Jackaroo

Reading Progress Report

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February 26, 2021

Life has been….not so fun… And work has been crazy, but I’m still managing to read 3 books right now!

Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt (34%)
This is a regular reread for me and I’m loving it just as much now as I have every single other time I’ve read it. I’m just hitting the part where the main plot is about to kick off. Up until now it’s been world building and character establishment and a little of just showing how Gwyn’s life was before it’s all about to change. It sounds like that should be boring and I’ll admit it’s a bit slow, but being slow is the point and I still don’t find it boring.
For those who haven’t been on my blog before, this is the first in a series of loosely-connected, non-magical fantasy books called the Tales of the Kingdom. So basically it’s set in a fictional feudal-inspired kingdom (and neighboring lands) but there’s no magic or dragons, and each book is separated from the next by about a generation. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series. This first book features innkeeper’s daughter Gwyn and legendary highwayman Jackaroo (but it’s not a romance between the two).

Victory Lap by K.A. Mielke and Riley Alexis Wood (40%)
I was sent this book by one of the authors and I am genuinely loving it. Josh’s chapters are interesting even though I think he needs some major character development. Kiki’s chapters are my favorite! She’s interesting and funny and I wish I could be friends with her in real life. I just want all the best for her!
This is a duel-POV novel featuring 5th year high school student Josh and senior high school student Kylie aka Kiki, a trans girl navigating her first school year officially “out”. The two meet in a Writer’s Craft class and become fast friends, but the rest of their lives are not going to smoothly. Josh’s girlfriend just left for college where she promptly dumps Josh for his best friend, and Kiki’s parents’ (and classmates’) attitudes about her identity leave a lot to be desired. Victory Lap came out in December of last year.

sometimes i fall asleep thinking about you by Catarine Hancock (28%)
I got this as a ARC from NetGalley and so far I’m very glad I did. It’s a tough read because it hits so close to home, so I’m going through it slowly, just a little bit each day. It’s already made me cry a couple times and I’ve highlighted sooo many quotes!
This book is a poetry collection about that feeling you have after a bad relationship ends with no real closure. It drops April 6th of this year and I’ll have a review up probably in early March.

April 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

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Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins
(The Underland Chronicles, book 3)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  March 31 – April 1
Read Count:  4
Favorite Thing:  I love that the ones people pay the least attention to when it comes to ideas and problem solving are the ones who solve the whole prophecy.
Least Favorite Thing:  I can’t think of anything…

I can’t believe how I sped through this book. I just couldn’t put it down even thought it’s my fourth time reading it.

My Posts About Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods

Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins
(The Underland Chronicles, book 4)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  April 1 – 2
Read Count:  4
Favorite Thing:  The humans being so shook at the fact that they are referred to as “killers” throughout the Underland. Like what did you expect?
Least Favorite Thing:  Sweet little Boots had to learn what death is and I’m still crying about “where does [character] go when she doesn’t wake up?”…

God I’ve said this before, but these are not kids books. I know they are classified as middle grade, but just…if you’re not reading them because you think they are kids books, they aren’t.

My Posts About Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins
(The Underland Chronicles, book 5)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  April 2 – 3
Read Count:  4
Favorite Thing:  Nerd happy dance!
Least Favorite Thing:  So do we believe in the prophecies or not now?

I always forget that Sandwich was a piece of shit human and then I reread this book and I get mad about it all over again lol Whatever I’m just glad Lizzie got her moment in the sun (so to speak, because obviously…there isn’t any sun…underground…)

My Posts About Gregor and the Code of Claw

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  April 5 – 7
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  Amy is so devious!
Least Favorite Thing:  At one point I was listening to this at work and of course it would have to go to a scene where they are talking in the shower lol

I already knew I loved the story of Gone Girl, but also the audiobook narrator was pretty good so I’m glad I decided to reread it this way.

My Posts About Gone Girl

Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  April 6 – 14
Read Count:  6
Favorite Thing:  The oh-so-subtle background romance that you barely notice unless you pay attention and then when you do it’s just so presh…
Least Favorite Thing:  I mean…the only thing that could improve this series is more characters of color, so we will go with that as a least fave.

I was going to try to wait until later in the year to do my yearly reread of these books, but I was feeling so slumpy last month and bummed about it that I couldn’t resist picking up my favorite book series again.

My Posts About Jackaroo

To the Boys Who Wear Pink by Revan Badingham III
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆ – it was ok
Review:  Yes
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  April 11 – 17
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Soooo much LGBTQ+ representation!
Least Favorite Thing:  Twincest…

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I desperately wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. I didn’t hate it by any means, but unfortunately I have to admit to some disappointment…

My Posts About To the Boys Who Wear Pink

The Anti-Virginity Pact by Katie Wismer
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  Yes Video / Written
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  April 18 – 23
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Really well written.
Least Favorite Thing:  I can’t even think of anything.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a little while since I’ve really connected to a YA novel, but this one grabbed me right away. Totally recommend this book.

My Posts About The Anti-Virginity Pact

Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  April 28
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Probably the thing about how to catch frogs…
Least Favorite Thing:  Nothing.

This was a cute, quick read about…something? Reese talks about her experience of the South and gives some life advice from a Southern woman.

My Posts About Whiskey in a Teacup

The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
(Rizzoli & Isles, book 1)
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆ – it was ok
Review:  No
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  April 23 – May 1
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  There was a woman who started as a total victim, but as the story progressed she sort of got back to a stronger self.
Least Favorite Thing:  “He cuts out the one thing that makes them women.”

Man the tv show was way better than the books…

My Posts About The Surgeon

May 2019 Reading Wrap-Up

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Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  April 30 – May 13
Read Count:  5-ish
Favorite Thing:  My favorite thing this time around is too spoilery to mention, but trust me it’s cute shit (if quite subtle).
Least Favorite Thing:  Win is so obnoxious, he annoys me every single time.

Well, new year, new read-through of the Tales of the Kingdom books! You know I can’t resist these books for long. As they are my all-time favorites, I recommend them to everyone.

My Posts About Jackaroo

On Fortune’s Wheel by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 2)
Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  May 13 – 17
Read Count:  5-ish
Favorite Thing:  The ability of the main characters to endure any circumstance.
Least Favorite Thing:  Creepy, gross men. (Hm, my least favorite thing in real life, too.)

I can’t believe this used to be my least favorite of all the books, I am so dumb. Birle is a treasure and I love her.

My Posts About On Fortune’s Wheel

Maybe (Maybe Not) by Robert Fulghum
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  April 4 – May 18
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  Nothing really stood out.
Least Favorite Thing:  Again, some things didn’t age well.

I swear Mr. Fulghum is the grandfather everyone could wish for. He’s so weird, but in a good way, and you could probably tell him your strange thoughts without judgement…

My Posts About Maybe (Maybe Not)

 In Progress

First Lines Fridays: May 25, 2018

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First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

  • Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
  • Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
  • Finally… reveal the book!

First Lines:

Gwyn stood crowded in among the women. She held the hood of her cloak close around her head, covering her hair, shadowing her face.

Interested? Scroll down for the cover and summary!

Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 1)

In a fantastical kingdom ravaged by famine and poverty, the prospect of hope lies with a mythical masked hero in this, the first book in the Tales of the Kingdom series from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Voigt.

In a distant time, a kingdom is starving. With winter upon them, there is little hope, except for the legend of Jackaroo: a masked outlaw who comes at night to aid the destitute and helpless. But Gwyn, the innkeeper’s daughter, is too practical for false hopes. She believes Jackaroo is nothing more than a fairy tale told to keep children hopeful till the next sunrise.

Then Gwyn is forced to seek refuge in an abandoned house, and while scavenging for supplies, she comes across…a mask? A sword? A cloak? Could these belong to the fabled Jackaroo? As Gwyn searches for answers, she discovers that the heart of a hero goes far beyond a mask.

January 2018 Reading Wrap-Up

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Rating:  ★★★★☆
Review:  No
Reading Dates:  January 6
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Sneaky sneaky sneaky!
Least Favorite Thing:  Ooooh Nick is such a douche!

I’m so grateful to Kelsie @ BilboBookins for putting Gillian Flynn back on my radar and making me really consider reading her books and Marina @ The Review Marina for her review which put to rest my worries about whether having liked the movie, I could enjoy the book too. If it hadn’t been for these two I probably wouldn’t have picked up this amazing book at all and I’d have really missed out!

My Posts About Gone Girl

Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆
Review:  Yes
Reading Dates:  January 7 – 10
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The diet secrets “monologue”.
Least Favorite Thing:  Boredom.

For something with “Gilmore Girls” all over the cover, it had surprisingly little Gilmore Girls in it. (This is neither a good nor bad thing, just an observation.)

My Posts About Talking as Fast as I Can

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater
Rating:  ★★★★☆
Review:  No
Reading Dates:  December 27 – January 11
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The way Beatriz thinks.
Least Favorite Thing:  Waiting for something to Happen in the beginning of the novel.

As I mentioned in my rating post, my complaint about this book was just that it was hard to get into, but I really think it’s worth it.

My Posts About All the Crooked Saints

Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★★★
Review:  Yes
Reading Dates:  January 11 – 12
Read Count: 4-ish?
Favorite Thing:  Burrrrl!
Least Favorite Thing:  Cam is so much more annoying than he was when I first read this in middle school lol

This is my favorite series, and this is one of my favorite stories from the series. It makes me so sad that no one seems to know about these books anymore (admittedly they are a bit old, but they are so good)!

My Posts About Jackaroo

On Fortune’s Wheel by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 2)
Rating:  ★★★★★
Review:  No
Reading Dates:  January 12 -15
Read Count:  4-ish?
Favorite Thing:  Birle at the end, with Nan.
Least Favorite Thing:  The part at the slave market where that nasty fucker shoves his fingers in Birle’s mouth while he’s deciding if he wants to buy her. I literally had to stop reading and go brush my teeth, the passage evoked that visceral a response from me. (Actually I may need to again now just remembering…)

This one always gives me a little trouble during Part 1, because it moves slowly, but once I get past that, Parts 2 & 3 speed by so fast because this book is amazing.

Note:  Also published as The Tale of Birle, which is the copy I actually read this time, since I don’t have access to my own copy right now.

My Posts About On Fortune’s Wheel

Live Through This by Mindi Scott
Rating:  ★★★★☆
Review:  Yes
Reading Dates:  January 17
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  That life goes on as normal even with the bad things that are happening.
Least Favorite Thing:  I wish we got to know what came next. I mean I get it, but I still wish.

Trigger Warning:  Sexual Assault

Despite the harsh subject matter, I really liked this book.

My Posts About Live Through This

Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin
Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Review:  No
Reading Dates:  January 20
Read Count:  2
Favorite Thing:  The sailing.
Least Favorite Thing:  The mom at the end. Spoiler: [start] I just hate that the book ended without her even acknowledging that he was really her son or anything other than standing there… [end]

I’m not sure what made me think of this book all of a sudden, but once I did I suddenly also wanted to reread it.

My Posts About Counterfeit Son

Gallows Hill by Lois Duncan
Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Review:  Yes
Reading Dates:  January 25 – 26
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Piecing together all the little tidbits that didn’t get direct explanations.
Least Favorite Thing:  The usage of the g*psy slur & negative stereotyping of Romani people. (It was a part of the characterization of the antagonists, but it was still left a bad taste in my brain.)

I decided to go on a Lois Duncan reading kick, and Gallows Hill was the first one I grabbed.

My Posts About Gallows Hill

The Wings of a Falcon by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 3)
Rating:  ★★★★★
Review:  No
Reading Dates:  January 21 – 29
Read Count:  4-ish?
Favorite Thing:  Oriel & Griff’s friendship.
Least Favorite Thing:  Merlis…

Don’t talk to me. Don’t look at me. The Thing literally gets harder every time I reread this even knowing it’s coming!

Note:  Also published as The Tale of Oriel, which is the copy I actually read this time, since I don’t have access to my own copy right now.

My Posts About The Wings of a Falcon

The Third Eye by Lois Duncan
Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Review:  Yes
Reading Dates:  January 30
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  I liked the mechanics of Karen’s gift. Especially the heightened sense of smell. That was interesting.
Least Favorite Thing:  Did we really need such a detailed description of a dead dog?

This was the second book on my Lois Duncan kick. I liked it better than the first one I think.

My Posts About The Third Eye

Review: Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt

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Note:  This book has also been published under the name The Tale of Gwyn.

Everyone grows up with tales of Jackaroo, who rides on behalf of the people in times of greatest need, but everyone knows they’re just stories… As the innkeeper’s daughter, Gwyn is certain of her place in the world, but being stranded during a blizzard leads to a startling discovery and Gwyn begins to see the Kingdom in a new way. When Jackaroo rides out of legends to aid the people, he will change Gwyn’s life forever.

Rating:  ★★★★★ – it was amazing
Genre:  young adult fiction, young adult fantasy, non-magical fantasy
Pros:  well written, good character development, beautiful descriptive language
Cons:  needs POC

Jackaroo is the first in the loosely-connected Tales of the Kingdom series. Because they are “loosely-connected” all of the Kingdom novels can be read as stand-alone books, though I’m not sure why you’d want to skip any of them. I like that this is the first book in the series though, because it’s a little lighter than the next three and therefore an easier read and the perfect introduction to the world of the Kingdom.

This book is simultaneously a fantasy adventure about a Robin Hood-esque highwayman who shows up in times of need to serve the people, and a coming-of-age story about a young girl discovering her place in the world.

As with a lot of Cynthia Voigt’s characters I really love the way Gwyn thinks about things. She’s a somewhat steady girl, hard-working and strong. In the beginning she has a tendency to be a bit scornful of those around her, but she grows into a more understanding and insightful person as the story goes on, which is just one example of the satisfying character development to be found in Jackaroo.

Voigt’s world-building is subtle and immersive in a way one rarely finds in a fantasy novel. She lays out the Kingdom at the perfect pace, so that one never has too much information to keep track of, and always enough to understand what is going on in the story. Between that and her excellent use of descriptive language, the reader is swept up into the story and world with ease.

My only complaint about these books is the lack of POC. The closest it comes is having one character mentioned with “olive skin”, which is…disappointing. It’s not super surprising that a white author doesn’t think to put people of color in their story, especially in 1985 when this story was first published, but I can still wish it was different. It’s really the only thing I can think of that would improve this beautiful story.

I recommend this book, and it’s sequels, to literally everyone — but most especially to people who like fantasy, ya fiction, and coming-of-age novels, or anyone who is trying to read more backlist books.

Goodreads | Book Depository | Author’s Website

Friday 56: January 12, 2018

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The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda’s Voice and the rules are simple:

  • Grab a book, any book (I, personally, prefer to use my current read.)
  • Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that’s ok.)
  • Find any sentence, (or few, just don’t spoil it)
  • Post it

Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 1)

Whatever Blithe wanted, she wanted absolutely and immediately. There was no budging Blithe.