Monthly Wrap-Ups

April 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

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Young Widows Club by Alexandra Coutts
Rating:  N/A
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  March 20 – April 4
Read Count:  1 (DNF)
Favorite Thing:  None.
Least Favorite Thing:  Blah.

From the summary I was expecting an interesting look at what it’s like to be widowed at a young age, and what I got was “teen widow goes back to high school”. Sigh. I couldn’t even finish this book.

My Posts About Young Widows Club

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
(The Raven Cycle, book 3)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 10, 2018 – April 18, 2019
Read Count:  3
Favorite Thing:  Mr. Gray & Blue’s friendship.
Least Favorite Thing:  Over too soon.

I can’t seem to stop myself from rereading The Raven Cycle books! Unfortunately I only own two of them, so it may be a minute before I can get my hands on the last book to reread it.

My Posts About Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Tea for Two by S.W. Stromberg
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  Coming Soon
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  April 16 – 25
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Seeing myself so clearly in a character was amazing.
Least Favorite Thing:  I CAN’T SAY BECAUSE IT’S A SPOILER, BUT I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE DID THAT.

I was a little nervous reading a book written by a friend in case I didn’t like it, but luckily this one turned out to be really good! I’ve never been able to see myself so well in a character, it was awesome. I recommend this book to anyone looking for LGBT reads that aren’t just another coming out story!

My Posts About Tea for Two

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  April 25 – 29
Read Count:  3
Favorite Thing:  The healing songs.
Least Favorite Thing:  Saren…

I know, I know, without Saren the story isn’t even possible. And yet…. She just annoys me, I can’t help it. I can’t even feel bad for her really, even though I know I should. But at least Dashti is precious enough to make up for it.

My Posts About Book of a Thousand Days

In Progress

March 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

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Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  January 4 – March 6
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Witty-funny.
Least Favorite Thing:  Just dragged a little bit.

This book was strange for me. I would go from loving it and completely engrossed to bored out of my mind and back again. I can’t quite put my finger on the issue I had, but there definitely was one. I was supposed to read it along with the discord server Books & Tea in the month of January, but it wound up taking me until March to get through it!

My Posts About Good Omens

Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  March 8 – 13
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  I found the depiction of her blindness and the way she did things despite it to be fascinating.
Least Favorite Thing:  I can’t actually think of something I didn’t like…

I loved the way this book wrapped up. There was just enough closure and just enough left to wonder about.

My Posts About Girl, Stolen

It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It by Robert Fulghum
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  March 24 – 28
Read Count:  3
Favorite Thing:  He’s so weird and introspective.
Least Favorite Thing:  There were a few things that didn’t age super well…

I first read Fulghum’s books back in middle school and I figured it was high time I reread them, so I’ve been working my way through a little at a time.

My Posts About It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It

In Progress

February 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

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The Haunting by Shirley Jackson
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  January 29 – February 2; February 10 – 14
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  Entrancing prose.
Least Favorite Thing:  Why is everyone so bitchy to Eleanor?

I read this as part of a travelling book project with the Books & Tea discord server. Everyone trades books and annotates them. The annotating is why I read it twice. The first time through I didn’t make hardly any notes because I was just absorbed in reading, so I read through it a second time just to make my notes.

My Posts About The Haunting

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
(Shatter Me, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  January 4 – February 13
Read Count:  3
Favorite Thing:  The little scratch-out sound effect when she writes something she doesn’t like. It was just a nice touch.
Least Favorite Thing:  The love-sick monologues.

I read this along with a different book club discord server. I had read the book twice before so when it came time for us all to read Shatter Me together I figured I’d give the audiobook a try instead. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I did reading the physical copies, but it was still good.

My Posts About Shatter Me

In Progress

January 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

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The Vandemark Mummy by Cynthia Voigt
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 31 – January 14
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Althea is smarter than everyone.
Least Favorite Thing:  Can’t think of anything…

I read this to practice my annotating in preparation for a travelling book project. It really enhanced my enjoyment of the mystery!

My Posts About The Vandemark Mummy

The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  February 10 – 18
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The art.
Least Favorite Thing:  The whining.

I was kind of disappointed in this book, which was a bummer because I’ve been really impressed with this author in the past. But I just found it, and especially the main character Colby, really boring and whiny… It pretty much only got three stars because the ending was good.

My Posts About The Disenchantments

In Progress

December 2018 Reading Wrap-Up

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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
(Grisha Trilogy, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 29 – December 2
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  Alina’s power
Least Favorite Thing:  They killed the poor stag…

It’s so weird because I’ve got a record of having read this book before, and now I’ve read it a second time through and I still can barely remember anything about it… Whatever, it was enjoyable to read regardless.

My Posts About Shadow and Bone

Opal by Maggie Stiefvater
(The Raven Cycle, book 4.5)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  December 8 – 9
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The way Opal describes things.
Least Favorite Thing:  Sad Ronan 😦

I’m so glad my library finally got this novella, it was even better than I expected it to be. I love the names Opal gives to all the things and people she encounters.

My Posts About Opal

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
(The Raven Cycle, book 2)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – loved it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 27 – December 9
Read Count:  3
Favorite Thing:  Maura/Mr. Gray. They were so adorable.
Least Favorite Thing:  I can’t think of anything.

I actually decided to up my rating from 4-stars to 5 because I love this series so much and I don’t know why I was holding back on rating it 5 stars.

My Posts About The Dream Thieves

The Girl of Fire and Thorns Stories by Rae Carson
(The Girl of Fire and Thorns, book 0.5 – 0.7)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 2 – 14
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Alodia’s point of view. I’d read a whole companion series from her perspective.
Least Favorite Thing:  Lord Solvaño didn’t suffer enough.

I’m really glad I finally got around to reading these stories, even if it’s been years since I read the novels. But actually this has made me want to reread the novels so maybe that will happen soon.

My Posts About The Girl of Fire and Thorns Stories

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
(Girls of Paper and Fire, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 6 – 24
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Gaaayyyyyy
Least Favorite Thing:  She had to come back at us with that final page? Rude.

This book was so chock-full of good representation it was like a breath of fresh air. I recommend it to anyone looking for diverse fantasy.

My Posts About Girls of Paper and Fire

You by Caroline Kepnes
(You, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 15 – 26
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Well written.
Least Favorite Thing:  Made me need 10 showers.

This is one that I felt a little weird rating. It’s not a feel-good novel. It will definitely make you feel a little dirty being inside Joe’s mind.

My Posts About You

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 26 – 29
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  The little touches of history woven throughout the story.
Least Favorite Thing:  People kept kicking the poor dogs!

I first read this back in elementary school with my class, and I remembered loving it. It’s been sitting on my shelves for a bit and the nostalgia just kept calling to me; I had to reread it. I’m so glad I did.

My Posts About Catherine, Called Birdy

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  December 30
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Descriptions of fairies.
Least Favorite Thing:  Forgetting.

One of my all time favorite stories is Peter Pan, but I had always been afraid to read the book in case that soured my enjoyment somehow. This was profoundly stupid. The book only increased my love.

My Posts About Peter Pan

In Progress

 

November 2018

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Non-Reading Stuff

I haven’t been doing great at my recovery, mostly because I’ve been completely exhausted every day and it’s hard to do much with that. But at the end of the month I had a much better psych visit than usual and I think things are going to look up in December. Wish me luck!

Reading Stuff

I finished 7 books this month!
Check out my list of books and my fave/least fave things about them.

I totally met and surpassed my Goodreads 2018 Read Challenge goal!! I’m so happy I managed to make it with a month to spare, even with a reading slump.

Blogging Stuff

I posted so many pictures in November! I finally did another one of those Book Photo Challenges that I used to love to do and I really enjoyed myself. Words from Books seems to be going over well enough that I’ll keep it up. Now if I could just remember to post more about the books I’m reading I think I’d be set.

November 2018 Reading Wrap-Up

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Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really like it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 30 – November 3
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Waverly’s salty, salty thoughts.
Least Favorite Thing:  No one communicates well in this book and it is infuriating reading their conversations because like JUST SAY WORDS OK JUST SAY IT DON’T THINK IT!!

I really liked this book. Now I’m torn on Brenna Yovanoff because two of her books I hated and two I loved… What is the real Brenna Yovanoff?? Stress.

My Posts About Places No One Knows

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 3 – 6
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Laini’s writing voice.
Least Favorite Thing:  As I’ve said before, there were some bits that were just too descriptive. Things I’d rather not visualize.

These stories aren’t pleasant, but I like them anyway because of Laini’s voice.

My Posts About Lips Touch: Three Times

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
(Shatter Me, book 4)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 6 – 9
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  That scream! Whaaat!
Least Favorite Thing:  No one communicates in this book!

Man I loved the ending to this book, it was exactly what I wanted.

My Posts About Restore Me

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Aston, & Jodi Meadows
(The Lady Janies, book 2)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 10 – 19
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Helen
Least Favorite Thing:  Just a tiny bit longish…?

I read this book during a reading slump and it still managed to be a four star book for me. It was so funny!

My Posts About My Plain Jane

They Never Came Back by Caroline B. Cooney
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  July 22 – November 23
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The POV shifts.
Least Favorite Thing:  What about Marmee and Dad Bob??

It took me ages to get past the third chapter of this book, but I won’t name any names as to whyyyy… Anyway I finished it and it was well written.

My Posts About They Never Came Back

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 17 – 25
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Beatrice/Benedick
Least Favorite Thing:  EVERYONE JUST FORGIVES FUCKING CLAUDIO LIKE HE DIDN’T PUBLICLY SHAME HERO????

Fuck Claudio. Also why is it always the friar who’s like “let’s pretend someone is dead!”?

My Posts About Much Ado About Nothing

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
(To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, book 1)
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆ – it was ok
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  November 24 – 27
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Um….
Least Favorite Thing:  I did not like a single character in this whole book…

I have to say, even though I rated this 2 stars, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It’s a solid, decent book, but it’s really not my cup of tea which bumped it down a bit. And if you like YA Romance, then you’ll probably love this book.

My Posts About To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

In Progress

October 2018 Reading Wrap-Up

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
(Strange the Dreamer, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  Yes
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  September 30 – October 3
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  Dreamer’s Weep
Least Favorite Thing:  Descriptions of the Carnage

I reread this on a whim to prepare for Muse of Nightmares and I’m glad I did because I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

My Posts About Strange the Dreamer

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
(The Mitford Years, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 27 – October 9
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The peaceful nature of the village.
Least Favorite Thing:  So much religion…

This is one of those calm books where even when something happens, nothing really happens. But I mean that in a good way, I promise; it’s mostly character based. I found this series when I was in jail and it was so calming I bought them all when I was released.

My Posts About At Home in Mitford

Clarity by Kim Harrington
(Clarity, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 9 – 10
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The mechanics of the various psychic abilities.
Least Favorite Thing:  She saw her brother have sex in a vision like….yikes, poor Clarity.

I grabbed this book on a whim, partly because I accidentally grabbed it’s sequel on a whim also, but mostly because it’s October and I wanted to read something with a little supernatural tint.

My Posts About Clarity

Perception by Kim Harrington
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆ – it was ok
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 10 – 12
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Perry’s anxiety was relatable as hell.
Least Favorite Thing:  Clarity is incredibly judgmental of like…everyone.

Hmm… Well, that was not as good as the first one. It wasn’t terrible or anything, it just wasn’t good. And once again the romance was super clumsy; I just didn’t buy either of the love interests at all.

My Posts About Perception

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating:  ★☆☆☆☆ – did not like it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 13
Read Count:  1 (DNF)
Favorite Thing:  Nothing.
Least Favorite Thing:  The supernatural creatures need you to be in a band! For fucks sake…

I got about halfway through this book and then could go no further. The premise had potential, but it just wouldn’t get there and the writing felt awkward. I’ve read other novels by this author and they were alright, but this first one just wasn’t doing it for me.

My Posts About The Replacement

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows
(The Lady Janies, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 13 – 18
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  So funny!
Least Favorite Thing:  Can’t think of a single thing! Hurray!

This book was so funny, I definitely recommend everyone read it. (Don’t worry, you don’t need to know any of the actual history to enjoy this, although it is a little bonus.)

My Posts About My Lady Jane

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Rating:  N/A
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  March 27 – October 21
Read Count:  1 (DNF)
Favorite Thing:  Nothing.
Least Favorite Thing:  So boring…

Well I tried for almost a year and never got past the first quarter of this book, so I’m giving up! I like to think I’m not usually so impatient when I read classic novels, but this one really beat me, y’all. Maybe I’ll give it another go when I’m older and wiser.

My Posts About Wives and Daughters

Touched by Corrine Jackson
(Sense Thieves, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 20 – 24
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  This book is like if Twilight had been actually good.
Least Favorite Thing:  Dean. Yuck.

I’m officially calling this as a guilty-pleasure read. Now I just need to find the sequels!

My Posts About Touched

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
(Grace and Fury, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 26 – 27
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The Mount Ruin women.
Least Favorite Thing:  Men.

As I mentioned before, this book starts a little slow, but it picks up pretty soon and once it gets going it’s hard to put down.

My Posts About Grace and Fury

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Rating:  Unrated
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  October 28
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Not likely.
Least Favorite Thing:  Graphic.

Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Child Sex Abuse (and others)

This book was well-written, but I think in the case of this story that’s almost a bad thing.

My Posts About Living Dead Girl

In Progress

September 2018

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Non-Reading Stuff

I’ve been doing alright and the weather is finally starting to cool off on some days so I’m spending a lot of time outside (reading) which is great. On the downside, the beloved washer/dryer are out of commission because the dryer belt broke so that’s depressing because now we have to drive 40 minutes to do laundry… Bummer.

Reading Stuff

I finished 10 books this month!
Check out my list of books and my fave/least fave things about them.

This was a good month for reading! I didn’t even realize I had read so many, I was just having fun! AND I managed to cross a few books off my TBR Shame List!

Blogging Stuff

I actually followed through on my idea to post the new words I learn from my books! Words from Books will go out on Friday evenings. I also posted a satisfying (for me) amount of reviews and photo posts, so I’d say all told it was a good month for me blogging-wise, too.

September 2018 Reading Wrap-Up

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The Dream-Maker’s Magic by Sharon Shinn
(Safe-Keepers, book 3)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – loved it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 3 – 6
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Kellen’s time at the Parmer Arms.
Least Favorite Thing:  Frederick can choke.

Man I’m so glad I decided to go through this series because this book was so worth it. I will definitely be reading this book again!

My Posts About The Dream-Maker’s Magic

I Don’t Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer
Rating:  N/A
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 8 – 9
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  That one quote I pulled?
Least Favorite Thing:  So boring!

I really wish I could have liked this book, but I just couldn’t find it interesting…

My Posts About I Don’t Know What You Know Me From

The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 8 – 9
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The bizarre-ness of the case.
Least Favorite Thing:  There wasn’t really anything I didn’t like.

I feel like this was a strange book to like, but I really did like it.

My Posts About The Bling Ring

The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno
Rating:  ★★★★★ – loved it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 10 – 11
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The writing style.
Least Favorite Thing:  I did not like Lyle even when I was meant to.

Read this book! Read this book! Read it! It is so good I’m going to buy it first chance I get.

My Posts About The Half Life of Molly Pierce

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 14 – 19
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Living Room Theater
Least Favorite Thing:  Skeevy Sam gave me the creeps…

It took about half the book before the pace picked up and I could really get into it, but I think that might just be that I don’t read contemporary as often. I did enjoy it once I got into it though.

My Posts About Since You’ve Been Gone

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 20 – 22
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Hannah’s extreme thirst for Finny Boone lol No, I’m kidding, it’s the homemade Ouija board.
Least Favorite Thing:  Hannah’s friends all suck.

This is not even a little bit the sort of book I usually read. It’s a mystery, a murder one at that, and a little bit spooky which for me is a lot spooky because I’m paranoid as hell…. So I was surprised at how much I liked this story. The beginning seemed a little slow, but it picked up soon and then I couldn’t put it down. I definitely recommend this book.

My Posts About Paper Valentine

Orfe by Cynthia Voigt
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 23
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The descriptions of how Enny felt listening to the music.
Least Favorite Thing:  All the boyfriends were garbagio.

I read this book for bibliophilicwitch‘s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.

My Posts About Orfe

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook & Print
Reading Dates:  September 23
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Carrie’s poems.
Least Favorite Thing:  I can’t think of anything…

I read along and listened to this book for bibliophilicwitch‘s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon. And I loved her journal entries, I wish I was that eloquent at 18!

My Posts About The Princess Diarist

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  July 18 – September 25
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  The chaos of the Wish catering gigs.
Least Favorite Thing:  My fear of being too old to relate to these books, and therefore not enjoying them quite as much, has officially been realized.

It took me forever to finish this, my goodness! But I finally did it and even mini-review’d it.

My Posts About The Truth About Forever

Need by Carrie Jones
Rating:  ★☆☆☆☆ – did not like it
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  September 26
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  I too would like to leave a trail of glitter wherever I go.
Least Favorite Thing:  The entire premise.

Welp, looks like I’ll be donating this book… But at least I can cross one more off my TBR Shame List.

My Posts About Need

In Progress