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:

The indoor plants were among the first to venture outside and breathe the fresh, cold air of Mitford’s early spring.

Did the quote pique your interest? View this book on Goodreads!

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:

Serious thinking and crossing the street, he once said, shouldn’t be attempted simultaneously.

Did the quote pique your interest? View this book on Goodreads!

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]]>/2019/11/02/book-haul-november-2-2019/feed/0darkestwingsreads/2019/02/15/words-from-books-21//2019/02/15/words-from-books-21/#respondSat, 16 Feb 2019 02:00:15 +0000/?p=11709lassitude

/ˈlasəˌt(y)o͞od/
noun

1. a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

During the days following Easter Sunday, he noticed a certain lassitude of spirit in himself.

– Jan Karon, At Home in Mitford

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]]>/2019/01/24/12030/feed/0darkestwingsreads/2018/11/01/october-2018-reading-wrap-up//2018/11/01/october-2018-reading-wrap-up/#commentsThu, 01 Nov 2018 18:46:42 +0000/?p=11644Continue reading October 2018 Reading Wrap-Up]]>

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

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

View all my ratings on Goodreads

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

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