It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 17 May 2021

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Happy Monday Bookdragons! I've been taking advantage of my library's hoopla borrows the past week and enjoying a bunch of audiobooks and ebooks... 

What I Read Last Week: 

Shadow Touched (A Touch of Vampire Book 1) by Becky Moynihan

Becky is such a talented author and I loved this paranormal romance novel. Vampires are coming back to popularity in books lately and this is the first one I've really enjoyed recently. This has all the elements to love - vampires, werewolves, witches, secrets, swoon-worthy boys, great friendships, and steamy chemistry between the main character and her love interest.

The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones

This was my first book by Stephen Graham Jones although I've seen his books recommended by booksellers before and added them to my TBR. The Last Final Girl is a satirical homage to the campy 80s horror that fans know and love. The way it reads (or is told as I listened to the audiobook) is like you are watching a movie that pans from one character's perspective to another. It is like you're watching a movie, and I love how that was done because I enjoy books that are unconventional. If you like the horror genre and know it's not to be taken seriously, you'll enjoy this book. I recommend listening to the audiobook!

The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street by Cory Putman Oakes

I saw this book on bookstagram but I can't afford to buy books right now. Luckily my library's Hoopla had it and I was able to enjoy this cute middle grade read. I don't often read middle grade but I loved everything about this book! I even teared up a little bit when a couple of the ghosts Moved On... I know, I know... I'm a 28-year-old woman blubbering over a book written for young readers. I'll definitely buy a copy of this in the future to add to my collection. 

Currently Reading:

Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

This is a book I saw on a Can't Wait Wednesday post a month or so back. I'm not the biggest fan of cozy mysteries but this one is an interesting mystery without having all the squeaky-clean aspects of a Hallmark movie. I love the complexity of Sage's background and how she's overcome her mother's infamy to become the full-rounded person she is. As a coffee addict I'm also enjoying all the coffee references. I'll finish this audiobook tonight (only 50 pages left) and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of this series!

Next Read

No Way Out by Fern Michaels

I remember my grandmother reading Fern Michaels's books over the years but I always thought they were more in the romance genre so I didn't read them. But when I saw this book on the library's Hoopla and read the description I added it to my borrow's list. 

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 What are you reading this week? Have you read any of my recent reads?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 1 June 2020

 

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

I’ve heard good things about one of this author’s other books, Night Film but I haven’t had a chance to read it. I chose this one first because I fell in love with the edition’s cover on Barnes and Noble and the premise sounded interesting. I wasn’t sure at first that I would like it when I first started reading (which seems to be a common thought lately). It’s a very unique read to say the least. It could have a genre of its own …. thriller/time warp/sci-fi or something. But the more I got into it the more I ended up really loving it. And by the end… well I was crying. Which I hate, but it usually means I really enjoyed the book. 

Rating:

4.5 of 5 Stars!

The Sea of Lost Girls by Carol Goodman

I picked this one up on a whim after Amazon recommended it to me while shopping for other books. I’ve never heard of the author before or read any of her previous works. Just like Neverworld before it I wasn’t sure I’d like this book at first. Tess is the quintessential helicopter mom and let’s face it, Rudy is weird. We’re drawn into the mystery when Tess picks her son up at 3am on a Point surrounded by water that’s off limits to students at the fancy prep school Rudy attends and Tess and her husband teach at. He’s sopping wet and he’s just had a fight with his girlfriend…. A girlfriend who is found dead early the next morning. Tess is drawn into a web of secrets and lies as she attempts to protect her son from falling under suspicion. But as the reader follows Tess down twists and turns and learns of her own sordid past you’re kept guessing until the breathtaking end. I wouldn’t say this book is perfect, but I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in a single day. 

Rating:

4 of 5 Stars

Currently Reading:

 The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

Okay, say it with me… I wasn’t sure at first if I’d like this book when I started reading. I’m actually still not sure I want to finish it. Rachel (the main character) is not the problem. Neither is half the plot… the true crime podcast, the trial, even the subplot of Jenny Stills’s death so long ago. It’s Hannah and her psycho-stalker ways of trying to get Rachel to help find out who killed her sister. Any sane journalist would have had Hannah arrested for stalking by now. I guess we’ll see where it goes and if Rachel and Hannah ever meet face to face. 

• The Night Swim releases August 4, 2020 - 

Next Read:

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell

I’ve been waiting to read this one until closer to the release date (July I believe) but I can’t wait any longer. Ms. Campbell is one of my favorite thriller authors and I’m ready for her next twisty read. 

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What have you been reading lately?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 25 May 2020

 

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:

Dawn Till Dusk by Tyffany Hackett and Becky Moynihan

I went into this book both excited and nervous. Excited because I've been eager to read this one since I first heard about it. But also nervous because I've been in a reading funk where I can get so far into a book (usually 100 pages or so) and then my mood plunges and I don't feel like reading anything no matter how much I'm enjoying it. But this book kept me engaged and I loved both of the main characters.

Currently Reading
Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie

I started this ARC at the beginning of the year but when I got to Bastien's first chapter I really disliked him as a character and set the book aside. But when Fairyloot started their read along on IG last week I decided to try again with my copy I got in their March box. I actually really got into it this time but I got behind on the read along so I'm hoping to have enough energy to finish it this week. I still hate Bastien by the way. And Jules. 
 

Up Next
Help Me Pick My Next Read!

A.) Fallen by Lauren Kate (reread)

B.) The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

C. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

D. Recommend Me A Book!

What have you been reading lately? Are you reading more lately or less?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 27 April 2020

 

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:
Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey

I finally finished this one. I enjoyed the first half of the book but it may have been the duration of time that I let it sit aside or that I saw the ending coming about halfway through and actually reading it became tedious that I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped I would. 
Rating - 3.75 🌟🌟🌟☆

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

I was going to start a reread of my favorite book, Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie, but I recently got an ARC of The Betrothed in a trade and wanted to flip through and see if it grabbed me before buying the Beacon Book Box special edition Kiera Cass box. I only meant to read a chapter or two last Tuesday and before I knew it it was 1 am and I was already halfway through. It really grabbed me and I can't wait for the conclusion to the duology!
Rating: 4.75 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Currently Reading / Still-in-Progress
Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

Progress: 30%
Status: Back-burner, will resume after Aurora Rising Read-along

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

 I put off listening to the third set of chapters until this past weekend which took me forever but I thankfully can say I'm all caught up and ready for the next set of chapters to start tomorrow. 

Up Next
A Werewolf in Riverdale

I got this book in the mail last week and I can't wait to start reading it. It shouldn't interfere with my Aurora Rising reading I don't think... the genres are so different. 

What have you been reading lately?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 2 March 2020

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! New month, new TBR. I've been in a thriller mood lately so that is mostly what I'll be reading for the foreseeable future.

What I Read Last Week:

I finished this one at the end of last week and while I didn't like it as much as My Plain Jane it was a really humorous read and an interesting twist on history. 

What I Am Reading Now:

I hadn't heard of this book before I saw it in a discount book catalog and thought it sounded interesting. After most of the weekend not having time to get into it I finally had some reading time today and I actually hated to put it down. It's chilling and tense and even though I can surmise a few of the upcoming plot points I can't wait to get back to it.

Up Next:

I watched the miniseries of this a few weeks ago and immediately picked up a copy of the book. I've been wanting to start it but I was delayed by the monstrosity that is House of Earth and Blood for most of February.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 24 February 2020

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! I finally finished a book this month and I'm nearly finished with a second! 

What I Read Last Week:

I finally finished reading House of Earth and Blood! I loved it but lately it takes me forever to finish massive tomes like this one. HOEAB took me 17 days!

What I Am Reading Now:

I'm trying to read a few of the books I plan to take to ApollyCon next month that I haven't already read so I started My Lady Jane while I was in a lull with House of Earth and Blood and I'm about 100 pages away from finishing it. I've had a copy on my kindle for several years but I never got around to reading it but I figured since I read and loved My Plain Jane I should go back and read it. It's so good and so funny.

Up Next:

The next book on my "Read Before ApollyCon" list is Malice by Pintip Dunn. I received a finished copy from Entangled Teen which was great since I was planning on getting a copy for the author to sign anyway.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? - 10 February 2020

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! So I finished the first draft of my latest novel and I finally have some reading time! (Yay!) 

What I Read Last Week/What I’m Currently Reading:

I managed to snag an ARC of this through a trade with another blogger and I am so excited to be reading one of my most anticipated reads of 2020. It’s so good so far...

Based on the sheer length of it and also editing the first draft of the previously mentioned newly finished novel this is my read for last week, this week, and probably into next week unless I have a ton of time to read this week.

What are you reading this week? Do you plan to read SJM’s adult debut?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 30 December 2019

#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.

Hey Bookdragons! It's the last Monday of 2019! Wow --- where did the year go?? I didn't get as much reading done last week with Christmas stuff going on but I did read a couple books...

What I Read Last Week:

I wasn't sure about this one at first but it took a turn for the best when Dax went to CVS to buy feminine products for his sister. I almost died laughing. And the narration on the audiobook was good. 

I loved this author's Pretty Little Liars series but I haven't read any of her adult books until now and I found myself loving this one right off. Everyone is hiding something... but is one of them hiding something worth killing for?

What I Am Reading Now:

I'm back to my traditional read going into the new year... I've read Texas Gothic every New Year's Eve for the last seven or so years and it still cracks me up. When the first line reads "The goat was in the tree again." you know you're in for something funny.

Up Next:

I haven't entirely figured out my TBR for January except for the two audiobooks I want to listen to: Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas and Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Since I've already read the rest of the books in the Throne of Glass series and have put off the finale for so long already I'm going to tackle Kingdom of Ash first.

How many books have you read in 2019? How many do you want to read in 2020? Do you have a January 2020 TBR list in place or are you winging it?