As per usual, I started #FridayFavorites back when I started up the blog again and wanted to make sure I kept at least one regular post a week. This was, of course, before I knew there were others out there. But I decided to keep it, especially since I have the whole year planned out. In December, I decided to change it to #FridayFives instead to have more room for topics. If anyone wants to join me, the list for future topics can be found here.
Today’s topic is on books that had amazing endings that completely blew me away!
I was literally dead after finishing this! I was not expecting that ending or how much it ripped my heart out and stomped on it!
I pre-ordered this book. I did not know this book was a series. I threw the book when I read that ending! I’m so excited that the second book is out.
A fascinating, twisty book with such an interesting ending, and something that made me truly think of justice and our (United States) justice system.
I’m not going to lie, I think Hank wrote a better book than John. Come at me, bro! I thought this book was fascinating exploration of humanity, privacy, and infamy. That ending left me so mad though! But it was soooo good!!
In the poem The Hollow Man, by T.S. Eliot, he ends the poem “This is the way the world ends/Not with a bang but a whimper.” This book relates to that line so much that I can’t even! It was a beautiful book with such a wow ending but one that was subtle and haunting and stayed with you for days later.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provide a topic and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
I’m a huge supporter of people who create book covers and think that they can make or break a book. Here are some of those covers that made me want to read the book.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provide a topic and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
There are some books that just drag you in and won’t let you leave until you finish them. Here are those books for me!
Yes, I’m one of those white people who didn’t learn about the Tulsa Race Riot until watching the first episode of HBO’s Watchmen. But since then I have been finding books, both fiction and nonfiction, to learn more about this event.
Dreamland Burning is such a beautifully written book about such a horrible time period in America’s history. Going back and forth between Rowan Chase, a 17 year old girl living in modern-day Tulsa, and Will Tillman, a 17 year old boy living in 1920 Tulsa, as they try to uncover what happened that night and how it affects all of us today.
Rowan Caine stumbles across an ad for a nanny position. She’s not looking for a new job, but she ends up taking it. But once she arrives for the job, the kids who seemed angelic at the interview are anything but, the house’s electrical systems keeps going on the fritz, and she keeps feeling isolated in this remote house. Yet, the whole book is Rowan’s confession to what happened because a child is dead and she’s the one in jail for it. Mystery books are one of those were I have to finish even if I figure out what’s going to happen. I either have to know I’m right or need to figure out who the killer is.
If you want my thoughts on this book then check out my review for it here.
I don’t think I’ll ever be over this book, it was that good! I read it in one day over the Christmas holidays. A book that has a mystery, lesbian necromancers, and a haunted gothic palace in space, sign me up!
I haven’t posted my review for this yet, but oh man, do I need to the next book in this duology! A retelling of sleeping beauty that has lesbians and a more developed magic system. In Briar, there are Graces, those granted with powers from the faeire kingdom, they’re able to give out spells and enchantments to those who can afford them. Alyce is the Dark Grace, someone born with dark magic in their veins. But Aurora and Alyce meet and soon become friends, then more.
Just like the four Hawthorne grandsons, I was pulled into the mystery of Avery Grambs. Who was she? Why did Tobias leave his entire fortune to her? What was up with this house? What really happened to Tobias Hawthorne’s son? So many questions and I need the next book in the series, NOW!
Also, is there a way I can explore this house? Pretty please?
I’m still shocked by how much I loved Hank Green’s book, especially considering that the only book by John Green I’ve actually finished is The Fault in Our Stars (I totally just blanked on the name of that book while writing this). While I enjoy the Green brothers YouTube videos, I’ve never been a fan of John Green’s books. I thought I’d read Hank’s and it would be the same. Yet, it wasn’t!
The storyline totally pulled me in, as well as the philosophical questions of fame and money and how much it goes to our head. Along with that, the questions on progress and technology, of those who are different from us. I have yet to get the second book because I’m wanting to re-read this one first (and I haven’t had the time to do that).
I legitimately stayed up until around 2 am to finish this book. That was back when I didn’t have as much of a problem with Sarah J. Maas, since then I haven’t really enjoyed her books as much. I’m also completely tired of the whole “mates” idea.
I could do a whole post on why I’ve changed my views on Sarah J. Maas, but a post by Between the Pages sums up basically all the same views that I have.
Anyway, I’m not saying her books are bad, nor am I saying she’s a bad person, but they’re just not my cup of tea anymore. If you like her books and they bring you joy, great! I’m so happy you’ve found a book/author you love! (This is not me being sarcastic, for those who know me, it may come off that way, and I apologize if it does. I’m being serious here).
I love Pip and Ravi so, so, so much!! Holly Jackson had such great characters, plot, pacing in this book that it kind of set a new standard for me on YA murder/crime fiction. I have a copy of the second book, Good Girl, Bad Blood, but I haven’t read it because I’m not ready to let go of Pip and Ravi!
This book was definitely difficult to read at times, due to the topic of forced marriages in the book, but I read it one sitting because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen to Naila.
After Naila is busted by her parents for going to prom with her boyfriend, they all go on a family trip to Pakistan to visit with family. Unbeknownst to Naila, her parents are arranging a marriage for her while she’s there. Definitely a book that needs to be read and a topic that should be talked about more.
Not going to lie, I was hesitant to read this since it was published by James Patterson. I’m so glad I did give it a chance because oh was it such an interesting twist on Jack the Ripper.
Audrey is born a lord’s daughter and has wealth and privilege set before her. Yet, she wants to cut up dead bodies. What girl doesn’t? But soon, Audrey is dragged into an investigation of a serial killer and her search for answers may bring her back to her own home. Again, a good murder mystery always keeps me up reading.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provide a topic and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
Oh, there are so many places I’d love to live than this world that we’re living in now.
Hogwarts – only if I can live in a world that is not filled with TERFs because I’m not about that life
The Shire – oh to live a life in a Hobbit hole with a nice cup of tea and some good food sounds absolutely lovely!
Havenfall (from the Havenfall by Sara Holland) – this sounds absolutely amazing to live at Havenfall and see all these different cultures
Hawthorne House (from The Inheritance Games) – I really just want to explore this mansion because it sounds wonderful!
Winterfell – I absolutely love cold weather, and I think if I lived in Westeros, if I wasn’t already in the North, that is were I would immediately go! Especially if Sansa was Queen already!
Rivendell – I mean it’s absolutely gorgeous and the architecture is just amazing!
New Beijing (The Lunar Chronicles) – I would just love to see how the world has changed since this time period
Isadora’s House – it’s been so long since I’ve read The Chaos of Stars, I can’t remember if the house was the actual temples. Whether it is or isn’t, I just would love to live there to see the Egyptian gods and the temples (yes, I know I could visit the temples in Egypt but to meet the gods would be amazing).
Pemberley Manor – I mean I’m such a huge Jane Austen fan I would love to live at Pemberley just to experience life there
Panem – I wouldn’t want to live but maybe a visit. But I also wouldn’t want people to see or notice me, so I’d want to be there as a ghost or something. Like New Beijing, I would want to visit to see what the future world could be.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provide a topic and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
In honor of Mardis Gras, today’s topic is book covers that are purple, yellow, or green.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly topic hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week she provide a topic and you are free to use that topic and/or variations of that topic to make your top ten list. A full list of the weekly themes can be found here.
Somehow I made it through the dumpster fire that was 2020, and so did you! Good job, keep it up! I actually didn’t read more than usual because I was actually working on site this whole time (the library I worked at didn’t close). Despite this horrible year, I actually read a lot of great books this year. They are not listed in any particular order cause you can’t ask me to rank my favorite books!
This book was just too cute for words! Fake dating, parents being the worst, friends being awesome, and two men falling in love with each other.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
A heartbreaking and joyous book about gender and identity, and how parents are sometimes the worst. Ben is so beautiful and I just want to give him a hug. Nathan and Ben’s friendship turned romance is so adorable and lovely.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Such a fun mystery and game that billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves his grandsons and Avery Grambs. And I need the second book after that ending!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
A mysterious gothic house set in the Mexican countryside. This was gorgeous and Noemi was such a fun character who loves both parties but is intelligent and independent. The whole mystery was so satisfying and I just loved the ending of the novel.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
What I loved the most about this book was seeing the improvement of Maureen Johnson’s writing from 13 Little Blue Envelopes to Truly Devious.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
A hearbreaking book, but one so important for the simple fact that there are thousands upon thousands of girls that go missing every year and most of them don’t get a movie, show, or podcast about them. But they are also loved.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Another important book on the idea that just becomes someone is different or doesn’t fit into the community’s white, straight, and Christian standards does not mean they committed the act of murder. That as the old adage says “we can’t judge a book by its cover.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
New Orleans, murder, vampires, and all set in the late 1800s. Ahh, I loved the mystery and the characters, especially Celine and Sebastien.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
As a Jane Austen fanatic, I loved learning about how the novels played out and the meanings behind some of greatest literature.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Oh my word, this novel is so amazing! I loved the relationship Addie had with death and how she navigated through her endless life.
Oh boy! Who would’ve thought I’d look back on 2016 fondly? Because I definitely didn’t; 2020 is not pulling any punches. I still cannot believe The Notorious R.B.G. died, so for anyone who lives in the United States and is over 18 vote like your life depends on it!!
Stats
💜 Books Read: I’ve read 7 books this month 💜 Total Pages: 2,051 💜 Authors Gender: I read 5 books by female authors & 2 books by male authors 💜 Book Genres: I’ve read 3 YA books, 2 Adult books, & 2 picture books | Within in these, were 1 horror, 1 mystery, 4 fantasy, & 1 biography 💜 Release Dates: I read 6 from 2020 & 1 from 2017
Favorite Read This Month
Cannot choose between the two because they are so different! Also, just realized I didn’t post my review of Mexican Gothic, so that will be posted this coming Monday. The review for The Inheritance Games can be found here.
Least Favorite Book This Month
The library I work at does book reviews throughout the year for the Heart of Texas literature. This was one of the books I chose, and I was sooo excited for it. Then I was super disappointed. There’s plot points dropped and never resolved. The whole idea of violence for violence instead of trying to raise boys better was a hard pill to swallow for me. I just didn’t like this book.
Books I’m Still Reading
Lovely War is wonderful so far, but it’s a story I want to savor. I’m having such a difficult time with Kingdom of Ash because I hate the torture Aelin is going through. I only started The Devil and the Dark Water yesterday (I received an e-ARC), and I’m hooked. Sammy and Arent are in love and no one can convince me otherwise!
In Honor of R.B.G.
Enjoy one of these books by or about the amazing R.B.G. May she rest in peace!
What if you were given a million dollars? Or a billion dollars? We all dream of it, right? I have never played any lottery in my life, but I still have a plan for when I ever win the lottery. Well, for Avery Kylie Grambs this is no dream, it’s quite literally a reality. It’s also not just a million dollars nor is it a billion dollars. She has been given 46 billion dollars, including all properties, monetary assets, and worldy possessions of Tobias Hawthorne.
There’s one part that doesn’t make sense to Avery or the rest of the Hawthorne family, nobody knows who she is and she has no idea who they or Tobias Hawthorne is.
This is just another puzzle, another game for the four brothers. They all grew up with Tobias who loved games and puzzles more than almost anyone. One last game after he dies and Avery is the missing piece. Or is she?
I was so excited to read this back when I first heard about it this past spring. Totally reminded me of Knives Out. Of course, with Knives Out Marta actually knew Harlan. As the game moves on, the stakes do become higher and Avery has no idea who to trust. I kept going back and forth on who I trusted. All the boys, at least once during my reading of the book, had something to do with trying to have Avery loose the inheritance.
There were a few things that I wished were different. One, can we stop it with the love triangles!? Please I beg you!
I’ve been tired of this trope since Twilight and it still hasn’t aged well! Two, I really wanted Nan (Tobias’s mother-in-law) to be in the story more, especially, after she told Avery about what happened to her husband. I also wished we saw her impression or reaction to Avery being bequeathed this inheritance instead of her great-grandsons. Hopefully, she’ll be a bigger character in book 2, but I doubt it.
Oh yeah! Did anyone else know this was a series? Cause I certainly didn’t! If you read past this point, you are taking your life in your own hands because
When it’s revealed that Avery knows the man in Nan’s locket, Tobias Hawthorne II, and it’s Harry from the park, I was shocked. The man from the beginning that was so inconsequential to be meaningless becomes such the twist at the end. I was truly not expecting that. I will say I did enjoy that scene between Avery and Harry at the beginning. Avery is a girl from the “wrong side of the tracks.” She is literally sleeping in her car the night before she finds out she’s an heiress, but she goes to the park to play chess as a way to give Harry breakfast. Showing someone’s character right from the beginning.
It makes me root for Avery. I want her to win the game and the inheritance, but more than that I want this to mean something for her. I don’t want it to mean something as little as a chance meeting in a diner or because she had the same birthday as a girl who died. There has to be more to Avery’s story than that. Tobias Hawthorne’s mind had to have more of a reason than just simple coincidence.
