Goodbye April !

What a month! This is the first time I'm reviewing a month so bear with me. 

So, at the end of March I got a big haul of books because BookOutlet was having a sale and what bookworm can resist?
This one can not, that I assure you.

April has also been a weird month re: work so my book reading has been all over the place.

well, some of you may know that I also review for TDC Book Reviews and it was a slow month with them.  I had 8 books booked, but 1 author never sent the book in so I only read 7 for them.
and only 1 was a 5 star which you can find on Goodreads
Was a boring month on this side of things.
I'm known as Canadian Rebel over there.
even though I am no longer the only Canadian.


10.3 Personal reads for April included:

I'll give you the Sun 

Tapping the Billionaire 

Heidi 

The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle book 2)

Kiss of Deception / Heart of Betrayal (Remnant Chronicles) 

Beauty's Punishment (Sleeping Beauty trilogy book 2)

The Black Cauldron (Chronicles of Prydain book 2)

Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's children book 3)

There Will be Lies 

maybe 30% of Afterworlds

95% of Flowers in the Attic (that I reread when I can't sleep) 

All were lovely, but Heidi and Heart of Betrayal dragged for me.  

I have a lot to say about There will be Lies so stay tuned for my review.

2017 Goal list update: 63.3/200


  

 

BIG DRAMATIC SIGH !

At the beginning of the month my computer decided it was done with life, and sadly, left me.

Luckily, I happened to be seeing a tech friend that day so I brought it to him and he said the outlook didn't look good.
He was right.
I lost my whole hard drive.
I'm still crying about it.

I had started (finally) writing the books that have been bouncing around in my head:

1) Is about Elves who are hit men/assassins. but its based off of the tattoos that appear on their skin. Mid fantasy. Luckily I didn't get too far in with this.

2) is based on my high school crush. sappy lil love story. more for myself than anyone else, really.

3) I had a few thousand words done about 2 best friends... but 1 is stuck in a video game. It's Jumanji meets Count of Monte Cristo. and I have tried to pick up where I left off of this and it just isn't coming back. I still remember what I wrote and have my outline but the motivation is gone.
at least for now.

So I'm focusing more on the Elf one. Hubby and I went to starbucks one night and I just sat down and HAND WROTE a few chapters because I no longer trust computers.
she types, at an old computer hubby happened to keep for his gaming bots. BACK UP YOUR FILES MY DEARIES. DO IT.
NOW.
i'll wait. 

**on a side note, i found old photos of what my bookshelves used to look like and my goodness how times have changed. Will work on a throwback post with lots and lots of photos and scary memories and itty bitty TBRs** 

Work has been pretty slow, and yet, it was a decent month.
If you don't know, I am a sign language interpreter working in Ontario.
I love my job.
It's why I will have lots to say about there will be lies (it's also why i picked up the book at all, i saw on one of Cait's (@paperfury) posts that the main character is deaf and SOLD. so i owe her some cake!)


Taxes were also due this month.
and being self employed sucks some days.
(mostly there are days in april. and january when I do the year-end stuff. just saying) 

May is my favourite month.
It's also my birthday month so woohoo. 
(the only good thing about my bday is it = books. because y'know.. there's never enough. and anyone who says otherwise is lying and is after your TBR pile and the pretty covers) 

Who knows what work will look like, but the TBR Pile will continue to grow and shrink as it sees fit.
Some days I really feel like I make an impact
and other days I cower at it's brilliance and power.
All about the balance, loves.


I also need to plan my giveaway for June as it is my ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY
and that is exciting.



BUT WHAT DO I READ NEXT?!

Book 3 of Prydain will go in the purse for all the waiting rooms I deal with when it comes to work.

but my options are:


- Start my Reread of the TMI series since I have yet to read Lady Midnight  and COMMON ALEX !
- I got the unbecoming of Mara dyer as a wedding gift from my "boss" and book 2 in the march book haul and they've been calling me lately
- Must finish The Remnant Chronicles before I forget what happened in book 2
- Read Illuminae even though I don't have book 2 yet but it looks fascinating!

noticing a trend with "book 2" here

- Still need to finish off the last two books in the Throne of Glass series. I waited AGES to get them, and now I'm distracted with other books. which is annoying. because I want to know what happens! I'm my own worst enemy with series, i swear.  
- Everything, Everything and Volume 3 of short stories from the Dorothy Must Die  series have been starring at me and following me around the room with their eyes.
- none of the above and who in the name of Puff the Magic Dragon will be able to tell me? 

No one, that is who.

Book Guilt is a real thing!




So that is it for now, I am going to go continue afterworlds until bedtime.
which is soon because I apparently have old lady eyes which close around 9pm every night. (they also tire from wearing glasses all day *nods in a knowing way*)



Let me know your vote for my next read in the comments.
or just say hi?!


-A

Review: Library of Souls (Book 3)

 Library of Souls
 Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Book 3
 Ransom Riggs


This whole series only spans a few weeks, and we again pick up from where Hollow City left us readers which took me forever to finally come back to because I am one of those book collectors that will wait for the paperback copy so my series MATCHES but i digress ... 
and we are with Jacob, Emma and Addison who are continuing the search for their missing fellow peculiars and their beloved Ymbrynes.
Now that we know Jacob has a peculiar about him, he may end up more helpful than just a grandson of an old friend.

Their travels brings them to a nasty, run down loop in the middle of Victorian England known as Devil's Acre. This is a place that is most unfriendly to peculiars and their allies.
They are used and abused, hunted, and the land is ruled by those who wish to rob of them of their most valued possession: their soul.

There are also Hollows everywhere.
Never a dull moment, hmm?

As we learn the who, why, and where Miss P and the others have been taken, readers will be amazed at how Riggs once again took everyday photos - as creepy as they are - and blends a wild ride of secrets, history and vivid characters into a story that will be added to the "reread" list for years to come.
and the "must recommend to others" list.

The best part- and small SPOILER ALERT FOR THE LAST CHAPTER - is that he left the ending open for more! *happy dances all around*  So that is always nice.



NEVER SHY AWAY FROM WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL #staypeculiar 

P.S There is also Tales of the Peculiar that is mentioned in this story, and has been published as well. I may not write about it but if you want to know some history and backstories, it's one to look out for. Described in the book as "green and thin" and that's exactly what it looks like. 

Review: The Heart of Betrayal (Remnant Chronicles 2)

 The Heart of Betrayal
 The Remnant Chronicles
 Mary E. Pearson


Continuing on our journey with Lia and boys, we have now reached Vendan.
The home of the Komizar.
The home of vagrants and miscreants.
The home of the Assassin.

Lia knows she must do what she is told, but she cannot help her stubborn ways and strong will in following her heart (no matter what it tells her) even though the secrets she has learned thus far have slowly started eating away at her.

And time.
Time is a tricky thing. It can be your friend, and it can be your enemy. Those in play will learn which side Time is on for them.

but Lia knows her destiny, and she will fight for it no matter the cost.


Pearson's writing dragged for me in this one - for some reason I could not focus - which I found strange because it was just as powerful (but less action packed) than The Kiss of Deception. This part of Lia's story only had one setting

unless you count the few itty-bitty chapters about Pauline.
which I am not.

but there were a lot of sweet moments between many of the characters which I loved. We learn a lot about childhoods and how they have come to be where they are, and some other gems which I always appreciate. And so should any book lover. why would you not want to know more about the cinnamon rolls we are following along on these mythical adventures? 
Throughout both books we get verses of old texts that Lia is translating along the way, but tbh, I don't think I've read a single one.
Hmm, maybe the first one?
I hope they don't come into play later because I have not been paying attention to them.
oops. 

On the other hand,
I am 100% #TeamRafe!

(Is it just me or could they have done better with these covers?) 

Review: The Kiss of Deception

 The Kiss of Deception
 The Remnant Chronicles
 Mary E. Pearson


When her father, the King, agrees to align a marriage for her with the Prince of another Kingdom, Lia is taken aback. How can one marry someone else who they've never met, never mind do not love? She had asked to be able to meet her betrothed, and was denied.

To take back her life, moments before she is to married off, she runs.

With her best friend Pauline in tow they make off into the woods to Pauline's birth-town. The two blend in and find jobs with an old friend of the family who promises to keep their secret.

Little does anyone know, there are two men after Lia: An Assassin and the Prince.

The two men happen to meet and become civil to each other, but unaware of what the other's true purpose is. Both are taken with Lia when the meet her at first, and as the story continues, the secrets holding everyone to their new life will slowly unravel.


An intriguing opening to this trilogy.
Pearson writes it so that we do not know which man is the Prince or the Assassin until later on in the story and has you guessing the whole time (there are hints if you pick them up, but it's fun to let your mind just enjoy the story). Lia's predicament is both sad and funny at the same time. There are times when you root for one scenario and boy, but then the next chapter will have you changing your mind. The beginning is a bit slow, but bear with it; it is worth it.
What I love most about this is that there is a map on the inside cover (what booklover doesn't love maps?!) so you can track the route that these characters travel throughout the story.
Only time will tell where they end up.

Review: The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle 2)

 The Dream Thieves
 Maggie Stiefvater
 The Raven Cycle - Book 2


Secrets are a powerful thing.
There are 3 kinds of secrets.
Ronan Lynch is someone who carries all 3.

Picking up right from where The Raven Boys ends, we continue to follow the boys and Blue on their quest for Glendower, but secrets are in the way.

Not only does Ronan have secrets, but everyone else does too.

Secrets from the past, secrets about the future, secrets that will affect everything the boys have been working for, and everything Ronan has fought to keep hidden will come to the surface.

Quite literally.

All the while there is a mysterious man in search of something. He slithers his way in to the group but he is a man on a mission. He knows the secrets. He will not stop until he finds what he is looking for.


Stiefvater has created some of the most unique characters ever written, in a world where the most unbelievable can happen.
and this is only book two.
The power that emits from the pages, from the words, and from these boys keeps you glued to the pages. Such rich histories in the complex characters makes for a story that will have you breathless by the end of it. Absolutely beautiful, filled with mystery and intrigue from start to finish.

Review: I'll Give You the Sun

 I'll Give You the Sun
 Jandy Nelson



A stunning tale of two twins, Jude and Noah, who are as close as can be
Until they aren't.

Torn apart by life and love, we see both of their journeys during a snippet of their lives.

Jude can see the ghost of her dead grandmother.
Her mother was able to do this too.
Now, Jude wishes her mother would come to her too.
Instead of just smashing all of the artwork that Jude makes.
Jude realizes that her mother hasn't forgiven her yet.


Noah is a beautiful soul.
You could call him an artist, but it's hard to see where Noah ends and the Art begins.
He is one of the most passionate characters ever to exist.
He is also hoping that his mother will be his parachute.


As time goes on, the twins no longer know who they are, or who each other is.
Through their art (both internal and external) and a matter of circumstance
or fate
or destiney
or purpose in life
whatever you want to call it
they meet some characters who come to help them find out who they were always meant to be.

"maybe some people are just meant to be in the same story" - Nelson, p.365 [hardcover]


This is one of those books that changes your life.
It changes your outlook on life.
It changes your outlook on the world in front of you.
Never gamble with the wonders of the world ... unless it's for something you cannot live without.

Nelson has given us a wonderful tale of two diverse human beings
who teach us that it's okay to fall apart
but
we need to remember that we have to be open to finding out what can put us back together.