Tag Archives: 2015

May 2015 Wrap-Up

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Another month has come and gone and wow, I can’t believe we’re already going to be in June. It’s crazy.

So, this month wasn’t a horrible reading month as I read most of the books on my TBR for the month, and I completed my TBR Jar Challenge, which was to read a book that’s not a novel. So let’s go over what I read this month:

  • “City of Fallen Angels” by Cassandra Clare. This is the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series and it follows about two weeks after the events of the third book. I don’t want to give too much away, but we get a lot more Simon page time and we get to see a lot more of the darkness of the world and what’s in it. I did think Jace was super whiny in this book, and Clary wasn’t acting all that smart, either, but I really appreciated Simon and Isabelle. I’ll have a review of it up when I finish the last two books. I rated this 4/5 stars.
  • “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J Maas. This is the first book in a new trilogy by Sarah and it’s about a girl named Feyre who is a hunter for her family. When she accidentally kills a faerie in its beast form, another faerie comes seeking retribution for his friend’s death. But instead of killing her, he takes her back to his lands to live out the rest of their days. But there’s something going on in the Faerie Lands that’s making everything out of whack. I loved this book and rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “The Heir” by Kiera Cass. This is the fourth book in the Selection series, but really it’s a companion story. It’s about Princess Eadlyn and how it’s her turn for a Selection to help ease some of the unrest of Illea. But Eadlyn is not for it and it makes things that much more difficult when the thirty-five suitors come to win her heart or the crown. I rated this 3.5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight” by Jennifer E. Smith. This is a contemporary YA book about a girl who has to go to her father’s second wedding in London, but when she misses her flight, she winds up on a plane next to a guy who is from England and he’s super sweet. When they meet, they really become close and it’s also about family issues and how to come together during a difficult time. I rated it 3.75/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir. This book was super hyped, and I personally think it deserved it. It follows the story of this girl named Laia and how she goes undercover with the help of the Resistance to help free her brother after he is arrested for being a traitor to the Empire. And it also follows Elias, a soldier of Blackcliff Academy, the best they’ve ever had, but he doesn’t want to be a Mask or a soldier and wants to run away. Eventually the two meet and things get complicated. This was definitely worth the read and I highly recommend it. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “The Assassin’s Blade” by Sarah J Maas. Finally, FINALLY I finished this bind up of five novellas that follow Celaena Sardothian before the events of the first book. Each novella shows a different side of her and I loved how we got to see more of who she is and was before the events of Throne of Glass happened. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!

The books I started this month but have yet to finish are:

  • “Sabriel” by Garth Nix. This book was super slow for me and hard to get into. The only parts I was really enjoying were the parts with Moggot because we actually had some interaction going on. I managed to get 100 pages in before giving up for now.
  • “Unravel Me” by Tahereh Mafi. This is the second book in the Shatter Me trilogy and I’m really enjoying it so far. I just couldn’t get through it at the time because I just wasn’t in the mood to read. This will probably be the first book I finish in June.

I also did a few discussions and fun things over the month:

  • Rayna Recommends – Romance – I finally started my own project! This is going to be a monthly (or bi-monthly, I haven’t decided yet) recommendation post where I list books, movies, and/or TV shows that fit the theme for that month. This past month was romance and I gave a list of about eight books, movies, and TV shows that I wanted to share with you all.
  • Shadowhunters Casting: Thoughts So Far – Shadowhunters is underway with filming the first episode right now, but I talked here about the first three main characters that were cast for the show and my thoughts and opinions on them so far. (spoiler: I’m impressed so far) [expect a second cast post soon]
  • #BoutofBooks & #CrushYourTBR Read-a-thons – These were my first ever read-a-thons that I’ve participated in and I had a lot of fun doing so. Though I didn’t get a ton of reading done, I did read some books that I’ve been wanting to get to and I’m excited to try more soon. These were pretty relaxed read-a-thons.
  • #RYBSAT Read-a-thon – Another read-a-thon that took place the week after the other two, it focuses more on picking a spot on your shelf and reading as many books as possible from that point on. I didn’t even get through the first book before giving up (life was kind of crappy that week).
  • Armchair BEA 2015 – Couldn’t attend BEA this year, so I settled for joining in on ABEA, which is essentially sitting at home and talking about books and things related to blogging. Very cool! This was just an introductory post.
  • ABEA Day 2: Social Media – I think that it’s important to incorporate social media platforms along with your blogging because it allows more readership connections and it broadens your network. I have a crap ton of social media pages, so check them out.
  • Reading Slumps & How Much They Suck – No seriously. They suck so much. Haaaaallllppp.
  • ABEA Day 3: Blogging Q&A – I give a bunch of advice about blogging, as well as talk about my journey and th importance of networking.
  • ABEA Day 4: Book-to-Movie Adaptations – They either make it or break it, and sometimes they just really shouldn’t have been made into one.

Suffice it to say, I had a busy month. I didn’t think I had been this busy on the blog this month, but lo and behold.

Armchair BEA 2015

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ArmchairBEA LogoExample

Made by Amber

So I discovered this cool thing today for those of use that couldn’t attend Book Expo America (BEA), and that is Armchair BEA (ABEA), a cool event type of thing that’s running from today, May 27th, to June 1st in which people can chill on their couch and join in on the book related fun from home. This year’s theme is all about diversity.

For today’s post it’s an introduction type of thing where I’ll answer five out of ten questions that they give (I wish we could answer all ten, but alas, we cannot).

1. Tell us a bit about yourself: How long have you been blogging? Where are you from? How did you get into blogging?

On this particular blog, I’ve been blogging since July 20, 2014. Almost a full year of blogging has gone by and wow, has a lot changed and improved over that time (I love it!). I’m from Massachusetts. I got into blogging from joining the Booktube community and realizing how much easier it is, for me, to talk about books and things I love in writing rather than verbally. Plus I’m able to get out more thoughts when I write them down, I think.

2. Why do you loving reading and blogging?

I’ve always loved reading (my parents can attest to that). Even if I didn’t read a lot or often until my twenties, as a kid and teen I read when I could and always something that I knew I’d like. I hated being forced to read things I didn’t care for in school, but when I discovered the books I could read for fun – that’s where my love for reading grew.

As for blogging, I love my blog. Seriously, I love it. I’m so proud of myself for sticking with this blog and seeing how many people enjoy my content and sharing their own thoughts and opinions with me. It makes me feel special, yes, but it’s also so great to know that there are others out there who enjoy the same content as I do.

3. What does diversity mean to you?

To me, diversity means something out of the norm. I know a lot of people expect white heroes and heroines, and that’s fine, really, but it also means allowing in other cultures, races, communities into the mix and not just as a side plot point. Main characters of color, of different sexual orientation, of different religious backgrounds – those are interesting and it helps me understand those diversities better.

4. What is your favorite genre and why?

Fantasy, regardless if it’s adult or YA, is my favorite genre because  there’s just so much content out there, so many different worlds and races and languages and species that have yet to be discovered. It’s amazing how some people can come up with entire new worlds and make them seem and feel real to a reader. You can get action, adventure, romance, comedy, etc, all rolled up into one, but with a more magical or fantastical element thrown into it.

5. What book are you reading right now?

“The Assassin’s Blade” by Sarah J Maas (I’m on the last novella and will most likely finish tonight) and also “Unravel Me” by Tahereh Mafi. Both are really good, but it’s taking me forever to read them. Must. Finish. Soon.

So that is it for the first day/post of ABEA! I hope you got to know a little more about me if you didn’t already know some of this stuff. These next few days might include double posts as I have content I want to share with you guys that I’ve already had planned on top of the posts for ABEA, so I hope you won’t mind (it’s kind of out of the norm for me).

Are you participating in ABEA? Share with me your introductory post! Let me also know what your favorite genre is and why. I’d love to hear!

April 2015 Wrap-Up & May TBR

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Another month has come and gone. I can’t believe it’s already May.

In the month of April I read a total of four books. That’s not bad considering I was mostly focused on Camp NaNoWriMo the past month, so reading wasn’t really an option for me.

So the books I read this past month were:

  • “None of the Above” by I.W. Gregorio. A book about a girl who, after having painful intercourse, goes to an ob-gyn and learns that she is intersex. It’s a story that really opened my eyes to the topic and made my heart swell with compassion for those who deal with these kinds of things. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. A story about not-so-openly gay teen, Simon, and how his secret emails between him and another boy from his school (code name: Blue) are threatened to be leaked if Simon doesn’t help the guy threatening him get a girl to go out with him. I loved this book so much. It had me laughing and squeeing and I just couldn’t stop turning the page. Highly recommend. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “My Heart and Other Black Holes” by Jasmine Warga. A trigger of suicide follows this book. A girl makes a suicide pact with a boy. The date is nonnegotiable and as the two become closer, the girl realizes that maybe there is more to life than what her father has done or what she potentially could be. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “Clockwork Angel” by Cassandra Clare. The prequel to The Mortal Instruments, this book follows Tessa as she discovers the Shadow World, and also just what she is and what it means for her now that she knows. We also follow Will and Jem, two Shadowhunters who work at the Institute in London and how there’s a war about to brew between them and someone very powerful. I rated it 5/5 stars. Read my review!

I had a good reading month in terms of content and how much I enjoyed the books I read, either for the subject matter or the characters or plot.

Now, I didn’t complete my TBR Jar Challenge, which was to finish a series. Heck, I didn’t even read the books on my TBR for April. So that was a flop. Oh well. I’m okay with it because I was having a really hard time reading wise last month, so… I just said eff you to the TBR and read what I wanted.

For the rest of April, I did quite a few discussions, as well as a movie review and a book unhaul (and haul). The discussions I held were:

  • We Need Diverse Books – A topic about how we need to read more diversely, whether that’s in subject matter (LGBTQIA+, religious minority, disability, etc) or from an author of color or different gender.
  • Always Having a Current Read – I talked about always having something that you’re reading, whether you started it that day or a year ago. But sometimes it can feel restraining to read so many books in one month or trying to reach a goal of reading a set amount of books in one month.
  • Do You Ever… – I talked about wanting to just toss away the books you planned on reading for the month and reading whatever the hell you like. And wanting to literally read every single book on your shelf at the same time. And rearranging shelves. It’s a hard life, bro.
  • Giving Honest Reviews – I talked about the importance of always giving an honest review. Sometimes people will try to bribe for a positive review, but really giving your honest opinion is the best thing you could do for yourself and the author.

April was a fairly productive month. I’m rather proud of myself for having done so much this past month here on my blog.

Now for the May TBR! So I do have just a few books I really want to read in May, and they are:

  • “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir. This book has been wicked hyped up and I’m really excited to read it. It’s about a girl, Laia, and how she goes undercover as a slave to try to free her brother from captivity. And it’s also about a solider, Elias, who’s very reluctant to be a soldier and wants his own freedom. Eventually the two meet and their destinies intertwine.
  • “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J Maas. Of course I’m getting this book! Loosely following the tale of Beauty and the Beast, this book follows a girl named Feyre and how she is a hunter for her family (you don’t hunt, you don’t eat) and one day she accidentally kills a faerie in his animal form and she is taken away to essentially be a prisoner. This comes out May 5th.
  • “The Heir” by Kiera Cass. This is twenty years from the original Selection story where it follows Princess Eadlyn and her own Selection story. Once the Selection begins she discovers that maybe finding her own happily ever after won’t be as impossible as she had originally thought. This comes out May 5th.
  • “P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han. The sequel to “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” (I did a review), this book follows Lara Jean and how she fell for Peter, even though they were pretending. And when a boy from her past returns to her life, she falls for him, too. Can it be possible to love two people at once? Love is never easy, but maybe that’s what makes it amazing. This comes out May 26th.

So those are the books I plan on reading in May. As for my TBR challenge for the month, it is to read a book that’s not a novel. So, since I’m still working on the “Assassin’s Blade” novellas, I’m including that.

I also may or may not read more Cassandra Clare books as reading “Clockwork Angel” really got me wanting to continue, but we’ll see. I may just focus more on my writing this month so I don’t overwhelm myself with reading.

Accompanying video: April 2015 Wrap-Up & May TBR

What are your reading plans for May? Let me know!

March 2015 Wrap-Up & April TBR

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Can you believe it’s April tomorrow? Where is the time going?

In the month of March I read a total of seven books! Holy carp, I have never read that many books in one month before! It was a great reading month, obviously, with both physical and audiobooks to quench my thirst for adventure.

So, without further ado, let me go over the books I read this past month:

  • “Daughter of Smoke & Bone” by Laini Taylor. This book became a favorite of mine really quick as I read it. From the romance, to the mythological roots, to the characters, and more, I fell in love with this book and can’t wait to continue on with the trilogy. I rated this 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard. I went in with less than high hopes for this book and it kind of met my expectations. A lot of it was predictable and at times, annoying. I knew the plot twist long before it happened and I didn’t really connect with the characters or anything. I rated this 3.5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “Falling Kingdoms” by Morgan Rhodes. I had the most difficult time getting through this book back in January, but I managed to finish it this month and I did enjoy it. I really loved each individual main character and how their stories are interweaving. Yes, it was a little predictable at times, but it was still a good story. I rated this 4/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “The Elite” by Kiera Cass. This is the second book in the Selection series and it was my least favorite of the three, but it was still a good read. America was really whiny and annoying in this book and made lots of stupid decisions, but it helped to push the plot along and to learn more about her world. I rated this 4/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “The One” by Kiera Cass. This is the third book in the Selection series and it was my favorite of the three. America really came into her own and proved she wasn’t just some lovestruck teenage girl, but someone who really cares about those around her and the kingdom. I rated this 5/5 stars. Read my review!
  • “Firelight” by Sophie Jordan. This was my TBR Jar Challenge for the month of March, which was to reread a favorite book. Well, I reread it, still loved it, but I was a bit more aware of the writing style and the characters within the book. My new rating for this book is 4/5 stars (where before it was 5/5). Read my review!
  • “The Kiss of Deception” by Mary E. Pearson. This was my first audiobook from Audible, and I must say that I am impressed. I love the book itself, and the voice actors are great. The story was rich and well thought out and written. I can’t wait for the next one to come on later this year. I rate this 5/5 stars. Read my review!

I’m pretty dang proud of myself.

As for next month, I don’t plan on reading as many books (I wasn’t planning on reading as many as I did this time, either) as I’m going to be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this April, but I do still plan on reading a few books, and they are:

  • “On Writing” by Stephen King. I got this book last year and have been wanting to read it since, so I thought what better time than another NaNoWriMo month? It’s a memoir on the craft of writing, and as I writer I am more than excited to read this book.
  • “Vanish” and “Hidden” by Sophie Jordan. For my TBR Jar Challenge for April, I picked finish a series. So, since I reread the first book, I figured I may as well reread the rest of the trilogy while I’m at it. I remember some of what happens in these books, but not everything. I wonder how my ratings will compare to when I read them before.

So, since I’m going to be more focused on writing this month, those are all of the books I’m planning on reading in April. I may or may not read more, including an audiobook, but we’ll see how things go.

Accompanying video: March 2015 Wrap-Up & April TBR

What did you read in March? What are your reading plans for April? Are you planning on participating in Camp NaNoWriMo? Let me know!