few of these that are whimsical and full of adventure and fantasy.
Physical Books TBR;
All but one title is from Owlcrate Jr. And most have paranormal or fantasy themes to them. I love middle grade titles, I wish young adult could have an entire series with absolutely no love interest!
I’m super excited to get into The Midnight Hour as well as Cinders & Sparrows the most!
I always seem to do really well with my reading challenge in January. It’s like, yes. A brand new start. So excited. So inspired! So I’m not even going to say how happy/excited I am because who knows what’ll happen next month lol.
Okay, this book took me by surprise. I LOVE Middle Grade books because I always feel like they pack such a hard punch when they have some sort of meaning or lesson attached. And when you’re really not in the mood for a romantic element in a book, MG is the way to go.
I had put this down when it was first released because I was being a wimp and getting scared. Yo, there’s nothing SCARY about this book. Every element that is suppose to be creepy, I mean is, but I found it all to be so much more fascinating. I wanted to know more about Cassy and why she can do what she does. And how does it all work. And I’m still trying to figure out if her parents actually see/believe in ghosts…. or? I had thought to binge this series but the last book doesn’t come out until I think March. And yes, I pre-ordered the OwlCrate exclusive! Even though I don’t own the other 2 in physical form but that is OKAY.
There’s just so much I could gush about when it comes to this book but I linked my review instead!
| The Prince and the Troll by Rainbow Rowell
Unpopular opinion but… for some reason it bothers me when there’s real life things in books or tv shows. By “real life things” I mean brand name things. I don’t know if I’ll formally review t’his book or series because it just keeps getting worse with each book. I was a bit disappointed with this one because Rainbow Rowell, hello! And because for literally the entire book up until the last 2 pages, NOTHING MAKES SENSE. The ending itself didn’t make sense either. NOTHING. MADE. SENSE. OMG.
The ending was equivalent to when you’re in bed with someone and you’re really close to an orgasm and they’re like “yeah no, let’s switch” and you’re left feeling super confused, a little angry and totally unsatisfied. I literally can’t think of another example to explain how this book made me feel.
| Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan
I DID IT. AFTER LIKE 8 YEARS I FINALLY FINISHED THE SERIES. Because my stubborn ass just couldn’t cope with the fact I’d have to say goodbye to Kami, Ash and JARED. So I figured if I held off on this book, they could (somehow) live forever… floating around somewhere in my mind. I have no idea ok. But I just wasn’t ready.
And it turns out, you shouldn’t wait that look to finish a series you loved. Because 1) your tastes in genres/book may have changed 2) you’ll probably forget what the heck even happened in the prior books and 3) SOMETHING SO TRAGIC COULD HAPPEN THAT YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO FEEL ANYMORE. I took like a week off after reading a particular part that just… HOW COULD YOU SARAH, SERIOUSLY?!?!?!
I also found myself rooting for Ash. Which… was weird. Also, I have questions. How did people not like over throw Rob? Just for like fun? I haven’t written a review for this yet but I think it might be time to.
Ya’ll I don’t know what was happening here but can you say ~ sexual tension ~? I really need to read the rest of this mini series thing they’re doing. Also, a part of this book creeped me out more than any part in City of Ghosts did.
| Hazel and Gray by Nic Stone
Guys, I literally don’t even want to talk about how disappointing this book was.
| The Princess Games by Soman Chainani
At this point I’m ready to just DNF the rest of the series. Idc if I just wanted to get to the last book. The thing is, these don’t even have an order. They all read like solo book because NONE OF THE DAMN THEMES MAKE ANY DAMN SENSE.
THIS. BOOK. WAS. WTF. LEGIT IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY EXCEPT WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!
My review of this book: JUST NO.
| Kawaii Kitties
This is the second art book I’ve requested from NetGalley and they’ve both been super cute, super helpful and super easy to understand. I did pre-order this because I need it in my collection that is just now starting. With this book.
| Love, Almost by Hayley Doyle
I have mixed feelings about this book; on one hand I remember when I was 5 months in with my ex husband. He proposed somewhere in there at Disneyland and I remember feeling like this is my forever and I mean he was, until we were 30. I remember that the thought of him dying legit killed me inside. It was a fear we both had of each other. Last I talked to him years ago he said he still checks my social media to make sure I’m still alive. Not sure if he still does but I gotta admit hearing that put me off and kinda irritated me.
Learning to live without someone that you feel like your life JUST began with can be just as heartbreaking as living a whole lifetime with them. While my ex husband didn’t die, the him I knew and loved did. And sometimes it’s still hard for me to remember I don’t know who he is now, and he doesn’t know who I am. It’s hard to remember that I have memories he wasn’t there for. It’s such a incomplete feeling almost. This book definitely triggered those memories for me.
BEST READ: City of Ghosts
LEAST FAV READ: Hazel and Gray // The Princess Games
What was your favorite read of January or what are you looking forward to reading in next month?
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schawb Cassidy Blake #1 Release Date: August 28th 2018 by Scholastic Genre: Middle Grade > Historical Fiction > Ghosts Source: Bought Format: Ebook Summary:
Cassidy Blake’s parents are The Inspecters, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.
When The Inspecters head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn’t sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn’t belong in her world. Cassidy’s powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.
I’ve had Victoria’s titles on my TBR for wayyyyy too long and I JUST now read her work. And I get what the hype is. This book sucked me in big time. I ended up doing the audio book and I don’t regret it at all. I may just do the rest of the series in audio!
The concept of this book was so interesting. I had stopped reading it when I first picked it up cause I’m a wimp and it sounded like it was getting scary. But it’s really not. It’s so freakin interesting. Cass can see ghosts, something about almost dying and being saved BY a ghost saved her life. And because of that save her best friend who never leaves her side is well, a ghost. Named Jacob. How that works is beyond me.
Cass’s parents do things that have to do with the paranormal world. I couldn’t figure out if they really COULD see ghosts or if they really did believe in them? Either way their jobs take them to Scotland and I had no idea Scotland was so… haunted. A lot of weird stuff happens there, but a lot of interesting things as well.
It was a peak into historical fiction, going from what was now to what was then and it was so cool to see the author bind the two together. The concept of what Cass is was also fascinating, the theory is ghosts have a ton of reasons of why they stay behind, and the idea of sending them to the other world is also pretty sad.
I absolutely loved the idea that each ghost who was left behind lived in a constant loop of their last moments or why they’re kept here. As a kid I had a ton of questions about ghosts and the afterlife that I would ask my grandfather. I always wondered if they lived in an eternal loop of their lives or a certain part of their lives. To see that on paper in a book was… I don’t know, refreshing? As a kid people tell you your idea’s or theories are silly or don’t make sense. But honestly some of them have stayed with me my whole life.
I wish we got to know a bit more about Jacob as well. Where is he from? How did he get there? How old is he? I’m really hoping we get to know him more in the next book.
I love a book that makes me question my mortality!
The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons & Vicky Alvear Schecter Release Date: January 14th 2021 by Serial Box Genre: Young Adult > Historical Fiction > Ghosts Source: NetGalley (thank you NetGalley and Serial Box!) Format: Ebook Summary:
In Victorian England, a savvy spiritual medium must outsmart the most important client of her career: a scientist determined to expose frauds like her.
But their game of wits has fatal consequences when a vengeful spirit answers their summons. If they cannot put aside their prejudices—and growing passion—and find a way to banish the ghost together, one of them could be its next victim.
I had no idea what this was but if you put “haunting” paired with “Rachel Hawkins” I won’t ask questions, I’ll just read it lol.
I’ve been on a bit of a historical fiction kick so, even better.
The summary pretty much tells you all you need to know about the book and at the 23 page sampler I got there isn’t much to really say beyond that. The murder that happens in the beginning did confuse me a bit; I’d like to know what drove that to happen since it seemed a bit random. Or at least it was a random part to place the opening of a book.
This is part 1 of a 9 part series. I suppose sort of like the Amazon exclusive “Faraway Collection” of fairy tale retellings they did.
Beatrix is a “spiritual medium” and I’m curious to know how something like that came to be so popular in those days. They weren’t a person to be feared or questioned but they were actually searched for. James really need a hobby. “Debunking” other peoples way of living is not his business lol. James, who hurt you?
The sneak peak ends right when things get good; Beatrix starts hearing and seeing things. Even finds proof a ghost might had been warning her. As she pulls up to the manor in question, she suddenly feels a very dark force.
I can’t wait to see what happens while Beatrix is there, sorry B. But that is the driving point of this whole series. And like I said I hope we get more of an insight of what happened in the beginning!
I don’t know how I feel about this graphic lol. I feel like it’s too… empty?
First Monday of 2021 and I’m not doing a Manifestation post; probably because I have a million “Hello 2021” posts to post lol. If that isn’t throwing things into the universe then I don’t know what is! Besides it’s only the 4th day of 2021 and I’ve already read 3 books (at the time of writing this post), I’d say that’s a pretty awesome start right?!
Books I Read;
I’m so sad I ever put down City of Ghosts, it’s such an interesting read/concept! And it probably just kick started my historical fiction needs. I didn’t find this book creepy at all, just super interesting the whole way through! Jacob was the best part of this book. Wish I knew what the cat was about on the cover.
Maybe it’s my fault I waited seven years to finally finish The Lynburn series and read Unmade. I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters. However, I am glad I finished it and I can honestly say this was my least fav book of the entire series. The whole time I was wondering wtf was even happening and can Rob just like, idk. Disappear? The whole thing was just WEIRD to me. Like how can a whole city just let this happen? It sort of gave me Bella-in-Breaking-Dawn vibes. If you know what I mean.
I don’t even want to talk about The Prince and the Troll. This series has such captivating covers but this book was just… bad. I was literally confused the whole time waiting for some big huge reveal only to get… even more confused?? I don’t even know honestly.
Books I Plan on Reading;
These are books I’ve already started.
The Archive has been on my TBR FOREVER. I keep passing it up because I love the idea so much and I’m scared I’ll hate it. But after reading City of Ghosts I now see why everyone loves this author’s work. Her writing is hypnotic. No joke.
I’m doing the audio for Among The Beasts & Briars and while it sounds super interesting the narrator isn’t doing it for me. I may just stick with it cause currently it’s convenient but I do eventually want to start reading it myself. Too bad there isn’t a book copy on Scribd.
And one NetGalley book for review. I mean I have 2 so I might read them both but I haven’t started the other one yet. I’ve been staying away from NetGalley until I can get my ratio back up. And since I really have a lot of books to read as it is… I don’t need to go and request a bunch of others I probably won’t get to in time. I’m trying to be more realistic this time around.
What books have you finished or are planning to read next?
