Muse of Nightmares

June 2020 Reading Wrap-Up

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Forest of Whispers by Jennifer Murgia
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  June 1 – 4
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Is it Magic or is it Medicine? Rune is basically an herbalist lol
Least Favorite Thing:  The ending felt rushed and confusing…

Dammit, I didn’t realize this was the first in a series (or duet maybe? because there’s only one more book), I was so excited for a nice standalone! And the thing is it totally read as a standalone, so I probably won’t bother with the sequel.

My Posts About Forest of Whispers

Belladonna by Anbara Salam
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  June 5 – 10
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Sentient Potato
Least Favorite Thing:  Made me dissociate…

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

Welp! Guess I have another new book to add to my wishlist lol

My Posts About Belladonna

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
(The Lunar Chronicles Collection)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  June 11 – 15
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Wolf’s story
Least Favorite Thing:  The ending of that weird Little Mermaid retelling? Like did she accidentally leave something out?

Im glad I finally got around to reading this collection, but now I just want to read the whole series again…

My Posts About Stars Above

Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast
(Parthalon, book 1)
Rating:  ★☆☆☆☆ – did not like it
Review:  Vlog
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  May 28 – June 17
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  That scene where she tells some random guy about her yeast infection.
Least Favorite Thing:  Every sex scene.

This is without a doubt the worst book ever written and I don’t understand how it got published.

My Posts About Divine by Mistake

East Coast Girls by Kerry Kletter
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  Yes
Format:  eBook
Reading Dates:  June 17 – 22
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  The writing style.
Least Favorite Thing:  A little difficult to get into.

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

I was worried I wasn’t going to like this book for a minute, but the more I read the more I liked it.

My Posts About East Coast Girls

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
(Strange the Dreamer, book 2)
Rating:  ★★★★☆ – really liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  June 23 – 26
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Everything I want to say would be a spoiler!
Least Favorite Thing:  There is nothing!

I read this for the #MakeYourMythTaker Readathon and I am so glad I did!

My Posts About Muse of Nightmares

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
(The Cahill Witch Chronicles, book 1)
Rating:  ★★★☆☆ – liked it
Review:  No
Format:  Print
Reading Dates:  June 26
Read Count:  1
Favorite Thing:  Feathers!
Least Favorite Thing:  The ending!

I read this for #MakeYourMythTaker also. And now I’m going to have to get my hands on the sequel because I’ve got to know what happens next!

My Posts About Born Wicked

American Rose by Karen Abbott
Rating:  ★★☆☆☆ – it was ok
Review:  No
Format:  Audiobook
Reading Dates:  June 11 – 29
Read Count:  <1
Favorite Thing:  Her whole life story based on lies and no one cares.
Least Favorite Thing:  Her actual childhood based on abuse and no one cares.

Man this book should have been so interesting and yet… DNF’d at 64% so I’m still counting it towards my goal for the month and year.

My Posts About American Rose

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

Top 5 Wednesday: November 14, 2018

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Books You Want to Read Before 2019

Our Goodreads goals are quickly closing in. What are you prioritizing for the end of the year?
To participate in Top 5 Wednesday, head over to their Goodreads Group!

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, book 2) by Laini Taylor

This goes at the top of the list because technically I’m already reading it. I loved Strange, but it left me with such high expectations that it’s nearly impossible to read Muse! So I’m annoyed with myself, but I intend to finish this before the end of the year.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, book 4) by Sarah J. Maas

I was so excited for this one and then I did that same stupid thing where I have all these expectations and it keeps me from even being able to read the book I wanted to read so badly!

A Map of Days (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, book 4) by Ransom Riggs

ARE YOU SEEING A THEME HERE???? Someone just end me. I finally got to preorder some books and I haven’t even touched them because I suck. I’m actually a little worried on this one because it has a lot to live up to with how much I loved the series up to now.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, book 2) by Julie C. Dao

This just came a few days ago and I can’t wait to enjoy it. I’m interested to see how I like a book more focused on Jade than on Xifeng, because I really dug the sympathetic villain angle. I am fully sympathized!

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

I’m really to give this book a chance since I saw the Netflix series. I’m a little nervous because it’s not my usual type of book. In fact, it’s the type of book I usually avoid. I’m determined not to put it off like I usually would so I’m going to get to it by the end of the year.

What books are you guys hoping to finish by 2019?

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

Mid-Year Reading Recap

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Now that June’s about to end it’s time to look upon our reading progress so far this year and share some book opinions!

Oh man I forgot I got tagged in this, I suck! Thank you for the tag, Scarlet @flamingmirrorbookish!

1. Best book you read so far this year
I’m tempted to mention one of my favorite books again, but I won’t, I’ll choose one that was new to me this year: White Oleander by Janet Fitch. The prose is absolutely beautiful and I loved the way the main character, Astrid, looked at things.

2. Worst book you read so far this year
Guys obviously it was the Twilight books. The worst of all of them was the partial from Edward’s POV, Midnight Sun.

3. Completed any series?
Oh sure. Most of the books I read are part of a series anyway. As for complete series I read this year, they are all rereads:

  • Tales of the Kingdom // Cynthia Voigt
    My favorite all time book series. These are loosely-connected, non-magical fantasy. I recommend it to everyone, always.
  • Twilight Saga // Stephenie Meyer
    My least favorite series, which I recommend to literally nobody. Love yourselves.
  • The Darkest Minds // Alexandra Bracken

4. Anticipated read for the second half of the year

Oh! Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor! I have it pre-ordered and I am so eager to have it!

5.A book that disappointed you
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I loved the film, but the book just didn’t click with me even a little. I don’t even know if I’ll read the one about the aunts now…

6. How many books have you read so far this year?
I’m glad to say I managed to reach half my goal for the year this month, by just a hair. I have read 38/75 books this year! 🙂

7. A book that made you laugh
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I know technically it’s called a children’s book, but really any age group can enjoy this book and I recommend it to all.

8. Estimated read count for the year?
I think I’ll definitely meet my goal of 75 if I can keep this up!

Alrighty I tagged some people on tumblr, but I actually want to tag all my WordPress readers. Give me the deets on how your 2018 goals are going at this halfway point in the year! Either comment or make your own post and drop me a link.