Read-a-Thon 2018

It's here again! As you can tell from my post coming up 4 hours into the read-a-thon, I'm woefully under prepared. I just woke up, actually. What?! It's Saturday! No, I'm actually a horrible participant. I just read when I get up till I go to bed. One of these days I'll try to pull the full 24 hours but today is not that day.

I have my books and my snacks and my kitties, though so I think I'm good. I won't be updating here on the blog but you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Let's do this thing!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

Utah. USA.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

A book I added to the stack later. Being Friends with Boys by Terra Elan Mcvoy, It's been on my TBR forever! 

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Honestly? I just want to go eat the muffins I got for breakfast.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

Married to the most awesome man ever, no kids, and constantly remodeling or working on some project. 

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

I've participated numerous times, though I didn't participate 6 months ago. I doubt I'll do too much different. Just try to read, read, read! 

Review: My Sister's Bones

Title My Sister's Bones
By Nuala Ellwood
Genre Adult suspense
Format ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Kate never wanted to return to her hometown. The place holds nothing but bad memories but when her mother dies she has to return to her old home, her alcoholic sister and the memories. On the first night of her stay in her old home she hears a horrible scream and sees a little boy in the neighbors yard but the neighbor claims to have no children. Is Kate losing her mind or is something much more sinister going on?

First Sentence
"Would you like me to repeat the question?"

These books are really gaining in popularity: Suspenseful mysteries with an unreliable narrator. I couldn't resist this one and it was available on Overdrive so I dove right in.

I was going through a bit of a non reading mood and I couldn't tell if it was that or if the beginning was really that slow because I had a hard time getting into it. There were tons of typos too and I was under the impression this was published by a traditional publisher but it felt more self published and messy.

Still, I started to get into it about half way through and while I saw one big twist coming, I didn't see the other. I like when these books catch me by surprise.

While I didn't find this one as great as I wanted to, I found it entertaining enough but I doubt I'll be checking anything else out by this author.

Review: Optimists Die First

Title Optimists Dies First
By Susan Nielsen
Genre YA Contemporary
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
A tragedy in Petula's past has made her see danger everywhere she looks. Forced to take an art therapy course to deal with her  issues she's trying to fly under the radar. But when Jacob joins the art class and ruffles her calm existence she'll have to face her fears.

First Sentence
The first time I saw the Bionic Man I was covered in sparkles.




This one has been on my radar since it's release last year. I'd heard good things. So when I needed something cute and quick I downloaded a copy and started to listen. These are my favorite types of stories: Cute and romantic while also having issues the characters are dealing with.

I listened to this one all in one go and found it absolutely perfect. There were things about the characters I didn't understand or relate to but I was perfectly happy to join them in their journey.

Because I listened to this one in one sitting I was afraid it wouldn't stick with me but I the characters are so memorable, even the side characters, that I still remember each of them and still love them all.

If I had to complain I might say everything wrapped up too cleanly but after looking at it again I don't think that's true. This is one of those books I don't  just want to recommend but push on everyone I know. So go! Read it!

Review: Ross Poldark

Title Ross Poldark (Poldark #1)
By Winston Graham
Genre Adult Classic
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Ross Poldark arrives home to Cornwall from the war to find his father has passed away and the girl he loved married to his cousin. Trying to get his father's house and copper mine back in order he tries to deal with his grief.

First Sentence
It was windy.





Another book club read. I've seen  season one of the TV series and had so much fun ogling Aiden Turner that I was eager to read and compare the book. Sadly, I found the book so similar to the series that I couldn't find a reason to read it. In fact, I struggled so much that I finally just downloaded the audio and listened to it while working.

Listening helped make it go faster. I found it so similar that I could zone out at points and quickly orient myself when I started paying attention again. I know, I know! That's awful of me. I didn't hate the book I just found it a bit boring when compared to the show.

There were some differences, of course, but nothing so monumental that I could justify reading the book. I guess what I'm saying is, just watch the show and ogle Aiden Turner and skip the book.

March Wrap-Up 2018

March has come and gone and hopefully it took the snow with it. Remember how my backyard is getting redone? Well, the last day in March they poured new concrete! It's coming together now. I'm super excited!

It's looking good, right? AND I read 11 whole books! I'm super happy about this.

The Five Thieves of Happiness by John B Izzo, Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, Summerlost by Ally Condie, Pivot Point by Kasie West, I Liked my Life by Abby Fabiaschi, Eliza And Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia, Geekerella by Ashley Poston, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume and The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli.

I think I liked pretty much all of them this time! Top rated were, I Liked My Life, The Upside of Unrequited and The Five Thieves of Happiness. Nothing less than three stars so I think it's safe to say there's no bad ones here.

Review: Geekerella

Title Geekerella
By Ashley Poston
Genre YA Contemporary Romance
Format Audiobook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Elle lives with her step mom and sisters and works in a food truck that sells pumpkin flavored everything. She misses her dad and the bond they shared over Starfield, an old TV show with a crazy fandom. When Hollywood decided to reboot the old TV show into a movie and casts Hollywood's boy toy Darien Freeman, Elle is furious. What would a egotistical set of abs know about her beloved Starfield? When she sees a cosplay contest at the famous Excelsicon with a cash prize and a ticket to LA for the movie premier as the prize, Elle sees her chance to escape.

First Sentence
The stepmonster is at it again.

I've heard great things about this one and I'm always up for a fairytale retelling so when this one came up on Overdrive on audio I snatched it up.

I like retellings but I always want the author to make the story their own with enough uniqueness to make it worth reading. While I didn't feel like this one was quite unique enough, I liked it.

It was cute and fun and just plain adorkable. I loved that Elle and Darien got to know each other before they met so it wasn't just stupid instalove. We all hate that, am I right? I also loved that the "coach" was a food truck. Did I already say adorkable?

The writing was good and the characters relatable but I do wish that the story took a few more obvious deviations from the original story than it did. Oh well. I'd still recommend it and don't regret reading it one little bit.