September Wrap-Up

Well, here we are in October my favorite month of the year! That means September is over and the crisp air and falling leaves can start....any time now! Please!!! Ahem. Anyway. September started out on a crazy trip to Oregon to furnish our vacation home, to fancying up the exterior of one of our duplexes to, well, nothing. Things seemed to have calmed down and I'm loving it! More time for reading, binge watching shows and enjoying the cooler weather....anytime now, Fall.

 I read 8 books this past month. 2 print books 3 ebooks and 3 audiobooks. Fairly balanced I'd say.

The Girl From The Well
A creepy read about a murdered girl who seeks revenge until she meets a boy with an even more creepy ghost attached to him.

Shadow and Bone (Grisha Verse 1)
All the regular ingredients to a fantasy but tasted delicious.

A Simple Favor
Stupid, pointless story with deplorable characters.

The Woman in Cabin 10
A likable character in a psychological thriller? I know! I'm shocked too!

The Orphan Keeper
Intriguing page turner about a kidnapped child and his journey home.

Before We Were Yours
Surprising with twists and turns through past and present.

Big Mushy Happy Lump
Get ready to laugh for the few minutes it will take to read this delightful book.

Siege and Storm (Grisha Verse 2)
Slower middle but still so yummy! (review to come)




And there you have it. Big Mushy Lump gets 5 stars because there's nothing to dislike and I'll definitely be reading it again but The Grisha books,The Woman in Cabin 10 and Before We Were Yours were all great books too.  Besides A Simple Favor, which was just awful, I had a pretty good reading month.

August Wrap-Up 2018

I'm finally getting a minute of downtime to do my wrap up post for August. Hopefully I can start getting some reviews written so there's SOMETHING going up on my blog. August was a crazy month!  With the trip to drive to Oregon at the end of the month looming and trying to get everything organized and packed my stress levels were through the roof. The trip went well, by the way, We made it there and back in one piece and after getting back home and both my husband and I crashing emotionally, I think we're finally back to finding some normalcy. Well, normalcy for us, anyway (we're painting at one of our rentals). Some how I managed eight books in August. Five of those were audiobooks which explains how I managed so many. Thank goodness for audiobooks, right?!

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart, Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer, Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz, Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris, First Comes Love by Emily Giffin, Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan, A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick and Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage.

Favorites of the month were Letters to the Lost and First Comes Love. Lease favorites were Bring Me Back and Genuine Fraud.

July Wrap-Up 2018

July, as I've mentioned before, is NOT my favorite month. It's just too hot! Even with a pool it's unbearable. And it seems to go on and on! Am I right? Anywho, I'm glad Dewy's 24 Hour Readathon decided to do a reverse reathathon. It was nice having something to look forward to and it really upped my reading numbers. I read 4 books for the readathon bringing my books read in July up to 11. I'm so close to reaching my Goodreads goal for the year and I still have so many months to go! Wahoo! Here's what I read.

Wishtree by Christine Applegate, The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, Bird Box by Josh Malerman, All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin, Startled By His Furry Shorts by Louise Rennison, Ship Out Of Luck by Neal Shusterman, A Grown Up Kind Of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson, Our Souls At Night by Kent Haruf, The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby, Kristy's Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier and Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer.

Phew! Favorite was Bird Box for sure. You must go read this book! Least favorite was Our Souls at Night and All We Ever Wanted but even those were two star reads.

June Wrap-Up 2018

June brought another crazy month around here. We FINALLY got our backyard finished; that dragged out way too long. I don't have complete pictures yet because I'm waiting for my husband to re-set the diving board for the pool so it's all perfectly complete. When that's done I'll be posting some very dramatic before and after pics. Seriously! I just hunted down the before pictures I took four years ago and it's NUTS! It look so different!

Besides all that craziness I had to finally go see a orthopedic surgeon for my thumb. It's been giving me grief for over a year. After an X-ray and an MRI, they determined that, no, I didn't injure the ligaments (yeah, I could have told them that) and that, no, there's no cancer, (thank goodness!) but that there's tendinitis (just as I suspected) and calcification around that joint that may be a cause or a result of the tendinitis. So basically they gave me another steroid shot and told me if it acts up again I'll most likely need surgery to remove the calcification. Can I just cut my thumb off? Grrrr!

And we have another real estate deal underway that's turning into a huge ordeal. When that's all done and set in stone I'll let you know know all about it. For now, I'm just trying to get ready for the pool party I'm having for Independence Day and trying to read as much as I can to counteract all the stress.

Here's what I managed in June. 8 books. Not bad.

The Resurrection of Joan Ashby by Cherise Wolas, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, The Broken Girls by Simone St. James, The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, The Optimist's Guide To Letting Go, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Favorite this month was Eleanor Oliphant. Least favorites were The Perfect Nanny and The Broken Girls.

May Wrap-Up 2018

For some reason I feel like I read a lot more in May then I really did. Seven books isn't bad but it felt like more. Sadly, there weren't any 5 star reads either. That's always a bummer. Oh well. May was eventful. My husband and I took a short vacation to our happy place; the Oregon coast and then less then two weeks later, spontaneously drove back for Memorial Day weekend.

How can this not be our happy place?! It's so beautiful! Anywho, I listened to two audiobooks on the drive which made it a tinsy bit more bearable but, dude, that's a LONG drive. Flying is much better. Here's my books.

Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy, Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Allbertalli, Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Allbertalli, Finnikin of the Rock my Melina Marchetta, Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin and Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. 

Favorite of the month was Being Friends With Boys. Least favorite was Finnikin of the Rock.

April Wrap-Up 2018

April was a busy month for me. With the concrete poured we got to start putting patio furniture in but that meant assembly which was a big headache. Plus it looks like spring is finally here and so we've had to start mowing at our rentals so....yeah, I'm crazy busy and when I get busy I often don't feel like reading in my downtime. So I didn't read that much this month. Dewy's 24 Hour Readthon helped me get two more books under my belt though.

Our new swing, Cliff has made himself at home, and the new fence on the north side of the house

Pergola minus the fire pit.  I'll get complete pictures one day

So there's a few pictures of the backyard for you. Now onto the books.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier, Optimists Die First by Susan Nielsen, Daughter of the Sun by Zoe Kalo, My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood, Ross Poldark by Winston Graham and Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Favorite of the month with five stars was Optimists Die First. Least Favorites was Daughter of the Sun.

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.

February Wrap-Up 2018

As February came to a close last night, I sat in bed wondering why I was glad it was over. I feel like I'm just tolerating life lately and can't wait for the day, week, month or the year to end. It's as if I think things will get better in the future. The truth is things are pretty good right now; in the moment but I'm in the habit of being grouchy. It doesn't help that February did have a lot of crappy things happen and that near the end of the month I hit a reading slump and my anxiety attacks went into high gear but all in all my life is good. I need to get out of this nasty habit of being irritated all of the time. Another thing I need to work on, right? Anyway, sorry to ramble. I managed 6 books in February. Most were read at the beginning of the month before my book hangover/reading slump hit.

Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff, The Women in the Window by A.J. Finn, White Tears by Hari Kunzru, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.

Favorite of the month and inducer of my book hangover and coinciding reading slump was The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett. Least Favorite was White Tears.

I also DNF two books this month.

Lincoln in the Bardo was one of the Tournament of Book books and it was just written in too weird of a style for me. Every Last Word just felt unedited and childish.

On to March where I hope to get out of my slump and read more and start having a better attitude. Now watch the universe really test my limits.

January Wrap-Up 2018

January is over and for some reason it felt like the longest month of my life! Maybe that explains why I managed to read so many (for me) books.

The first week of January my husband and I went to the Oregon coast, as I mentioned, and I didn't read a single book that week. So I'm impressed with my eight books. I chose this very unflattering picture of my husband because, well, I look better in it. I'm so nice!

Then, when we got back in town, my brother, who will be working on our backyard this spring, decided to get an early start because the weather has been so nice. Goodbye, dirt and weeds. You'll all be concrete soon!






So needless to say, it's been a wild January. Maybe that's why it felt so endless. Anywho, here's the books I read.

So Much Blue by Percival Everette, Annihilation by Jon VanderMeer, Idaho by Emily Ruskovich, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

No really bad books this month so that's something but no five stars either. I'd say So Much Blue, The Way of the Superior Man and Annihilation were my favorites of the month.

Worst Of 2017

And now the worst of 2017. I used to love doing these posts. I had so much fun bashing books. Sigh! Since I got married I've noticed I've lost my knack for ranting about books in a funny manner.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm too busy dealing with real life to muster up the energy to hate a book or if it's that whole compromise thing you have to learn in marriage that's making me look at books with more leniency but somethings off. I've also been much better at putting books down that aren't a match for me instead of forcing my way through them. I'm sure if I had forced my way through them they would have been one star reviews. Who knows! I did read some real doozys this year. I feel like my reviews were meaner than they were funny which makes me sad. I'm going to work on that.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma 
The WORST book this year for sure.

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutowski
I loved the first two books so this sad excuse for a ending left me shaking with rage.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett 
Eye twitching ensued while I read this one.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey 
I had to skim through the second half of this one just to finish it.

The Girl From The Sea by Shalini Boland
Oi! I really don't like the trend these types of books are following. I also felt the writing was horribly amateurish.

While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft
Another one I had to skim through just to finish. The writing was an unedited mess.

I guess just six books that I downright disliked isn't too bad right? Ugh! See how I couldn't even use the word hate? I'm not sure what's wrong with me. 

The Best Of 2017

I know, I know. Not ANOTHER  2017 wrap up  post. Sorry but I felt like taking a look back on the best of 2017.

As I went back through all the books I read in 2017 to come up with this list I realized I wanted to highlight the books I loved but also the books that stood out in my mind the most. So I had some five star reads that aren't making it to this list which makes me realize I might change their rating on Goodreads. Anywho, here they are!

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Since I've disliked everything else by Rowell this one shocked me. I'm in love with Lincoln and his story.

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
Romantic, funny yet heartbreaking, this one will stick out in my mind for a long time and be reread often.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Hilarious! I laughed so hard I cried.

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
A book with more than just an idea but actual solutions and actions to take.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne 
Great ideas presented here.

IT by Stephen King
King never ceases to amaze me. This wasn't a horror story it was beautiful.

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney 
I liked this one but was surprised how the story stuck with me all year. I'll be rereading this one for sure.

The Break Down by B.A. Paris
Love this newer author. Her tales are suspenseful and wrap up so deliciously.

Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Frank will stick with me for a long time. Adorable story.

Sweet Lamb of Heaven by Lydia Millet 
Symbolism done right.

And there you have it! The best, most memorable books I read in 2017. 

December Wrap Up 2017

December ended more than a week ago, and for me it almost feels like it ended months ago because I spent New Years Ever and New Years day and the following week vacationing on the Oregon coast. My husband and I have decided to make it a tradition to ring in the New Year on the there. Of course, for us, ringing in the New Year means my husband has a glass of wine or champagne and I pass out at 10ish. Good times! So, anywho, that's why it's been so quiet around here and, I know, you're sick to death of end of the year wrap up posts but I've got to do this one for my own sanity. It helps me to look back at the month and also to make sure I've got all my reviews linked. As you may remember, I read a few books in December but then rewarded myself for reaching my Goodreads goal by rereading some books. I won't bother adding the rereads to my wrap up so this should be quick. Here you go!

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
A "self help" book that was awesome!

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert
A sweet love story with a fun setting.




And there you have it. See? That wasn't so bad, now was it?  My favorite of the two has to go to You Are A Badass but I loved The Simplicity of Cider too so no least favorites. I also reread three books. And now, onward into the new year!

End Of The Year Book Survey 2017

It's that time of year again! I can never decide whether to just post my top ten favorite books and top ten least favorites or participate in Jamie's End Of The Year Survey. I think I usually rotate or something. Well, anyway, here we are and I decided to participate this year. Enjoy! 

Number Of Books You Read:71
Number of Re-Reads: 4
Genre You Read The Most From: I have no idea. Probably contemporary/thriller/suspense



1. Best Book You Read In 2017?

Ketchup Clouds was my first five star review of the year and while I loved several other books this year too, this one sticks out in my mind. It's romantic, heartbreaking and humorous and I loved it!

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Daughter of Smoke and Bone and it's sequel's were on my TBR list forever. I thought I'd love them but in the end. I found them too long and unimpressive.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

Attachments blew me away, guys! I've disliked every other Rainbow Rowell book and then I read this one. I adored it! 

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

I wouldn't say I pushed The Sugar Queen but I did always think my book club should read a Sarah Addison Allen book and they finally did.

5. Best series you started in 2017?  The Winner's Curse.  

Best Sequel of 2017?  The Winner's Crime

Best (WORST) Series Ender of 2017?The Winner's Kiss seriously hated the ending of this series. And the series as a whole had so much promise. 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?

Amy E. Reichert


7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

This one was such a strange little story that I normally never would have picked up. I ended up loving it.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

OK, this one was a little too long to be unputdownable but it sure wasn't hard to pick back up.

9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?

11. Most memorable character of 2017?

Frank from Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson. And this one didn't even take a minute to think about. Read the book and you'll see what I mean.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

Not a book I'd recommend AT ALL but it was beautifully written and I plan on giving the author another chance.


13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read? 

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?

I'm no good at these. I'm not a highlighter. 

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

 

SHORTEST BOOK

112 pages

Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson:...

by Patricia Briggs

LONGEST BOOK

1,478 pages

It

by Stephen King

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Love her twisty endings!

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Lincoln and Beth from Attachments. 

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Jane and Jasper from Jane Unlimited

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

Lincoln from Attachments. Seriously LOVE him!

23. Best 2017 debut you read?

I didn't read any debut books this year. Weird.


24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Not a favorite book by far, but a very fascinating world.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?

Still not sure I understood what was going on in this one.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I don't like these types of endings at all!

~Blogging in 2017~ 

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017?

Melody's Reading Corner and Do You Dog-Ear? 


2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?

Sweet Lamb of Heaven was another favorite read of the year and I tried very hard to convince people to read it.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

Guys, I only had one sort of discussion post on my blog this year! One! So sad. 

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

Can't think of any. I know I went to a few but I've really cut down on author events. 

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

I love that even though all I post are reviews anymore that there's still people out there blogging and reading my blog. 

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Finding more time to blog! And finding the time to blog when I'm in the mood. I have a list of discussion posts I want to write but....yeah. 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My Review of Forgotten got lots of views. Funny because I didn't like the book.


8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

 

I wish my Friday Flicks movie reviews got a little more love but it's all good.


9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

Well, I love Overdrive and have come to adore audiobooks but I've also really gotten into book buying at thrift stores. The hunt is so fun! I plan on writing a how to post about this one day. 

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
 

I did! I surpassed my Goodreads goal of 60 books and I was going to try to read some series. Not one book in a series but a whole series all at once. I read three this year and am very proud of myself!

It's been another fun year! With my growing love of audiobooks and the huge stacks of books I bring home from thrift stores reading is obviously still a huge love of mine! I can't wait for 2018 and what it will bring!