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

WWW Wednesday (20)

It hasn't been too long since I've last done one of these, but I thought it was about time to bring it back around because I do enjoy them quite a bit. Mostly because I just get to talk about my recently read / currently reading books and I like talking about that. (Also hearing about what other people are reading, I really love that, it's so interesting).

First off - I want to apologize just straight off because I'm writing this (starting writing it, at least), pretty late at night and I'm tired. And writing had sapped all of my energy and brain power, as I stated in an earlier post. And I'm sorry for any spelling, grammar, general errors, because I'm not sure what could happen but I'm sure I won't notice if it does. But, hey, BOOKS! (if you did one of these, link me to it, I will read over it during one of my view breaks where I can see the internet, hopefully).

Also, last note I promise, I'm going to just be talking about everything I've read since the month began because it's a surprisingly small amount of things. Well - not surprising, but it's sad.

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. She asks that you answer three questions:

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

Currently-reading:

As usual, I'm always currently reading way too many books, but I'm not really actively reading anything at the moment because NaNoWriMo. I did read about 30 pages of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, which I'm liking so far.

Read:

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater (5/5)
I was little unsure before starting this one. Mostly just because even though I was hearing amazing things about this series, I was hearing not so amazing things about her other series and that had me a little worried. I shouldn't of been, I should of just listening. This book was phenomenal. I think it was a case of perfect time for this book, but I love that so much and I loved this book so much. I'm currently putting off the third one because I don't want to be out of new stuff, the next book is at least a year away.

Click-Clack the Rattle Bag by Neil Gaiman
I got this for free from Audible because of the Halloween (All Hallows Read) promotion thing. And I wasn't sure when I was going to listen to it, but it's just twelve minutes and I had a migraine and couldn't so anything else. And I enjoyed it a surprising amount for it being so short, it was honestly a little creepy.

Hawkeye, Vol 3: LA Women and single issues: #13, #17, #15, #19 by Matt Fraction, David Aja
The way the volumes were split was to put the bulk of Kate's comics, her story, into a volume and then Clint's, and the end of the series, will be volume four. I'm sad to see this series end, I love it to bits and pieces. I will follow Matt Fraction wherever he goes, and probably David Aja, too, because the art is just gorgeous.

The Wicked and the Divine #3 by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie
Oh man, this series is awesome. I'm trying to take it slow, bide my time until the next volume comes out. But it's so good. I don't know why I was so sold on this so quickly, but I'm sure it had something to do with - my obsession with gods/such on earth, the gorgeous art and coloring, and the almost instant intrigue of what the hell is going on I love it.

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
So much chatacter development and it didn't feel rush. I love the pacing. I'm just in love with this series - I just fell head over heels and I'm not sure it can do any wrong. And it's been a while since I've just kind of let go like that for a series (though Sanderson can't seem to do any wrong). But this world is magical and her writing is beautiful. And these characters. I'm not sure I could pick a favor, but I'm obsessed and I'll be sad to say goodbye to them. Maybe I'll read book three first thing December so I can put my full focus on it.

White Cat, Red Glove, Black Heart (Curse Workers 1-3) by Holly Black
White Cat was a reread for me, but the rest were new and I'm glad I reread it because I did not remember enough to go back and read it, but I really enjoyed all three of these books. They were exactly what I wanted them to be, pretty much, and I'm really glad I read them when I did. I'm very much a mood reader, if you didn't know, and I was just in the mood for con men being kick- ass and bad and that's what I got it was marvelous.

Chew, Volume 3: Just Desserts by John Layman, Rob Guillory
I'm really enjoying this serious - it's ridiculous and I love the art style. It does have gore, so I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like that, but the characters are a lot of fun. And this volume ended on a strange note that makes me want volume 4 immediately.

To-Read:

I have a lot of books I'd like to read very soon. Blue Lily, Lily Blue - which I'm putting off because the final book is a year away and I think this one is probably going to hurt in some way.
Ancillary Justice - I've had this book since it came out, it was a pick for the Sword and Laser bookclub one month, and I didn't get to it then. And then it won every award ever. And the sequel just came out.
There's more, of course, but I'll leave it at that for now, because this is suppose to be just immediately and I have no idea when I'm going to read either of those books, or be able to read again, for that matter.

WWW Wednesday (18)

It's once again been more then just a week since I did this, it's been about a month, I think. So we've got a tad bit of catching up to do, it's a good thing a large chunk of the books I've read is a manga series, that'll make this easier.

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. She asks that you answer three questions:

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

Currently-Reading:

The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles #1) by Patrick Rothfuss

I'm about in the middle of this one, it's long and the second is even longer, and it's so good. The writing, first of all, I don't care what genre you normally read because this writing, oh my god. And the characters and the plot - I kind of love it all, a lot, I'm taking it a little slow now, have kind of taken a break from it, but just because I didn't want to force myself through it.

The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove

I just started this one, and I'm a little eh on it, but I'm barely into it - only like 50 pages. I realized I just really wasn't in the mood for Fantasy, or anything that'd take too much thought. I'm definitely going to keep going, I loved the idea/concept of this book, I just need to get further into the story. Also I'd finished Ready Player One - and I just needed something lighter (even though I love RP1 and it's amazing).

Read:

Fruits Basket 1-23 by Natsuki Takaya (5/5)

Yeah - I reread the entirety of Fruits Basket (I also re-watched the anime), and this was really good, as good as I remembered it being. And the anime was actually better then I remember, and both are really funny at points. I definitely reccomend this series, I also think it's a good starting series - if you're trying to get into manga and don't want to get yourself into anything huge. This series has a definite end, it's fantastic and funny, and has an anime. (The anime only covers the story arc to volume 6, but it has scenes/information from further volumes, if memory serves, but not too much farther then that).

Volume One

Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott (4/5)

This was very, very good. Life or death situations, animal companions, possible corrupting - fantastic.

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour (5/5)

Whoa, a contemporary? I know, I know - but I do read them when the urge arises, and this one was really, really good. I always forget that I do like contemporaries, I just rarely get the urge to read them. Anyway - I stayed up late to finish this, and I hadn't even meant to pick it up to begin with, and I flew through it - it was fantastic and touching and it made me cry. That's the highest praise, I don't cry at a lot of books.

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony (3/5)

I - liked it, but it didn't draw me in, I didn't feel connected at all with these characters. But it was a really cool way to tell a story.

The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer (5/5)

I need to read her other series, it's werewolves and I love werewolves. Anyway - this one: steampunk, alternate history, and a shit ton of fun. It's can get cheesy, but sometimes I really like that. Which is probably a weird thing to say, but I liked the characters, the humor. It was just a lot of fun to read.

Sea of Shadows by Kelly Armstrong (5/5)

I was intrigued by this book, but I didn't expect to like it this much. I've never read anything by Kelly Armstrong, but I'm definitely going to look into her other stuff. This was really good, I liked the writing and the characters and the story was good and actually surprised me.

Burn for Burn by Siobhan Vivian, Jenny Han (3/5)

Fun, interesting, but it didn't feel like it was more then that. And I don't, honestly, think that's a bad thing. It was exactly what I expected - teenage girls trying to get revenge. I might even continue on with the series when they're also out in paperback.

To Read:

I have a large amount of books I want to read right away, and even short term TBRs just don't seem to work with me. I'm a very mood based reader, and if I'm not feeling a book - I just can't read it. However, I have a few ideas, I kind of am in a contemporary mood (what? blaspheme. I don't know if this has ever happened to me before). Anyway - I pulled a couple contemporary books out, and I just got one in the mail and such, but I also want to keep going with my #RYBSAT stack (I've been kind of reading that and other books, like I'm double reading for some, strange reason. Oh, right, I have no life). 

So - possibilities for soon (since I'm sure my next WWW Wednesday won't go up until after VidCon):

• Rock On by Denisa Vega (short, rock music - sounds fun)
• The List by Siobhan Vivian (because just read Burn for Burn and have heard good things)
• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord (because someone commented I sound and I've seen really good reviews for it. Also the cover is even more gorgeous in person, I just got it in the mail).
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (the third book just came out, and I've been here even more good things).
• And - also finish some of the other books I'm still currently-reading.

Do you post a WWW Wednesday? Or just - what have you read recently or what are you reading currently? What are you eyeing to read next?

WWW Wednesday (16)

So. It's been a long time since I've done one of these, way too long. And I really enjoy doing these, but there have been way too many books I've read since I did this. Actually, the last time I did this meme was last year, in May, so it's almost been a full year.

I'm just going to mention some of the few books I've just finished and not go further then that.

And here we go!

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading. She asks that you answer three questions:

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

Currently-Reading:
I'm currently-reading six books according to Goodreads, which isn't that bad in all honesty, and I just finished a book yesterday (Tuesday). However -

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
I'm not that far into this one only about 50 pages or so, but I am really enjoying it so far, and I'm intrigued. I just kind of accidentally sent myself on a SciFi kick and this one is mysterious and such - but not quite what I'm craving. (Not saying it isn't freaking fantastic, and I do hope to finish it before the month ends, at least).

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
This book. It's psychological and creepy and confusing - and I love it, so much. I started reading this book in February, but I'm enjoying taking it slow, though I would like to just finish it already, I want to know what happened. Also - if you're scared to pick up this book because of the side, or because of the weird formatting - just jump in and go with it. There isn't a right or wrong way to read this book, it's kind of like an adventure in itself and, even not having finished it yet, I can tell it's worth it.

Read:
(In order from most recent, to least recent)

The Martian by Andy Weir (5/5 stars)
So great, loved it. It's hilarious to begin with, and I keep seeing it described as kind of MacGyver in space and I totally stick by that, it's just like that, except a little more... space/SciFi-y. Either way, highly recommended, loved the narrator/main character, and the whole thing.

Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) by James S.A. Corey (5/5)
Epic space opera with a mix of horror and some classic noir, even. I loved this book to just pieces. Maybe it was just exactly what I was crazing, still kind of am, so it just - hit all the right notes with me. There's some humor in this too, of course, and some truly fantastic characters. They're flawed and maybe not lovable o everyone, as I'm sure this book also isn't for everyone, but I did really love it. Plot, writing, characters - whole bundle.

Redshirts by John Scalzi (5/5)
Okay - so I know I said those two up there were good, and they were really good, but I read this before them. And this really hit me off towards some SciFi (and more SciFi with a crew). I read War of the Worlds just before this and went - SciFi, need to read more of that, and this was close at hand. I've been reading to read this book since it came out. I'm not a huge Star Trek fan, but I am a bit of a fan of some other series that have space scenes in later seasons - anyway, even without that, I'm pretty sure I would of loved it. It was just perfect. Highly recommended, check it out and laugh through it.

To-Read:
I always have such a hard time with saying what I'll be reading next, because - I mean I'd kind of like to finish House of Leaves before I start anything else. However, I did get Caliban's War in the mail yesterday (it's book two in the Expanse series, and the full paperback was like $6 on Amazon the day I finished Leviathan Wakes, I couldn't say no), and I'm really itching to pick that one up.

So hopefully I don't do the thing where I write it down and then it doesn't happen, that's always annoying. I listened some random books on my April TBR that I don't think I'll be getting to now, at least not in April. Life stuff happened, which is why there hasn't really been anything up this month and I'm sorry for that, but the life stuff happened hard - and now it's not quite so worry level 100, so I thought I'd try and get back with one of these memes that'll get me writing about books again and that I really enjoying doing (and reading, I love reading about what other people are reading and their thoughts).

And now I'm going to stop rambling, this isn't suppose to be a post to ramble on. So - long story short: Caliban's War, House of Leaves, or maybe something else next, but I'd like to read both this much if possible. At least start Caliban's War this month.

I hope your months are going well, in general and on the reading front, and I'm love to hear what you're currently reading or what you just finished or what you're planning on reading next, leave me a comment below!