Going into this book I had no idea what to expect. I’m that reader that judges books by their covers and I very rarely read synopsis before I pick up a book. Let’s look at the cover
This cover jumped out at me for multiple reasons. First, there is a black girl on the cover with dreads holding a staff ready for whatever comes her way. Even as I’m typing this my 5 year old (who is supposed to be focusing on her ABCs with her teacher 🤦🏽♀️) just said “Mommy are we going read that book about a girl who looks like me fighting monsters?” She’s not ready for this book of course but trust me, it will be in her mini library when she is ready.
Synopsis: In this highly anticipated contemporary fantasy, twelve-year-old Maya’s search for her missing father puts her at the center of a battle between our world, the Orishas, and the mysterious and sinister Dark world. Perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End ofTime and The Serpent’s Secret.Twelve-year-old Maya is the only one in her South Side Chicago neighborhood who witnesses weird occurrences like werehyenas stalking the streets at night and a scary man made of shadows plaguing her dreams.When Papa goes missing, Maya is thrust into a world both strange and familiar as she uncovers the truth. Her father is the guardian of the veil between our world and the Dark—where an army led by the Lord of Shadows, the man from Maya’s nightmares, awaits. Now that the veil is failing, the Lord of Shadows is determined to destroy the human world and it’s up to Maya to stop him. She just hopes she can do it in time to attend Comic-Con before summer’s over.
About the Author: Rena Barron grew up in small-town Alabama where stories of magic and adventure sparked her imagination. After penning her first awful poem in middle school, she graduated to writing short stories and novels by high school.From a very young age she loved reading stories where kids saved the world, tamed dragons, wielded magic, flew spaceships, became the chosen one. She desperately searched for characters in books who looked like her and was always disappointed to find none, which fueled her early interest in writing. Before HarperTeen acquired her Young Adult Epic Fantasy, Kingdom of Souls, Rena spent 10 years in the query trends–writing across multiple genres and age groups in the pursuit of publication. In 2017, she entered Pitch Wars, a popular and highly sought-after online mentorship program that included an agent showcase round. Rena’s entry (then titled “The Last Witchdoctor”) received multiple offers of representation. She signed with Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary shortly after, and the manuscript went on to sell in a heated auction.In addition to the Kingdom of Souls series, Rena also has written a middle grade epic fantasy titled Maya and The Rising Dark debuting in Spring 2020, pitched as Stranger Things meets Percy Jackson, that sold in a pre-empt to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.On a personal note, Rena loves all things science fiction and fantasy, ghosts, and superheroes. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading or brushing up on her French.
Review: I’m giving this book a 3.5 out of 5. I loved the representation for little black girls and the loving relationship with a dad who is gone a lot for work. That tugged on my heartstrings because I remember my dad almost always being at work when I was a kid and now I am watching my daughter go through the same. She is an entirely different person when her daddy is home on his off day. Just like Maya in this book. She lights up when her dad comes home. So you can imagine that when her dad goes missing, that she is going to do everything she can (and definitely shouldn’t) to get him back.
This book introduced me to Orishas and I cannot wait to read more about them. I’m going to have some fun researching. I live for fantasy books and the magic in this book did not disappoint. If you have a young reader who wishes for a little more magic in their every day life, this is for them. Goodreads
Y’all I am not good with time zones so I thought I had another hour or so to finish typing this up. I made a mistake and started Hamilton (again, don’t judge me) and was just sitting here crying to “It’s Quiet Uptown” when I remembered that EST is actually an hour ahead of me soooooooooooo the deadline is in 18 min andddddd I am now working diligently to get this post up for you.
Can we talk a about how absolutely adorable this cover is? That is originally what made me what to read this book. Then I was curious about how much Shakespeare would be in it since I have always be interested in Shakespeare.
Since the book does not released for another 9 days or so I will try reallllllllllyyyyy hard not to get spoilery in my review. Here’s the synopsis:
Alison Green, desperate valedictorian-wannabe, agrees to produce her school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That’s her first big mistake. The second is accidentally saying Yes to a date with her oldest friend, Jack, even though she’s crushing onCharlotte. Alison manages to stay positive, even when her best friend starts referring to the play as “Ye Olde Shakespearean Disaster.” Alison must cope with the misadventures that befall the play if she’s going to survive the year. She’ll also have to grapple with what it means to be “out” and what she might be willing to give up for love.
Let’s talk about the author.
Dani Jansen is a teacher and writer who lives in Montreal. She should probably be embarrassed to admit that she has performed as part of her school’s Glee Club for eight years. She should probably also be ashamed to tell people that she named her cats after punctuation symbols (Ampersand and Em-Dash, in case you’re curious)
Review: I spent a lot of time relating to Alison. She was awkward around her crush and often made missteps but with good intentions. She is one of those people that have a goal and do everything within their power to accomplish that goal even if sometimes that might be detrimental to herself. This is a cute book and the voice it gives to teens who are LGBTQ+ is important because not every experience is the same. There is no rule book on being who you are and how to navigate those around you who may or may not have a reaction to you simply being who you are. I would definitely recommend this book to others to read, especially teenage readers. I did hope for a little more Shakespeare though especially since A Midsummer’s Night Dream is my favorite play.
If you want to see who else is participating in this blog tour to get other opinions about the book go here. (There might even be some giveaways going on)
Anddddd I’m a couple min late but we are done! I can’t wait to see what else Dani Jansen has for us and I hope you enjoy the book.
We need to talk about this book yall. I have tried to start 3 other books since I finished Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles this morning and I am not able to concentrate on a single one because all I want is the next book in this series! (Wow that was a run on sentence. Eek.) So I decided that I needed to post my review for it immediately.
I want to start off by saying I was shocked by some of the lower reviews on Goodreads but to each their own because I loved this book. Maybe it is because I am a heavy heavy fantasy book reader or maybe it is because as a heavy fantasy book reader I am used to having unanswered questions. Y’all… this one still threw me for a loop so I gueesssss I can understand the hard feelings for it. (Not really) Anyways, on to my review!
Review: It’s important that I get these thoughts out while I’m still reeling from this book.
Let’s get the formalities out of the way first. Thank you Wednesday Books and Edelweiss for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Y’all… 😭😬 I just made a false claim that I would no longer request arcs for book ones of a new series. Why? Because when I finish a good one I need the next book right away and waiting a year (forever) for the next book is painful. And I need book two of this series ASAP. Lemme tell you why…
Where Dreams Descend is a fantasy mystery. There’s magic so obvs fantasy but there’s something dark at work here and we don’t exactly know who or what it is at the start of the book. As each Act is complete we learn more and more about the pasts of the characters on the center stage. Kallia, our fierce female lead, is a solid character but she’s a unreliable narrator because of Jack. Jack is a powerful magician (or something stronger 🤷🏽♀️) who deals in memories. Early on we learn that he has been taking memories and creating illusions and despite their strange relationship, Kallia is not safe from him toying with her mind. Daron “Daring” Demarco is a born magician who has a tragic past that has caused him to stop using magic. He is a judge in a show that Kallia enters against Jack’s wishes. Y’all know there’s a love triangle right? Kinda. Not really but kinda… I mean it’s complicated anyway despite Daring Demarco’s best intentions he cannot seem to resist Kallia.
Now the reason why I need the next book now is that as usual book one ends with a cliffhanger. It was expected however what I didn’t expect is to be left with some fundamental questions being left unanswered. Throughout most the book (SPOILER ALERT HERE) we are led to believe that Jack is the antagonist. He is the big bad and every time he enters the story we are on edge. But… nope. He’s not. There is a bigger problem than Jack. A stronger, darker force behind all the horrible things that happen in this little forgotten town in the middle of a cursed dark wood that is from a different dimension. And we don’t know who or what it is. We also don’t know anything about this mirror dimension. (I’m going to call it the Shadow Realm.)
At the end of the day, I have plenty of crazy theories.
The town is a gateway to hell.
Yeahhhh I should have started with a different theory first because now that I’ve said that one… it’s definitely a gateway to hell because I can’t understand how it can be anything else. Other than like the land of the dead which is just a cooler way of saying hell. (SPOILER ALERT OVER)
Anyway, I enjoyed the story and I need more of it. Now. This review is much more spoilery than my typical reviews but I did hold a lot of stuff back. I texted my friends when I was about 30% into it and said “I feel like I’ve read a lot of this book because there is so much happening but I’m only 30% in.” It’s well written, intriguing, dramatic and fully immersive if you love fantasy, magic and stubborn, fierce female leads.
It’s the best day of the week!!!! If this post looks weird it’s because I am experimenting with the website version of WordPress because the app is not working for me today. (Le sigh.)
Review: I had a hard time rating this one. Overall I liked the book but I felt like things didn’t always flow naturally. I also think that the romance took a back seat to the gaming, sexism and diversity topics. They are very important topics so that’s a good think but the title makes you think romance. I also expected this hated filled coworker relationship but it’s a misunderstanding that’s resolved at the very beginning. I honestly like the characters and I was rooting for melody but I just wanted more of her and Noah.
Review: Liliana is accepted to Metco, a program to bus intercity kids to better schools in the suburbs. Those schools are attended by majority white and well off students. She didn’t know she was even on a list to go. Her parents signed her up years earlier. Her father has been gone for a few months and she is missing him. He occasionally takes breaks away from his family but he has been gone longer than usual. Her parents are immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala. Her parents are very strict and she is not allowed to date or spend the night at friend’s houses. When she starts attending her new school we get to see liliana navigate her two separate lives, her new school and her home. She says she likes to keep her corn with the corn. The book follows her struggles at home and her struggles to excel in a school where she feels out of place and has trouble adjusting. She is also dealing with racism at her school. I really enjoyed this book. It has something very important to say and I think it should be a must read for all kids in high school. People need to learn about other cultures and embrace diversity.
Review: This is a must read if you like thrillers and YA. I was hooked. It is really an easy and fast paced read! The main characters made me go through all my emotions. I loved them and hated them. The book had so many twists and turns and uses my feelings and emotions against me! The ending gives you no easy answers either! In short, I loved it. Go read it lol
Review: TW: postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, violent thoughts towards infants
This was a tough read for me and I’ve hesitated to write this review. I want to preface this by saying that I am not typically a thriller person and I always second guess my initial thoughts upon finishing a thriller novel if they don’t blow me away initially. As a Creative Writer Major I can say that this story was very well written and told in a way that made me need to know how the story ended. While the content was a bit underwhelming at times I think it was a good look inside what could potentially go on in the mind of a mother with postpartum depression and anxiety. As a mother I could sympathize with the main characters, the struggle of maintaining a household with small children, the pressure from your significant other, family and ultimately yourself. I haven’t personally experienced postpartum depression so I can’t say whether the characterization is accurate or not. If it is, how absolutely terrifying.
My main takeaway from this book is to check on your friends who are moms, whether they are new moms or just had their second or third child. Offer to babysit just so they can sleep. Or drop off wine if you aren’t a baby person. Moms, it’s okay to not be okay and sometimes you might need help. Reach out, don’t let your pride or fear of judgement stop you from getting the help and support you need.
Review: Y’all… this book!! As an avid fan of Stranger Things I KNEW I had to have this book when it was suggested for people who enjoy that show. They were not wrong. While this book starts out slow, it is well written and you learn a lot about the characters in the beginning. I was on the edge of my seat (figuratively not literally) while reading this because I knew there was going to be some aliens or something from another dimension coming. The reader is kept in the dark for most of the book but that is because the characters are as well. We find out things at the same time and despite the clues that I am sure were there for the characters and the reader, I was completely caught off guard when the big reveal happened. I wish the ending was paced slower since the rest of the book was but it was good. The only way for this to have been paced slower at the end would be if the author decided to make it into a series but as it is now, that is not necessary. Well done. Would recommend.
Hi everyone! I am inching my way back onto social media but I am not quite ready to be on full time. (Honestly, I missed the memes 😆) I don’t check it as much as I used to and I feel a little lighter. Although homework is still a problem 😑 so I am going to buckle down on that. I swear I’m behind on everything but my Fiction Workshop class. Anyway lets get to the true reason we are here.
NEW BOOKS!
1. The Business of Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey Rating: DNF @17% Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52764760 Review: I only made it 17% into this book and I just could not go on. Which was a struggle because I typically have 25% rule for my DNFs. I don’t know if it was the dialogue, or if I just couldn’t connect to the characters as a whole due to their lifestyle. But I know I threw in the towel after the male anatomy was referred to as an “emoji” multiple times. It would have been one thing for the actual emoji was used in the book (🍆) but to actually say the word emoji out loud in reference to… never mind you get it. I couldn’t handle it. It was too much. I’m sorry. I tried. Like I really really tried.
2. Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen Rating: ALL THE STARS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44581495-late-to-the-party Review: Ok I loved this book. It wasn’t what I was expecting and I’m ok with that. It’s a raw coming of age queer book about Codi. She has two Friends Marizita and JaKory. It’s the summer before senior year and the plan to do the same things they do every summer. But Marizita wants to spice things up and go to a party. Codi decides not to go because it isn’t in her comfort zone. She wants things to stay the same. When try call her to come get them because they are too drunk to drive she meets Ricky. Things change from then on. She starts to Do things she never has. She begins to have more of a Social life that doesn’t include her old Friends.i really loved how realistic it was to how you feel when you are in high school trying to fit in and have new experiences. I love all the side characters. The book is really inclusive. There are characters of all ethnicities and sexual orientation. I think this a wonderful coming age story that everyone would love! -S
3. You Let Me In by Camilla Bruce Rating: 4/5 stars Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046574 Review: What a crazy and weird novel! I don’t quite know what to make of it but I loved it! It’s about scary fairies and family drama. I dare you to try to read this! You will be sucked in and won’t be able to stop. It was a very quick and easy read! -K
4. The Silence of Bones by June Hur Rating: ALL THE STARS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44280973-the-silence-of-bones Review: This book was so beautiful and emotional. The characters really pulled at my heart and the mystery kept me guessing! I am sad that this was a debut book! I need more from this author and everyone needs to read this beautiful book! -K
5. Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier Rating: ALL THE STARS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046683 Review: Wow! Just wow. I don’t even know where to begin or how to express my feelings for this book. It is a quick and easy read. Very fast paced. You are always left wanting more and wanting to know what is happening! I swear each chapter ends in a cliffhanger, it’s crazy! This book was also a hard read for me. Hit home a lot and I was left crying in the end but if you love thrillers like me then this is a must read and if you haven’t read her other book, Jar of Hearts you better do that too! I love her writing and I’m here for everything she writes! 10/10 recommend -K
6. Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love #2) by Alisha Rai Rating: 3.5/5 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44148565 Review: I debated over this one. In the beginning I was trudging through it. I didn’t really care about the characters and I think I discovered that I don’t really care for stories told in 3rd person. But then… I cared. When they were at the farm I became invested and I couldn’t put my kindle down. I wanted to know that both Kat and Jas would heal from their pasts and overcome the obstacles and find their way to eat other and when they did… I loved every minute of it. Also the scene where the grandpa pretended to be sick was hilarious! I don’t think I’ll forget it. -J
7. Eat and Love Yourself by Sweeney Boo Rating: 4/5 stars Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51252946 Review: This was a great graphic novel. I liked the inside look at eating disorders and how things might affect you that people might not think is important enough to. As a child overhearing your parents discussing you could lead to hang ups as an adult. Flippant remarks from friends who mean no harm might hurt. Also in order to improve your self esteem you have to understand where your problems lay and face them head on and it was moving to see Mindy do just that. Plus the art was beautiful! I’ll be looking into other graphic novels by this author. -J
There you have it. There are a couple great ones on this list. Pull out your TBR and jot them down! Hopefully I’ll be back sometime soon but you can definitely count on New Release Day posts.
I want to start this off saying that if you are not following the Reading Robyn Facebook Page… you are missing out! The link to follow will be at the bottom but we have a ton of books to go over today. This is one of thhhoooosssseeee days. There’s 15 reviews in this post. So pull out your notebook, grab a pen and let’s go!
DISCLAIMER: These eARCS were given to me in exchange to for an honest review. Thank you Edelweiss and Netgalley for these books!
1. Girl Crushed by Katie Heaney Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41941612-girl-crushed Rating: 4/5 Review: Quinn has been dumped right by her girlfriend right before senior year. They were friends before they got together and have promised to remain friends. We get to watch Quinn awkwardly navigate her senior year of high school with her friends. This a funny, fluffy book. Perfect for a palate cleanser between heavier reads. -S
2. The Perfect Escape by Susanne Park Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50883357 Rating: 3/5 Review: This was a good fluff book. I needed it between my fantasy reads. And bonus…. ZOMBIES. Other than that… I didn’t really connect with the characters. There were cute moments and the scenes with the zombies (of course) are amazing. -J
3. Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51975973-only-when-it-s-us Rating: 4.5/5 Review: This is a great read. It’s sexy and funny and heartbreaking. Willa is a soccer star with a temper. Ryder is deaf and no longer talks. They are in the same business math class. They are frenemies who have been assigned to work together by a meddling professor. The play hilarious pranks on each other. You will fall in love with them as they grow up and fall for each other. It really is a slow burning love that will make you laugh, and turn you on. -S
4. The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45728418-the-love-story-of-missy-carmichael Rating: 4/5 Review: It took me a little while to get into this book. That changed as the book progressed and we get to know more about Missy and what she has gone through. As events take over and her situation changes as chapters continue we learn about her past and by the end I was a mess. I finished this book through tears. It was beautiful but heartbreaking. The ending truly wrecked me. I can’t believe this was a debut novel and I can’t wait to see what else this author writes! I’m here for it! – K
5. The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45894170-the-beauty-of-your-face Rating: ALL THE STARS Review: Wow. I’m so glad I read this. As an Iraqi war veteran this was something that I needed to read. I’ve never had any hatred for Muslims but there was a time that I was apprehensive. I remember sitting in the library in middle school watching the Twin Towers fall. I was in the 8th grade. I had no idea how the world would change. As a young adult I joined the Army. I’ve been to Iraq. I was on a base that got hit by mortar rounds. I’ve been on my knees in prayer that I would make it home to my son. I have locked and loaded my weapon hoping that I wouldn’t have to use it to make sure that I would make it home to my child. When I came home I had PTSD. I flinched at loud noises and shied away from Arabic people and I am so sorry for how that made them fell. Did that Arabic family that came into my job, know that I gave that table up because I couldn’t breathe around them? Did I ruin their night? I am so sorry.
If you want to know about the other side of the story…. how a Muslim feels or felt in America, read this book. Seriously. This hit me right in the heart. -J
6. What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36404262 Rating: 4/5 Review: Cute, fluffy read about being comfortable in your own skin and forgiveness. Has a great body positivity message. Plus sized too and I can relate to Maisie’s issues. I love that Maisie has friend issues, family issues crush issues. I love that everything doesn’t end perfectly because life isn’t a movie. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends! -S
7. Rules For Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44588106 Rating: 4/5 Review: I plowed through this book. As usual I went in without knowing what it was about and I enjoyed the message. Since we are in the #metoo era, which is kinda ridiculous but let me not get on my soapbox. We should have been listening to girls and women about sexual harassment from day one but again don’t get me started. I think this is an important read. Stand up for yourself. Do what you feel is right and most important what you can live with. Be there for each other. You are not alone. I believe you. -J
8. Something She’s Not Telling Us by Darcey Bell Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44594911 Rating: DNF @ 25% Review: I did not love her other book a simple favor so not sure why I wanted to read this one but here we are lol. I didn’t love this one either… the characters were awful. The chapters were way to long and I just couldn’t get into it. It was just a mess and seemed too farfetched. -K
9. Meet Me At Midnight by Jessica Pennington Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45043589 Rating: 3/5 Review: I really wanted this book to be sweeter. I mean the pranks and everything were fun, but the heartbreak and the romance just fell a little flat to me. Even the HEA ending was flat. If you need a palette cleanser than this is a good one for that but it was just an average teenage love story. -J
10. It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41433282 Rating: 3/5 Review: The most important part of this book is the representation of people who have acne problems. I have never read a book where acne problems shaped the main character’s personality. It felt real to me and even when her insecurities bothered me, it made sense and I was sympathetic to what she was going through. Good read. -J
11. Afterlife by Julia Alvarez Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52898645 Rating: 3.5/5 Review: I typically love Julia Alvarez’s work. This is her first adult novel. It’s very well written but the characters aren’t very likable. There is no one to root for. Antonio is a recently widowed woman. She has three sisters and the eldest, who suffers from mental issue, has gone missing. Additionally, her neighbor has undocumented workers at his farm. The undocumented teenage girlfriend shows up on her door pregnant and homeless. -S
12. A Werewolf in Riverdale by Caleb Roehrig Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44575180 Rating: 4/5 Review: I am a long time Archie fan and I’m here for anything with the Archie crew. I’ve got comics preserved somewhere from the 80s. This was a fun read. I didn’t have to fall in love with the characters because I have history with them. I do think that if this is your first introduction to Archie (which is kinda impossible in my mind) then this is not the book for you. You have to already know Betty’s family history which can be anything really but alllllways is high strung and extreme. You have to know that Veronica is sweeter than she seems. That Archie can be useful even when He seems like a screw up. That Jughead is more than just a big appetite. This book just kinda expects you to already know these characters. Which is fine for me because I do. But probably won’t work for new people. -J
13. Little Universes by Heather Demetrios Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44222386-little-universes Rating: ALL THE STARS Review: Tragic, beautiful, spiritual. I would use all of those words to describe this well written complex story about a pair of sisters navigating life and it’s challenges after their parents are killed while traveling abroad. Mae and Hannah are both grieving. Mae has her whole life planned. Hannah is struggling to make it through one day, she has no clue about the future. It can’t tell you how heartbreaking and how eye opening this book is. I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. -S
14. The Roxy Letters by Mary Pauline Lowry Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52914459-the-roxy-letters Rating: 4/5 Review: This book is hilarious, lighthearted, heartwarming and cute! Roxy is underemployed, sexually frustrated and overall just needing a change! This book reminded me of The Bridget Jones’s Diary and Where’d You Go Bernadette. I loved it! It made me laugh out loud and was such a great break from my usual thrillers. The format it is written (which is short letters) makes it a quick and easy read too! -K
15. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44143895 Rating: 4/5 Review: This book is hilarious. I laughed out loud so many times my husband kept asking me what I was up to. Naomi is engaged to Nicholas. She hates him and wants to end the wedding but his family has spent a fortune and his mom will sue her. She decides she must do anything so that he will call the wedding off and she will be off the hook. Hilarity ensues. The things they put each other through will have you rilling. But something begins to happen while they are returning to their former selves and finally being honest with each other. This was just an entertaining, fun love story. I would definitely recommend it. -S
Today lets talk about different ways to read. I typically make my reading goals by listening to audiobooks. Most days I walk around with my headphones on lost in another world. Currently I am lost in Outlander and desperately trying to escape this world. However nowadays that is a struggle. I did listen to about a chapter earlier but I was in bed and took a nap which I almost never do and accidentally let it play the whole time I was sleep. So now I have to figure out what I last heard and go back to that. Outlander 2 is 38 hours long btw. It’s a monster of a book. By far the longest one I have ever listened to.
I will say that this is my favorite way to read right now. When an audiobook has a full cast it is even better. It’s like watching a movie but being a part of it. I can’t really explain it.
I am also reading an eARC on my kindle. By the way, April 7th is a big deal for new releases so I suggest you get a notebook ready to write down all the books you need to read. We got our hands on about 14 eARCS for that day. Maybe more, I’d have to consult the Master List.
Reading on my kindle is my second favorite way to read. It’s lightweight and there are sooo many options on it. Also as a person who usually kept a book in my purse most of my life, a kindle is a good alternative. I just need to remember to charge it every now and again. Nothing worse than thinking you are about to read and not being able to because of a low battery 😑
And yet my physical books are collecting dust. I tend to pick up one every now and again just to make sure my hubs doesn’t notice that I haven’t picked up one in awhile. He has this thing about the number of books I have because he hates moving them. But they are soooooo pretty and there is something about being surrounded by books that calms me.
Not going to lie, today has been rough for me. Despite having a lifestyle where I mostly stay home anyway, having to stay home with no option of leaving the house except for essential stuff is getting to me. I hope you all are holding up well.
Tell me what your favorite way to read is. Audio? Ebook? Physical?
#HappyReading
P.S. Nothing new on my crafting because my yarn to finish my blanket won’t be here until next week 😢 But here is a painting I did last week!
It’s like my 4th painting ever. Kinda cool. That moon gave me issues though.
The Mixtape to My Life 5 stars Such a cute and wholesome coming of age story! I loved it and was engrossed from the beginning! It is so easy to get attached to these characters and love them! I laughed and I cried right along with them! I throughly enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what else this author writes! I am here for it 🥰
I hope everyone is safe and healthy. Also we are 2 people short of 500 followers on the Reading Robyn Facebook Page. Tell your friends who read and hell… even those who don’t to follow the page. Fun stuff is coming this summer. Don’t miss out.
Here’s s the link to alllll my links. Check me out. https://linktr.ee/the_empress_22 hmm I’m seeing a couple links missing. I’ll get on that.
It is well past the time for me to introduce to you the team behind all the magic. I knowwww y’all didn’t think I was reading all these books alone, while going to school and raising two children… As much as I would like to be… I’m no superhero.
Now I did spring this on them like today so I am giving everyone time to answer the questions. Which means I’ll go first!!! Hi! My name is Jen and I like long walks on the beach and…. jk (I’ve never even been to a beach.) For real though, this is me. I read. I write. And one day I hope to write something that people will read. I am double majoring in Creative Writing and English Lit. There’s not much else I want to talk about here so here’s a selfie! Some bookish questions will be answered below.
I spent some time looking for a selfie that hasn’t been posted anywhere else.
These are going to be rapid fire answers. Otherwise, we will be here forever.
1. Book boyfriend: Rhysand (ACOTAR) and Warner (Shatter Me)
2. Last 5 star read: Fumbled by Alexa Martin. This is a fun series to just relax and enjoy. I just finished this like 3 days ago.
3. Series you think everyone should read: Illuminae!!!! I cannot scream this enough. Seriously right now if you haven’t read it, buy the physical book and borrow the audiobook from your library. Read along with the audio… It’s an incredible experience. One day I’ll reread it but I’m waiting for my hubs to finalllllllllyyyyyyyy read it with me. He doesn’t share my love for reading fiction but since I rant and rave about it so much (and because he got me to read Dune by Frank Herbert 7 years into our relationship).
4. Underrated series you love: This one is hard. Most of the series I love are well known. But I’ll list a couple lesser known ones. Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner is an duology that is like an outer space Indiana Jones story. Loved it 5 stars on both. A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Grey. Has cross dimensional travel and romance. 4 star series for certain. There are 3 books. I started The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell and I definitely need to finish that series. The first book was 5 stars for me.
5. Last debut book you loved: This took some research on my goodreads. However I’m glad I did. The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes. 5 stars. I loved every bit of it. It stressed me out and I cannot wait for the next book. Like I neeeeeeedddddd it.
6. Fave book so far this year: This is a tough one because I did read Outlander this year. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. I’m fully invested in the story and maybe because I am still in the middle of that story… I won’t pick that one.
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie was a five star read too! It had me engaged and worried from page one. I cared about the characters and if I didn’t have responsibilities then I would have read it straight through in one sitting. It is a new series so if you have a hang up about unfinished series, put this on your list to read later. It’s incredible.
7. Fave genres: YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi
8. Most anticipated April release: Crave by Tracy Wolff. Unfortunately I could not get ahold of this eARC so I have to wait to read it. Which reminds me… I need to go preorder it.
9. Goodreads goal: 250 books. Last year I read 205. It’s not looking good this year. Goodreads is rudely telling me that I am 34 books behind schedule.
10. Favorite book of 2019: This is hard. I read a lot of 5 star books last year. My favorites were: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo Dry by Neal Shusterman The Diviners by Libba Bray (need to read book 4) Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
11. Book best friend: Kenji from Shatter Me
12. Favorite bad ass female: Aelin!!! (from Throne of Glass series) I swear if I ever have the chance to name a little girl again this will be her name.
13. Favorite author: Colleen Hoover. Jay Kristoff. Leigh Bardugo. Sarah J Maas. In no particular order.
14. Author you just read no matter what: There’s so many!!! Jay Kristoff, Colleen Hoover, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Laini Taylor, Sarah J Maas, Amie Kaufman, Angie Thomas. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some.
15. Most anticipated this year: Definitely one of Jay’s books. TrueL1f3 or Aurora Burning.
Do y’all feel like you know me better? Trust me enough to add to your TBR? I dropped a lot of good books in this post. Definitely look them up if you haven’t read them or tell me what you think if you have!
Oh! If you ever find yourself needing someone to talk to while reading one of my favorite books, or any book shoot me a message on the Reading Robyn Facebook page. If I’ve read it, I’ll be here for all your reactions. My besties’ say I am a dramatic reader so the least I can do is be here for anyone like me.
I want to start this blog post off by saying I hope everyone is safe and healthy. I hope you are taking care of yourselves mentally as well. Start a new hobby. Play with your kids. Play board games. Paint. Draw. Laugh. I know it’s hard. I am dealing with my kids being heartbroken that they can’t go to school or their grandparents house. I’ve painted, started a Pom Pom rug (tedious and overrated btw but my baby loves it) and I’ve gotten stuff to crochet a freaking blanket. If y’all know me, arts and crafts and I generally don’t mix but I have to do something to keep the monster that is Anxiety at bay.
So keep your heads up and hopefully this will all be over soon.
Here’s what we got our hands on for today!
1. Thorn by Intisar Khanani Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36443368 Rating: 4 stars Review: A retelling of the Goose Girl. I think it has some slow moments and is longer than it needs to be but overall I enjoyed it. It has some powerful lessons on justice, classism, loyalty and honesty.
Princess Alyraa lives with her mother the queen and her abusive brother. Her mother doesn’t hurt her but doesn’t stop her brother. She also talks down to her. A king comes to ask for her to marry his son. No one can understand why she has been chosen. Her family things she is too honest and that it is not a good quality. She doesn’t want to go. She is afraid the prince will be like her brother. She speaks to her friend the Wind and the wind tells her not to be afraid.
There are many twists and turns in the story. The lessons learned are great.
2. The Return by Rachel Harrison Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49878129 Rating: DNF @ 25% Review: I love the cover and I wanted to love this book but it just didn’t go that way. I felt that it was very repetitive dialogue between the two friends about their missing friend. Just kept saying where is she? She’s not missing, she’s hiding but didn’t go any further than that. It’s just boring….
3. Grown-Up Pose by Sonya Lalli Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51174125 Rating: 4 stars Review: I enjoyed this one. It’s a little predictable but it made me laugh and smile so I’ll take it. Nice lite read. Prefect as a palette cleanser after a heavier read.
That’s what we have for today! Let me know what you think. Tell me what books you got today or plan to get. Thank you 😊 Share. Comment. Like.
Reading Robyn 