WWWednesday | March 11th 2020 | Mini Life Update

It’s been 6 weeks since I’ve updated my blog and there are a couple of reasons for that. One is I GOT ENGAGED! and the other is that I’m currently doing work on my house so I can sell it. I have been reading but I haven’t been talking about what I’ve been reading. I haven’t been feeling as close to the word as I used to be. All that to say, I’ll be looking forward to checking in about more than just books, but also a little peek into my life.

WWW Wednesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do to participate is answer three questions: 

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Ninth House. I’m about 5 chapters in and it sure is interesting but I’m finding the Mary Sue aspect a little frustrating. (For those who are not familiar, a Mary Sue character is a character who is basically the chosen one and excels at everything) Even though Alex (Galaxy, weird name but okay) is failing at academic school work, (I mean it’s Yale…so yeah) the other part of her existence at the school is going well. Also the back and forth of the story timeline is a bit confusing but I will most likely just fault my brain for that.

What did you recently finish reading?

Twice In A Blue Moon by Christina Lauren. I would probably categorize this book as an epic fail. I really want to kick myself for not posting an absolutely epic rant when I finished this two weeks ago. In a small nut shell, there is a girl on holiday when her grandma, she meets a hot dude, tells hot dude secret, hot dude sells secret. They met again 10 years later on a movie shoot of his screenplay and they fall in love. I have so many issues with this book and main character, possibly because I have self respect but not withstanding, there is nothing more ridiculous in a romance book than a woman was wronged then comforting the man who wronged her…like seriously. What are y’all doing? So anyway that was a dumpster fire and the first part of the book was way too long. Okay, I’m done.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Honestly I don’t know. Maybe y’all could leave something in the comments. I’ll be posting a combined January and February wrap up because it was a small amount of books.

What’s your WWW?

Top Ten Tuesday | December 3rd, 2019

Hi! What’s up? Hello, my reckless readers!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Today’s prompt is Holiday Reads (Books you love reading during the holiday season.)

Most of these books are also movies!

Top Ten Tuesday | November 26th, 2019

Hi! What’s up? Hello, my reckless readers!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

For this Top Ten Tuesday, I thought I would list the top three books I’m grateful/thankful for.

I read a ton of books, especially this year and there are some books that have changed me as a human and made me thankful for my life and some that literally wrecked me. Of course, just thankful for a good read! 

1. Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune – I’ve mentioned this book a couple of times. I really loved this book. As a reading experience, it set itself apart with humor and magical realism that I wasn’t expecting by that I really loved. 
2. No Exit – I’ve never read a book that had my heart rate up to fat-burning zone for hours until I read this book. A crick in my neck later, I sat there on my bed saying “OMG” over and over to myself. It’s an action thriller that I’ve never encountered before or since. 
3. Small Little Things – I’m not the heavy book kind of girl. But the subject matter was dear to my heart and I was better for reading it. 

What’s your Thankful Freebie?

Mini Review Monday |November 25th 2019

So I want to do a Mini Review Monday, on the weeks that I don’t get something in the mail, because let’s face it, I’m on a book buying ban. Also I read a lot of books in one month and some of them are just okay or they don’t really get me ranting or raving, but I still want to share how I felt about them.

So this week’s mini review is about After the End by Clare MacKintosh.

I don’t make it a habit to read heavy books but this one shook me. I don’t have children so I couldn’t know what these people were going through but the first part of the book was phenomenal. The second part, not so much. It is something that I struggle with quite often. This story reminds me of Jodi Piccolt’s My Sister’s Keeper but only so far as it has to do with children and cancer and the effects on the family. One of the things that I appreciated was the doctor’s perspective. It made for a more comprehensive read, but there were parts that didn’t need to be in there. Also the sliding door thing? I didn’t like it when The Two Lila Bennetts did it and don’t like it now.

In both iterations/forks in the wood, (I hated the fact that Robert Frost’s poem is used because the poem doesn’t represent indecision, it represents taking the path that not everyone else takes and that will set you apart.) Pip is the bad guy, and even when Max does some messed up stuff, there is more empathy shown for him. The narrative in that way did not feel equal. Because of the sliding doors narrative, we don’t get a definitive ending. As much as I appreciate this contemporary novel for bringing such a heavy subject to life, I don’t think that it as executed well. 

That was it. Short and sweet. Let me know if you like this format.

F is For Friday | November 22th, 2019

Happy Friday, ya’ll! I’m in a little bit of a reading slump! But I’m working through it. I think it’s because I have been getting a bit burnt out. Too many things going on and next week is Thanksgiving, so I want to just CHILL! 

F is for Friday is a meme created by Nomadic Worlds! 

Questions:

F – Feature your latest book obsession (it doesn’t have to be your current read)

I – Indicate which book/s you are looking forward to reading this weekend.

F – Favorite quote of the week/day

F – Five things you’re happy or grateful for this week.

---

FEATURE YOUR LATEST BOOK OBSESSION (IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR CURRENT READ)

I did a Sunday Spotlight about this book and I can’t stop recommending it to anyone who asks me for a book recommendation, which is basically anyone who knows that I operate a blog. Little Voices is in one word: iconic.

INDICATE WHICH BOOK/S YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THIS WEEKEND.

I went a little YA crazy in the library this week. After a week of not borrowing anything. There are a few POC YA in this stack that I am here for! It didn’t exist when I was a kid, so it’s pretty awesome that I can read about people who look like me!

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK/DAY

Minds win wars, not muscles.

Diane – The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth

FIVE THINGS YOU’RE HAPPY OR GRATEFUL FOR THIS WEEK

1. For the library. Seriously, I would be so broke if I had to buy all the books in order for me to read as much as I do!
2. For my relationship with the sweetest guy ever. Basically if I say I need a reading day, he leaves me be, which is all an introvert really asks for.
3. I finally have stop buying a bunch of stuff for my happy planner. It’s seriously addictive.
4. I’ve finally started to accept my flaws, physical and otherwise.
5. I’m getting a posting schedule together and trying to stick to it!

What are y’all grateful for? I am grateful for all of you! Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

WWW Wednesday | November 20th 2019

Good morning, ya’ll! I thought today was Thursday. This is the longest week ever! I did manage to get a couple books read. It’s the 20th (I was going to say it was mid-month, but we’re past that) and I have read 10 books! 

WWW Wednesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do to participate is answer three questions: 

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

---

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? 

After the End by Clare Mackintosh

I heard I Let You Go was good and then I DNFed it a couple month back. This book is more of contemporary fiction which I’m good with and it reminds me of Jodi Piccolt’s book, My Sister’s Keeper. I have read a couple of reviews that say the first part is good and the second part isn’t, but we shall see.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth

After DNFing, The Other Woman by Sandie Jones, I was very reluctant to pick up another book where the primary conflict is between the wife and the mother in law. This was a pleasant surprise as far as the relationship is concerned, but I had all sorts of issues with this one, and that rant review will be coming out tomorrow, so stay tuned.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL READ NEXT?

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

I did get a text from the library that my hold for Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson has come in so, I’m basically pushing all the other books I have to read out of the way to read that one.

What’s your WWW?

Top Ten Tuesday | November 19th, 2019

Hi! What’s up? Hello, my reckless readers!

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Today’s prompt is Changes In My Reading Life (Maybe you like different genres or topics, maybe you read faster than you used to, maybe you only like standalones now)

The biggest change in my reading is that I actually track my reading now. It’s more than just something that I do, it’s a major hobby and I love it. I read a lot faster and more consistently. I have started to read more thrillers more than the mass-market crime authors. I no longer read John Grisham, Lee Childs, James Patterson, and Nora Roberts. 

I have read a couple of series this year when I used to just read standalone. But I do think that is because of the differences in selection now vs 10 years ago. I’ve still never read the Harry Potter books and I probably never will. ( I know)

I stay far away from trashy romances. I don’t mind contemporary romance books as long as it’s not the most cliche thing ever. I’ve gotten into reading May-December romances. I think they are super cute.

I read more and more consistently than I have before because of the Kindle! More specifically the kindle app, I always have a phone on me so I always have a book handy! I never read e-books because they didn’t really exist back then. 

I read a lot of non-fiction. Specifically true crime and memoirs. Things I never would have touched when I was younger. Especially that self help stuff. 

I have also seen a shift in the author’s sex. I read predominantly female authors and that’s not on purpose but the market is heavily saturated with female authors. So I’m reading a lot more of those particular voices. 

I want to write in my books so badly now. Before my books were sacred, but now I want to leave a part of myself with them. Highlight my favorite passages and leave notes in the margins. 

What I enjoy in a book has changed completely. I used to like the philosophical poetic waxing and whinging (think: Fight Club or really anything by Chuck Palahniuk). I don’t now; it’s quirky for the sake of quirk. I enjoy it when a book shocks me, with a plot twist or an unlikely character development. 

Reading more has made a lot more strict about my ratings. I don’t like giving out a star rating much anymore because I grade so harshly. It’s death by comparison. I read a book and I’ve read another book with a similar premise and then I’m judging the two of them together. 

Audiobooks. I never used to listen to them. And I think that is again due to access! I use Libby quite a lot. Like everyday a lot. 

Mailbox Monday |November 18th 2019

#QOTD: What did you pick up this weekend? 

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. 

Happy Monday! It’s Mailbox Monday! Basically, I got this book in the mail and I’m excited to read it. It’s been lauded as a top pick for contemporary romance and I’m so down with the interracial situation going on. 

Book Blurb:

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with seven directives to help her “Get a Life”, and she’s already completed the first: finally moving out of her glamorous family’s mansion. The next items?

• Enjoy a drunken night out.
• Ride a motorcycle.
• Go camping.
• Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex.
• Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage.
• And… do something bad.

But it’s not easy being bad, even when you’ve written step-by-step guidelines on how to do it correctly. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job.

Redford ‘Red’ Morgan is a handyman with tattoos, a motorcycle, and more sex appeal than ten-thousand Hollywood heartthrobs. He’s also an artist who paints at night and hides his work in the light of day, which Chloe knows because she spies on him occasionally. Just the teeniest, tiniest bit.

But when she enlists Red in her mission to rebel, she learns things about him that no spy session could teach her. Like why he clearly resents Chloe’s wealthy background. And why he never shows his art to anyone. And what really lies beneath his rough exterior…

Have you read any books with chronically ill characters?

F is For Friday | November 15th, 2019

Happy Friday, y’all! This week has been super fun! I only read two books this week. Which if you have been reading this blog then you know that last month I cleared 28 books.

F is for Friday is a meme created by Nomadic Worlds! 

Questions:

F – Feature your latest book obsession (it doesn’t have to be your current read)

I – Indicate which book/s you are looking forward to reading this weekend.

F – Favorite quote of the week/day

F – Five things you’re happy or grateful for this week.

FEATURE YOUR LATEST BOOK OBSESSION (IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR CURRENT READ)

This series is so good and it’s also on Cinemax! I watched and read them and I loved every minute of it.

INDICATE WHICH BOOK/S YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THIS WEEKEND.

I was supposed to read Educated for a book club and a buddy read and didn’t do either, so I’m going to try to read it this weekend.

A book club in my area did a meeting about On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and I didn’t get it in time. So basically this weekend is about catching up!

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK/DAY

I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man’s. I will not reason and compare: my business is to create.

William Blake (1757-1827)

This quote reminds me to look at my own life and not compare myself with other people. If I do compare, then I won’t be happy and won’t be able to create great content that brings me joy.

FIVE THINGS YOU’RE HAPPY OR GRATEFUL FOR THIS WEEK

1. I’m grateful for my mini heater! It’s getting cold here (27 degrees F) and it’s nice to have something near my bed for direct heat!
2. There have been quite a few sales at Joann’s, which is letting me get crafty for cheap!
3. I’m getting better about hydrating!
4. I got sent a book this week (I’ll feature it on Mailbox Monday!)
5. I FINALLY finished Followers. My review will be up next week, if I’m allowed.

Have an awesome weekend

Kay

WWW Wednesday | November 13th, 2019

Good morning! I’m very cold…It’s a balmy 23 degrees here and we straight up just skipped fall, so that’s cool. (pun intended)

WWW Wednesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do to participate is answer three questions: 

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? 

The Girl Before is supposed to be a psychological thriller. I’m about 20% in and I don’t feel like that is going to be the case but I’m 20% in so who knows what’s going to happen.

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

It’s kind of crazy that I ended up reading what I said I was going to. This doesn’t happen often. I went into this book blind. I love doing that but this one just left me confused.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL READ NEXT?

I’m on a JP Delaney kick after reading The Perfect Wife.
Leaving Time was recommended during book club last month!
And @ianreads on instagram recommended On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, so I know it will be good.

What are you reading next?