March Review

Four books this month... Four....It's not bad, I shouldn't be discouraged at all. I'm still four books ahead on my Goodreads goal.

Of those four I had

1- Contemporary Fiction
1- Middle-grade Fantasy
1-Young Adult Fantasy
and
1- Nonfiction memoir

of those I listened to one Audio book.

All of the books accumulated to 1520 pages, which is an average of 49.03 pages a day.

For my star ratings I had

0- 1 star
0- 2 star
2- 3 star
1- 4 star
1- 5 star

My average star rating was 3.75

I have completed four of the challenges for the Around the Year in 52 books Challenge, including:

14) Four books linked by the four elements: Fire.
24) A Book with a Map
27) A book about overcoming an hardship
36) A book published with in the last three years (2016,2017,2018) by an author you haven't read before.

Alright, let's get into the books:

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Published August 2017, by Riverhead Books

This book follows a Muslim family living in London. Isma, the oldest daughter, breaks free from her duties and responsibilities to finished up school in the U.S. For the past several years she's been taking care of her younger siblings, twins Aneeka and Parvaiz, after their mother and grandmother died. But Isma is worried about them, Aneeka her beautiful head strong sister and Parvaiz who has disappeared to follow his own dream, to prove him self to a dark legacy that was the jihadist father they didn't know. When he resurfaces half a globe away, Isma's fears are confirmed. But when Eamonn, son of a powerful political figure with his own agenda, he becomes entwined with in this family. Is it a chance at love? Parvaiz salvation?

I'm trying to figure out how to review this book. Because, I know I'm going to talk a lot about it, which makes me think it needs it's own post, but I feel like I don't know enough to review it....because of what it's about. It's hard for me to review something I don't know much about.

But this book made an impact on me despite me only rating it a 3.5 stars.

This book started off a bit slow, it wasn't until towards the middle/end that it really picked up and the events that took place in it really hit me. But it didn't hit me in terms of making me cry, it was more in terms of an eye opener. There are a couple books coming to publication now that feature the Muslim religion, but they're still few and far between. So to not have read a book featuring anything Islamic before, this one was definitely interesting. Because we don't hear a whole lot about what the Islamic or Muslim religion/culture outside of terrorism, I heard a little about it in terms of their art in an art history class, but that doesn't help in terms of religious study. So I did get lost, but only briefly when reading this book, and only when I got lost did I realize the research I wanted to do enable to better understand this book. Nothing major, or at least that's how I thought of it, in terms of looking up the difference between a hijab and a turban, what the cultural/religious significance is, which lead to to video's and how-to's to style a hijab which lead to head wraps for black women and how it gives a regal sense of being. All very interesting and something I don't think I would have looked up before. Which I really really appreciated. This book was refreshing in a way that it was in a perspective other than a white male/female protagonist going through their daily privileged lives. This was a struggling family that all had different views on how they practiced their religion and what they found appropriate about their religion while dealing with biases and injustices through their hometown of London, getting spit on in the subway, to dealing with it politically, one quote of which stuck out the most to me: "don't make yourself stand out" as in this political figure, who grew up Muslim, but was "no longer apart of that" enable to move up in his political career, but was still "Muslim enough" to try and convince Muslims living in London (who all thought, at this point, that he was a phony) to conform to the social norm that was London. "Go ahead and practice your religion, but do it discreetly otherwise you're just asking for trouble." It was heart breaking.

Told you I had a lot to say about it. This book completed challenge 14) Four books linked by the four elements: Fire.

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

Published November 2017, by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Carter is a misfit. His parents disappeared, leaving him in the care of his "uncle" Sly, a con artist and a trickster. Despite his cons, Sly does teach carter a few tricks. Carter has fast hands and finds he has a knack for disappearing. But when Uncle Sly pulls one too many cons, Carter gets fed up and hops on a train to get as far away from Uncle Sly as possible. Carter ends up in Mineral Wells, a beautiful town that Carter would love to stay in, but he's worried Uncle Sly may have turned him into the cops, and Carter doesn't want to go into an orphanage, he also doesn't have penny to his name. When Carter starts getting hungry, he's nervous he might break his golden rule: Don't steal. Carter ends up meeting Mr. Vernon, a crafty magician with a good heart, where he is then introduced to kids with interests in magic! But when they find the traveling carnival that's been in Mineral Wells for a couple of days has been swindling the towns people, this group of magic misfits is determined to stop them.

This book was over all pretty cute. I again had trouble connecting and relating to the story at first, and actually didn't get into it until I was about finished. But I do appreciate the effort of this book. Every few chapters there are how to's for magic tricks, as well as secret coded messages at the beginning of the chapters that we can solve. It gave a Lemony Snicket vibe as the narrator talked directly to you, which I liked but also question if that's what kept me from engaging with the story. I also felt that the twins appearance towards the end were almost unnecessary. It felt a little forced.

Over all cute and I'll continue with the series as they appear. 3.5 our of 5 stars. This book completes challenge 36) A book published with in the last three years (2016,2017,2018) by an author you haven't read before.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Published August 2005, by Alfred A. Knopf

Well this took a bit. I had started this back in June 2017, got about half way through and stopped because I was just not feeling it. I picked it back up this month wanting to read fantasy and kind of flew through the rest of the book. So I can't tell you much about it as it is the second book in the Inheritance Cycle. What I can tell you is that the book centers around Eragon, a young boy who finds what he thinks is a stone up in the mountains. Only to find that the stone is a dragon egg. Not just any dragon egg, as dragon's were supposedly wiped out during the Fall, when King Galbotorix took power of the land for himself, and rid the land of any and all opposing dragons, this Dragon egg only hatches for a Rider. And hatch it did for Eragon, a blue dragon, Saphira. Recruited to work with the rebel Varden, Eragon and Saphira have much to learn about Riders, the land's history, and most importantly magic, if they want to over throw King Galbotrix's tyrannical rule over the land.

One of the reasons I couldn't connect with the first half of this book was the changing of point of views, I wanted to know what Eragon was doing, but the book also followed his cousin, Roran's point of view from Carvahall the small village in which Eragon called home, as well as Nusuada's point of view in the Varden. I understood why they were there, half of this book and all of Eragon seting up for the rest of the series. But at the time I just didn't care. By the half way point in Eldest I came to tolorate and eventually enjoy Roran's point of view, but still got irritated with Nusuada's, as it was mostly political. Bu tbut the end of the book I became enthralled. When before I kept thinking I would need a break between Eldest and the third book Brisinger, after completing Eldest I wanted more and immediately picked up Brisinger

So yeah it took a while, and yeah it was alright in the end but I still give it a 3.5

This book completed challenge 24) A Book with a Map

Educated by Tara Westover Narrated by Julia Whelan

Published February 2018, by Random House

This is Tara Westover's memoir. I didn't know who Tara was before I read this book, and because I read this book I wont say that I know who she is now, but her story was interesting and full of thought provoking topics. She grew up in a survivalist Mormon family that didn't believe in the education system or the medical system. Tara's dad scrapped metal and her mom was an herbalist whom her dad believed could heal anything and everything through faith. Tara and her 6 siblings didn't go to the hospital when they were born, Tara didn't have a birth certificate until she was 9. Nor did they go to school. Tara and two of her sibling's managed to study themselves and pass the GED and were able to further their education. This book dives into the idea of self persistence, family values and practice, religious values and practice which was really an eye opener to a religion I had little to no information about, to family standards that I knew were out there but again didn't know much about. I have to note though that yes Tara is Mormon, as is her family, but her father and the practices her family abides by are "out there" as Tara puts it. This was also just hard to read at times as it did have domestic violence and manipulation which in itself was hard but to have Tara try to justify and excuse it at the time was just....nearly unbearable. I work for a non-profit that helps Native American victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and stalking. Admittedly I am not an advocate, nor am I a Social Worker, I am a program assistant, so I assist in making sure paper work is organized and grant money is available. I answer the phones, I hear the stories. It doesn't happen every day but to have that kind of work day where we're helping clients left and right, I typically go home and unwind, read usually, but it was hard to do with this book because it would put me back into that head space. I can't really describe what that means..."that head space"...cynical?  Moody? Depressed? It was negative whatever it was and it was a looming sense of dread. When this happened I had to shut the book off and go do something fun, or something that took my mind of....that.

Over all though a really really good read, favorite book of 2018 so far, five out of five stars

This book completed challenge 27) A book about overcoming an hardship

And that was it for the month of March!

I'm excited to see what April brings! You can check out that TBR -> Here
If all goes well, it's going to be a good one!

If you'd like to follow me on any other platform here are the links:
Goodreads
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube

If you've read any of these books and would like to discuss them with me please do! I'm always looking to talk books!

Until next time!

Litta

Time for O.W.L's - The Magical Readathon Announcement & TBR

Oh....My....God.....YOU GUYYYYYSSSSS!!!!

I know I haven't done anything new in a bit, I've been in a weird mood where I'm a month ahead of schedule with my reading so I'm just slacking and thinking it's ok.

but but but but!!!! this readathon!!!! I. AM. STOKED!!!!

So, the booktuber Gintare, over at Book Roast created this Harry Potter themed read-a-thon centering around O.W.L's or Ordinary Wizarding Levels which she named the Magical Readathon!

She even created a letter!!!!

This letter has all the challenges but let me summarize it for you here:

The Read-a-thon goes from April 2nd to April 29th.

There are 12 challenges and you will be "graded" on how well you do on these challenges.

Pretty much the challenges are the type of O.W.L's you want to take - so based on classes.

The failing grades are:

P - Poor: you only completed one of your O.W.L's

D - Dreadful: you started but didn't complete any of your O.W.L. tasks - didn't finish a book coinciding with the challenge

and

T - Troll: you didn't even show up to your O.W.L's -ie you didn't bother with the read-a-thon

The passing grades are:

A - Acceptable: you passed two of your O.W.L's

EE - Exceeded Expectations: you completed three or more of your O.W.L's

O - Outstanding: you completed five or more of your O.W.L's

There are 12 challenges, each challenge coincides with a class, Gintare made it clear that we cannot double up on challenges. SO if a book works for multiple challenges we can only count it for one, however, anything Goodreads deams as a book is acceptable: graphic novels, comics, novella's.

Now Gintare went further and looked up what O.W.L's she "had" to take for a specific "job" she wants in the Wizarding World. She also suggests to be wary of the subjects you choose as they'll coincide with your N.E.W.T's (another read-a-thon she is planning on) that will delve deeper into the subjects you took for your O.W.L's

Now for my O.W.L's I'm too figured out my tbr based on my career path of a Magizooligist/Wizard Naturalist, think Newt Scamander. In which my "core exams" will be: Care of Magical Creatures, Charms and Herbology, and the rest I am picking that I would have actually really really really wanted to take had I gotten my Hogwarts letter like I was supposed to... so my "elective exams"

Anyway...

I know I typically don't do TBR's but I think you'll realize that for Read-a-thon's I'll make an exception.

So I'm no Hermione. If I had a workable time turner I'm sure I could do all 12 O.W.L's and only come out half as well as Hermione did when she took her 11.

but being I'm kind of a slow reader and consider 6 an exciting amount of books to read in a month I suppose that's what I'll try to stick with.

My O.W.L's TBR:

Core Exams

Care of Magical Creatures: Read a book featuring magical creatures or has one on the cover.

So because I'm still in the midst of the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini I figured this would just fit nicely.

Brisingr by Christopher Paulini

This series is centered around Dragons and those able to ride them. This particular book is the third one in the series, and it's taking me a bit to get into so I'm hoping this read-a-thon helps give me the push I need.


Herbology: Read a book with a nature related word in the cover.

How about two? ...words not books

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin

This seems like a good middle grade book to hopefully be a quick paced read within this read-a-thon.

Now already if I manage to read these three books I'd be getting at EE on my O.W.L's for Exceeding Expectations....But I'll put up a couple more O.W.L's in case I change my mind/my mood changes.

Charms: Read a Fantasy Book

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

Note: this will be an audiobook

Elective Exams

Transfiguration: Read a book that deals with transfiguration/shape-shifting or a similar theme or a book that has a cat on the cover.

With this challenge I'm going with a book that I've been itching to pick up and that's:

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan 

I recently just hauled this from Book of the Month and I've been hearing some really good things about it. It follows Leigh Chen Sanders who's mother committed suicide but Leigh believes that her mother turned into a bird and travels to Taiwan to try and find her. This book has magic realism, it has mental health issues, I'm really excited to read this one.

Astronomy: Read a science fiction book.

The Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett

History of Magic: Read a historical fiction.

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

Ancient Runes: Read a book with a symbol on the cover.

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

So that is my TBR for the Magical Read-a-thon to complete my O.W.L's

I'm hoping to get three done at least. So wish me luck.

The Magical Readathon has a twitter if you'd like to follow it Here

If you'd like to follow me on any other platform my links or in the side bar.

I am trying to get video's up on youtube, I'm hoping to post this TBR at some point in the first week of April and will post that Here when it is active.

Until Next Time!

Litta

Tag Tuesday: Spring Cleaning Book Tag

Its SPRING!!!

And with it being Tuesday you get a Tag

One thing I'd like to mention though is: I made another Video! What!?

I'm trying again. Booktubeathon 2017 was just overwhelming for me, and just so much pressure I don't understand how people can do it. But I decided to try again and have to keep telling myself that it's just for me. If people view it and like it, awesome. Otherwise don't freak out that you didn't get a video up on time. Which I have a feeling i'm going to have some issues with. My video editing software is Adobe Premiere Pro CC, and despite that I'm just editing an i phone video, exporting takes about 20 minutes, which I feel isn't bad (if it is someone let me know and how to make it better) but uploading it to youtube, take literally HOURS. It took 5 last night. I understand it could be my internet connection, I understand it's the size of the video but for a compressed video 24 minutes long it should do that right? at 1500 MG? can I get the size lower? how? because jeebus.

Alright let's just get into the tag after that rant...

The Spring Cleaning book tag was created by booktuber Jen over at Book Syrup

Questions:

1. The struggle of getting started: A book/book series that you have struggled to begin because of it's size.

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

I've mentioned these books a couple of times. They were my boyfriend's favorite books growing up, and when he and I first got together we were supposed to read each other's favorite childhood series. He read all of the Harry Potter Series with in a year and it's taking me ....2 years....wow, and I'm only on the book two Eldest. I wasn't a big fan of Eragon but it wasn't bad, picking up eldest has been my isssue...no not picking it up, finishing it. I have picked it up a couple times in 2017 and got near halfway through when I kept putting it down and was just "blah" about the book. I didn't want to hate it because it's my boyfriend's favorite childhood series, but I wasn't happy with the pressure of reading it. As of 2018 I have picked up Eldest, and am finding that that book over all isn't that bad, but the chapters tick me off. I enjoy Eragon's chapters and tolerate Roran's chapters, but Nusuada's are so political and boring that I get irritated. I get why they're all important to help build up the story for Bisinger, even my boyfriend said Eldest was the hardest one to get through. That's other thing is the page count. These books are bricks. Yeah so are the later Harry Potter books, but the first four you fly through quickly that by the time they thicken up you want more detail.

2. Cleaning out the closet: A book and/or book series you want to unhaul.

The Millennium Series by Stieg Larsson

This series....I somehow remember enjoying this when I read it years ago. I didn't get the financial or political points at all, but I over all enjoyed the series, but then I heard the author died but someone was still writing the books based on the author's notes...this discouraged me from picking up any more in the series. I've kept them through nostalgia but I most likely wont read them again.

3. Opening windows and letting fresh air in: A book that was refreshing.

Everything All at Once by Katrina Leno

This book was refreshing in that the plot didn't rely on miscommunication. There was no unnecessary drama with in the family from moody kids or adults refusing to express feelings. It focused mostly on Lottie Reeves; the anxiety she was trying deal with on top of dealing with grief. That in itself was really refreshing of a book rather than me yelling at the pages "if you just talked to one another this whole book would be pointless!"

4. Washing out sheet stains: A book you wish you could rewrite a certain scene in.

Same book as above....There's a whole underlying plot point that was just not needed what so ever. The character can stay, I'd just rewrite his purpose because that's what brought the book down for me.

5. Throwing out unnecessary knick-knacks: a book in a series you didn't feel was necessary.

I'll get back to you on this when I read more series.

6. Polishing the doorknobs: A book that had a clean finish.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Despite that I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars it was still a very interesting read, and the ending was just so satisfying, it was like I let out a breath I didn't know what holding.

7. Reaching to dust the fan: A book that tried too hard to relay a certain message.

Alex, Approximately by Jen Bennett

It wasn't so much that this book was trying to push a message, I just thought it was trying too hard in general. I don't know who said this book was like You've Got Mail, and though it had nods to the movie, like straight up Bailey was sick when Porter was dropping hints that he was her online friend. Sorry Porter, you aint no Tom Hanks, otherwise what nods there were, didn't satisfy this need for this book to be similar to You've Got Mail. I also felt Bennett tried too hard in making these two be "teenagers" and I've seen this in other instances but the one that predominantly comes to mind is Juno where teen vocabulary is overly "odd" if that makes sense. Where Directors and authors can't quite choose a particular vocabulary for teens so they throw in a bit of everything: They're going to curse: overly or just randomly, but they're also going substitute cursing for random words like "fiddlesticks" or they're going to use oldies phrases like "that really steams my broccoli" but none of these are used enough to really say that these teens have a particular vocabulary, they'll say it once then never again. There's no pattern to there speech. It's chaos. Which I get some people view as teens, those "crazy kids" are always speaking funny so how is this any different? Because it's not (in my opinion) that drastic. I was a teenager once, yes I was weird and I used odd phrases from time to time, but never to that extent or if I did it was to be funny. And if that's what directors and authors are trying to do in representing teens, a type of satire, it's not funny, to me it just shows your own age in that you don't remember being a teen nor do you care to figure out how they talk currently. Bennett, I feel, does this with Bailey, and what's odd was that these over exaggeration of teenage vocabulary was used not so much when Bailey talked, but in her own narrative. The voice I imagine in her head as she's speaking about what she's doing and how she feels. It's in first person perspective, who's she trying to impress? It's one of the main reasons I was drawn out of the story and didn't connect with Bailey because I was too busy going "...what? why use that phrase for that you didn't say anything like that before."

8. The tiring yet satisfying finish of spring cleaning: A book series that was tiring yet satisfying to get through.

Again I haven't read very many series. Harry Potter was a pretty satisfying series to get through, the Hunger Games....to an extent were satisfying....more so that they ended, not so much with how it got there. I'm sure once I finish the Inheritance Cycle I'll be relieved and happy.

And that's it for the Spring Cleaning Book Tag!

Remember I am on twitter but don't know how to use it and on instagram and goodreads! (links in the side bar)

Until net time: What was your most satisfying read?

Litta


Questions:

1. The struggle of getting started: A book/book series that you have struggled to begin because of it's size.

2. Cleaning out the closet: A book and/or book series you want to unhaul.

3. Opening windows and letting fresh air in: A book that was refreshing.

4. Washing out sheet stains: A book you wish you could rewrite a certain scene in.

5. Throwing out unnecessary knick-knacks: a book in a series you didn't feel was necessary.

6. Polishing the doorknobs: A book that had a clean finish.

7. Reaching to dust the fan: A book that tried too hard to relay a certain message.

8. The tiring yet satisfying finish of spring cleaning: A book series that was tiring yet satisfying to get through.

Tag Tuesday: Intimidating TBR Book Tag

So I had started this tag about a month ago, but a lot of the answers still hold true. Unfortunately I'm not all too sure of the name....but I think it's the Intimidating TBR book tag....

This tag was created by Lindsey at the youtube channel Lindsey Rey. I don't believe the original book tag video is up any more but people are still posting the tag.

Questions:

1. What book have you been unable to finish?

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

I don't know why I can't get through this, I've picked it up and read a bunch of it then get into a slump with it and rather than getting irritated with the book I just put it down with intent on picking it up again...As of today I am back reading it, not from the beginning, but a chapter or so behind where I had stopped previously to get my barrings. I'm still apprehensive about the book but not pensive. I'm enjoying Eragon's chapters, Roran's chapter's I'm tolerating but I ultimately get irritated with Nusuada's chapters. I heard this was the worst one just because there's so much build up it's trying to get for the next book.

The same could be said for: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire illustrated by Douglas Smith

The next set of questions are grouped together with the phrase
What book have you yet to read because...

2. ...you just haven't had the time?

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

....So I didn't even know this was the same author as Wicked....shows how much I pay attention to my books. Uhm yeah, I bought this because it sounded interesting and the cover is striking, but this is a thick book......475.....it's a thicker book in person. Time really is my only excuse, I bought it, set it aside and have been picking up newer books....

3. ...it's a sequel?

Rip Tide by Kat Falls

I enjoyed the first one Dark Life and just really didn't think it needed a sequel, I didn't even really want to get it, but I got my boyfriend to read Dark Life and when he heard there was Rip Tide....careful what you wish for when you wish your boyfriend will read your books....

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

I knew there was going to be a sequel to This Savage Song, I was really looking forward to it, but then the hype came, and now I fear it's over hyped, and I'm afraid to pick it up now. Out of fear it wont live up to my expectations.

4. ... it's brand new?

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson

This just came out it February, I just got it in the mail, and I'm just going to hold on to it for a bit, not just because it's new but because I heard that it was in the same universe as Hutchinson's We Are the Ants and there are some cameo's that one would appreciate if you read that one before reading this one, so now I'm waiting on We Are the Ants to come in the mail....

5. ..you read a book by the same author and didn't enjoy it?

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

So I don't have this on my physical tbr, as in, I don't own it. I enjoyed The Lunar Chronicles, I loved Heartless but I hesitate with this one because....It doesn't really peak my interest? I know I know I'm going the other way around with this question. I don't know why but because I liked the rest of her work I almost feel an obligation to continue reading what Meyer puts out and this one I fear won't be as good as the others.

6. ...you're just not in the mood for it?

Song of the Current by Sarah Tolscer

Raising your eye brows at this one? yeah so am I. I got it in an Uppercase box and was so excited about it and kept meaning to pick it up and meaning to pick it up, only for it to be fall, and knowing this is about a river, I want to read it in the summer. And now, knowing there is a sequel coming out on my birthday this year, I feel the need to pick it up before the sequel comes out....no pressure....just get in the mood already!

7. ...it's humongous?

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and Owen King

705 pages.....I know I own It but one issue at a time, 705 pages! This book sounds really interesting but even knowing it was by Stephen King I didn't think it was going to be 705 pages! I get wary at 500 pages!

8. ...because it was  cover buy that turned out to have poor reviews?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

I got this for various reasons: It's Harry Potter, it's cover is gorgeous, the play will never be performed in a city near me....But when it came out.....SOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo many mixed reviews that I've been nervous to pick it up ever since.

9. What is the most intimidating book in your tbr?

One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

I ultimately enjoyed Three Dark Crowns but towards the end I had mixed feelings about the characters. The story itself: Loved it. Loved the concept, thought it was unique and dark and exciting. But the characters....I wasn't a fan of Arsinoe to begin with I just didn't have a connection with her, I had it more with her best friend. Maribella I actually enjoyed at first and was rooting for her, then quickly got irritated with and found her just...frustrating. Katherine is the only one I like now. I thought she was cute in the beginning and I felt bad for her, I wanted to protect her, I came to adore her. So because I finished the first book in this series on the fence, and I was excited about this sequel but now just feel daunted by it. It's uncomfortable.

Questions:

1. What book have you been unable to finish?
What book have you yet to read because...
2. ...you just haven't had the time?
3. ...it's a sequel?
4. ... it's brand new?
5. ..you read a book by the same author and didn't enjoy it?
6. ...you're just not in the mood for it?
7. ...it's humongous?
8. ...because it was  cover buy that turned out to have poor reviews?
9. What is the most intimidating book in your tbr?

February Haul

I need to figure out a better way of doing a book haul...like add them as I get them, because how I've been doing it isn't working out for me. I tend to wait til it's toward the end of the month with the stack of new books and just add them in here at the same time. I get about four books in then get tired of having to come up with the synopsis. Hence why this one is so late.

If you've read any of these let me know what you thought, please no spoilers.

Northtown pick ups:

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Published November 2015, by Square Fish

This book is the fourth in the Lunar Chronicles Series. I've been wanting this paper back for a while and ended up throwing a fit because I ordered it a year ago only to have it be published by the wrong company and there for not be in the same format as the other books in the series I owned. So due to it being the fourth in a series, it's hard to give a summary with out spoiling everything, but essentially this series is in a futuristic world where boundaries and country names have changed. The series nods to some classic fairy tales as we follow Cinder, a cyborg who tries to make money for her step mom and her daughters. A buzz is going around about an annual ball that everyone is preparing for, however, a plague is going around as well, and when Cinder's step sister is diagnosed her step mom blames Cinder.

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris

Published November 2017 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

This book is by Neil Patrick Harris.....I needed to have it just for that alone.
But really, this book follows a little boy named Carter who's parents disappear and he's now under the guardianship of his "uncle" Sly. Uncle Sly is a con artist and teaches Carter magic tricks. However, Carter doesn't believe in real magic, he feels everything has a catch as his Uncle Sly has proven, Carter also has a moral code, don't steal. He refuses to be like his uncle, so when he runs away to a new town Carter meets five like minded kids and sets out to save the town.

The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol

Published July 2017 by Chicken House

This book follow Arianwyn. She wants to be a witch, but when she fails her exams she's sent to the town of Lull in disgrace, to become an apprentice witch. But Lull isn't as bad as she thought to believe, with ever spirit dispelled, every magical creature released Arianwyn is getting the hang of being a witch, even if it's just an apprentice. Until the town of Lull and Arianwyn herself are in danger, a dark shadow is being cast over Arianwyn's magic.


Book Outlet Orders:

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Published March 2016 by Dial Books

Every story needs a hero. Every story needs a villain. Every story has a secret. Wink is the odd neighbor girl with wild red hair. Poppy is a blonde bully and the school's queen bee. And Midnight is the shy quiet boy between them. They're voices will riddle these pages, but whether they spiral towards something tricky, terrible or tremendous no one knows.

Liberty: The Spy Who (Kind of) Liked Me by Andrea Portes

Published June 2017 by Harper Teen

Who is a hero? Paige Nolan knows.

Sean Rayne, the man who exposed all of the U.S.'s spying techniques is a hero, even if over half the country thinks he's a traitor. Paige's parents, two journalists who were captured by terrorists while trying to tell the story of the endangered and the oppressed were heroes...or are...Page doesn't know, no one has let her know if her parents are alive or dead.

Who's not a hero? The government who turned her back on her. Who abandoned her and her parents, letting them rot half way across the world.

And certainty not Paige herself, despite her fluency in five languages and mastery in several martial arts...that is until Paige is approached by Madden Carter, who wants Paige to become a spy, and in return he will re-open the her parents case. Paige is given a new identity and a cover story as she fly's to Russia as an "exchange student" to see what else Sean Rayne has against the government. Paige is no hero...but perhaps Liberty is.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Published July 2014 by Ecco Press

1686, eighteen year old Nella arrives in Amsterdam to begin her new life as a wife to Johanne Brandt, an illustrious merchant trader. But Johanne is distant and is often locked in his office or at the warehouse leaving Nella with his sharp-tongued sister Marin. Johanne isn't as cold as he seems, giving Nella an extraordinary wedding gift, a cabinet sized replica of their house. Nella enlists the help of a Miniaturist to crafty make life like replicas to go into this tiny house. But in doing so Nella begins to learn of secrets. In a world where gold is worshiped only second to God, not even the rich Johanne can be protected. Is the Miniaturist their savior or their undoing?

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Published March 2016 by William Morrow

Charlia Asher has a pretty normal life. He's married to a bright and pretty women who actually loves him for his normalcy. They're even about to have their first child. Yes Charlie is doing OK, that is until people start dropping dead around him, and every where he goes, a dark presence whispers to him from under the streets. Charlie Asher has been recruited for a new positions: As Death.

Borne by Jeff Vandermeer

Published April 2017 by MCD/ Farrar, Staus and Giroux

I'm finding this one too complex to explain and too long to just plug in. It sci-fi it's post-apocalyptic its odd....very very odd. Bio-engineering is involved, a flying bear is involved....just odd.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Published August 2016 by Dutton Books for Young Readers

Alice Alexis Queensmeadow 12 is colorless. But one of the three things she cares about more than anything is color. The other two are magic and her mother, who wont miss her. Her father loves Alice more than anything, but armed only with a ruler he set out three years ago and hasn't returned. To find him, Alice must travel the dangerous unpredictable land of Furthermore, where up can be down, left could be right or very very wrong. Her only companion is Oliver, who's magic is based on lies and deceit. Alice must find herself, and hold fast to the magic of love in the time of great loss.

So this one has all kinds of hype behind it, and honestly I didn't plan on reading it. But when Whichwood came out I became intrigued. I heard it's more of a companion than an actual sequel but have been suggested to read this one before hand as it's in the same universe. I have to say, as much as everyone raves about the covers...I really dislike them. The colors are beautiful. but I find this one in particular, too busy to the point where the colors get muddled. I think there could have been a more simplistic approach.

Amazon orders:

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis

Published August 2016, by Dutton Books

Barbizon Hotel, 1950's, houses a generation aspiring models, secretaries and editors all hoping to make their fairy-tale futures come true in New York City. Darby McLaughlin is a new student enrolled in secretary school, and unlike her neighbors, she's plain, self conscious, home sick and utterly convinced she doesn't belong. Yet when Darby befriends a Barbizon maid shes introduced to a different part of New York City: Seedy downtown jazz clubs that are just as addicting as the heroin being used in them, the startling sound of bee-bop and the possibility of romance. Over half a century later the Barobizon Hotel and its guests are almost long forgotten. Yet in the halls is a melancholy tune that floats from an elderly woman's rent-controlled apartment. The secrets of the Barizon Hotel gives journalist Rose Lewin the perfect distraction from her own imploding personal life, but as Rose's obsession deepens the ethics of her investigation become murky.

The Address by Fiona Davis

Published August 2017, by Dutton Books

1884 Sarah Smythe is offered a job by Theodore Camden after a failed apprenticeship as a housekeeper in posh London. This opportunity is hard for Sarah to turn down, to manage The Dakota a grand apartment house in New York, Sarah's world is suddenly awash with opportunity. Moving to America where a person can rise above ones station. To be a female manager in the Dakota which praises to be the greatest apartment in the world. And Theo, the opportunity to see him more, the man gets her, and he'll be living in the Dakota with his wife and two children.

1985 Bailey Camden is just out of rehab. Homeless, jobless, and penniless this former party girl and interior designer is desperate for a new opportunity. Bailey's grandfather was the ward of famed architect Theodore Camden. But the absence of genetic connection means Bailey wont see a penny of the Camden Family's substantial estate. Instead her "cousin" Melinda, Camden's biological great-grand daughter who will get everything, is offering Bailey to over see the renovation of her lavish Dakota apartment. Bailey jumps at the chance, despite disagreeing with Melinda's taste. She's completely destroy the character and timely feel that made the Dakota so grand. The history that Theodore Camden had built up before being murdered by a mad woman.

Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

Published September 2017, by Bloomsbury Children

Written in verse, this books asks the big questions: What value do you place on life? What can you forgive?  and just how do you say goodbye?

We are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

Published January 2016, by Simon Pulse

Henry Denton has spent years being periodically abducted by aliens. Then the Aliens give him an ultimatum: The world will end in 144 days, and all Henry has to do to stop is is press a button. But...he's not sure if he wants to. After all life hasn't been kind to Henry. His mom is a struggling waitress held together by a thin layer of cigarette smoke. His brother is a jobless dropout who just knocked someone up. His grandma is slowly deteriorating with Alzheimer's. And he's still dealing with his grief from his boyfriend's suicide last year. But Henry is a scientist first, trying to way to pro's and the con's of either decision. Press the button and save the world and life as he know sit, or let it and his problems be destroyed forever.

I wasn't originally going to pick this one up, I've heard good things, but it was just one that I had heard about but wasn't sure about. I'm still not sure about it. But when Shaun David Hutchinson came out with this next book, and I heard it's best to read them in order despite not being connected in story, they're connected in universe and there are cameos to appreciate. So I figured why not?

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson

Published February 2018, by Simon Pulse

Elena Mendoza is the product of a virgin birth. This can be explained, it's called parthenogenesis. What can't be explained is why this sixteen year old was able to heal Freddie, her crush, after being shot in a Starbucks parking lot. Or why David Combs, the boy who shot Freddie, disappeared after being sucked up into the clouds from said parking lot. What also can't be explained is the talking girl on the tampon box, or why David Combs shot Freddie to begin with. As more unbelievable things occur, Elena continues to perform miracles, the only remaining explanation is the least logical of all, that the world is ending, and Elena Mendoza is the only one who can do something about it.

Book of the Month pick:

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Published February 2018, by Algonquin Books

Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of the both the American Dream and the New South. He's an executive and she's an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into routine in their new life, they're torn apart. Roy is convicted of a crime Celestial knows he didn't commit. Roy is sentenced to twelve years in prison, Celestial is fiercely independent but finds herself bereft and unmoored taking comfort in a childhood friend who was best man at her and Roy's wedding. As Roy's prison time passes, Celestial is unable to hold the love that has been her center. After five years in prison Roy's sentence is overturned, and he goes to Atlanta hoping to return to the life and routine he was torn away from.

Extra Picks:

The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller

Published February 2018, by Simon and Shuster

Robert Weekes is eighteen years old and a practitioner of empirical philosophy, and arcane female dominated branch of science used to summon wind, shape clouds of smoke, heal the injured and even fly. Robert dreams of fighting in the Great War, as the first male in the elite US Sigilry Corps Rescue and Evacuation Service, a team of flying medics, but he is resigned to mixing batches of philosophical chemicals for the family business in rural Montana where his mother, former soldier and vigilante, helps the locals. When a deadly accident puts Robert's skills to the test, he wins a scholarship to study at Radcliffe University, an all women's school. At Radcliffe Robert hones his skills striving to win the respect of his unruly all female classmates. Robert fall hard for war hero turned political radical Danielle Hardin, however Danielle's activism and Robert's recklessness attracts the attention of a group of radical anti-philosophers that Robert's mother fought years before.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Published January 2018, by William Morrow

Anna Fox lives along. A recluse in her New York City apartment, Anna spends her days drinking wine (perhaps a bit too much) watching old movies, reflecting on happier times and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move in across the way. A father, a mother and their teenage son, the perfect family, but when Anna sees something she shouldn't her world comes crumbling down, it's shocking secrets are laid to bare.

Top 5 Wednesday: Character Names

Alright it's been about month since I did a Top 5. I know in January I wanted to continue trying to put out this Top 5 subject as a way to keep my content interesting, only issue with that was the themes in February escaped me. I don't know about you, but I haven't read very many books with a male/male romance or a female/female romance. Not on purpose! It's just never come up in my reading, so when this Top 5 came up with them in February I was at a loss of ideas and content.

So welcome back Top 5!

This week we'll be doing Top 5 favorite character names.

Now this wasn't actually this weeks theme, directly...I say that due to March's themes being a little late in being posted and there for this Wednesday it's a bit of a free-be in what we can choose, so digging into their unused themes I picked Character Names.

These names are in no particular order, I just like the creativity and flow of the name.

Let's get started.

1. The one that immediately popped into my mind was Lottie Reeves from Everything All At Once by Katrina Leno

This was one of my Uppercase books, and believe me when I say I probably wouldn't have picked this up on my own. If you remember my review of it, I hate hate hate the cover. But the story itself was actually really cute and endearing, with a family that actually communicates, which is refreshing that that's not where the story get's is plot, from miscommunication or lack there of.  Now Lottie Reeves suffers from anxiety and is learning how to deal with it, she's struggling due to the death of her beloved aunt. While trying to figure out her anxiety she's received letter's from her aunt after death, encouraging Lottie to break out of her shell and do things she may not have done willingly. This was over all a cute book. I connected to Lottie Reeves, and adore the name Lottie, it's cute and short, a little old fashioned.

2. Mateo Torrez from They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

This book....

Tears shed... tears shed. However, Mateo...his character enlightened the name for me. Mateo Torrez, he as a character just seemed so fragile, sweet, and endearing, but my god did I want to protect him. Rufus too don't get me wrong, but Mateo...I just imagined him as a kid just consistently freaked out by every little thing and just hiding under the cover on a couch thinking that's the best place to stay safe. There were times through out the book that I just wanted to hug him, just to protect him a little longer. After reading this book Mateo just seems like such an innocent name.

3. Nobody "Bod" Owens from The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

As odd as this name is, I though it was actually pretty cute and clever. "He looks like nobody, only himself, Nobody Owens." And as the story went on Bod fit into his name quite well, the character took shape around the name. A little ghostly, but still alive, clever but still doesn't know all that much outside the graveyard. Gaiman, I'm finding has a knack for names despite the oddity of them, they fit the story, and I'm quite the fan, as you'll see in 4.

4. Coraline Jones from Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I still don't quite believe this is a children's book. And it's odd to see it in that section when I go into book stores. If you've seen the movie, I personally would be wary of showing my child it under a certain age, the book is even creepier.

Perhaps it's because the name of the book is Coraline, that I just think this name fits so well with this book. Or that through out the book Coraline is constantly trying to correct her neighbors in saying it correctly. It is a unique name that I've come to adore.

and finally

5. August Flynn from This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

I was obsessed with this name for a while, and still kind of am. August Flynn, much like Mateo Torrez, makes me want to protect him, even though he's a monster. The concept of this book is just so interesting and the fact that August came from a school shooting is just....relevant and heartbreaking.

Alright that was my Top 5 favorite character names! Let me know if you've read any of these and your thoughts, I'd love to discuss!

I'm on Twitter @Bitterly_Fun (despite not knowing how to use it)
and Instagram @Bitterlyfun
If you'd like to follow me on any other platform

Until next time!

Litta