Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

This book was on my TBR for so long. I had heard so many good things about it from friends and others in the book community. I also was interested in it for the sole reason that the cover was ORANGE. I know it's a weird reason to like a book but I'm a weird person so *shrugs*

I posted a photo of it on my bookstagram and my friend and college roommate Lindsey messaged me saying that she also had the book in her collection gathering a bit of dust. So we decided to read it together. She was going to be home for spring break soon and I was just working and job hunting myself so we had some time on our hands. We planned a reading schedule and I made story templates to use and a post for us each to share on our accounts (and I only realized during the last week of the reading that I messed up the reading schedule on it).

Now granted before starting this book, I straight up had NO CLUE what it was about. I read the Goodreads summary and was like: sci-fi, killer AI, plague - cool. So neither her nor I really realized we would be reading a book with a killer plague/pathogen during a VIRAL QUARANTINE. But at least Phobos is nothing like Covid-19, so it makes it a little easier (in my opinion) to get through those parts. It's more like a zombie plague tbh.

One thing I did know about the book before starting this was that the format of the story was nothing like I had ever read/seen before. Files, text chats, and AI comms instead of regular prose and chapters. I didn't know how I would like it at all, or if it would be confusing to read for my brain. Luckily, that's not what happened. The format was so unique and gripping. It was easy for me to picture in my head what was going on, just as easy as with other books and maybe easier because there was less description so my mind could be a little creative.

I found myself flying through the pages and engrossed in the story. I stopped myself from reading ahead of what my friend and I were doing. I wanted to give myself time to process it as well. And give me time to read my other book.

And like I said before I really did like the format of the story as AI files and text exchanges, as well as AIDAN's own internal dialogue (which sometimes REALLY freaked me out). I also really liked the characters.

With Kady I loved her bravery and stubbornness with everything that she did while on the ship and how she would literally break into any system or room and it was nothing to her. Ezra, on the other hand, was like a chaotic mess who was given A SHIP WITH GUNS ON IT. But I really liked his love for Kady and his dedication to her first and foremost. He was also brave and stuff, but his main thing was his love and feelings for Kady and how much her being safe and sound was important to him.

Think it's also important to talk about what is probably the third main character of this book: AIDAN, the AI on the Alexander. Now, I've had AI's that I really liked - Jarvis from Marvel as an example and then Friday - but AIDAN began as the type of AI that makes me want to throw most of my technology into the damn sea! But then at the end, he acted a little like Jarvis/Vision by caring more about humans and not just being a machine.

While reading this book I jumped through like, every emotion I've ever known and then some, and I'm pretty sure I went through the five stages of grief at one point. At first it was interesting and I was really intrigued with the story and where it was going to go, then I started to get scared with the Phobos (the fear might have also been helped with my own anxiety from Covid-19), and then sadness when things started happening to everyone as well as people Kady and Ezra cared about.

End of the story, BLEW MY MIND. I was shocked and even went back a few pages and tried to figure out how I had missed the twist and all the clues that pointed to it. I knew they were there, and my brain was so engrossed in the saving of the day that I didn't see it at all!. But that's good story-writing to me, to write something so great and put those little breadcrumbs in, yet still shock the reader at the end and make the ending as dynamic as the climax of the story.

I give Illuminae 5 stars.

All in all, I really loved this book. I had a great time reading it, and now I'm trying to figure how to add Gemina & Obsidio to my purchase list for this year with my limited budget for it. I thought the concept and format was unique and the characters were wonderfully written. I can't wait to see what happens next.

What are your thoughts on Illuminae? Did you like it or not? How did AIDAN make you feel?

If you need me I'll be zooming away to read more!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of the book (edited for vibrance), millenium falcon, joey tribbiani, 

The Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles

I don't remember when I got this book, but it hasn't been on my shelf as long as some of the others that I have on my TBR. I had always had a fascination for Greek mythology and am a (not heavily active but want to change that in the future when my life is more stable) hellenic pagan. I've just always loved the stories and drama because people really couldn't get out of their own way to realize RUNNING FROM YOUR FATE WILL ONLY BRING IT SOONER! *enter Merida as a Disney reference*

Like many other people, I have heard of Oedipus, the basic story, and how so many people talk about the Oedipus complex. But, I find the ACTUAL story of Oedipus so far from the 'complex' that most people talk about. He didn't even know it was his mother because no one told him he was adopted/found and given to his 'father'. This caused Oedipus to leave that home he was raised in with the fear of harming the parents that raised him, and in so doing that, fulfilled the destiny that could have been AVOIDED.

Sorry I have feelings about this haha.

But if I just focus on the story that I read, which was Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone, I can have some calmer opinions.

Oedipus Rex played out exactly as I knew it would, with so much more drama than just reading a two page myth in a high school class, so five stars on that part.

Oedipus at Colonus was honestly...confusing to me. I understood the ending completely, but the beginning was so confusing for me. Why did the villagers both accept him in the forest/grove and also like...begged him to leave? I know part of it was because of his name and his story/curse but I was so confused for a lot of it. So two stars for that one.

Antigone, however, was a banger of a piece. I love her and her bravery/defiance to Creon (who is a little b****** of a man. Glad he got what was coming to him.

I feel that I didn't fully enjoy the reading process of this story because it was a play. Not because it was a play, but because I think I'd rather watch it performed to get the full story that way. Time to look for local playings in my area perhaps!

I give the Oedipus Cycle 3.5 stars (rounded up to four on Goodreads) for the fact that I liked the story, but found Oedipus at Colonus a bit confusing at first and would have rather watched this play out instead of read it.

What do you think of reading plays or of The Oedipus Cycle? I'd love to see your opinions!

À bientôt!


Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book w/mug, Merida, Oedipus play,

Suite Français by Irène Némirovsky

*there will be spoilers and sensitive topics

This book was very different from the normal genre and style of books that I normally read. Normally I read fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy stories as can be seen from my other reviews and Goodreads lists. However when I found this book during one of my $10 library bag sales, I placed it into my bag. The story, both Suite Français and Irène's, interested me and I knew that I'd want to read it someday. The fact that it was originally written in French might have been another reason that I wanted to read this book.

While reading this story, I was filled with a bit of sadness because I knew ahead of time what had happened to the author, and how this story was so similar to the life that she lived in those years as well. Also again I am saddened by the chilling history of our world, the lives that were lost, the families ripped apart. The horrors that people suffered just for being alive.

Hearing the history of Irène's life as well was interesting. She came from a rich life, but during WW1 she had to leave her life because her father's was in danger. Then she and her family found their way to France where she lived a flirtatious and wild life until she met her husband.

I am in awe with how many works she was able to write in a short time in her life. She has about 9 novels, and Suite Français was her last work that was published to the world, done so by her daughter Denise many years after her death.

I'm lucky that I was able to read this book. While it is basically a first draft to the story, it was wonderfully written and filled with wonderfully created characters. I was happy and joyful when the Michauds were able to make it home, and that Charles was hit by a car and died because I really disliked his character and what he did to that young couple while on the road. I felt he got what he deserved.

There was great sorrow in the book too. I was so sad that the Father died, and in such a brutal manner as well by those kids. To be beaten and then basically drown because you got caught under the water. I was scared just reading it if I'm going to be completely honest with you.

For the love in the story, I really wanted Jean-Marie to go back and be with Madeleine because I felt they would have been really nice and cute together, and was sad when she ended up with Benoît, even though that was sort of set in stone before he went off to war. However I also wish I could have seen how Irène wrote how Jean-Marie and Lucile would fall in love. I honestly wanted Jean-Marie to have a good life, but from her notes Irène didn't have the same thoughts.

To know that this was only two parts out of what was going to be a five part story, I can say that it didn't fully feel like anything was missing. With the way Irène wrote Dolce, it was like the real ending. To say if only WW2 didn't happen, we wouldn't even have this book in the first place. I just wish that Irène's life (and so many other millions of lives) could have been spared during this time in history to have the whole story given to us.

I gave Suite Français 5 stars. Partly for the information above, and partly because I am emotional and felt part of my heart in the story because I knew what happened in the end. I honestly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and non-fiction, as I feel this book has a nice tie between the two.

Let me know what you thought of this book or the story if you've read it. Did you find it as emotional as I did? I've love to hear your thoughts as well.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: cover photo from Goodreads, Irène's photo,

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book was a interesting pick for me. I don't normally shop in this section of the bookstore (maybe I should though) and I was only there because I had asked for some good LGBTQIA+ rep (mainly wlw and bi rep but any will do). I had made a post on instagram where I asked anyone for some recommendations on books that had amazing rep like the kind I had read in Reign of the Fallen, and the author of ROTF, Sarah Glenn Marsh, mentioned this book along with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

Needless to say I went to the bookstore a day or two later with my gift cards to search for those and other books on my list. Sadly I only left with Gideon the Ninth because ALL THE OTHER BOOKS WERE OUT OF STOCK OR ONLINE ONLY...which I took as a personal attack, as any sane person would do as well.

Upon seeing the cover art for this book I knew I would like it. The art and the blurb hooked me and I placed it into my basket with my Etta Candy funko pop. The way Gideon is positioned, as if coming through a battle she single-handedly won, and looking like a badass skeleton won me over.

I also liked how Gideon's attraction to women wasn't a discovery during the book or hinted at to the reader. It was obvious that she was attracted to the other women around her, and to me that was a wonderful thing. To make it just...there and not something that people comment on or question was nice and almost soothing.

Throughout the whole book, I moved back and forth from loving certain characters, so being weary of them, to hating them, and hoping right back to loving them, and I credit that to Tamsyn's wonderful writing. She was able to weave characters that had flaws and hidden motives. Crafting twists and show, after the dust cleared, that those you thought were evil may not have been all along (I mean...they were a little bit but that's how they stayed human).

I gave Gideon the Ninth 4.75 stars out of 5.

I have taken off the .25 due to the fact that at the beginning of the book it was jarring to read and I was confused on how the planet of the Ninth was set up. Certain questions about the world of the Locked Tomb trilogy were coming to mind, but I'm sure with how the next book is set up those will be answered for me.

(Now this next reason might just be me) While reading, I would forget that it was a sci-fi story and that they were on a planet and not just...another country. The shuttles and space travel happened little in the book, but granted it wasn't NEEDED so I understand (yea it's just me being a weirdo).

Now I will read the other books on my 2020 TBR and add Harrow the Ninth (which has an equally beautiful cover BTW, just look at it) and continue this journey and story. I just hope that Harrow pulls some great skeleton dance parties soon in the books. Just for the fun of it honestly. Just like this gif:

Have you read Gideon the Ninth yet? What did you think about it, and are you ready for Harrow the Ninth like me?

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of book, Harrow the Ninth cover, dancing skeletons,

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This book isn't one that I normally would have picked up. I remember getting it too. I was at a thrift store and saw the cover, it was pretty and looked almost like an old book, and from what I saw online as a summary, I thought it was more of a fiction story that had magic and journey in it.

However, when I looked up the book again right before starting it, I saw a lot of people talking about how it was a self-help book. I have read a few of them in the past, but none of them really did anything for me. I tried doing the tips each book told me would help me, but nothing came of it. Maybe it was me, or maybe the book just wasn't meant to help someone like me, but I'm sure they've helped others.

Just like how I feel with this book. I read it all, almost decided to DNF it, and honestly couldn't fully grasp what the self-help aspects of the book were. I know it talked a lot about following and listening to your heart, but I feel like there's something larger that I'm missing, and it took away from my enjoyment because I felt that I wasn't paying attention enough or just not understanding the material. I think one of the main reasons I didn't DNF was the illustrations in my edition of the text. They matched what was happening and helped me to visualize better at the story happening.

And I'm not going to blame the translation either, because I know that sometimes meaning can get lost in it, but I feel that the translation I have really kept the feel of the book the same for me. Or maybe that's because I've read stuff both in French and English to know the differences so having translated materials isn't hard for me. Who knows.

My copy of the book had a letter in the back from Paulo Coelho on 'Questions That Have No Answers' and talks about him in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, and how he met a colonel who had a list of questions that from children that have always remained unanswered. I thought the letter would help me understand anything from the book or the messages in it more...but I couldn't find the answers.

About the story though, I liked following the boy's (pretty sure his name is supposed to be Santiago but is called 'the boy' through like 97% of the book) journey through both him home in Spain and his travels through Africa. I know he was in the north of Africa and I can't help but think that the other strange language he didn't know (because he learns to speak Arabic while there) was French since there are French colonies in the North of France, but I'm sure it's just a different Arabic dialect or a local African dialect that their speaking.

I thought Santiago's journey was interesting, and the fact that he would just get up and do something or go somewhere is strangely something I've thought of doing before, but I guess I just don't know what my Personal Legend is, at least not yet. Have you found your Personal Legend yet? I guess I'll have to start listening to my heart more often.

I gave The Alchemist 3 stars. It was almost 2 and a half stars but I decided that it was well written, and while thinking about it, the story was good, but the messages inside of it just didn't speak to me the way it speaks to others, and it's not my fault that that happens to someone.

Yeah understanding it took away a little at my enjoyment, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. 3 stars to me is more like...neutral ground for a book. I didn't love or like it, but I didn't hate it either. I could have a discussion about the book, but I won't be adding it to my personal bookshelf.

What did you think of this book if you've read it before? What was the self-help message you found in the pages of Santiago's journey? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: cover from Goodreads, heart gif, question book,

Legion (Talon #4) by Julie Kagawa

What a whirlwind this book was. Started out with some death, had some fighting, a lot of driving around the country, and then ended with a bang and some dragonfire. Like any good fourth installment should!

I will do my best to write about this book without mentioning any spoilers, but if I happen to talk about one I will make sure to let you know it's coming in case you haven't read it yet!

It was nice that this book started off with everyone I've grown to love back in the same place again, because I missed them while they all did their own thing. I've found that I really like Jade and what she brings to the story. Instead of dragons all looking the same, they all look different depending on the region. Just like how so many different regions and cultures throughout the world have a dragon myth, and they are all different. That's why deep down I know that they must have at least been alive once if so many cultures had a myth of them but didn't communicate with each other. It just makes sense.

...is Talon real? Because I wanna meet a dragon. Julie what secrets do you know about? Share them with me!!!!!

It was interesting having Dante in the mix a little bit and having him seen more in this book, and the twist with him and Ember that we learned. I think something like that crossed my mind once but then it went away because like...nah that couldn't be it, and then it was haha. But it did throw me for a bit of a loop, and then it just got even more...twisted. 

I know that the romance was big in this book, but I came to a realization in this book. As much as I'd love a guy like Garret or Riley to protect me, I'm also the kind of girl to love a guy like Wesley. I know he's described as someone who is scrawny at times and probably pale beyond belief, but I picture him to look more like Dr. Reid and I love him. 

And I felt that the choice that Ember made was very brave of her. She really thought hard, as did her dragon, and they came up with a choice that was best for her and also thought of the others around her. I know some people would probably be upset because of ruining an OTP but I liked how she (and the others) handled the situation. And I think I feel something brewing with Mist so I CAN'T WAIT TO CONTINUE READING!

Now just to purchase the next book. To the bookstore I go!

But until then I will be happily reading other books on my TBR for this year and hopefully enjoying them. However I won't be ashamed if I don't and have to DNR a few of them. Here's to happy reading!

I gave Legion 5 stars, because this book continued with the drama and action of the other books, and left me hanging and waiting for the next one. I can't wait to see how Julie ends this story.

Have you read any of the Talon books? What did you think about the twists during part two? Or the major plot story during part three?

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: legion cover on Goodreads, eastern vs. western, Ken Jeong, 

Soldier (Talon #3) by Julie Kagawa

WOW...

That was a lot of emotions I went through.

And I know I will put myself through it again by picking up the fourth book RIGHT after I post this.

Julie knows how to pull me in and stab me right when it gets intense. WHY JULIE? WHY?

This book was action and drama from the first page to the last, and with each on the danger grew and grew and I was on the edge of my seat, itching to grab the book each minute I was at work. All I wanted to do was read it at the break table or right at the register (maybe if I ask my manager nicely he'll let me do that in the future...he does like me).

I found myself bouncing back and forth between Riley and Garret just like Ember was doing (sorry spoiler on the romance), and I couldn't pick one of them. At some times I felt Riley was getting a little too like...controlling, but by the end it seemed like he learned that he wasn't the only one and became a big boy.

But now I don't know where the story is gonna go, and I only have the fourth book in my possession because the store didn't have the fifth one available when I went the other day!!!! So now I'm debating picking up the fourth book until I have Inferno and start with other ones that I have waiting in my TBR pile for the next year.

Mean...I'm going to do it. But it's going to hurt me I just know it.

This review is also so short and quick because it's late, the year is almost over, I want to start the next book to POSSIBLY complete my reading challenge (if not it's only one book what's the big deal), and I have to get ready to work a closing shift at a party store on New Year's Eve. Wish me and my co workers luck.

I gave Soldier 5 stars because it was an amazing read. I love Julie Kagawa's writing and all the stories that I've read from her. There's only one series I haven't read yet but I have the first book so that's a start!

Please tell me if you've read any of these books so we can talk about all of these emotions I'm feeling, because I need someone to talk with me about the Talon series.

Get ready for me to try and post more in 2020!

À bientôt!

Rogue (Talon #2) by Julie Kagawa

Dragons, adventure, twins, and more were the reasons that I started to read the Talon series by Julie Kagawa.

Sadly it took me a while to go from reading the first one to getting my hands on the second, and then reading that one as well. But luckily when I started to read the second book, I was able to remember that first one (or at least most of the first one in the series hehe). But at least I have the next two books so I can read them now.

One of the things that I really like about the series is the fact that the main characters, Ember and Dante, were twins. It's a small thing, but being a twin myself made me understand the connection that they had more than if I had no siblings, so I really liked it. It was a way for me to feel more connected to the story. Though since they were separated in this book it was a different feeling. It reminded me of when my sister and I were both away at college. Hours apart from each other, but I still cared about her, just like Ember and Dante cared about each other while being apart.

And I'm always a sucker for two guys pining for the same girl, especially if I also like both of the guys. Though I must say I'm more into Riley/Cobalt than I am Garret, but that's just me haha. I admire how both of them care for Ember and they just want her to be happy in her choice, whatever that may be.

Then, of course, there's the whole dragon aspect of the book. Anything with a dragon and I'm in. I find them so interesting and majestic. Honestly, sometimes I get sad when I remember they aren't mythical (or at least not alive today, who knows if they once were real!)

When it came into play, I knew one of the plot twists before it happened because it just seemed TOO much of a coincidence. Right place, right time, but wrong at the same time, how could they not have seen that coming? However, I didn't know exactly how the twist would go, so it did surprise me at the same time, which is a way to tell it's a good story!

I don't want to spoil too much, even though the book has been out for a little bit, but someone might not have read it yet and I'd hate to ruin the experience.


I rated Rogue 5 stars out of 5. And I can't wait to start the third book, Soldier, just as soon as I get the time after editing a bit more for NaNoWriMo!

Have you read Talon and Rogue? What did you like about them? What did you think about Garret at the end of the book? I feel like it's the right move for him, but I know he's gonna come back to join them all again.


À bientôt!


Photo/Gif creds: dragon kite,

Birthday Book Tag

So I saw this tag on Amber's blog The Literary Phoenix in October but I wanted to wait for my actual birthday to do it...so it's taken me a very long time to get this post out in a sense. My birthday is in May and this has been sitting in here for like half a year. But I'm finally ready to do this tag!  (I even asked my twin, Eryn, to answer some of these to see the difference of our answers, she doesn't read as much as I do so this will be fun!)

Count your birthday along your bookshelf shelf and then subtract the month.

I was born on the 26th of the month of May (5) so I (and Eryn) got: The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

If you could spend your birthday with any fictional character, who would it be and why?

Me: I just finished Vampire Diaries and about to start The Originals and I just love Klaus...so him. I feel like he'd spoil me and just treat me right. Also...vampires am I right!?

Eryn: Meredith Grey - because she's perfect and beautiful, and lovely, and wonderful. (I have to let you all know her eyes went like...glazed over with admiration for Grey I only caught part of what she said at first)

Find a book that takes place in the season you were born in.

We were both born in May, springtime, but let's see if she finds a different book then me.
Me: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - I know it takes place over a whole year-ish but there is spring
Eryn: The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

Find a book that is the color of your birthstone.

I LOVE MY BIRTHSTONE! Emeralds so are pretty to me.
Me: Legion by Julie Kagawa - wanted to do a book I've already ready but...haven't read many books with an emerald cover
Eryn: The Choice by Nicholas Sparks - she has a theme also it had grass so close enough

Pick a book set in a time period, world, or country you would like to have been born in.

Me: Reign of the Fallen - to live in that world would be interesting me, I am still enamored by this book.
Eryn: The Help - the 1960's, because of the fashion

Do you have any of the same answers as my sister or I? You can see a very distinct difference between our reading and television choices, which of us are you more like? Also, if you happen to read this and find that you have the same birthday as us...PLEASE LET US KNOW WE LOVE MEETING BIRTHDAY BUDDIES!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: Iron Warrior, The Hobbit, The Guardian, Legion, The Choice, Reign of the Fallen, The Help, Meredith Grey, Klaus Mikkelson

Bookish M.A.S.H. 2019

So I saw that Nose Stuck in a Book did this tag again, and is planning to do it every year...and I've needed more content lately, and since I loved the tag before when I did it first, I'm going to do it again too! So this begins my yearly game of Bookish M.A.S.H.!

The rules of M.A.S.H. are somewhat simple...you have multiple categories and four choices in each. Then you choose a number (spiral, number generator, etc.) and count down all the choices until there is only one left in each. That's your answer! If that's still too confusing to understand look at both of the posts linked here or look up the game online, better rules are put there than here.

For this of course I'm going to take all my answers and morph them into a story summary. I think it might be fun to also have some of the crossed out options from my last game as well and only come up with one or two new items for those categories (also at the time of writing this I don't have much brain power to think of other things haha). Next time I'll go completely new without looking back.

My last story summary of Steel-Forged Stars was really interesting and I'm still going to actually write it, just have to change some of the names! Let's see what this year's M.A.S.H. will have in store for me!


M.A.S.H.

Genre
Historical Fiction
Paranormal
Fantasy
Soft Crime

Love Interest
Meredy Crowther
Dakari
Minho
Kili (because the movie version tbh)

Setting
Medieval times
SPACE
Modern day city
Middle Earth

Best Friend
Arya Stark
Uriah
Bella Swan
Robin Goodfellow/Puck

Villian
A demon
Sauron/The Ring
(prince) Hadrien
Government leader(s)

Pet
Cat
Hellhound
Snake
Dragon

Job
Necromancer
Librarian
Hunter
Runner

Transportation
Train
Wings
Giant bird
Water travel

Power
Healing
Object manipulation/Telekinesis
Weather power
Mind control

Trope or Plot Twist
Forbidden love
Deathly Plague
Government experimentation
Secret power(s)

oh boy this is going to be fun to mix all together

The Newest story from Monica Laurette: Hidden in the Sky

Monica stays hidden in the city, not because of her job as a necromancer, but because of her wings and her powers. If anyone but her best friend, Uriah, knew how she could get around the underworld to destroy souls, she would be sent away to a prison island where her magic would not work.

Working with a cat, who also helps out in her work, and sharing a small house in the village closest to the castle, Monica is surprised when the niece of the King, Meredy, comes stumbling through her door during a storm, telling Monica that a demon who had escaped the underworld was now holding her family hostage.

Monica, Meredy, Uriah, and Bello the cat must now travel the lands of the kingdom, and the underworld to stop this demon who could also reveal the secrets Monica has tried so hard to keep in the dark.

Can Monica keep her powers a secret while also saving the royal family? What are these feelings she has towards Meredy? Just how will Monica, along with Bello, defeat this demon? And why does Bello's tail keep getting puffier with each passing day? Follow along the adventures in Hidden in the Sky, but beware your own secrets as well.


I hope you all liked this version of Bookish M.A.S.H.! What did your answers come out to be? Was there a choice you wish you hadn't crossed out (I know there were some for me! but the spiral must be obeyed!), let me know! Should I expand on this idea as well and make it a WIP (as if I need more of those)?

À bientôt!

Goodreads Book Tag

I am stealing this tag from Amber at The Literary Phoenix because I really liked it and I thought it would be fun to look more towards my Goodreads besides the system I put books into.

Now, some of these answers may be different from when you read this to when I have written this, but that's because I go one a lot and update everything at least once a week.

What was the last book you marked as read?

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

What are you currently reading?

I have four books in my currently reading at the moment haha, but three of them are school related. I am reading:

1. Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon
2. A Distinct Alien Race by David Vermette
3. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
4. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.

What was the last book you marked as TBR?

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

What book do you plan to read next?

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. I plan what books I read next with the whiteboard in my room back home and write down like ten books I plan to read and in what order I plan to read them.

Do you use the star rating system?

Yes I do! And like many of us, I wish there was the option to use half stars, or even more stars than five, but I work with what I have!

Are you doing a 2019 reading challenge?

Yes I am. I normally don't set too high a goal for myself because I'm not that fast of a reader like I used to be. My goal this year is 15 books, I have only read 1 so far, and Goodreads is telling me I am 2 books behind schedule. But I currently two of my school books have to be done soon so that will change within the month.

Do you have a Wishlist?

I loved Amber's idea of having a 'To Buy' shelf on her Goodreads (and then added said shelf to my account after). I do have a wishlist on Amazon of the books that I want, but it's also a list mixed with movies and TV show seasons that I would like to own as well.

What book do you plan to buy next?

Song of the Dead by Sarah Glenn Marsh. Other than that I never know what books I plan to buy next. There are always so many choices and I'm bad at making those choices haha. I usually pick what book is next while standing in the bookstore or staring at my wishlist.

Favorite quotes?

This is one of the functions that I don't use that often on Goodreads, but I do have a few here, and you can see that there are a lot of Edgar Allan Poe ones.

Favorite authors?

My favorite authors are Edgar Allan Poe, J.R.R. Tolkien, Julie Kagawa (who is the only one featured on my profile), and I think the last time I checked, my most read author was Cassandra Clare (because I do each novella individually) so I guess I should include her here as well. Also, I can't find where that list is again to double check who is second but oh well!

Have you joined any groups?

I am currently in one group, which I joined like...actual years ago. I think I was a sophomore in high school so about seven years ago, and the group hasn't been active in five. It's a Witch and Wizard group called "Witches and Wizards" and it was a roleplaying group. I might look for different groups in the future, any suggestions?

Do you use Goodreads? Have any tips or anything that you think I'd like for it? Just want to be friends? I love friends!

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: my photo of Shadow of the Fox, covers from Goodreads, writing,

10 Characters I’d Switch Places With (Just For A Day)

I saw Amber from The Literary Pheonix do this post, and I thought it would be fun to try myself! (Also check out Amber's posts she posts so many fun things and great reviews)

As a reader, I find myself connecting to characters all the time. But would I ever want to trade places with them for a day? Well, some of them I would, and I'll tell you why!

Odessa

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

One of the first characters I really fell in love with as a person, because she was so close to me. I just want to live in her world and experience the other side once.

Meredy

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

I love the magic of being able to control an animal and work with them, I want the BEAR! I can't wait to see more of them both in Song of the Dead!

Meghan Chase

Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

I think the fact that she has a mix of Iron and Summer glamour is really cool and interesting, but I wouldn't want to get mixed up in all the danger, just a day in the life of the child of Oberon, please.

Gandalf

The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

He doesn't come into contact with the spiders in the books...also I want to do magic.

Wanda/Melanie

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The concept and the underground world always intrigued me. I think it'd be fun to talk to a voice in my head that wasn't just my thoughts too.

Esme Cullen

Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Her motherly instinct and family are amazing, also the chance to be a vampire...YES PLEASE!

Clary Fray

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

I want her ability to make runes that aren't in the book, and I've also always wanted to be a red-head as well.

Effie Trinket

Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Just think of the OUTFITS that I could wear. Also, I definitely like the movie version of Effie slightly more than the book one (because she didn't just vanish) so I want to be both.

Wisteria "Wisty" Allgood

Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson (and others)

As the series that got me into reading, of course, I would pick someone as amazing as Wisty. She can burst into FLAMES and uses a drumstick as a wand. Sooooo, I like her.

Ember Hill

Talon series by Julie Kagawa

One, she is a twin (I forget if she is the younger one or not). Two, I want to shapeshift into a dragon and travel all over the world with Riley.

There are other characters that I'd want to switch places with, but these are the current top ten in my mind. What are yours?

À bientôt!

Photo/GIF creds: all book covers from Goodreads (my canva edit to connect them),

Wonder Woman Book Tag

If you know me, you know that I love superheroes, especially the women ones (because who doesn't????). And I love Wonder Woman. The Wonder Woman movie by Patty Jenkins was AMAZING and I even wrote a paper on it with a research partner on how the movie changed the film industry view on women, and we won an award...so I'm passionate about all of this.

So when I saw Kathryn at Nose Stuck in a Book doing this tag, I had to do it too! Also I fell in LOVE with the photo she had at the top of her blog so I'm going to put it on mine so more people can see her work. Here's her post on it. Now let's get into this!

Wonder Woman: Your favorite badass female book character =

For me, it's always been Katniss Everdeen. To me, she's such a dynamic character who went through some terrible events in her life, and her reactions to it all and what was going on around her was so real and I felt that I could connect with her in her struggles. I'll always love her.

Fantasy Island: A book setting you want to escape to =

Am I allowed to choose the secret island full of strong women? Comics count as books right?

A book setting that I have always loved is the Nevernever from the Iron Fey books. While I'd probably DIE within a week of getting there because I am not aware of my surroundings, I've always found it really pretty there.

Panem is next of course, because I want to live in the world after the games and explore all the old arenas and stuff like that. Imagine the finds you'd get...and the ghosts!

London: A hyped book that let you down =

I tend not to read many hyped books that I didn't like. I do research on the books and look at other reviews from people I trust to figure out if the book is something I would want to read. For me, the hype that let's me down comes from movies and TV shows.

Steve Trevor: A book that has a beautiful cover and a great story (i.e. good personality) =

Reign of the Fallen. The cover was so pretty and the story behind it was full of mystery and just all around a great story with a deep plot and realistic characters. While the cover wasn't all of the place with decoration and designs, the lone diamond-esque skull with the crown was beautiful and didn't take away from the book.

Lasso of Truth: A book you hated =

For Whom the Bell Tolls will always hold this spot for me. I've never read a book as terrible as this one. I get that Hemingway is supposed to be one of the greats in the 'forgotten children' generation or whatnot...but I hate his writing and how he wrote on the female characters and constantly comparing them to rabbits...no...never again.

Wonder Woman's Shield: A book so sad that you need a shield =

Honestly, the strength in this scene still gets me.

For me there are two books that work with this.

First: The Host, when I got to that last chapter where they were taking out Wanda I almost sobbed, I was ready to be so upset, but then everything was okay.

Second: Witch and Wizard: The Lost, it was the end of the series for one (last I knew) and what happened to one of the characters was so shocking and rocked me to my core because those books got me back into reading so it was like losing a friend.

Ares: A villain that is scary, but you can't seem to hate them =

My Iron Fey friends know that I love Rowan even though he's a terrible person...but it's also not the canon Rowan I love as much as the Rowan we have within our fandom. I also agree with Kathryn that Sebastian Morgenstern is a character that I love to hate.

The Amazons: A book that you wish had more/better LGBT+ representation =

Speaking as a member of the LGBT+ community...a lot of them. If you don't even have at least two LGBT+ characters in your book...it's a little unrealistic to me. I mean, it's hard to live in the real world and not know at least three people who are LGBT+, why make your book not reflect that?

Justice League: What superhero friends do you tag =

I don't really have many friends I interact with on here at the moment (I am going to change that by being more active here once I graduate and have more time for this stuff), so I tag anyone who reads this post and wants to also do the tag! Whether just in the comments or on your own blog, I love seeing other people's answers.

What are your answers to these questions? Do you love Wonder Woman as much as I do? Let me know in the comments below!

Photo/GIF creds: Kathryn's art board of WW, glowing bracelets, Themyscira, Steve Trevor, lasso toss, shield, ares (its a YouTube thumbnail), amazons, justice league promo, WW logo

Book Feels Tag

So, of course, I got the idea to do this tag after seeing Nose Stuck In A Book do it on hers, so I had to try it out for myself! You should try it too! Now it's time to get into my feelings about books, and I have a lot of them so I'll try to keep my answers as short as I can, haha.

A book/series that made you smile or laugh

Oh, most of them honestly. I always find the happiness or the small amount of humor within a lot of books. I like finding those little moments while I read. And I think mainly the series that made me smile the most was the Iron Fey series.

A book/series that made you sad or want to cry

While the whole series didn't make me want to cry, the last book of the Witch and Wizard series really hit me hard. I was not okay for like three days afterward, and still not okay because of it.

A book/series that you love

The Hunger Games trilogy. I will sing its praises for all my life. I know that not everyone loves it, and that some people have so many things wrong with it, but I loved it. I read the books when I was in high school, and I fell in love with them. I also read them with friends and saw the movies during premieres with them, so it's a sentimental love I have for them as well.

A book/series that you didn't particularly like

I mean...it's not that I don't like it. I've never read the Harry Potter series. I am currently watching the HP movies with friends, I just don't think I'll ever read the books.

A book/series that was made into a movie that you liked

The Hunger Games movies were GREAT in my mind. I loved them, especially when the second director came into the scene. He really captured the storyline. I will always love that trilogy as well and always will. I need to read and watch them all again.

Also the Divergent movies (only the first two). I loved them and it felt like I was reliving the series over again in a different way. And the way Insurgent ended, I felt like a nice closing and don't even need to watch Allegiant.

A book/series that was made into a movie that you didn't like

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie is not what I thought would happen, and don't like all the changes they did with it. The TV show though, I really liked it.

A book/series you have mixed feelings about

Lord of the Rings. I want to finish reading it, I really liked The Hobbit. But it's so long and some of the parts are so long (he needed someone to edit some of those parts down) that's it's going to take me so long to get through. I love the movies and the world of Middle Earth, I'm just trying to figure out if I'll ever finish it or not.

A book/series you haven't read but are totally excited about

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh. I am going to start reading Reign of the Fallen after I finish this post so I am very excited about that. I got my copy from PageHabit so it has annotations from Marsh throughout the book. I love reading those!

Also anything by Julie Kagawa and The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell, which I got as a Goodreads giveaway.

A book/series that made you angry

Moby Dick or anything Hemingway. I read those during a really bad time in my life so they hold really bad memories to them. It was when I was in an honor's English class that I shouldn't have been in. The books took a lot out of me, as well as the teacher herself because she wasn't even close to a nice person to those she didn't like. I'm only happy that I didn't get to spend the whole year in her class, I got out half-way through and then actually enjoyed myself in that subject again.

A book/series you feel like you can relate to

At this moment, I have found very few series that I can fully relate to in a sense of who I am as a person. I love the Talon series for its usage with twins, as well as Ty and Livvy. I haven't read any books yet with a bisexual MC, but I know once I read those I'll connect that way with those books.

I think that I need to look more into the world of books and find more stories with characters I could relate to on deeper, more emotional levels as well. If you have any suggestions based off of what you know of me, please let me know as well!


I liked doing this and reaching into my feelings of books. Though it's actually not that difficult, I'll always talk about books!

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: my photo of ROTF, lady with book,

Disney Princess Book Tag

So, of course I got an idea from Nose Stuck In A Book, and you should all go and read her post on this tag, but I also wanted to try this due to my love of books and my love of Disney. If only that was my college major. Books and Disney. Imagine the homework!

The Rules (copied right from Kathryn's blog)

• Mention where you saw the tag/thank whoever tagged you because that's always good fun
• Tag Book Princess Reviews and Zuky with your posts so we can check out the wonderful Princess fun throughout the blog world (BPR is this link and Zuky’s is here) (I can't do ping backs off here so I can't do this, sadness)
• Play a game of tag at the end!

Now the ladies:

Snow White: This Book (like the Movie) Started it All

Favorite debut book from an author

I guess I can say that my favorite debut book is either The Iron King or the Hunger Games. I loved those books so much, they helped really fuel my reading life and the kinds of books that I read (and I know Suzanne Collins wrote other books before THG but they weren't in the same genre/age-range so I don't count it personally).

Cinderella: A Diamond in the Rough

Just like Cinderella, you either didn't expect much out of this character in the beginning but turned out be a total JEM

I guess this comes with most books, there's a character that I just don't like, but I end up being okay with them by the end of the day. I honestly can't think of a specific person at the moment.

Aurora: Sleeping Beauty

A book that makes you sleepy or just could not hold your attention 

I read at night so many books make me feel sleepy, but books that don't hold my attention don't stay in my mind or my Goodreads. Also, reading the Lord of the Rings books always makes me sleepy but I'm interested in the story.

Ariel: Under the Sea

A book with a water/ocean setting

I mean, I haven't read it yet, but the Seafarer's Kiss has an ocean setting with a female Viking and a mermaid. I just have to get my hands on a copy of it. Only thinking of the books I have read, no ocean settings.

Belle: Beauty and the Books

Name a book with the best bookworm/book lover 

I mean, I have read one of the original Beauty and the Beast novellas so I guess that one. Also, Tessa Grey and Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices books really liked to read, so I'll include them in here as well. As I was typing this I remembered them haha.

Jasmine: The Thief and the Princess

Name a book with an unlikely love story (either in terms of romance or a book you didn't expect to love so much)

Most of the time I only read books that I know I'll like, but I guess I can say that it's Witch and Wizard by James Patterson. I've talked about this story a lot but basically I was told to read this book for a homework assignment and fell in love with books again. So thanks Wisty and Whit.

Pocahontas: The Real Life Princess

Name a book that is based on a real-life person you want to read/have read 

So I while ago I got a book called 'Suite Française' by Irène Némirovsky. While it's not exactly about her life, it's two parts of a five-part story that took her years to write, and then she got arrested during the process, and her daughters hid the book, only to bring it out years later when it was safe and have it published (and translated). She was killed in WW2 before she could complete it, and I think that's just the saddest thing to me right now, and also a fear of mine.

Mulan: The Princess that Saved Her Country

Name the fiercest heroine you know 

One heroine in any book series that I loved is Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. I will defend those books and Katniss with my life and a new fire has been lit of my love due to the 10th-anniversary editions of the books came out. I have such a large need to reread them, but I no longer own the books (long story).

Tiana: The Princess With the Coolest and Most Diverse Crew

Name a diverse book whether it is a diverse set of characters (like Tiana's group of Naveen, Louis, Ray, and more) or just divers in general 

The first two books in the Galahad series, Comet's Curse and Web of Titan. I feel they're two of the most diverse books I've read in a while because all the characters are under the age of 16/17 (could be younger) and they come from all ends of the earth. I think it had said in the book it wanted to save all cultures or languages or something of that nature, or that was my own thought process. The premise of the world ending from a curse and the only ones saved were these kids in a large ship...was also pretty cool to read.

Rapunzel: Let Your Longggggg Hair Down

Name the LONGEST book you've ever read 

Under The Dome is the longest book I've read if I combine both parts that I read because I had them separate and not in the same book, it's around 1,070 pages.

Merida: I Determine My Own Fate

A book where there is no love story/interest or isn't needed

Out of all the books that I have read, The Hobbit is the one that I pick for this. There was no romance within the story (at least none that I can remember). I know there is another book on my shelf that is like that but I can't picture it/remember it at the moment.

Anna/Elsa: Frozen Hearts

A book in a winter/cold setting 

A book that I read three years ago (I've been meaning to get to the other two but I'll probably have to reread the first one again for refreshing) is Greta and the Goblin King. I got it on my Kindle for free and one day decided to try it out and see what it was all about. It had intrigued me enough to download. In the end, I found the book was very good and unique from other books in the same genre.

Moana: How Far I'll Go

A character that goes on a journey

Basically, every book that I have read a character has gone on a journey, whether it be a physical one or an emotional/mental/educational one. There's always a journey to a story.


Those are my princess books! I had a lot of fun doing this (even though it's taken me so long to actually get this out because school is kicking my butt). Let me know what your answers for each princess was, I'm always curious for other people's answers.

À bientôt!

Photo/Gif creds: snow white, cinderella, aurora, ariel, belle, jasmine, pocahontas, mulan, tiana, rapunzel, merida, anna/elsa, moana,