Tag: currently reading

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2020 TBR Update : Complete Fail (so far)

Back in January, I made a post of the 12 books I wanted to read before this year was over. If they were still unread, I had no choice but to unhaul them because they have been on my TBR for too long.

Here is the update on that.

Out of the 12 books, I have read 4 thus far.

A Man Called Ove

I really enjoyed this one. I listened to this on audio during my time off of work because of COVID. I laughed, I shed some tears, I enjoyed it.

4 Stars

The Goldfinch

This tome took me quite awhile to get through, but I finally finished this it. I started it in May I believe and finally finished it in July. I listed to this on audio and the narration was great. The story itself I am unsure about. This is something I may come back to in the future.

3.5 Stars

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart

This is quite embarrassing, but I don’t really remember much from this book. I do remember reading it pretty quickly and not hating it, which is something that I tend to do with YA. It was fine? Probably not something I will keep on my shelves to reread in the future.

3 Stars

The Nightingale

I don’t know why it took my so long to pick this book up. I loved it. It was so good. I listened to this on audio and I could not stop listening. I don’t know why I was afraid to read this. I love historical fiction and I loved The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, so this was a no brainer.

5 Stars

I did end up unhauling 3 books without reading them.

The Girl with all the Gifts

All My Puny Sorrows

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

To be honest, I just was not feeling these anymore. 2 of them I started reading but couldn’t get in to. The other I lost complete interest in.

That leaves me with 5 books that I either have to read or unhaul.

A Darker Shade of Magic

I have had this entire series soooo long. It was one of those purchases I made because of Booktube. I think I am going to pick this up on audio to help ease the anxiety of reading this. Sounds so weird but I am anxious because fantasy is sometimes hard for me. But maybe it will surprise me.

The Blinds

I am pretty sure this is my very first Book of the Month choice. And I have yet to read this. I have no excuse for this one since mystery/thriller is my preferred genre.

The Dragon Republic

This is a little different situation than the others. I have only had this book for about a year. But I do want to get to it since (surprisingly) I enjoyed The Poppy War.

The Lonely Hearts Hotel

I think I purchased this one because it was compared to The Night Circus. I do not know how accurate that is, but I still want to try it.

I Let You Go

Another one I have no excuse for not reading. This is terrible considering I have 3 books from this author, all unread.

I have 4 months to get through these 5 books. I am going to focus and get it done. I am thinking I am going to use audiobooks to help me out here. 3 of them I am very much interested in reading so I don’t know what y problem is.

Let me know down in the comments which book you would read first! Any that I should just unhaul all together? Let’s chat in the comments.

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Last Year I Was Reading…

This meme was created by ReadingMaria.

It is super easy to participate in. All you have to do is:

Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to.

Current Read

The Most Fun We Ever Had – – Claire Lombardo

I am 31% through this and I am enjoying it. This story follows the Sorenson Family, which consists of Marilyn and David and their four daughters; Wendy, Violet, Liza and Grace. This is a long winded story that follows a (slightly) dysfunctional family, which is pretty much right up my alley. At over 500 pages, it spans quite a bit of time, and I love a story like that. It is a bit more dense than other books I have been reading, but it is engaging and I want to keep picking it up; it’s just taking me a bit more time to read.

Last year I was reading

The Death of Mrs. Westaway – – Ruth Ware

Mystery/Thrillers are my favorite to read, so not surprised that is what I was reading this time last year. I read this on audio and while it was good, it wasn’t my favorite. To be honest, I haven’t picked up another Ruth Ware since this one.

Comparisons

They are different because what I am currently reading is slow paced and pretty straight forward while last years read is fast paced with twists and turns. Both I am a fan of.

They are similar in that both involve families and the drama/problems/situations that these large families get into. Again, both of which I like.

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Weekend Reads : 8/15/2020

It is finally my weekend!

I am so ready to dive in to some books the next two days. My boyfriend is helping a friend move and it looks to be rainy so the couch is where I will be. Here is what I have in store for the next few days.

The Most Fun We Ever Had – Claire Lombardo

I am very much looking forward to reading this and I think I am going to enjoy it. I love long, lengthy deep dives into family drama and this looks to have that. At over 500 pages and a family of 4 sibling girls, I think this going to be right up my alley. I originally had heard about this book from the Book Riot podcast and it immediately caught my attention and I knew I needed to read it. The time has come and I am here for it.

The Splendid and the Vile – Erik Larson

This is my slow but steady book. I have this marked out to finish so many chapters a week, taking me about 2 months to read this. I love all things history and love reading both fiction and non-fiction historical books. This follows Winston Churchill in his first year as Prime Minister. It is a dense book, but interesting so far. This is a book that I can only read a chapter or two a night before I feel weighed down by it. I am a little behind on my own schedule with this, and hope to finish up the 6 chapters I have left for this weeks section.

I am still not feeling like listening to an audiobook right now which is a bummer because I was so in to them only a few months ago. I think once I get caught up on The Currently Reading podcast, I’ll feel like picking up an audiobook again.

What do you have planned for this weekend? Enjoying some reading or spending it outdoors for these last weeks of summer? Let’s chat in the comments!

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Weekend Reads : 8/8/202

And I am back.

I took a weekend off of reading because I am starting to feel slumpy. To be honest, I am still feeling this way, but I have so many books I want to read, that I am trying to push through.

Over the weekend I was able to finish one book and managed to get over halfway through another.

Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I have a dedicate review up for this HERE, but in short, this just wasn’t for me, and I am disappointed in that. I was very much looking forward to reading this and wanted to love it, but I was bored throughout the whole thing. I did just hear the news that it is being adapted and I will most likely watch the adaptation. Maybe I will appreciate it more that way.

If you want to hear my full thoughts, check out my review.

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I was hoping to have this one done before my weekend was over, but it just didn’t happen. I did manage to get halfway through though, and will have it done for sure by the start of my next weekend. My initial thoughts are that it’s fine? I am rather confused on my own feelings. I hope I sort them out when I finish this book. I am finding it easy to read, and I am picking it up. I just don’t know what is really going on. I was expecting a dark academia book, which it kind of is but I am also getting sci-fi vibes from it.

I’ll reserve my full thoughts for when I finish it.

A pretty uneventful reading weekend if you ask me. I am definitely struggling right now with picking up books, especially audiobooks. Hopefully I find myself out of it soon.

Tell me your thoughts if you read these books? Am I the only one who found Mexican Gothic to be a little lackluster? What about Catherine House? I want to hear what you think!

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Last Year I Was Reading…

This meme was created by ReadingMaria.

It is super easy to participate in. All you have to do is:

Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to.

Current Read

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I am just about 100 pages into this and I must say, I am intrigued. The book does not have a very good rating on Goodreads, but honestly that doesn’t really bother me. I am not sure what this book is about, except I heard a reviewer say it was really weird. I like weird, and I am in the mood to read weird, so I requested it from the library. I should have this book finished by the time this post goes up, so it should be featured in my Weekend Reads post on Friday.

Last Year I Was Reading…

Fix Her Up – – Tessa Bailey

I do not read a lot of adult sexy time books, so I decided to give it a try. I picked this one up on audio, and while it was a good time, it was not my favorite in this genre that I have read. I haven’t continued in this series and I am not sure that I will. Since reading this, I have read some others in this genre that I like more.

Comparisons

These books could not be further away from each other in terms of genres. Catherine House is a mystery/thriller by a debut author. From the little bit that I have read, I think it is going to be quite dark and gothic. Fix Her Up is a romance written by a seasoned author with an extensive backlist of titles. It had some serious aspects to it but it was pretty light for the most part.

I am really trying to expand my reading by picking up books that don’t fit my typical genres. So far, it has been working out for me. I look forward to finding new books that I enjoy that I would have otherwise missed because I was living in my little box.

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Book Review : Mexican Gothic

WARNING

Unpopular opinion ahead.

When I saw the cover of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I was like what is this and how do I get my hands on it? Then I started reading and watching reviews of the book and everything sounded so promising. I am always in the mood for a good horror book and this (seemed) to fit that. I have to say I was underwhelmed by this book.

By no means is this a bad book. It’s not. It just didn’t work for me. I found it to be very slow. Nothing was happening and nothing was holding my attention. I found that when I put it down, I didn’t want to come back to it. This 300 page book took me the full 2 week loan to read it. And I’m pretty sure my Overdrive loan expired and I still had about 40 pages left to read. (As long as you don’t exit out of the ebook, the library won’t take it back). This may be because it was more of a gothic horror. I generally am a thriller reader and prefer fast paced.

When I finally got to the climax and the twist so to speak, I was left a little, like really? That is what is going on here? I didn’t see it coming, but I also didn’t care for it. To be honest, I came very close to DNFing it at that point, because I just didn’t care for the reveal at all.

I knew going in to this, that it was going to be slow moving. I just didn’t realize it was going to be this slow. It took almost 70% for it to finally move along, and like I said, the reveal was very meh and frankly confusing to me. I personally didn’t think the buildup and the first 60-70% was worth the ending for me.

Overall, this was a big disappointment for me. It was just okay. Nothing to go out and recommend in my opinion. However, I think if this author writes another book in the horror genre, I will probably give it a try. We will see.

Did you read Mexican Gothic? What are your thoughts? I know I am in the minority on this one! I tried to really like it, but in the end I struggled to get through it.

2.5 Stars

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Weekend Reads : 7/25/2020

I went a little nuts at my library the past 2 weeks. I had a few books on hold and I browsed around a bit too. I want to work my way through as many of these as I can before they are due. I am hoping to read at least two of these this weekend.

Home Before Dark – – Riley Sager

I look forward to a book from Riley Sager every July. Luckily I got on my library’s hold list somewhat early and didn’t have to wait too long. This one seems to be right up my alley. I love haunted house stories and I am hoping this is a hit. I was not a fan of Lock Every Door but I do have high hopes for this one.

He Started It – – Samantha Downing

I am giving this author another shot because her debut novel My Lovely Wife was not my favorite, but I saw potential. So I am reading this to see if she is an author for me.

I don’t know a whole lot about this except it involves siblings recreating a road trip in order to receive their inheritance from their grandfather. As it is Samantha Downing, I am expecting something thrilling and fast to get through.

Wonderland – – Zoje Stage

I have a theme going on here; reading books from authors I previously disliked. I read and was meh about Baby Teeth. But again, I saw potential and I am interested to see what this author’s sophomore novel is like.

I believe this book follows a family who moves out of NYC into a home in the woods and there is something lingering outside the house. Interesting concept. I am intrigued .

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I am going to be honest, I have no idea what this book is about. I saw it on a Booktuber’s video (I forget which one) and all I remember her saying is it is weird. I am feeling a little weird in my reading, so I picked it up from my library. It does not have the best rating on Goodreads, but I don’t pay too much attention to that. And I figure if it isn’t grabbing me in the first 50 pages, I’ll take it back to the library.

Out of my stack of books, these are the ones I want to make a priority because they have no renewals on them. I think I have about 14 days with them, maybe 21. This is definitely ambitious but I am feeling lazy this weekend, so I am optimistic I can make a dent in this pile.

Out of the ones that are not priority, I am really interesting in reading The City of Brass. I may abandon all plans and just pick that up.

Have you read any of these? Opinions on what I should pick up first? I love to read what you have to say in the comments.

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Weekend Reads : 7/18/2020

Another weekend, another chance to make a dent in my ever growing TBR.

Here is what I have planned for this weekend.

Scythe – – Neal Shusterman

I know I am VERY late to this. I have owned this book forever, but never got around to it. It was calling to me recently, so I decided to go for it.

I am currently 100 pages in and I am liking it. It isn’t grabbing me like it did for so many other people but I am not disliking it so much that I want to DNF. I will continue to power through and hopefully finish this up this weekend.

Wonderland – – Zoje Stage

I am excited but hesitant for this book. I literally just picked it up at the library today and I think I am going to pick this up right away.

I read Baby Teeth when it came out and it wasn’t my favorite. But I am intrigued enough with this author to try this one out. I am not really sure what it is about, but it is a genre I love so that’s all I need.

Hopefully this is a hit for me.

The Goldfinch – – Donna Tart

I should finally, FINALLY finish this one this weekend. After literally months of making way through it. I have 4 hours left in the audiobook. I hope the ending is phenomenal because the rest of it has just been okay. Final thoughts to come (hopefully) next week.

I am being a little ambitious this weekend. It looks to be extremely hot here in eastern PA and I plan to spend some time at the pool. If I could finish the audiobook and one of my physical books before Tuesday, I would call that a win.

What do you have planned for your weekend?

Let me know in the comments!

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Weekend Reads : 6/11/20

Its my 1 year anniversary of having my blog and I need to get my self in gear! I feel all over the place and need to get organized. To start that, I am introducing a new series of blog post call Weekend Reads.

I am back to work after over 100 days off and it is a bit hectic. I have been coming home every night with just enough energy to shower and crawl into bed. So its no surprise I am getting most of my reading done on the weekends. I am a hairstylist, so my weekends consist of Sunday and Monday. Here is what I have planned for this weekend.

I made a long overdue trip to the library this week and went a little nuts. I’m hoping I can get at least one of them read this weekend, if not two of them.

The Wife Stalker – -Liv Constantine

I had no idea this writing duo had another book release until I saw it on one of the FB groups I am in. I immediately went on my library app and requested it. Their books are hit or miss with me. I LOVED The Last Mrs. Parrish and I hate read The Last Time I Saw You. I am hoping The Wife Stalker is one that I enjoy.

I don’t know a whole lot about this except it looks to be another domestic thriller. I don’t like reading the blurbs of any thriller book for fear of spoilers. But going off their last two books, I would assume this is another 2 women 1 man type of situation.

All Adults Here – – Emma Straub

I am also hoping to pick up the new Emma Straub release All Adults Here. I have read and enjoyed quite a few Emma Straub books so I am hoping this doesn’t disappoint. I was on the fence of actually purchasing this, but then I heard it compared to another one of my favorite books on the Currently Reading Podcast, and decided to purchase it.

From what I know, it is a family drama book, which is something I really like reading about. I think it follows a mother and her 3 grown children and the mother coming to terms with how she raised her children and her early years as a parent and how it has effected them now and in their own adult lives. I am intrigued and I hope to pick this up before Monday, but if not definitely before the end of the month.

Call Your Daughter Home – – Deb Spera

This is one that I know I will have finished before the end of the weekend. I only have 2 hours left of the audiobook and I am really enjoying it.

In Call Your Daughter Home, we follow 3 strong woman living in South Carolina in the early 1920s. They have nothing in common as they are in different social classes, but they come together and build a bond between them.

I am very much enjoying the audiobook. I like that is a full cast narration and each of the voice actors does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. It is available on Hoopla for anyone who has access to it.

If I can get at least 2 of these read during the weekend, I will be pretty happy. My reading is taking a back seat to my work life for the time being and I am looking forward to spending some time with my books for the next couple of days.

What are you reading this weekend? I’d love to know!

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May TBR

So this is coming out a little later than I would like, but that’s okay. I have changed my TBR more times than I can count but I finally think I am content with what I have picked.

The biggest reason for the changes is because I have heard some news regarding some series I am currently loving and a series I loved way back on the day. With that news, I decided to do some rereading this month.

First things first. One of my most anticipated books has gotten a release date. Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith comes out September 15, 2020 and I could not be more excited. This is the 5th book in the Cormoran Strike Series, which I absolutely love. To get ready for the release, I have decided to reread the first 4 books in the series.

The Cuckoo’s Calling – – Robert Galbraith

This is where we are first introduced to Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin. Cormoran is a disabled military vet who now works a private detective. Robin comes to work with him through a temp agency and they are hired to solve the murder of a supermodel. I just love the relationship between the two of them. Ideally, it is best to read these in order. Yes the crimes are solved within each book, but the relationship between Robin and Cormoran grows with each book. They also get darker and a little more gruesome. They are long reads, but they are worth it. And the audiobooks are PERFECT!

The next piece of news that had me switching up my TBR was the bit about a new prequel to Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I have not read the series since my first read through. I am not going to go in depth on my thoughts here because I am thinking of making a dedicated post to my thoughts on the whole Twilight news. I will say that I blew through all 4 books at the time, they were so captivating.

Twilight – – Stephenie Meyer

As hesitant as I am to reread this, I think I am going to do it. I can’t say if I will reread the whole series, but I am going to see if the first book sucks me in the second time around.

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan – -Sophie Kinsella

This is going to be my third reread of the month. This series is another one of my all time favorites. I own all the books and have loved almost all of them. I have decided to do a reread this year because Christmas Shopaholic came out this past holiday season and I just never got to it. I started my reread in enough time so I can end in December with Christmas Shopaholic.

Looking through my bullet journal spread, I have to say I am not too thrilled with what I have picked out to read. Of the 8 books I have written down, only 2 are speaking to me now.

The Lovely War – – Julie Berry

This is a Historical Fiction/Historical Fantasy novel. It takes place during two timelines, the mid to late 1910s and the 1940s. It is a romance book in a sense but the narrators are Greek Gods and Goddesses. All of that should add up to me loving this book. I am a little over halfway and I will say I am enjoying it. But it isn’t grabbing me like I would have hoped. I don’t know if that is the books fault or just because I am in a funk with everything going on in the world. I am excited to finish this up and have some fully formed thoughts.

A Dangerous Collaboration – – Deanna Rayburn

This is another series that I really enjoy. This is a Historical Mystery series that takes place in the late 1800s and follows Veronica Speedwell and Stoker. It also has one of the slowest of slow burn romances, and I am here for it. They are not in the work of detectives, but somehow find themselves solving crimes. I appreciate and enjoy Veronica so much. She defies what it means to be “proper” during this time, but without hammering in to your head. A YA series that is similar to this would be the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco. But I think The Veronica Speedwell series is done so well. This is the fourth installment in the series and I can’t wait to read it.

My Dark Vanessa – – Kate Elizabeth Russell

I was browsing Hoopla and I saw the audiobook of this was on there, so I immediately downloaded it and started listening. I am almost 3 hours into it, and I have to say, I am not loving it. Usually, I am making up chores to do so I have a reason to listen to my audiobooks, but I find myself not wanted to reach for this. I don’t know if that is because the narrator is not my favorite or because I am just not intrigued by the story. I going to give it a little bit yet before I decided if I want to DNF or not.

Yeah, I am not super excited for reading this month, just in general. I think the event of the world have gotten to me, finally. It already the 7th of the month and I have not finished anything, which is very rare for me.

How is your reading going? Let me know in the comments!

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