Sometimes you just want to read all the books at the same time and that's when the overly ambitious TBR comes into play. At the end of June I'm going on a road trip from Portland to San Diego and back again with a friend I haven't seen the last two years. I'm so excited, but I really want to get some reading done before I go. Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine I have a feeling this is right up my alley. I don't know much about it, but the series is called The Great Library. Everything involving bookception is bound to be amazing. The third and final book, Ash and Quill, comes out July 11th and it would be awesome to be completely absorbed in the world without waiting too … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2017
Top Five: Favorite Audiobook Narrators
One of my favorite activities is to go for a walk while listening to an audiobook. Hell, I like listening when I clean, empty the dishwasher, do laundry, really just when I'm doing something potentially boring. It's a great way to be productive while at the same time being absorbed in a book and let's be real, if you're reading this that is what you love most. But the enjoyment of an audiobook often depends as much on the performance of the narrator as the actual story. Five Stephen Fry is just great, I really enjoyed his performance of the first Sherlock Holmes book, A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He narrates Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive collection, which is 72 hours … [Read more...]
Book Haul: Second Hand
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a huge second hand store and I was so lucky. I've always loved watching the TV adaptions of Miss Marple and Poirot. But I hadn't read any of Agatha Christie's book until I read At Bertram's Hotel two years ago. I liked it, but I was not so wowed that I just had to continue reading all of them at that time. Fast forward to the second hand store. They friggin' had three new Facsimile of first edition copies of Murder on the Orient Express, The ABC Murders and Then There Were None. The best thing though, was that they were only 2 dollars per book. Of course I bought all three, who in their right mind wouldn't. Murder on the Orient Express Synopsis from … [Read more...]
Books That Would Make Great TV Shows
Despite what I wrote in this post. I actually do enjoy watching TV. Reading is like watching a show in your head, it's the best thing ever. But sometimes I just really want to see some of those books adapted to the small screen. In recent years there has been a boom in the popularity of TV shows over movies and I am all for it. The Diviners by Libba Bray would be awesome as a TV show. New York City in the roaring twenties with a dash of supernatural. Sign me up. The museum of the creepy crawlies that the main character's uncle runs is a perfect buffyesque gathering place. I can draw more parallels between Buffy and The Diviners. The cast of characters is reminiscent of the scooby gang. … [Read more...]
Put on your party hats people, Lord of Shadows came out today!
In preparation for the release of Lord of Shadows I really wanted to reread Lady Midnight, refresh my memory and write a proper review. Buuuuuut, I forgot to do it in time. So instead I'm gonna stay strong, hopefully dodge all the spoilers but still follow my original plan. I've wanted to read Lord of Shadows since Lady Midnight was released in the beginning of May last year. I met Cassandra Clare at a signing last year in Dublin It was a great time though I was so nervous I almost couldn't say hi. She was really sweet and she gave me the Morgenstern ring necklace she was wearing. I fangirled hard as you can probably imagine. My cheeks were blushing so hard that I looked like a … [Read more...]
The Reading Slump – A Comedic Guide to Waging War Against TV
The readers worst enemy is The infamous Reading Slump. It can infect you at any time and there's no knowing when it will be over. The symptoms are as follows: Inability to finish a book, even one you might enjoy (The Reading Slump does not discriminate). Renders the reader unable to start a book. Tears of frustration. Misery. Scientists have yet to discover the cause of this horrid phenomenon. Among certain groups of readers, The Reading Slump is said to have been developed and unleashed by TV worshippers in an attempt to rid the world of book lovers. I cannot confirm nor deny this claim *blink* *blink*. We must stick together in the fight against it. We must keep reading … [Read more...]
Recommendations: Middle Grade
Middle grade fiction is not just for a younger audience, take me for example, I'm 23 years old and I love reading the genre. The thing I adore about the following three series is that it's filled with wonder and awe about the world the characters encounter on their adventures. Alcatraz vs The Evil Librarians series by Brandon Sanderson. From goodreads: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians is the first adventure in a fantasy series for young readers by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. The fast-paced and funny series is now available in deluxe hardcover editions illustrated by Hayley Lazo. On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry gets a bag … [Read more...]
And I Darken by Kiersten White
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Lada is brutal and sometimes downright cruel. She's a complex character, because she is also capable of love. As much as she picks on her 'weak' younger brother, Radu, when push comes to shove, she loves him like nothing else. The story is never black and white. The most important parts are in the nuances, which makes the story come to life and makes it able to impact the reader with honest emotion and unavoidable facts of life. Like the story, the characters are outlined with ink-black broad hard strokes and slowly layered with color and nuance of strengths and weaknesses. Vlad the Impaler reimagined as Lada is one hundred percent human, which is more … [Read more...]
Top Five: Least Favorite Romance Tropes in YA
FIVE Love triangles. Now this is one that can be done right, but is mostly done wrong. It's simply unrealistic, at least for most people. I can't recall ever reading about a love triangle with two girls fighting over a guy, but the other way around is so common in young adult. A series that does it right is Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices. I'm team Will, but both Will and Jem are just so great. Tessa is lucky to have been loved by two such lovable characters. I loved reading about the three of them fighting demons and sharing a strong bond of friendship and love. I can only think of a few examples where I enjoyed reading about a love triangle, the rest fall … [Read more...]
Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault by Candace Robinson
EDIT APRIL 30th 2018: This review is of an old version of the book. A new and revised version is being released in June 2018. *I received an arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* DISCLAIMER: This is my own personal opinion based on my enjoyment of the book. Some of the problems I had with the writing style may have been resolved in the finished copy, so please note that my opinion was formed after reading an advance copy. ⭐⭐/5 stars. Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault is an impressive weaving of horror stories and fairytales set in a place of evil incarnate. It's filled with twists and turns, some you'll be able to spot if you're reading closely, and others … [Read more...]
