It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 21 January 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.

What I Read Last Week:

I had to rearrange my reading schedule so I could squeeze this one in before my blog tour date, January 30. I really, really liked it though! Definitely worth picking up right away.

OMG this book was funny and dark! I was so happy when my library hold came through so I could read this one.

What I Am Reading Now:

This one has been on my TBR list for quite awhile and it's new to my library's overdrive so I was able to borrow a copy, finally.

Up Next:

I'm torn. I have this ARC to read on my kindle before Valentine's Day but I also kind of want to start reading Doctor Zhivago but what if reading Doctor Zhivago takes me forever? Decisions, decisions...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 24 December 2018

#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:

I did not get a whole lot of reading done last week due to work and prepping for the holidays, but I did read this chapter sampler for Enchantee and I really liked it.

What I Am Reading Now:

I'm about halfway through this because I set it down to start reading Romanov by Nadine Bandes and I wanted to finish it over the weekend, but hopefully by Wednesday.

When I saw this cover and the blurb it became a must read and luckily I got an eARC so Grave Mercy had to take a back seat. I regret nothing, I'm loving this one!

Up Next:

It's almost time for my yearly re-read of Texas Gothic! I reread this book every year around New Year's Eve. It's a favorite.

It's Monday! What are you reading? - December 17

#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:

I am loving the Illuminae Files and Gemina was as fantastic as Illuminae. I didn't think I would like Hanna and Nik as much as Kady and Ezra but I did! Can't wait to read Obsidio.

OMG! I finally finished it! I loved it, but my interest in audiobooks is waning. I used to listen on my walk home but now my walk is shorter so... yeah. Took me a month to get to.

I could not get into this one which was disappointing because I was so excited about this book. It reminded me of The Hazel Wood, which I didn't like either. 

What I Am Reading Now:

Nuns that are assassins. Yeah, I'm just going to leave it at that. I started this over the weekend and am loving it!

Up Next:

Idk! Should I read this next or should I wait until closer to the release date?? This is one of those series enders that I'm dying to read yet I want to savor every minute of. We'll see how I feel after Grave Mercy.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading! December 10

#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:

I usually love Tijan's books but this one was a miss for me. It's supposed to be the starter of a new series but I think it's connected to a different series which might be why I couldn't get into it. I didn't understand what the "crew" nonsense was. If they weren't a gang, then what were they?

Crimson Peak is my favorite movie and I've been dying to read the novelization! It stuck true to the movie, but gave the reader more depth into minds Edith, Alan, and the other characters which I loved. 

What I Am Reading Now:

I loved Illuminae and luckily I was able to get Gemina through my local library's overdrive system and I dove right in. The only think I don't like is that the formatting doesn't look as cool in ebook format - I wish I would have gotten a physical copy from the library. But I'm devouring the story all the same.

Yep! Still no progress. No excuses, just no time to listen.

Up Next:

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #124

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm catching up with an ARC of a recently released Rock Star Romance before diving into the next Throne of Glass novel. This week I'm reading...

Rock Legends (Nothing But Trouble, #2) by Tara Leigh

Blurb:

Fans of Kristen Callihan, L.J. Shen, and Kylie Scott will scream for this sizzling bad boy rock star romance!

I'm no Prince Charming.

Most people know me as the drummer for Nothing but Trouble. Depending who you ask, I'm also a playboy, a loner, the life of the party, a screw-up, or according to my fans, "The Sexiest Rock Star on the Planet." Apparently, I'm a legend.

Am I surprised? Hell, no. It's a reputation I've earned behind my drum kit and behind closed doors. No one thought foster kid Landon Cox would become famous. Infamous, maybe. Notorious, probably. But successful? Never. No one except Piper Hastings. But I had to make a choice: my woman or my career. I picked fame and fortune... and spent every damn day since pretending I don't regret it.

Now fate's dropped Piper back into my life. I want to believe it's a second chance for me - for us. But while I can give her a few great nights, I can't give Piper a future.

Because there's a difference between a legend and a fairy tale...

Only one of them ends happily ever after.

Why I Requested This Book | What I Think So Far

I requested to be part of the Blog Tour for Rock Legend after reading and loving Rock King. When I got the ARC I was afraid I wouldn't like it as much as Rock King but so far I like it a lot. It's always kind of strange to see characters I loved so much in a previous book just in the background of the next book like Delaney and Shane are but I'm easily falling for Landon and really liking Piper which I wasn't sure I would. I kind of skipped to the end and now I can't wait to get there!

next up for me...

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Blurb:

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Timesbest-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #123

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading an ARC of a fantasy novel I posted about several weeks ago in a "Waiting On Wednesday" post...

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

Why I Requested This Book | What I Think So Far:

I requested this book on Netgalley after reading an excerpt online and loving the beginning of the book. I was approved for an ARC and started reading this book late Monday night. I like the book so far but for a main character Anouk is a bit too sheltered and innocent for my taste. I'm hoping she'll grow some steel and become a strong female lead by the time the book is done. I'm curious about the much-mentioned Luc and sure that Beau is interested in Anouk and fascinated by the witches and the baubles they create for "the pretties." I'm interested to see how this book ends. 

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #113

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm 2/3 through with a popular book that I finally caved and read and I'm also re listening to Caraval in audiobook ahead of Legendary's May release (and yes, I've preordered!). This is what I'm reading this week...

Six of Crows (Six of Crows Duology #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Blurb:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price–and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:

I finally caved and picked up this book at the library because it seems like everyone in the world has read and loved this book except me and I was finally ready to give it a chance. I debated between getting the audiobook and buying the new paperback edition off Amazon but decided to check it out from the library first. I'm actually surprised that I like it as much as I do. I don't like it as much as the Grisha trilogy, but I'm invested in the storyline and the characters and I'm interested to see if the crew can make it into the Ice Court and break Bo Yul-Bayur out. There are sections of this book that seem to lag as the characters delve back into their pasts but I'm learning to get used to it. 

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #108

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading a recent release before I dive into my February ARC reading...

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Blurb:

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far:

I've wanted to read about this book since I first heard about it last summer and of course I had to have a signed personalized copy from the Good Choice Reading virtual signing (signed books are my obsession after all). I wasn't going to start The Cruel Prince until February but I got slammed with eARCs for next month and wanted to start something on Monday night so I picked this one up. Plus I got The Coldest Girl From Coldtown from the library and wanted to see if I liked the author's writing style before I tried that one. 

This book started out different than I expected. I'm used to fantasy novels that take place entirely in fantasy worlds not books that start in the "normal" world and then transport to a faerie world so that threw me off a little but the story did grab me that first night. If it hadn't have been after 1 AM I think I probably would have read 50-60 pages that night. 

I'm interested to see where this one goes. 

#BookTag Saturday: The Rapid Fire Book Tag

This week I'm doing another tag from Bookstagram, the #RapidFireBookTag...

🔥 Online or In-Store Buying?

Online. It's hard for me to get to an actual bookstore these days and Walmart's selection sucks.

🔥 Trilogy or Series?

Trilogy, I lose interest after about 3 or 4 books. 

🔥 A Book You Want Everyone To Read?

My newest book, CurseBreaker. 🤣

🔥 Last Book You Finished?

There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

🔥 Weirdest Thing You've Ever Used As A Bookmark?

One of those thick nail files

🔥 Used Books?

Absolutely! I live for discount books!

🔥 Three Favorite Genres?

Fantasy, Romance, Thriller/Horror

🔥 Borrow or Buy?

Buy. I might as well since it costs $8 just to get to the library. And then I always have to order books from other libraries. 

🔥 Character or Story?

This is sort of a trick question. You can't have one without the other. Although I have DNF'd books just because I hated the main character.

🔥 Long or Short Books?

If a book is 300 pages or less I'm a happy girl.

🔥 Long or Short Chapters?

Eh, somewhere in the middle I guess. If a chapter is like 50 pages I want to strangle the author.

🔥 A Book That Made You Cry or Laugh?

Cry: Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly, Laugh: pretty much any book by Meg Cabot or Jennifer Crusie

🔥 Our world or fictional?

Fictional

🔥 Audiobooks?

Not really my thing.

🔥 Do You Judge Books by their cover?

Yeah, which is how I've ended up with a lot of pretty but unlikeable books.

🔥 A Book You Prefer to the movie/tv show?

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Just rewatched the miniseries last night... it still doesn't hold a candle to the book)

🔥 A movie/tv show you prefer to the book?

Bitten, Under the Dome, Austenland, 13 Reasons Why

🔥 Series or Standalone?

Standalone, unless a series is complete. I grow tired of waiting a year in between books.

#BookTag Saturday: The Library Lovers Book Tag

This week's book tag Saturday prompt comes from Coffee Break - YA/NA/MG.

1. How often do you visit you local library?

Maybe once a year?

2a. Are you the type of person who checks out more books than you know you can read or are you someone who only checks out the exact amount of books you intend on reading before they are due?

I'm the checks-out-too-many-books type. Renewing is a common thing, unless most of the books turn out to be duds which also happens a lot.

2b. How many books do you check out each month? 

Zero. Seriously, I go to the library maybe once or twice a year. And usually only because they have a book I want to read but I'm not sure I want to spend money buying.

3. How old were you when you got your first library card?

Six maybe? I was always losing them when I was a kid.

4. Do you go to your library looking for a particular book or do you check out anything that peaks your interest?

A little bit of both. I usually go in for a specific book and pick up a bunch of others that either grab my eye or I've been meaning to read. 

5. Do you use your library to check out just books or do you also check out dvds, audiobooks etc.?

Just books for me.

6. From what section of your library do you check out a majority of your books? ( YA, middle grade, adult, nonfiction.)

Young Adult or Romance mostly.

7a. What is your favorite part of using your local library?

Libraries in general (I don't like my local so I go to one about 40 miles away): It's free and if I don't like a book I didn't waste $18+ buying it.

7b. What is your least favorite part of using your local library?

My local library never has what I'm looking for so I either have to send for books from other branches or go to those branches to pick up from them directly.

November Wrap Up

It's December! How did that get here? Where did 2017 go? It's what some people (not me) call the 'most wonderful time of the year. December is the time of year when people are hurriedly searching for deals and maxing their credit cards out on gifts that their "loved ones" are most likely going to cash in for store credit anyway, but I digress. Let's just call me the Grinch reincarnate. November was a month that seemed to pass in the blink of an eye and I don't feel like I got much done at all. Here's what I got up to last month...

READING

Books I Reviewed In November:

- Haven by Mary Lindsey

- Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

- Glitter by Aprilynne Pike (Reread)

- Begin Again by Mona Kasten

- Six Little Secrets by Katlyn Duncan

Books I Read In November: 

- Glitter by Aprilynne Pike (Reread)

- Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

- CurseBreaker (by me!) - PROOFREAD

- Undone by Wendy Higgins

- Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill

Books to-be-read in December:

December is going to my ARC catch up month:

- Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

- Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

- The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

- By A Curse and A Charm by Jaime Questell 

- Furyborn by Claire Legrand

- Renegades by Marissa Meyer

eBooks I Want To Squeeze In:

- Unearthed After Sunset by Lauryn April

- Legacy by Jesikah Sundin

WRITING

November was a really bad writing month. I did some short story writing, but my main writing project for NaNoWriMo, Monsters & Mist finished the month almost where I started... at about 6700 words. 

BLOGGING

 In November participated in my usual cover reveals and release day blitzes (although there were more cover reveals than anything else), participated in a blog tour for Six Little Secrets, and read Undone by Wendy Higgins for an upcoming December blog tour.

PUBLISHING

In November, I got the Kindle Preorder up for CurseBreaker, did one last round of proofreading from my paperback ARC, and put up a sign-up for the CurseBreaker Blog Tour (Jan. 1-5, 2018) besides promoting my books and stories on social media.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I'm Thankful For

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'm Thankful For

This week's  TTT is all about books I'm thankful for in honor of Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. From books that made me fall in love with genres I balked at before to books that sparked my love for reading or helped me on my career path, or just books I feel damn lucky to have been able to read; these are the books I'm thankful for this season...


The Great Hunt and Unknown by Wendy Higgins

A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

the 2015 Guide to Self-Publishing

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

East O' The Sun and West O' The Moon

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie

These are just a few of the books that I'm thankful they exist. What are some books you're thankful for? 
Drop me a link to yours!
Happy reading bookdragons and have an amazing Thanksgiving!
- 💀Taylor