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WWW Wednesday: February 7, 2018

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Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three W’s!

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:  Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, book 1) by Sarah J. Maas

I have been planning, and talking about planning, to reread the Throne of Glass novels so that I could read the newer ones for I think two years now. And finally I’m getting started on it!

I’ll probably read them a bit slower than I would normally, just because I read them once before and didn’t retain the information very well. Major plot points, I still got, but everything else is just too fuzzy.

Wish me luck, y’all!

Recently Finished:  Elske (Tales of the Kingdom, book 4) by Cynthia Voigt

I hated ending this book! I tried to read it as slow as I could to make it last, but it still feels like it zipped by too fast!

I love the Tales of the Kingdom so much. In fact, I think I love them more every time I reread them, which doesn’t usually happen for me.

I know I say this a lot, probably more than anything else I blog, but seriously if you like YA Fantasy, or even just YA Fiction of all types, you should totally give these books a try. They are older so most people don’t even know about them, and they are so worth knowing!

  OR  

Reading Next:  Undiscovered Gyrl by Allison Burnett OR Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, book 2) by Sarah J. Maas

I’m torn. I can’t decide if I should jump straight into the next Throne of Glass novel or break up my reread by reading other books inbetween, such as this book Undiscovered Gyrl.

I grabbed this book because I saw the film adaptation. (Sometimes when I’m stressed I like to watch movies that make me dissociate. How’s that for unhealthy coping mechanisms?) And I figured since I’ve been trying to read some different sorts of books, I might as well give this one a try.

I guess I’ll have to decide based on how easily I get through ToG and how I feel afterward, but I’d rather know ahead of time.

Happy Birthday to Myself

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I feel really weird today. Today is my 26th birthday. I never once in my life expected to reach this age.

I decided a long time ago that I didn’t want to live. For the purposes of this post I am putting aside the stories of various attempts and self-harm, because what I want to focus on is the fact that I had decided back in middle or high school that if somehow I managed to reach 25 years old, that would be the end no matter what.

I had a plan to make it so no one could stop me and I would complete a suicide finally, and never live past 25. “That’s plenty long enough to live,” I told myself.

I had been realizing that despite my deep depression and anxiety (and the fact that I now rarely leave my home) that at the very least my first thoughts were not always of suicide. When you looked at my life I didn’t seem to be making any steps towards recover, and things are still extremely hard, but going from actively planning to kill myself to focusing on getting to the next day is already a huge step for me.

Then I turned 25 and my husband was very scared because I never did hide my intentions, but instead of putting pressure on me, he chose to focus on helping me get from day to day, helping me do the one thing I was still able to enjoy (reading), and encouraging me whenever I did anything related to self-care no matter how small.

At the beginning these things were so tiny as to almost be darkly funny. Forced myself to get out of bed for the day and not go back until I was going to sleep earned me proud looks and hugs. And slowly those accomplishments grew. Took a shower? “Hurray!” Prepared my own food today? “Amazing! So yummy!” Had my mother over for a visit? “Wow! Good job! You did a lot today!” Actually left the house and went with my mom and husband to do something? “I’m so proud of you for getting out, baby. I’m so glad you have fun.”

And sure, some days I don’t manage any of those things, but as long as I’m trying he doesn’t mind. And slowly, I have started to see the progress more clearly than the setbacks.

And throughout my 25th year, while I did sometimes think of suicide, I only planned once (not too seriously), and I managed to push through to the next day.

Now I am 26. I have officially outlived my own plans. It’s a little scary because I never made even rudimentary plans for my life. I never finished high school, I never planned for college, I never learned job skills, I still don’t leave the house much….

But if I can make it further than I ever even imagined to be possible, then maybe, just maybe, I’ll find a way to move forward and build a life. Maybe it’s really never too late.

Wishing myself luck and small victories, and the same to all of you out there who are struggling to find a reason or way to live. Today I share my birthday wish with you.

♪ And many mooooore…. ♪

Top 5 Wednesday: January 31, 2018

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Hidden Gems in Your Favorite Genre

What are some of your favorite books in your favorite genre that don’t get a lot of hype?
To participate in Top 5 Wednesday, head over to their Goodreads Group!

Tales of the Kingdom // Cynthia Voigt

I swear there isn’t a single book rec that goes by without me trying to get someone to read these books. It’s a four-book, loosely-connected, non-magical, fantasy series, in a feudal sort of setting. These are actually some of my all-time favorite books. The female characters are strong, without falling into the whole “strong = masculine” trope, and the lack of magical powers doesn’t take away from the overall magic of the story at all.

The Books of Bayern // Shannon Hale

This middle grade fantasy series was actually my introduction to the genre and they remain favorites to this day. It starts with a fairy tale retelling of The Goose Girl and expands from there into a lovely series full of magic and friendship and saving kingdoms.

Underland Chronicles // Suzanne Collins

This is another middle grade fantasy series. In this one, a boy discovers a hidden land under NYC and he and his family proceed to get caught up in a bunch of prophecies. There’s not magic in this one, unless you count giant talking animals as magical…

The Chanters of Tremaris // Kate Constable

Nature magic via song? Yes, thank you! This trilogy begins with a world divided. Those with magic are separate from those without, and even the individual types of magic wielders keep segregated. But what world could thrive like that?

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

In this standalone novel, serving maid Dashti is bricked into a tower with her obstinate mistress as a seven-year punishment. It’s another fairytale retelling — Shannon’s specialty if you ask me — and this time the magic works through song.

I’d love to hear what books from your favorite genre haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. Hit me up with some recommendations everybody!

WWW Wednesday: January 31, 2018

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Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three W’s!

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:  Elske (Tales of the Kingdom, book 4) by Cynthia Voigt

Alright now, I’m determined to read this book slower this time around. It’s the one I’ve read least often of all the Tales of the Kingdom books, for unknown reasons, and because of that, I tend to speed through it! This time I’m going to take my time and imagine every little detail. I mean it!

Read my Review of Elske!

Note:  Also published as The Tale of Elske, which is the version I’ll be reading this time since I don’t have access to my own copy.

Recently Finished:  The Third Eye by Lois Duncan

I decided about a week or so ago that I should go back and reread Lois Duncan’s novels, as well as read the ones I never got to the first time around. And in a remarkably unusual turn, I actually got a bunch of her books from the library and went through with a plan before a whole year passed! Amazing!

This is only the second book I’ve gotten to of hers so far, but I’m enjoying myself. I always like a good psychic story! And despite the cheesy-ness I liked who the little girl turned out to be.

Read the Mini-Review!

Reading Next:  Locked in Time by Lois Duncan

This is the third book I grabbed up by Lois Duncan, and the first so far that is a reread.

I can’t remember much about it because I read it back in like middle or early high school, so I don’t even remember if I liked it or not.

I may read it before I actually finish Elske, just to force myself to slow down on that reread.

Tag THURSDAY: January 25, 2018

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So the lovely Kelsie @ Bilbo Bookins has started doing a weekly Tag Tuesday post where they do a random book tag. Of course, I didn’t see the post until Wednesday, so here’s my Tag Tuesday Thursday!

Reading Habits:

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
No way man, I’ll read anywhere at all. Which is typically fine, except when it means I accidentally spend 3 hours on a stationary bike because I was too into a book to realize time was passing…
2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Bookmarks! I just made myself stop dog-earing my books and use bookmarks, but I absolutely will not use random scraps of paper. I have no real reason, it just bugs me. The only non-bookmark thing I’m willing to use is a business card.
3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or a certain amount of pages?
Oh sure, if it’s an interesting book I can set it down mid-sentence and not have a problem picking it back up again. Don’t tell my husband though or he’ll never let me get away with “just let me finish this page” ever again.
4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
Wait you expect me to put my book down long enough to eat a whole meal? Are you nuts? I’m always that person ignoring my dinner companions because I’m reading and eating. In fact, come to dinner with me and my mother and you can be ignored by us both!
5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
I actually have issues with certain ambient sounds so I keep the tv or some music on at all times. I just make sure it’s something I’ve seen before and it doesn’t distract me at all. As for music, I can be rocking out and singing along and still keep reading, so that’s an easy one.
6. One book at a time or several at once?
I used to be a strict “one book at a time” sort. It actually wasn’t until the past couple of years that I let myself read multiple books at one time. Now I actually like it a lot. My only rules are: no books in the exact same genre, and if it’s more than two books one has to be a reread.
7. Reading at home or everywhere?
Oh I never ever leave my house without a book (sometimes two). I read while I walk, I read while I wait anywhere, I’ll even read in the movie theatre if I don’t like the film.
8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
I tend to read silently just because it’s faster, but there are some books that the writer’s voice is so enjoyable I will read long passages aloud to myself or to my husband.
9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
Nooooooo. No. NO.
10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
See if I buy a book used and the spine is broken it doesn’t bother me at all, but when I buy a book all new and pretty I can’t bring myself to hurt it!
11. Do you write in your books?
I never write in a book, but not because I don’t like it. I just have really bad handwriting and can’t write small enough. If I want an annotation in a book I put it on a post-it and stick that to the relevant page.

Readabits:

1. When do you find yourself reading? Morning, afternoon, evening, whenever you get the chance or all the time?
Oh I’m an all-the-time reader for sure. That said, I do a lot more afternoon/evening/oops-I’ve-stayed-up-all-night reading, but that’s mostly because my sleep schedule is a joke.
2. What is your best setting to read in?
I’m not really sure I have an ideal setting, but that’s just because I don’t really have enough options to come up with one.
3. What do you do first–read or watch?
If I hear that a book is being made into a film to show I will prefer to read the book first, but a lot of times I don’t even realize something I’m watching was a book until I’ve already watched it, so I don’t have a hard and fast rule.
4. What form do you prefer–audiobook, e-book, or physical book?
Oh I completely prefer physical books, but not for any decent sort of reason. They just make me happy. I can’t feel at home in a place if I can’t see books somewhere. I do read ebooks though. It’s really just audiobooks that I don’t use and that’s just because I can’t focus on them very well.
5. Do you have a unique habit when you read?
I do a weird thing with the pages while I’m reading. I don’t know how to explain it. But I’ve been trying hard to not do it anymore because it’s technically damaging the page. Other than that, I mark words I like and write them in a notebook later with their definitions and etymology and the sentence from the book where I saw the word, but I wouldn’t call that exactly unique.
6. Do book series have to match?
I mean my head says no, but my OCD says yes…

WWW Wednesday: January 24, 2018

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Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three W’s!

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:  The Wings of a Falcon (Tales of the Kingdom, book 3) by Cynthia Voigt

I’ve actually lost track of how many times I’ve read the Tales of the Kingdom books, but they are still my favorite.

Anytime I talk about a Voigt novel I talk about loving the way the protag thinks, and it’s never more true than in The Wings of a Falcon.

There is, and always will be, a special place in my heart for Oriel and Griff.

Note:  Also published as The Tale of Oriel, which is actually the version I’m reading this time because I don’t have access to my own copy.

Recently Finished:  Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie Alphin

I was puttering around Goodreads looking for new books or old books I had forgotten about, and was suddenly reminded how many books I read around middle school/early high school which featured teens who had been abducted as children…

This one in particular stood out in my memory and with it being a fairly easy read, I decided to just reread it that very night. I’ll admit the ending felt a bit rushed, but other than that it held up fairly well.

Reading Next:  Elske (Tales of the Kingdom, book 4) by Cynthia Voigt

Oh man I loooove me some Elske! She’s such a little badass.

It kills me that so few people seem to know about these books now, because they are so good. If you like Fantasy novels, you should really give Voigt’s Tales of the Kingdom series a try!

Note:  Also published as The Tale of Elske, which is the version I will be reading since I still don’t have access to my own copy.

I may make myself read something between Oriel and Elske just to drag it out a little longer, especially since my TBR is only growing these days. Not sure yet.

Top 5 Wednesday: January 24, 2018

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So here’s the deal:  I have nothing for this week’s prompt, so I’m using last week’s prompt that I forgot to do!

Forgettable Books

Whether you loved or hated them at the time, these are books that you just don’t really remember…
To participate in Top 5 Wednesday, head over to their Goodreads Group!

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, book 1) by Melissa Marr

The only thing I remember from this book is the phrase:  “Don’t speak to invisible faeries.”

It was recommended in a tumblr post for books about fae, and when I looked it up I recognized just enough to know I had read it in high school, but nothing more, not even whether I liked it or not. So I got it from the library and I’m going to read it again. Wish me luck!

Palace of Stone (Princess Academy, book 2) by Shannon Hale

I’ve mentioned this before on both book blogs. I read Palace of Stone twice, once when it first came out and again when The Forgotten Sisters came out because I realized I couldn’t remember it. What makes it worse is I remember the first book perfectly and Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors, but this particular book just will not stick in my brain!

The Shadow Children Series // Margaret Peterson-Haddix

I know for a fact that I read several of the books in this series, but the only thing I remember is that it’s illegal to have more than 2 children. I do remember liking this series, but I don’t remember what happened that I liked…

The Kiesha’ra Series // Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

I mean, first of all, I haven’t even managed to finish the series, but I’ve read the first 3 (possibly 4) books 2-3 times each and I still remember nothing, aside from the fact that there are snake and bird people and they have trouble getting along. That’s it. I don’t even know what to do about this series anymore…

Literally Any Deb Caletti Novel

The thing is, I know that when I’m in a mood for a romance-y novel I have enjoyed Caletti books, and yet, despite having read some of them multiple times, I remember nothing that happened in any of them!

Let me know some books that just didn’t stick with you and why.

Restore Me?

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So I just found out today there’s supposed to be a fourth book in the Shatter Me series? Did we all know this was happening? Should this be happening? I’m so conflicted!

(I’m gonna read it though, I’m definitely gonna read it.)

On Using Bookmarks

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Can I just say, I’m so happy I’ve started using bookmarks!

Like I was never a bookmark user, mostly because I would lose them, so I would just dog-ear my pages (top corner for marking my place, bottom corner if there was a quote or something else on the page I wanted to talk about later). To be clear, I don’t think this is a bad thing, if that’s what you do that’s cool. But like, sometimes I would come to a book that was brand new or just so special to me that I couldn’t make myself dog-ear so then I’d just have to try and remember where I was because I never had a bookmark…

But now… I am officially a bookmark user! And I have to say, it makes reading feel somehow more special? It’s so aesthetically pleasing to use a bookmark. It’s like drinking tea out of a cup and saucer just for the Aesthetic and the little clink sound when you set the cup down. (Who does that? Not me, never heard of that…) And of course since I’m not dog-earing I’ve started using little sticky tags to mark quotes and sections I want to consider later. (Also aesthetically pleasing, hello nerd aesthetic.)

I know this is a really silly thing to make a whole post about, but to be honest I’m stalling a bit and anyway where else could I announce that bookmarks make me feel special without being stared at like a weirdo?

What Are You Reading Wednesdays: January 10, 2018

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What Are You Reading Wednesdays #WAYRW is a weekly feature on It’s A Reading Thing. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Grab the book you are currently reading and answer three questions:

  1. What’s the name of your current read?
  2. Go to page 34 in your book or 34% in your eBook and share a couple of sentences.
  3. Would you like to live in the world that exists within your book? Why or why not?

  1. Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
  2. That summer I also discovered the first alcoholic drink I actually liked the taste of, a drink that was very hip and happening at the time, and is still a sign of intellect and sophistication. I’m talking, of course, about the Fuzzy Navel.
  3. Well this is an autobiography and set in this actual world, so obviously my answer is:  No. No I would not like to live in this world. (But on a less depressing level, you might argue this book is set in the world of Hollywood, and no I wouldn’t want to live there either, it sounds way stressful.)