Book Review: Still Can't Do My Daughters Hair (poetry)

Title: Still Can't Do My Daughters Hair
Author: William Evans
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 4.5 stars
Page Count: 96
Publication Date: October 23rd, 2017

Summary:
A collection of poetry by William Evans - he's the founder of Black Nerd Problems and has performed poetry on stages across the country. (I highly recommend checking out his work on YouTube, he's performed there and phew)


author twitter
blacknerdproblems



Review:

eARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This collection. There's so much here. I felt like so much of it was going over my head. I love poetry but I'm not super well versed in it. If you feel the same I highly recommend just reading it out loud to yourself, especially this kind of poetry by someone who performs it a lot (or just go on the internet and look up them performing it, because that's a whole different level).

This is, apparently, less then 100 words and almost made me cry? I can't really review this collection with any authority, as I'm white, so I'm not going to try. I'm just going to try and give you enough thoughts that, hopefully, you go pick this collection up for yourself. Or for a friend.

There's just - so much and it is so well done, well written, fucking incredible. I could tell that even when it fel tlike it was going over my head.

I cannot recommend this poetry collection  enough - it's so damn good and so important to me now. Reading poetry by people of color is some of the hardest things to do, because there can be so much raw pain there, and it's hard to read, but I feel like I owe it to myself to do so. And you should definitely go check out William Evan's stuff, definitely this collections, it's the one thing I've seen from him but I highly, highly recommend.

"I could be more compassionate, but I was raised by the dead."

Phew

... still coming for the children. It is telling us that we are still the children." 

And also ow, for both of those. I, sadly, need to get better at highlighting and notes when reading ebooks as I'm sure there's more things that I'd be quoting but phew boy. This poetry collection

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Book Review: Depression & Other Magic Tricks

Title: Depression & Other Magic Tricks
Author: Sabrina Benaim
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 3/5
Page Count: 97
Publication Date: April 18th, 2017

Summary:
This is a poetry collection written by Sabrina Benaim (best known for Explaining My Depression to My Mother) and this is her first poetry collection.


author's twitter





Review:
There were parts of this collection I really, really enjoyed and connected to but it didn't blow me away in any way. I don't know what it was about this collection but, while I did really enjoy it, I didn't become super attached to it.

I didn't know a lot of this poetry collection when I originally decided to request it, though I did realize I knew a poem from it - Explaining My Depression to my Mother - which, if you haven't listened to, hey. I've seen it during those slam poetry youtube holes I fall down every once and a while.

I'm not sure why this poetry collection didn't catch me more, maybe it was just the mood I was in while I was reading it. I did enjoy it, don't get me wrong, but I did get annoyed with it at points. All of which were definitely personal things and nothing to do with the author.

There were multiple points talking about her depression in relation to a signficant other, which I understand can be a part of it, but the way she described it at points was honestly just frustrating for me. Someone else cannot cure your depression and that just argh.

Overall, though, this was a solid poetry collection and I would recommend checking it out.

Goodreads
Barnes and Noble
Indiebound
Amazon

Graphic Novel Review: What Does Consent Really Mean?

Title(s): What Does Consent Really Mean?
Author: Pete Wallis, Thalia Walls, +
Genre: contemporary / self-help
Rating: 4/5
Page Count: 64 pages
Publication Date: November 21st, 2017

Review:
A comic about exactly what it says - What Does Consent Really Mean? It's a question brought up in the comic between three teenage girls - I think they're suppose to be high school age? probably 16-18 - about what consent really means, talking it out amongst themselves.

This is definitely super important and I feel like it covered a lot of bases very well - not all the bases, but there are so many layers I can't be surprised about that. I was a bit worried going in since the first person listed is a man - I know there are problems there as well but... - but I was honestly really pleasantly surprised.

To be fair, though, I knew nothing but that going in.

Pros:
- diversity (characters)
- covered different POV's
- educational
- no slut shaming (that isn't pushed against)

Cons:
- read like an afternoon TV special at a few points
- didn't feel like some of the guys really understood fully? (this might of just been me, but if you've read/end up picking up, let me know your thoughts)

That con isn't even that bad, but it is why I couldn't give it a full 5 stars. But I think this is a truly important comic and it's good it's finally out. Especially that we got to see the guys confronting their own toxic thought cycles - ahh, the way people want to seem cool, just making us hurt ourselves, really.

Overall, I'd recommend this for, well, anyone. For classrooms - even for middle school, to be honest, because there can already be those ideas forming about who they should/shouldn't be with people - and libraries, of course. But also just for people. If you've got a son or daughter, especially, I hope you borrow or buy this for them. Let me know that their wants matter, and that not saying yes is not consent.

10 Years in 10 Books | #readathon challenge

I love this idea for a readathon challenge so much that I'm typing up this post before I've started reading for the day, also possibly because I'm just not really in a reading mood. Which is a problem on readathon day. Anyway - I went for books that weren't the obvious choice, or tried to. Also tried to go for books I've read.

For example, yes, I could of put Deathly Hallows for 2007 but I think everyone's aware of my love of Harry Potter considering the 2 tattoos I have related to it.

2007: The Arrival by Shaun Tan - this is a gorgeous graphic novel that uses no words, cannot recommend enough.
2008: Duma Key by Stephen King - honestly, one of my favorite books. By King and just in general - a very underrated book by him that I highly, highly recommend.
2009: Leviathan (#1) by Scott Westerfeld - this is such a fun first book, and fun series. It's been a while since I've read them but - so much fun!
2010: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassie Clare - I love the Infernal Devices series, so much. I've got problems with Clare but this series, I can't even tell you.
2011: Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5) by Melissa Marr - this whole series is gorgeous. It's been a while since I've reread, and I know they'll probably seem a little outdated now but - I love them.
2012: Adaptation (#1) by Malinda Lo - just read this for the first time recently, and something about it just clicked with me. I'm still in love with it months later.
2013: The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater - this might me by favorite of this series, I just love it so much. The atmosphere, the world.
2014: The Saint (Original Sinners #5) by Tiffany Reisz - not my favorite of the series, but still the best I read that year that I can find. If you haven't heard of this series - they're amazing but also all the trigger warnings in the world.
2015: Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo - this was hard, so many good books. But I've already read this book three times so I think it wins. Incredible duology.
2016: Radio Silence by Alice Oseman - this book. God damn. I will shout it's praises from the rooftop. And Exit, Pursued by Bear came out in 2016, too, so it was a tough choice.
2017: City of Strife (#1) by Claudie Arseneault - this was rough cause everything is so fresh but this book was incredible. So diverse, so full of plot and feeling. Cannot wait for book 2!

Whew, that was harder then I thought it'd be. If you posted a list, anywhere, let me know! I kind of failed in the not the obvious choice place, a few times, but I feel like in a few other places I did pull out a different one. Either way - I've got to go read something now, hopefully.

Happy reading!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon | October 21st

Once again, we've reached Dewey's 24 hour readathon! One of my favorites of the year and I love how seriously so many people, myself included, take this readathon. This year is probably going to be a little bit different though because I don't want to wear myself out too much. I'm traveling at the end of the week and have a lot of to do before then, and then then.

Speaking of which - blog posts during November will probably be pretty sparse considering I'll be visiting friends and it'll also be NaNoWriMo.

My plan is to be up at 8am and then read as long as I can, and then friends might want to do virtual hang out stuff. I have a lot I want to get done, I'm also in the middle of a lot of books and I'd like to get some of them finished, especially before my trip.

The Stack:

• Not Your Villain by C.B. Lee
• This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
• Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
• Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy
• This Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

The Goals:

• finish books on my currently-reading stack
• read for literally any amount of time
• participate on twitter and cheer people on
• mostly just read!

The Updates:

8am - 12pm

Books:

Not Your Villain (Sidekicks Squad #2) by C.B. Lee (finished - 170 pages)

# of pages read:  170

# books read: 1

time spent reading: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Notes:

I woke up tired and not in a mood to read but I love this readathon and wanted to get in the mood so I made myself stop sleeping and read. Which is something I don't do enough and never regret? i'm breaking now cause my eyes are a bit iffy and I definitely overdid it yesterday but planning to finish at least one more book, if not two. I'm mostly working on currently-reading books and, specifically, hardcover currently-reading because probably not bringing hardcovers when I leave for my trip at the end of the week!

Let me know how your readathon is going!

12pm - 4pm

Books:

Smoke and Mirrors by Michael Faudet (started and finished - 240 pages)
Depression and other Magic Tricks by Sabrina Benaim (started and finished - 97 pages)

# of pages read: 337

total # of pages: 507

# books read: 2

total # of books: 3 

time spend reading: 1 hour, 14 minutes 

total time spent reading: 2 hours, 37 minutes

Notes:

I wasn't super in the mood to read when I woke up and then, eventually, I ended up taking a nap. I think just because I wore myself out so much the day before I just couldn't function today. And then finally got to talk to some friends over video and, sorry, more important then books (don't tell them, they'll be shocked).

Readathon | House Cup + Dewey's 24 hour

First off: The Hogwarts House Cup Reading Challenge. This is such a great idea, I think you're all aware of how much I love Harry Potter, but also - house points, and not all strict reading goals. Like the 7 years are free choices, which I love because mood reader. And, of course, you have to report to your head girl, I believe they're all girls. All of the heads of house are the co-hosts, of course, there's 4 hosts for this readathon and I just love that idea. Basically I'm all about this readathon.

Anyway - I'm a Ravenclaw, if you didn't know, and will definitely be trying to get some house points for the house because I can be a tad competitive.

Also it lasts for about a month. Starting October 15th and going until the 12th of November. (A Sunday - Sunday deal, which I do enjoy). I will be out of town for like two weeks of this readathon, maybe three, so that will be interesting but it's more visit friends then vacation/travel and I'm sure there will be reading time just not sure how much reading time.

And now there's a little sign up questionnaire to answer.

Hogwarts Student Questionnaire
Name: Casey Cassidy
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Wand Type: I forget the wood but dragon heart string core
Pet: Owl
Favorite Subject: Defense Against the Dart Arts
Favorite Professor: McGonigal


And now - Dewey's. I almost always participate in Dewey's 24 hours readathon. A 24 hour readathon, that starts in the same time in every time zone so everyone's reading together. It's one of my fav parts about it. I normally don't stay up for all the house - because I need sleep if I can get it - but I do try and read as much as possible.

This round takes place on 21st of October, and it starts at 8am Eastern Time. About page, time zone page, sign up post.

I normally do a post for Dewey's and update every few hours, so I'll probably be doing that - even though I shouldn't even do it, because I leave for chicago less then a week later but whatever. And, also, this is going up Friday the 13th and tomorrow is a social media 24 hour readathon being run by a booktuber - #readathonbyzoe is the hashtag if you want to check that out. I'll probably be actually reading something tomorrow for that, I haven't had much time recently and especially not the last few days.

Happy Reading! As always, let me know if you're participating in any of these readathons, or any I might not of heard of.

Book Review: Michael's Wings

Title(s): Michael's Wings (Original Sinners #6.3)
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Genre: romance/erotica (BDSM)
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 253
Publication Date: November 7th, 2017

Plot:
A few short stories set in the Original Sinners universe, all revolving around Michael and/or Griffin. The title story takes place before the last two books of the whole series, which I won't give the synopsis for as to not spoil you.

You cannot read this, without spoiling yourself, if you haven't read up to book 6 - or book 2 of the White Years. The first story, Michael's Wings, is the one that's the most spoilery but the others also spoil a lot - especially the Christmas one (which is available for free on her website). Apparently all have been put online/published previously, but I think I'd previously only read one, maybe two of the stories in this collection.


(Trigger warnings by story, let me know if I missed any:
Michael's Wings: OD/death mention, past drug/alcohol abuse mention, I mean a lot of pain play? Whips, i think, crops. Wax play.
Griffin in Wonderland - drug/alcohol addiction
The Gauze - self harm, suicide attempt mention. Michael dealing with both, flashbacks to the sucide
The Theory of the Moment - don't think any? Let me know if wrong, on any of these.
The Couch -D/s, don't think anything else?
A Better Distraction - D/s, also don't think any.
Any questions, feel free to just ask me!)


Review:
I'm definitely bias towards this series just on the fact that I love these characters so much. Just all of them, I don't know if I could pick a favorite ever.

I'm not entirely sure which of these stories were published elsewhere before being here, but the only one I'd read was the Christmas story - which I love, and reread in this anyone because so good. Anyway, the title story was for sure new and it's the first, which is where we're going to start.

Michael's Wings - first off, small note, I thought it was a little weird that this was first? I understand it's the title story and such, but I feel like it should of been in chronological order. It wasn't that confusing for me when I was putting it down between stories, but if I kept going it was a little jarring to skip around like that.

However, saying that, this story was amazing. We got to see Michael and Nora interact more, which is always good. And, of course, Michael and Griffin. I'm was not going to spoil anything at all, but I've decided against that. So if you don't want to be spoiled for a major plot point in the last two books, jump ship now (just know I love this collection and would highly recommend it, and the entire series).

So in this we get to see how Griff proposed, which I was always a tad curious about because... well, he's Griff, honestly. And so I was so proud he did it in a quiet way because he knew Mick wouldn't want it any other way? It gave me a lot of feelings, and the answer scene... I've missed these boys.

Griffin in Wonderland. A super interesting one, that I've never read before but might of been floating around, I'm not sure. Seeing Griff six years before we officially meet him was super interesting to me. I adore him and to see how King reached out to him... I love them all so much.

The Gauze. This one was more intense then I expected? Like I said above, trigger warnings for self harm, suicide mention, attempt flashbacks. D/s, also. It's a good short story, something we don't get to see about Michael dealing with gauze from tattoos (which isn't a thing but I'm letting it go), and talking to Griffin about his attempt. Really touching - also great sex scene.

The Theory of the Moment. Super cute dinner with Griffin and Michael's mom? I don't know what it was about this, but it was just so cute. I think it's just because I love seeing platonic relationships and we really don't get to see them enough. And Michael's mom takes this whole thing like a champ, honestly.

The Couch. Their first fight story, so cute. And then making up on the new couch. They're such dorks, I love it so much.

A Better Distraction. For some reason this is the one I remember least? But I do feel like I've read it before. Basically just Griff trying to help with Michael's homework, totally innocent, nothing D/s here at all (we need a sarcasm font).

Christmas in Suite 37A. I've read this at least four times now. It's so sweet and cute, and I love Griff and Nora's interactions - and also the snippet we get of Griff and Soren interacting. And, of course, Griff and Michael. Of course they'd had problems in their relationships, neither had ever done this and Michael was still so young. I adore this story. Especially the end and Griffin freaking out,. It's also very sweet, though, and tugs on the heart strings a little.

I think you can tell by now that I loved this collection. I was so excited when it was announced, and am even more excited when the young Kingsley story finally comes out next year. Alright, if I had to pick a favorite character, it might be King, but don't tell any of the others, alright?

If you haven't read this series - first of all, spoiling yourself, though I do it to myself sometimes, too. But I do highly recommend the series, just trigger warnings for everything through out. Book two has bloodplay, but I love these characters, and I really like the writing, as well.

Happy Reading! Let me know if you're planning to pick this one up, or let me know what you thought.

Book Review: 27 Hours

Title: 27 Hours
Author: Tristina Wright
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 400
Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017

Plot:
This book takes place over one night that lasts 27 hours, and contains an incredible, diverse cast of teens. Takes place on a planet that humans colonized but contained a species before they got there. The humans call them gargoyles, but they're Chimera.

The main characters spend the 27 hours trying to stop the war that's been going on since the original colonists landed on the planet. And learn things about themselves and their government they might of been better off not knowing.

The plot is interesting, and intricate, but the stars of this book are the characters. Four out of five are people of color, and all of them are queer. Rumor, Dahlia, Nyx, Braeden, Jude.

If you want a more in depth synopsis, goodreads, but honestly I'd suggest going in just knowing that. It's worth it and so good.

Review:
Content/trigger warnings (in the REVIEW, THIS REVIEW) for: colonization, racism.

I want to just put a disclaimer here that I loved this book. It's been a rough year for me - a rough life? - and something about this book touched me? The characters, mostly, I adored them all. I'm aware there are issues with it, though. However, hi, I'm white so the recent talk about this is not for me to speak about, though I agree with them. I'm just linking some reviews about the problems people had below which were about how it has colonization issues, and also not great PoC rep.

I’m not going to go into depth about either because it’s not for me to speak on, so I’ll just leave these reviews and go:

"Has colonist guilt & flawed racial representation" by Aimal (Bookshelves and Paperbacks blog) (quotes used here and below cause what their review is titled with/called)

2/5 - "disappointed and frustrated" by Jesse

3/5 - still had problems, but enjoyed by Anna Elisa Monte


I still have a few things to say, but honestly I feel like I should just leave it there. I just can’t, though, because I did really enjoy this book. Like I really, really loved this book. Mostly because I didn’t notice this was happening – well with the colonist bullshit, I was a little skeptical about the heritage representation, but I guess I added more time in my head. Looking back, maybe shouldn’t have read this during/right after BEA.

Tristina has addressed this online yet, so I’m just going to link that here with no more comment from me. Once again, not something for me to speak of.

I've rewritten this part about 100 times in the past three weeks and I just don't know anymore. First off - I loved this book, as I'm sure you can see by the rating. It's been a rough year, hell a rough few years, and this one just was amazing to me.

It was completely that right time, right book kind of thing and I'm fully aware of  that but the characters. I love them so much. I had minor problems with it when I was reading it, but didn't see all the problems that are there. Mostly because I kind of forgot any of the main characters were white - and was confused a few weeks ago when I saw fanart and he was white, but apparently he's white.

I first read this book in June and haven't reread yet, but I just got the physical copy in my hands - wanted to reread the physical one because things do change. My personal problem is that we never get a clear answer about Braeden, if he's aro/ace or gray-romantic, I'm kind of on board for either but really want gray-rom/ace.

I feel a little guilty now, which is why I've rewritten this review so many times, with that I love this so much and it is problematic. I just - I'm not dealing with that well but that's my problem. I still wanted to review this, though, because I loved it so much.

And, no, some good rep doesn't cancel out the bad rep, that's now how that works, but it meant a lot to me when I read it and I think it might to others. If it did hurt you, though, I'm sorry - and definitely, if you're going to check it out, check into this before you do (reviews above)

Happy reading!

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

#30DayBookBinge October + possible TBR

I posted about this the last time around, and really enjoyed taking part in it. It's the brain child of Misty from The Book Rat - who I've been watching her videos, and reading her blog, for longer then I've had this blog, which doesn't seem like a long time until I actually start to think about it.

The first time around for this happened this past June and I really enjoyed taking part. I don't think I missed a single day, though I probably missed at least one. I'll probably also miss at least one this month, too, though there is thirty one days in October and not thirty so technically could take a day off. I'm hoping not to, but I am flying to hang out with friends for about a few weeks at the end of the month, so we'll see how that plan goes (but yay friends, I love friends).

However, here to talk about #30DayBookBinge and my personal plans. Misty's October announcement post, with video. Also printables post!

All information you could possibly need is in those two posts but it's a pretty simple premise, try and read every day - anything! - for the whole month. I'm definitely going to be aiming for all thirty one days but we'll see how that goes. I'm writing this on the 2nd and I've already finished a book so I'm feeling pretty good about it, but I'm sure I won't be able to keep that up.

As for what I'll be reading, I have no idea. I don't do TBRs anymore because I'm such a mood reader I just never know what I'll actually be in the mood for. However, saying that, I do have some ideas. I'd really like to get more into, and finish, This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab - I'm loving it so much I don't want to read more because it's just so good?? That doesn't make any sense but it's how I feel.

And then I also want to get to The Rose and the Dagger, since I just read the first book in that duology, and there are about a million new releases coming out this month that I'd also like to get to. Not to mention I do have ARCs I should be reading, and doubt I'll get to much in November with friend time and also NaNoWriMo.

Some releases this month I'm loving forward to, though, are: Wild Beauty, That Inevitable Victorian Thing, 27 Hours, The Illustrated Prisoner of Azkaban, Not Your Villain, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, A Line in the Dark, The Glass Spare. And more. Oh, also, I did a bookoutlet order and while most of them I've already read and just getting copies of - or different copies of - there are still a few coming I haven't read and would like to. Basically, if there's a way to read about 100 books in a month, someone let me know?

If you're taking part in this month long readathon, let me know! And let me know where you'll be updating. I'll, most likely, be updating more on twitter and instagram then anywhere else.

Happy reading! (And happy fall, it's finally cooling down a little here, and Halloween is basically here which I'm 100% okay with)

September 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

I can't believe it's been another month, that's honestly a little incredible how fast time is going. My inability to understand time, though, is well known.

I started off this month in Dublin, by the way, which still seems incredible to me? I still can't believe really believe that the whole trip was real, and so much fun. It was my first time traveling with friends and it was so much fun. High stress at points - and, also, ridiculous? I mean we get ridiculous, anyway, but put us alone in London and add 74 steps to our airbnb and whew, we get more ridiculous then usual, which I didn't know was possible.

Books:

• Michael's Wings by Tiffany Reisz (5/5)
• The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Braken (3.5/5)
• The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee (3.5/5)
• The Red by Tiffany Reisz (3/5)
• Geekerella by Ashley Poston (3/5)
• Girls Like Me by Lola St.Vil (3/5)
• City of Strife (City of Strife #1) by Claudie Arseneault (4/5)

I, actually, posted a few reviews this month for what I read, and one that'll be going up closer to release date so instead of saying  more here: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding, The Red, and one for Michael's Wings is coming.

Overall, it was a pretty good reading month for me. Especially considering I wasn't reading much in the first week or two of the month with traveling, and post-travel everything. And, also, with apartment guests in the middle of the month, it was a month, that's for sure.

I read Geekerella in pretty much one sitting, and it was cute but not amazing. I really, really loved City of Strife - it took me a ridiculously long time to read, but it's just a slower book, I think, which is not a bad thing. Seriously, check this book out, it's incredible. And I'm impatiently waiting for book two, which comes out in October, actually, so soon!

I enjoyed Girls Like Me, and really liked the message behind it, but I didn't feel like we had enough time with that message after? The main character is down on herself for the whole book and, when she finally realizes she isn't the problem, everyone else is the asshole, we don't get to see much of her really accepting that. Because it's not just a switch, and suddenly you know/accept your awesome. However - definitely still a solid book. I also didn't like the writing a lot - it's written in verse, which is fine, but it didn't blow me away.

Let me know what you read this week, or if you've read anything I have, and I hope you have a fantastic week!

Happy reading!

On The Blog:

August 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

Book Review: Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power!

Book Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

Book Review: The Red

Graphic Novel Review: The Little Red Wolf

Graphic Novel Review: The Little Red Wolf

Title: The Little Red Wolf
Author: Amélie Fléchais
Genre: Fairy Tale (graphic novel, childrens)
Rating: 4/5
Page Count: 80 pages
Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017*

Plot (from goodreads):
Lose yourself in in the dark forests of Amelie Flechais' spectacular artwork. A young wolf, on a journey to bring his grandmother a rabbit, is charmed by the nice little girl who offers to help him... but nice is not the same as good. A haunting fairy tale for children and adults alike.






Review:
Disclaimer: received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 

First of all, the art in this is completely gorgeous, it's got a very unique style to and I loved it. I would probably buy a print of a few of the scenes. And I also loved the little wolf - he's adorable and so naive but in such a sweet way. It's definitely a fantastic twist on the classic Little Red Riding hood tale, which I need to read more of considering how much I love wolves.

Will probably end up picking up a copy of this for myself because it's adorable and the art is so good. It's too short, for my liking, but that is always always the case with graphic novels, they go by so fast.

To sum up: incredible art, adorable story (with an adorable tiny wolf), and check it out if you're into flipped Little Red Riding Hood stories.

Happy Reading!

*Goodreads has a lot of differing opinions, but I received it today in the mail (which is why this is going up later in the day then normal cause had it scheduled for later in the week) (NetGalley also has October 3rd, but *shrugs*)

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Book Review: The Red

Title: The Red
Author: Tiffany Reisz
Genre: Erotica/Romance
Rating: 3.5/5
Page Count: 235
Publication Date: July 11th, 2017

Plot (from goodreads):
Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother's art gallery. Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it's in the red.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting...but surely her mother didn't mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger. Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red...

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series.

Review:
First off trigger/content warnings, cause this book is a lot: dubious consent, magical drugging (possibly? definitely magic altering perspective without the person knowing fulling that's going to happen), minotaur sex(I don't know how else to describe that scene?).

I don't even know else to mention - if you're hesitant, put yourself first, but if you've got any clarifying question I don't mind answering here or on twitter. (you can even ask me to follow so you can DM me and it isn't public, completely fine).

I was enjoying this book at different levels at different points. Up until the halfway point I was just kind of like meh, the characters felt more flat then her others have, and the plot felt predictable. And, even predicting it, the minotaur sex scene was weird. And I'm good with weird, fine with weird but... it was almost weird for me? Not weird enough I DNFed the book, though, which... you have to go far for me to do that, I'm pretty meh.

I did like that it kind of fucked everything up, though, plot wise. Overall, besides that scene we're not mentioning again, the sex scenes were pretty well written. Not as good as some I've read by her, but I think that's just because she used the word 'prick' a few times, which is not a sex scene word to me and made me wince. Why. Don't use prick in a sex scene, it's not sexy.

Otherwise, I wasn't attached to either of our main characters through out most of the book - Mona and Malcolm - but, by the end, I did really like both of them. Didn't love either of them, but I would 100% read a prequel about Malcolm's life before this book, it sounds bonkers. And I'm just in that?

Tiffany Reisz I hold to higher standards then I probably should, just because I love her Original Sinners series so much - a ridiculous amount, I'm not even kidding. I'd get an eighth circle tattoo, probably, after it's been a few more years. I just love those characters so much. This was still good, even though I was hesitant to go into it because she compares it to Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty series, which I put the first book down after ten pages. Phew, those are... hard to read.

This one isn't as hard to read as that, things start off consensual and it does feel muddied at points. However, I did appreciate that when she does tell him to stop and leave, he does stop and leave. He doesn't stay away forever, but the ball is more in her court to start things again then is.

Overall, if you want a fun and weird as fuck at points erotica book that's written well, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out. However, I'd recommend checking out her other series more. Her Men at Work series - Harlequin style romance series, super cute and pretty steamy. If you don't mind a trigger/content warning list as long as my entire body, I cannot recommend Original Sinners highly enough. The characters, the writing, the sex scenes are not cringey. There is some bloodplay though in the very beginning of the second book, just to give an example of how real it gets.

If you end up checking this one out, or any of her other books - or you already have - please let me know, I'd love to talk to you. Especially if you, too, worship the ground that Kingsley Edge walks on.

Happy reading!

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Book Review: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

Title(s): The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding (#1)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Genre: supernatural/mystery/adventure (middle grade)
Rating: 3.5/5
Page Count: 362
Publication Date: September 5th, 2017

Plot:
"I would say it's a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness."

Prosper Redding is from an acclaimed family, but he's not all that special. Redding's run the town where he lives, where he's from, and everyone seems to look down on Prosper, even his twin sister, Prue.

And then he learns that there's something inside him called a malefactor, and the story goes from there. Alastor is trying to regain power to escape Prosper's body, but that's proving harder then he expects it to be.

Review:
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'd never read anything by Alexandra Bracken before - I know, I'm a little surprised, too - but this sounded like a ton of fun. New England, fall, middle grade adventure/mystery with some demons and such, sign me up.

Overall, I liked her writing. There wasn't any part I was super in love with, but nothing really put me off the story, either. I did feel like we got bogged down in the middle, even though stuff was happening I just felt like of bored with it? This might of been my jetlagged mind or something else me related, especially since it didn't last that long, but still a factor for why I didn't give it five stars.

Let me be clear, though, I really enjoyed this book. Three point five out of five is a good book. And this one was, even though I didn't completely love it. Our characters were interesting, but didn't pull me in all the way, which is probably why I felt that drag. Although, would read a whole book about Toad. I have no idea why, and I'm not going to explain Toad, but... best.

Prosper, our main character obviously, is interesting, though. Coming from a large, rich, successful family and being... not successful, having the worst luck. It was so... not pitiful, at no point is he pitiful, but he is kind of something. Sad? Melancholy? His voice is a little melancholy, we see from his POV in third person, and there's something about it that makes me think melancholy. But I really liked that about him, and about this book.

Al was also a great character, possibly my favorite, which says about me then I am comfortble with but I do love a good "villain."

Overall, I think this was just a solid book. Good writing, good characters, dragged for me but I don't mind that too much. And I'm definitely going to pick up the second book, hopefully next year? And I think it'll be drastically different in tone then this one, that's for sure, and I am super excited about that.

If you pick up this book, or have already, let me know! Especially if you've got thoughts.

Happy reading!

Goodreads
Barnes and Noble
Amazon

Book Review: Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power!

Title(s): Lumberjanes, Unicorn Power! (Lumberjanes #1)
Author: Mariko Tamaki, Brooke Allen (Illustrator)
Genre: Adventure, Urban Fantasy (Middle Grade)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Page Count: 256
Publication Date: October 10th, 2017

Plot:
This is an original story staring the five main characters of the BOOM! published comic series Lumberjanes - created by Noelle Stevenson. And I'm a huge fan of it. We don't get exact ages for the girls but I'd say between ten and thirteen? They seem older sometimes, for various reasons, but the comics, and this book, are marketed for a younger middle grade audience.

This one starts off with them trying to earn the Living the Plant Life badge when they see a unicorn and Ripley takes off after it because, well, unicorn. And the adventure takes off from there with classic Lumberjanes shenanigans and mystery.

(If you haven't read the comic, you can read this book no problem but the comic is amazing)

Review:
I enjoyed this book a lot, but I did have problems with it. We're going to start with the problems, because there's only a few - and all of them are pretty minor, considering - but then we can end on a high note. My first problem with it was the fact that it was younger middle grade - which is fine, in itself, but my problem with that was the way it talked down to the reader. Explaining when a bigger word was used, kind of thing. Kids are smart, if they're confused by a word they can - figure out the meaning, look it up, or ask. It drove me a little crazy, and it would of as a kid, too.

So, obviously, I am not the age range this book is targeted but besides that I found it really cute and sweet. I forget, sometimes, the comic is all ages just because I don't think about it. However, I'd recommend both for, like it says, all ages.

The way the pacing of this book is, is a little weird. We meet the unicorns right away, and then it just felt a little weird the in between moments? Besides that, though, I just plain loved it. I might be biased because of my established love for the comics, I've read all the current out volumes and normally rate then 4/5 stars.

The girls are, of course, my favorite. They're so strong/good together, and it makes me so happy to see such great friendships shown between girls. Who aren't talking about guys all the time. I mean, sure, they're young and they also go to a camp for hardcore lady types but still, most others would of probably added that in since there is a boys camp near by.

Speaking of gender! We get a nonbinary or genderqueer character in this book - it's not specified which in the text just says they prefer they/them pronouns. And, actually, they're a character that we've seen in the comics that use to go to the boys camp and is adorable and amazing, and apparently makes really good cookies? So that was cool, even though we don't see them much in this book, hopefully they'll pop up more in future ones.

We still have Mal/Molly happening, like in the comics, which I kind of want more of because they're so dang cute. They seem to be living in this summer forever - it's even mentioned in one of the comics, time seems to run weird - but I'm hoping we do get to see them get older, and also at home, what it's like when they aren't at camp. And I feel like these books might be better suited then comics for that, because we can be shown/told how they're feeling easier through a novel then through a comic.

So I'll definitely be picking up my own copy of this when it comes out in October, and am excited that it seems to be planned to be the first in a novelized series. I'd recommend this for anyone who likes hardcore lady types, adventure, and magical realism/portal fantasy? The magic is weird, follows it's own rules, and I love it.

August 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

This is a little late because I was in London/Dublin for the last week of August, and first few days of September. Which I'm planning on making a post about but I just love both of those cities possibly an unhealthy amount, and am already planning my next tattoo (one I got in Dublin). (Another reason why this wasn't up right away, hard to type when you've got a tattoo healing on your wrist).

This month I went on a bit of a NetGalley spree - I've had my account for a while but haven't used it until now - so a good handful of things I read aren't out yet. But I have reviews up here, or on goodreads (and they will be up here).

Books:

• Deceptive (Illusive #1) by Emily Lloyd-Jones (3/5)
• Lumberjanes: UNICORN POWER! by Mariko Tamaki (3.5/5) (full review this week!!)
• Takeover (#1) by Anna Zabo (4.5/5) (review)
• Just Business (#2) by Anna Zabo (4/5)
• Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson (4.5/5)
• The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su, Kate Rodick (4/5)
• Grinder (Seattle Sharks #1) by Samantha Whiskey (3/5)
• Enforcer (#2) by Samantha Whiskey (2/5)
• The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnston (3/5)
• Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison (4/5)

Graphic novels/comics:

• If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle Aged Men by Matthew Inman (3/5) (goodreads review)
• The Little Red Wolf by Amelie Flechais (4/5) (goodreads review)
• Lady Stuff by Loryn Brantz (4/5) (goodreads review)
• The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill (5/5) (review)
• What Does Consent Really Mean? by Pete Wallis, Joseph Wilkins (4/5) (goodreads review - will be up on blog soon)

It was a weird, but good, reading month. I really only read for about 3/4 of the weeks of August. It was good reading month, though, I feel like. I got through a good amount of review things - which, hopefully, I can do again this month because I'm behind. 

All the romance/erotica I read - which I didn't realize I'd read four in a short period of time - was probably because of travel stress, and all was fun. The Anna Zabo was even really good? (Got annoyed at Samantha Whiskey's second book, so annoyed).

I am mildly obsessed with The Tea Dragon Society - which I got through NetGalley but because I recognized the authors name, liked her previous graphic novel. I already preordered the physical book and I kind of want more set in this world? Listen, adorable tea dragons is something I am all about. 

Down the Rabbit Hole was something I was sure about - I picked it up on audio on a recommendation - and it was... a lot of fun? I'm not sure if that's the right words, but it was just so interesting to me because it feels so ridiculous? Just because, obviously, my life is nothing like this and I just really enjoyed it. It was pretty well written, it was fun, highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy memoirs about people leading such insanely different lives (unless you are also a former reality TV star).

Overall, good/fun reading month. And crazy, fun times traveling. Let me know what you read this month, especially if you've got any feelings about what I read, and just generally how your month went!

Happy reading!

On the Blog:

July 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

Comic Review: The Tea Dragon Society

Recently Read, Watch, Other | August 14th, 2017

Book Review: Every Heart a Doorway

Book Review: Takeover (#1)

Book Review: Takeover (#1)

Title(s): Takeover (Takeover Series #1)
Author: Anna Zabo
Genre: Romance/Erotica (m/m romance) (BDSM)
Rating: 4/5
Page Count: 229
Publication Date: January 1st, 2014

Plot:
This is a story about Michael and Sam who meet and have a fantastic one night stand in Curacao. Michael wants to let some steam off, as does Sam. Before Michael returns back to his job he's passionate about but being screwed over in, and not in the fun way. And Sam returns back to fixing companies and being firmly in the closet.

And then Michael's new CEO ends up being Sam. What will they do? Try and stay as professional as possible? Sam might not be able to get work if people know he's gay, he's seen it happen. But is it worth it to be unhappy if that means missing out on Michael?

Review:
(Trigger warnings, for this book and review(at end): assault, homophobic language, internalized homophobia, D/s + sadist/masochist (healthy relationship but still could be triggering) )
If I've missed any - for book or review, please, please let me know
This book. whew boy. It's hot as hell, first of all. If you're not into sex scenes, this book - or series, isn't for you. But if you don't mind them, carry on.

Honestly, some of the best scenes were the two of them flirting, while trying to remain professional but also plainly flirting. There's a lot of chemistry and some feelings, but I really don't think this is an insta love story. Instant lust, definitely, and maybe some infatuation, but this book takes place over quite a few months and I was interested with how it moved forward.

Sam and Michael are both fantastic characters, I loved both of them, and I'm so glad we get to see them more in the rest of the series because I would of honestly missed them if that wasn't the case. I already want to go back and reread this one because of that very reason and it's barely been a week.

This book is definitely about a D/s relationship and it was a hell of a good one, in my opinion. If you're wary of picking this book up because of that, feel free to ask me any questions here - in the comments or, if you don't feel comfortable with it being public, my private email in in my abouts (mostly for review requests, but feel free to use it for things like this, as well).

I have never entered into a D/s or a sadist/masochist relationship, so I can't speak for that. However, none of it came across as abusive or manipulative to me. They're both consenting adults, and they're really damn enjoying themselves. There's some abuse in Sam's past but it's not related to a past relationship.

I highly, highly recommend this series. It's a ton of fun, hot as hell, and the characters are all fleshed out really well (in my opinion).

If you've read this, let's chat in the comments, or if you're planning on picking it up let me know. (if you think I missed a trigger warning, let me know.

Happy Reading!

Goodreads
Kindle
Kobo

Book Review: Every Heart a Doorway

Title(s): Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1)
Author: Seanan McGuire
Genre: Fantasy (Young Adult)
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 169
Publication Date: April 5th, 2016

Plot:
This is an incredible, beautiful book about kids post coming back from other worlds. AKA: what happens post all of your fav portal fantasies. High nonsense or high logic?

Our main character just came back from an underworld-esque world and can stand so still she appears to become a statue. The women of the home has gone back and forth between her world and ours, but can't now she's an adult - though it's made her age faster. And all the kids are amazing


Review:
I'm not super in love with portal fantasies, so I really didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. It's freaking incredible. And I cannot wait until we end up back at the school in the third book, because I think it's so interesting being surrounded by these people.

One of the main things running through this book is that people normally only get a door once. It's very usual for their door to appear again so they can go back, but that's what everyone wants. It's about how their parents sent them there because they aren't getting use to being "home," when all of them feel like they've left home and are somewhere strange.

And I just - my heart, I loved them all. These poor damn kids.

Our main character is ace, which shout out for that, and then there's a tran side character - who I adore? And I want more about and his world, as well.

Overall - love this book/world. It's so simply made but so interesting, and I definitely recommend checking it out. They're short, yes, but they're so good.

Recently Read, Watch, Other | August 14th, 2017

I've read quite a few things this first two weeks and I just wanted to quickly talk about some of them, especially because I did reviews - either here or on goodreads. And I really miss doing weekly wrap ups? It's so much fun to talk about what I've read and watched or whatever, but I think every two weeks might be a better plan?

Reading: (finished this week)
Deceptive (illusive #2) by Emily Lloyd-Jones (3/5)
I'm really sad this didn't get more books in the series, because I feel like they could of gotten much better, and there's definitely stories I'm sad we didn't get. (I ship Kit/Magnus and no one can tell me that didn't happen). And this duology wasn't amazing, but it was pretty good, fun, and interesting.


If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle Aged Men by Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal) (4/5)
I reviewed this on goodreads - mostly fun but not incredible.

Lumberjanes: UNICORN POWER! by Mariko Tamaki (3.5/5)
I'll have a review up closer to the release date, but mostly: enjoyed it a lot. If you're a fan of the comics, or not, I'd suggest checking it out - but if you haven't read the comics, I highly, highly recommend them. They're all 4/5 or 5/5 for me. (goodreads link)

Takeover (Takeover Series #1) and Just Business (#2) by Anna Zabo
I've got a review for the first in this series going up this week - will be linked when up - but overall this is a fantastic m/m BDSM erotica series so far, highly recommend. The first one is mostly fluff. but not all fluff, and the second one almost made me cry a few times. Both very good (any questions about trigger warnings let me know, and I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my abilities, this goes for any book, really)

The Little Red Wolf by Amélie Fléchais
Goodreads Review - this is an adorable graphic novel that turns the little red riding hood story on it's head, and is out October 3rd!

Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson (5/5)
Takes place in his Stormlight series - I'd say universe but... cosmere - and some have said you don't have to of read Words of Radiance to read this one but I highly disagree? There's.... so many spoilers, but it's also so damn good. Lift is a fantatic character and I hope we get more of her in Oathbringer.

Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Women by Loryn Brantz (4/5)
Goodreads Review again! (trying harder on this) this is pretty fluffy, and kind of feels like a might lighter version of Hyperbole and a Half, but still enjoyed)

The Tea Dragon Society by Emily O'Neill (5/5)
Blog review, and also on goodreads. Basically: in-fucking-credible, I'm definitely going to be picking up a copy on October 31st when it comes out and so should you. The author has another graphic novel you should check out in the mean time but this one - SO GOOD.


What Does Consent Really Mean? by Pete Wallis, Thalia Wallis (4/5)
Review will be up on blog closer to release date but already up on goodreads, too many things to say to sum it up. Complicated feelings, but overall: super fucking important.

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su, Kate Rorick (3.5/5)
If you haven't heard of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries it was a webseries and it is really, really great. This is a book, written by two of the writers of the webseries, that is based on the videos but has more in-depth in the thoughts. I think I'm going to write a full review of this one but I'm still not sure yet?

Grinder (Seattle Sharks #1)  by Samantha Whiskey (4/5)
This is just almost boring m/f romance novel about this single dad hockey player and yet.... I loved it? Second time reading it because there was a sequel that came out and wanted to dive into that (more on that below). I go back and forth on doing a review on this but - it's a ton of fun, the child is adorable, it's a little melodramatic but I honestly would of been disappointed if it wasn't, and I didn't cringe too much through any of the sex scenes. I just had a craving for a silly romance book and here this was!


Stuff: (currently-reading, watching, crafting, such)

I'm currently reading a few things, so I'll be quick. Enforcer, the sequel to Grinder, which is twice as long but I am enjoying so far? It's just a lot different and not what I was expecting, but I don't think in a bad way? seems more complex.

I've started Dear Martin by Nic Stone, which is amazing so far but I had to put it down because I've already almost cried a handful of times and it made my chest heavy? It's a heavy, important book but, whew, is it hard to read. So important, though, and I'm really enjoying the writing style.

I've read probably literally less then 10 pages of There's Someone Inside Your House as I'm typing this, but I'm hoping to get further before the day's over. I am enjoying it so far, though? I've seen some negative reviews but... my expectations are a Steph-esque slasher and that seems to be what I'm going to get, so I'm so damn excited.

And, finally, I'm also currently reading City of Strife, which if taking me a ridiculously long time and I'm not sure why? I'm loving it but it is heavy high fantasy. However, also (I believe) all the POV/MC's are queer, which I am so into. I'm really, really loving it so far just... I don't know, guess I'm having a hard time concentrating it on because life.

For watching - this week I watched The Wedding Party on Netflix, which was fun but not as fun I expected (it's not a good movie, though. I'm someone who may or may not seek out not great movies to watch because they're entertaining.... no judgement, right? And if you've got recommendations...).

Speaking of things that aren't good, Pretty Little Liars ended, so I decided to give it another shot. I only got like 3 episodes in the last time I tried, but this time I'm like 7/8 episodes in. It's definitely not good but it's entertaining, fun, I like that there's some diversity. (I cringe at the teacher/student thing but, ah well, pretty sure it'll be there forever). It does have some good stuff, at least stuff that could be good, I'm hopeful.

As always I'm watching RoosterTeeth/Achievement Hunter stuff and also YouTube stuff - booktubers primarily but also other people, I don't think I've done one of these since I started watching Simmers, but I watch those now. Ah, how fun. My favorite BookTuber at the moment, has been my fav for a while and is: BooksandLala. She's fantastic, highly recommend her readathon vlogs.

For crafting, I'm still crocheting. Currently working on a large granny square blanket - which will never end probably - and some hats. Do any of you guys craft? I'm really working on moving my blog not just book focused, although It'll always primarily be books because, well, I love books a lot. Especially talking about them.

I'm also thinking of taking part in a month long (about) readathon kind of thing that's like DnD but for reading? It's called The Reading Quest and was created by readatmidnight (info post), and it is super cute. However, I'll also be traveling for 10 of the days during it so we'll see how that goes.

What've you been reading, watching, or whatever?

Happy reading! (and watching, crafting...)

On the blog:

July 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

Comic Review: The Tea Dragon Society

Comic Review: The Tea Dragon Society

Title(s): The Tea Dragon Society
Author: Emily O'Neill
Genre: Fantasy - Graphic Novel
Rating: 5/5
Page Count: 72
Publication Date: October 31st, 2017

Disclaimer: ecopy provided in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Plot:
This is less then 80 pages, so I'm not going to say much, but I will say: tiny tea dragons, who get very attached to their owners. And are adorable.

Why can't I have a tea dragon?

Review:
I read the authors first graphic novel, Princess Princess Ever After, in 2016 I believe. And I loved the art, and the story, and it was just overall adorable. (it's f/f, and there's also a dragon but a bigger one).

This one I didn't read anything about before I picked it up. I saw someone post about reading it and thought the art style was familiar - alas, that's because it was - and ended up seeing when it came out, and then heading to NetGalley to see if I could snag it to read.

I don't normally do a full review for graphic novels - just because they're so short, so there isn't much to say before spoiling it - but this one was just so good, and so cute. First off, the art is gorgeous, as is the coloring. And I teared up at one point, because this is very much about loosing art forms because they take time. 

It's, also, however about tiny tea dragons. We start off with our main character rescuing one from dogs and bringing the poor thing back to it's owner, who offers to teach her the art of it since she's so enthralled with them. (have I mentioned tiny tea dragons? how couldn't you be enthralled with tiny tea dragons. I'm actually upset that I can't one day have one as a companion).

There's more I want to talk about, but I don't want to spoil anything. Like her first, this is also a queer book with an m/m couple, and the girls are young but I think it could be read as a crush or whatever (which is how I read it, just realized typing this that everyone might not read it that way).

Overall - I'd highly recommend checking this graphic novel out, along with her first one. They're gorgeous and heartwarming, but not in a pure fluff kind of way. 

July 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

Whoops, this is a few days late. Mostly because I was pretty much reading up until the last possible moment of the month, wanting to try (for some reason?) to get as much reading into the month as possible. And I had a lot of fun doing that? I wasn't really trying to do that until BookTubeAThon started - I vlogged for it, I'm hoping to get it up sometime next week.

Anyway - it was a good reading month in quantity but also in quality. I read a lot of things, sure, but I also read a lot of good things. And even managed to check off a few Diversity Bingo challenges, which is great because I'm officially behind. Reading challenges is when being a mood reader bites me in the ass.

Onto the books and then some thoughts - probably a good few because, well like I said, a lot in general but also a lot of good.

Books:

• Half-Resurrection Blues (Bone Street Rumba #1) by Daniel Jose Older (4/5)
• A Christmas Carroll: A Strangely Beautiful Novella by Leanna Renee Hieber (5/5)
• The King by Tiffany Reisz (5/5)
• Coffee Boy by Austin Chant (5/5)
• Knit One, Girl Two by Shira Glassman (5/5)
• The Blue Horses by Mary Oliver (4/5)
• Wizards in Space, Volume 1 edited by Olivia Dolphin (4/5)
• Queer, There, and Everywhere by Sarah Prager (5/5)
• Want (Want #1) by Cindy Pon (4/5)
• Adaptation (Adaptation #1) by Malinda Lo (5/5)
• Dog Songs: Poems by Mary Oliver (4/5)
• Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher (2/5)
• Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1) by Seanan McGuirre (5/5)
• Hold Your Own by Kate Tempest (4/5)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where the Find them: Original Screenplay by J.K Rowling (4/5)
• The Gauntlet by Karuna Riaza (4/5)
• Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2) by Seanan McGuire (4.5/5)
• Exit, Pursued by Bear by E.K Johnston (5/5)
• The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord (5/5)
• The Gunslinger (Dark Tower #1) by Stephen King (4/5)
• Illusive (Illusive #1) by Emily Lloyd-Jones (3.5/5)

Graphic novels/comic/manga:

• Kill or Be Killed, Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips
• Dimension W, Volume(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, + 5 by Yuji Iwahara (4.5 average)
• Giant Days, Volume 5 by John Allison, Max Sarin (4/5)

So I read a lot of good, good stuff this month. You can see a bunch of 5 stars up there, but also a bunch of 4 stars. And the 4 stars were really fucking good in their own right, excuse the language. I normally try not to swear on blog but I'm tired, and also amped up about books. As always. I read 21 books, 7 graphic novels. Which equals to a total of: 5,902 pages with the graphic novels - 4,846 without gn.

I'm going to try and be super brief about most of the ones I loved, only going into depth about a few, just because there's so many but I live giving my mini-thoughts about the books I read.

I'm kind of mad at myself that I waited so long to read Half-Ressurection Blues? I've had it since just after it came out and it was so good and so much fun, and listening to the author narrate it was an experience. I don't know if this is weird to say, but he's got a good voice. And the way it's written feels conversation - highly recommend the book, and the audiobook if you're into that. 

The King - do I need to spew lover about Tiffany Reisz again? A Christmas Carroll was really, really adorable and I'm glad we got that last piece of closure. I'm loving Mary Olivers poems, which should be unsurprising since I read two of her collections this month.

The Gauntlet. Everyone was right about it being like jumanji and I highly recommend it - interesting, surprised me, and a ton of fun. Coffee Boy and Knit One, Girl Two were both short, adorable romances and I'd recommend them both, definitely going to be checking out more from the authors. 

Finally, the last few I really loved. First: Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones. I feel like I'm one of the last people to start this novella series but if you haven't, it's incredible. It's so damn interesting and just so good? I love fantasy, portal fantasy included, and I loved the idea of this book and also loved the way she wrote it. Would highly recommend both, cannot wait until the third comes out.

The Names They Gave Us was heartfelt and sad. It deals with cancer, though, just to warn you - the MC's mom has agressive breast cancer. It also deals with a whole slew of other problems and it's really, really good. I want to read the spinoff about Anna, I don't think it'll happen but I'd 100% read it.

(trigger warnings for sexual assault/rape discussion, just the below paragraph)

Exit, Pursued by Bear. This book. I cried through probably at least 60% of it. It's so well done, though. I'm not a survivor of an assault so I can't speak for that, but... I can't read books about rape, so I wasn't going to pick this one up. It makes me sick to read, especially when the writer feels like we need a detailed description of it happening? None of that is in this book. This book handles our main character with respect, but also lets her be confused. She doesn't know to feel, she doesn't remember it. I think I want to write a full review, but one last thing: how respectful every adult she encountered was incredible, how supportive her best friend was and mostly everyone in her life who was a friend. I just... if you can stomach it, I'd recommend reading this book. It's on a horrible subject matter, but it's an incredible read. 

Finally, we're ending on a lighter note because I feel like we should. Adaptation by Malinda Lo. There's mixed opinions about this book but holy shit, I loved it. I loved it in a way that I haven't a book in a while. It's fun, a little ridiculous, and deals with conspiracy theories - remember when there were those bird problems? And then conspiracy theories? Well - what if they were real? Oh, and also aliens? Haven't read book two yet - it's a duology - but I am definitely planning on doing so, I'm just kind of nervous about how it's going to end. This was only my second book by Malinda Lo but I think she might be an auto buy author now for me? (I read Ash by her last year, which is incredible)

Whew, that was a lot of words, took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say. And I don't feel like I did most of these books justice, I also don't feel like I really correctly articulated what I wanted to say about Exit, Pursued by Bear. Either way - if you've read any of these books let me know, or if me talking about them made you want to pick them up! (if you end up reading any, please come back or let me know on twitter)

And with that -

Happy Reading!

Bibliothon Day Six | 25 Facts About Me

I don't know if I can come up with 25 fun facts about myself, but I'm going to try. This is, of course, for day six of the Biannual Bibliothon, day six challenge, this challenge is being hosted by Mary (I think that's her name? Some people names are hard to figure out).

1. I've always been a reader.
2. My mom and I use to go to Borders every weekend (RIP).
3. I have chronic pain in my back that's believe to be scoliosis.
4. I've been to seven (?) Harry Potter conventions.
5. I'm flying to London and then Dublin with friends for the next one later this summer. 
6. I have a Harry Potter tattoo.
7. I want so many more tattoos.
8. I play too much of the Sims 4 - way too much.
9. Watch too much YouTube.
10. And RoosterTeeth/Achievement Hunter. 
11. I started crocheting in September of 2015.
12. I really like doing it, it's soothing, and I'm considering opening an Etsy shop.
13. 85% (about) of my friends live too far away to see regularly.
14. I've been to BEA three times and would love to go again.
15. Reading has been hard the last year+ because my vision is getting worse.
16. I don't need reading glasses, though, just the astigmatism becoming a problem.
17. I once visited New York for the day and was in the city for six and a half hours before taking the train home. 
18. I don't own a dog but would like to in a future.
19. A pitbull because that's what my aunt had and I grew up with him (RIP Diego. Dogs are good).
20. I had a rabbit for almost a year but couldn't keep her because thought was a dwarf, turned out to be a meat rabbit (IDK actual breed, but the rabbit people breed to eat which WHY). I get pictures from the friend of a friend who has her though. Bunnies are fantastic pets, but high maintenance (the way she followed me literally everywhere, though, was worth it).
21. I live by myself.
22. But my mom has an apartment in the same building.
23. Which is good because: I don't drive.
24. I'm 22 (I realized this might not be known by you guys widely? Turned 22 a month ago).
25. I am always tired. Be it depression, chronic fatigue, medicine side effects. There's always something.

Those are some random facts for you. Don't know if they're fun facts but I'm not an overly complicated person and didn't want to do really anything about books/reading that I think you might know just from following me here or on twitter/instagram.

If you took part in this challenge, please link me your post so I can see it.

Andddd Happy Readathoning!

Three Star Reads | Discussion (Bibliothon day 4)

It's day four of the bibiliothon and today's prompt? Challenge? is to talk about book(s) you've rated three or less stars. This challenge is being hosted by burstingwithbooks. I use to be, and still kind of am, pretty lenient in my ratings towards most books. Unless it has something that really annoys me or rubs be the wrong way.

I'm going to mention one in particular - Zom-B by Darren Shan I rated one star. Now, it was so long ago that I don't quite remember the scene but I do remember the why. I mean, first of all, it was just a meh book to begin with, but then it got racist and that's fucked up. Yes, they're teenagers, blah, blah - whatever, I wasn't a racist shithead when I was a teenager. If you have racist characters it needs to be corrected/commented on by the end of the book - someone calling them out, come on.

Wow, it's been over three years and I'm still full of salt about that one, but I mean - racist bullshit, I will always be salty over. (disclaimer, I guess, but I'm white. So if you feel differently, let me know).

Examples of more one (1) star reads (I don't have a lot): The Girl in the Park, Twilight series, Opal Fire

Two stars are a low rating for me, but they're not I hated it. And, also, normally I only rate books I got at least 50% into it. Though, if I DNF a book I normally didn't really hold on that long. And I have a surprising amount of two star reads, but a book has to make me angry at how bad it is to get a 1 star.

Examples of two (2) star reads: Heir of Fire, Cold Kiss, Girl with Guitar, 172 Hours on the Moon, Monument 14, Dead Ever After, 

Overall, though, a three stars isn't really a low rating for me. It can be, if it's a book I was really hyped for and it fell flat. However, romances get a three from me a lot and I'm not sure why, but I definitely think of it as just "i liked it." It was good, but there wasn't anything that made me go: I loved that part, it was just a good, solid book.

For example, I gave two of the Vampire Academy books I've read three stars but - I enjoyed them, and I am planning on continuing with the series. I think that's why half stars and such can come in so handy when rating something, but since I mostly use goodreads I guess it doesn't matter (I do normally put half stars in my review, though, if I do them. And they're also in my spreadsheet. Yes, I keep track of what I've read in a spreadsheet).

Examples of three (3) star reads: Wife by Wednesday, If it Ain't Love, All Our Yesterdays, Lord of Shadows, The Screaming Staircase

I'm not going to list more because I have a lot of three stars - and my rating system has gotten more strict as I've read more things. I would of never rated Lord of Shadows three stars even just last year, probably, I would of felt guilty about it since I loved Lady Midnight and her other books (also didn't want the haters clawing at my throat). But now - meh. And, actually, going through those ratings I'd change some - bump them down, mostly, just because I really feel meh about the book in general.

I don't think this is exactly what the challenge/prompt was suppose to be but it's what I thought of for it. And I don't think I've ever really talked about how I rate books, mostly because at the beginning I was still kind of new to it all.

How do you rate books? Is three a bad rating from you? If you did this same challenge, let me know so I can see how you did it.

Happy readathoning!

Bibliothon Day 3 | The Villain's Synopsis

It is day three! Well, presumably, I'm prewriting these so hopefully it is. This challenge is being hosted by Dominique over at Pirates and Pixie Dust. And the idea behind it is to take your favorite book - or just as book, I guess - and rewrite the synposis from the villain's perspective. So. Let's do this.

(There isn't a lot of books I read, apparently, with one focused villain. So this was harder then expected but please enjoy - I definitely went the humor route)

Spoilers for: Harry Potter (kinda?), The Grisha Trilogy, 

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by J.K. Rowling (as soon from Voldemorts POV)
This women did a thing and made it look like her baby defeated me and now I have to live on the back of a dude's head. Ow! Someone hit with me something! Ugh, I hate dealing with Snape. (This is not how I imagine Voldemort's internal monologue but it's too amusing).

Want by Cindy Pon
I am so cool. I am the coolest. The 1% with flourish in our bubbles and the peasants will die. Global warming? The skies use to be blue? HA, fantasy (why do people not believe in global warming??)

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brook
(Zombies) grrrr arghhh bleeee grrrrr

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
(The Darkling) This seems fun, let's destory the world because my mommy doesn't love me. Why do all these fangirls love me? Even though I literally want to destroy the world an am never sorry about it whoops.

Duma Key by Stephen King
Fuck that one guy in particular.

Alright, that last one is probably funny to like one person who clicks on this link but I don't care it made me laugh. Honestly, none of them are very funny. And the Grisha one is me just being salty about how much the fandom loves the Darkling (why? honestly why are you guys like this?). I don't read a lot of books with specific villains, I guess, and these were the only ones I could remmeber clearly enough to even try. And they're not really synopsis of the books, more just like internal monologue for the books.

I mean you don't really see the "villain" in Want all that much, and zombies.

Anyway - hopefully you were a bit better at this then I was, definitely link me if you did this one, I had fun!

Happy readathoning!