Thursday, October 31, 2019

October '19 Wrap Up & Book Haul!

Can you believe that it's time to say goodbye to October?? This month has gone by WAY too quickly, and I'm not exactly ready to say goodbye. (Except to the weather, I am SO ready to say goodbye to it!)

October was a pretty good month for books! Not only did I read some really awesome books this month, and added quite a few new ones to my collection as well!

Here's my October Wrap Up!

 Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh
Rebel by Marie Lu
The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
The Diviners by Libba Bray
A Study of Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
The Tyrant's Tomb by Rick Riordan
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
American Royals by Katharine McGee
The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand
The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
Rebel by Marie Lu

*not pictured*
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
Slay by Brittney Morris
The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
•   •   •

So many books! Definitely a great month.
Now I'm ready to get started on November!!

How was your book month??

November Book Challenge • #AlltheBooksNov19

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4KrdKkpFhj/

November is right around the corner, which means it's time for a brand new book challenge!

#AlltheBooksNov19
starts tomorrow, and Lori (loriimagination) and I would love for you to join us for a new month of bookish fun!

Why join in a book challenge??

It's a great way to fill your feed with ALL the Bookish Things!!

The daily prompts give you ideas for daily posts!

You get to meet awesome fellow bookworms!

You will discover SO MANY new books!

It's so much fun! Head over to Instagram and join us for #AlltheBooksNov19!!

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

5 Favorite Reads of October

I started October with quite a long TBR, and while I didn't get to read ALL of the books that I had hoped to read this month, I still read quite a few really good ones! (And a few that have been on my TBR for too long.)

Here are just a few of my favorites from this month!

http://www.thereaderbee.com/2019/10/my-thoughts-pumpkinheads-by-rainbow-rowell-faith-erin-hicks.html

Pumpkinheads
by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

This fall themed graphic novel was a super cute, quick read, and it definitely put me in the fall spirit! (It also made me want to visit the nearest pumpkin patch!)


http://www.thereaderbee.com/2019/10/my-thoughts-tyrants-tomb-by-rick-riordan.html

The Tyrant's Tomb
by Rick Riordan

This fourth book in the Trials of Apollo series was one of my most anticipated reads for this season! Rick Riordan's books are seriously the best, and I loved this newest addition so much.



The Bromance Book Club
by Lyssa Kay Adams

This rom-com was SO CUTE! I seriously did not expect to love it as much as I did, but it was great, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
(My thoughts for this book will be on the blog in November!)


http://www.thereaderbee.com/2019/10/my-thoughts-diviners-by-libba-bray.html

The Diviners
by Libba Bray

This book has been on my TBR for the Longest, and I was determined to finally read it this month! I can't believe I waited so long to do so, because I really enjoyed it. It was a perfectly creepy Halloween read!


http://www.thereaderbee.com/2019/10/my-thoughts-serpent-dove-by-shelby-mahurin.html

Serpent & Dove
by Shelby Mahurin

I am super surprised at how much I enjoyed this witch themed book! It was really interesting, and I am really looking forward to the sequel as well.

•   •   •

There you have it! A few of my favorite reads for October!
Did you read anything awesome this month??
Tell me about it!

Waiting on Wednesday: Not the Girl You Marry & Would Like to Meet

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44082130-not-the-girl-you-marry
Not the Girl You Marry
by Andie J. Christopher
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: November 12th 2019
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 9781984802682

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days gets a millennial makeover in this romantic comedy by USA Today bestselling author Andie J. Christopher.

Jack Nolan is a gentleman, a journalist, and unlucky in love. His viral success has pigeon-holed him as the how-to guy for a buzzy, internet media company instead of covering hard-hitting politics. Fed up with his fluffy articles and the app-based dating scene as well, he strikes a deal with his boss to write a final piece de resistance: How to Lose a Girl. Easier said than done when the girl he meets is Hannah Mayfield, and he's not sure he wants her to dump him.

Hannah is an extremely successful event planner who's focused on climbing the career ladder. Her firm is one of the most prestigious in the city, and she's determined to secure her next promotion. But Hannah has a bit of an image problem. She needs to show her boss that she has range, including planning dreaded, romantic weddings. Enter Jack. He’s the perfect man to date for a couple weeks to prove to her boss that she’s not scared of feelings.

Before Jack and Hannah know it, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real—and neither of them can stand to lose each other. (Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of rom-coms at the moment,
and I am always on the lookout for new ones to read.
This book sounds super cute, and I can't wait to check it out!




https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44525558-would-like-to-meet
Would Like to Meet
by Rachel Winters
Twitter


Publication Date: December 3rd 2019
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 9780525542315

Add to Goodreads

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In this charming, feel-good debut novel, a cynical assistant at a screenwriting agency must reenact the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedy movies in order to help her #1 client get his scriptwriting mojo back--but can a real-life meet-cute be in store for someone who doesn't believe in happily ever after?

After seven years as an assistant, 29-year-old Evie Summers is ready to finally get the promotion she deserves. But now the TV and film agency she's been running behind the scenes is in trouble, and Evie will lose her job unless she can convince the agency's biggest and most arrogant client, Ezra Chester, to finish writing the script for a Hollywood romantic comedy.

The catch? Ezra is suffering from writer's block--and he'll only put pen to paper if singleton Evie can prove to him that you can fall in love like they do in the movies. With the future of the agency in jeopardy, Evie embarks on a mission to meet a man the way Sally met Harry or Hugh Grant met Julia Roberts.

But in the course of testing out the meet-cute scenes from classic romantic comedies IRL, not only will Evie encounter one humiliating situation after another, but she'll have to confront the romantic past that soured her on love. In a novel as hilarious as it is heartwarming, debut author Rachel Winters proves that sometimes real life is better than the movies--and that the best kind of meet-cutes happen when you least expect them. (Goodreads)

Another new rom-com added to my list!
This book also sounds super cute, and I am so excited to read it!

•   •   •

Those are my WOW picks for this week!
What about you? Are you *waiting* for something super awesome??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read for Halloween This Year


October 29: Halloween Freebie

For this Top Ten Tuesday I decided to share a few books I read for Halloween this year!
Not all of these are fall/halloween themed, but most were creepy and/or mysterious,
and definitely put me in the Halloween mood.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7728889-the-diviners https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864790-pumpkinheads

The Diviners by Libba Bray
This book has been on my TBR for the longest, and I'm so glad to have finally read it!
It was definitely a creepy read, perfect for Halloween!

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks
This fall themed graphic novel definitely put me in the fall spirit!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35297394-the-wicked-deep https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48004753-serpent-dove

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
This witchy read has also been on my TBR for a while, and I really enjoyed it.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Here is yet another witchy read! This book was great, I can't wait for the sequel!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43204703-a-curse-so-dark-and-lonely https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39352771-tunnel-of-bones

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
I finally got around to reading this book, and I have no idea why I waited so long!
It was great. I loved this Beauty and the Beast inspired retelling.

Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
Ghosts? Yes. Bones? Yes. Awesome? YES!
I love Victoria, and this book was SO good!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37539001-capturing-the-devil https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42190273-the-last-house-guest

Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
I finally read all the books in this series this year,
and this book was an excellent read for Halloween!
Very creepy.

The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
I chose this book because I wanted a good murder mystery, and that's exactly what I got!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37570566-grim-lovelies https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28588390-a-study-in-scarlet-women

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
I've been wanting to read this book for the longest, and I very much enjoyed it!
Lots of witches and beasties, and I can't wait to read the next book.

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
I haven't read this book just yet, but I'm starting it this week,
and it will be my last read for Halloween. I'm super excited to start it!

•   •   •

Those are just a few books I read for Halloween this year!
I'm so glad to have read them all, and I'm hoping to get to the others on my list soon.

Did you read anything awesome for Halloween??

Monday, October 28, 2019

My Thoughts: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864790-pumpkinheads
Pumpkinheads
by Rainbow Rowell
Website | Twitter | Instagram
& Faith Erin Hicks
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: August 27th 2019
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 209
ISBN: 9781250312853
Genre: Young Adult | Graphic Novel | Contemporary
Source: Library Book

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure? (Goodreads)


Have you heard about Pumpkinheads, the brand new graphic novel by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks! A graphic novel?! Count me in, please! I have seen this book all over social media lately, so when I found it at our local library, I knew I would have to check it out. It was such a fun read!

I have only read a handful of graphic novels so far, and I have no idea why I’ve not read more, because I really, really like them. They are so different than the normal book, BUT, you still feel like you’re getting a good story as you turn the pages, AND awesome graphics as well. I really do enjoy them.

One of the things that I loved most about Pumpkinheads is that it’s set during fall, (my most favorite time of year), AND at a pumpkin patch! Seriously, if you’re looking for a quick read to get you in the fall mood, this is your book. Not only did the book make me want to go to the nearest pumpkin patch, but it also made me super hungry for all the yummy food that is mentioned. (YUM!)

Also, the characters in the book are super cute. While we don’t really get to learn much about them, (but seriously, it’s just a graphic novel), I still felt like I got to know them a bit, and I definitely enjoyed their story. Deja was definitely my favorite character in the book!

Overall; Pumpkinheads is the perfect book to add to your fall TBR! It’s a quick, fun read, that will make you hungry for kettlecorn and caramel apples. It’s got a cute storyline, and cute characters as well, and you should definitely check it out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Sunday, October 27, 2019

My Thoughts: The Tyrant's Tomb by Rick Riordan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28006109-the-tyrant-s-tomb
The Tyrant's Tomb
(Trials of Apollo #4)
by Rick Riordan
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 24th 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 440
ISBN: 9781484746448
Genre: YA | MG | Mythology | Fantasy
Source: Own

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In his penultimate adventure, a devastated but determined Apollo travels to Camp Jupiter, where he must learn what it is to be a hero, or die trying.

It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced. (Goodreads)


The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan was high on my list of books to read this fall, and I’m beyond thrilled that I did so. I don’t get to read middle grade books as often as I’d like, but there are some authors that I will drop everything to read a book from, and Rick Riordan is one of those authors. I have read almost every one of his books, and they only get better and better as they go along, and I always enjoy taking the time to read his books. I devoured The Tyrant’s Tomb, and it totally left me wanting more!

In this new book we follow Apollo/Lester and the lovely Meg as they complete the fourth trial to restore the five oracles, as well as Apollos powers. For this adventure they travel to Camp Jupiter, and we get to see all the friends we loved from the Heroes of Olympus series. It was so fun to catch up with these characters, even though it was not under the best circumstances, but I love that Rick gave us a little glance into their world. I loved seeing Hazel, Frank, and so many more!

One of the things that I really love the most about this series is the character growth for Apollo/Lester. It is absolutely fascinating to watch this literal god become more and more human, with feelings and humility. I am super curious to see how this story is going to wrap up in the next book, even though I SO do not want this series to end, at all. (Sigh.)

As I have mentioned in some of my previous reviews, all of the audiobooks in this series are narrated by Robbie Daymond, and I have to say, once again, how great he is at narrating these books! I love all of the voices that he creates, and he definitely manages to keep me entertained as I listen to the story. If you have the opportunity to check these books out in audio format, then I highly recommend you do so.

Overall; The Tyrant’s Tomb was yet another great addition to the Trials of Apollo series! I am so looking forward to the next book, The Tower of Nero, (coming Fall 2020!), to see what’s next for Apollo and Meg, even though I totally don’t want the books to end. If you’re a fan of ANY of Rick Riordan’s books, you definitely want to check out this series.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3_1KkxJLY1/

Saturday, October 26, 2019

10 Characters I'd Dress Up as for Halloween


It's almost Halloween time, you guys! Do you dress up for Halloween??
I haven't done so since I was a kid, but I'd actually love to,
if I had somewhere to dress up to go!

:)

Here are just a few fiction characters that I would totally dress up as!


Elizabeth Bennet
Lizzie Bennet is probably my most favorite fictional character,
and it would be SO much fun to dress up as her!
(Bonus points for Lizzie Bennet, zombie killer. lol!)


Characters from Harry Potter
I was a little late to the party when it came to Harry Potter,
but how cool would it be to dress up as a character from the series??
I would totally go as a Hufflepuff!



Cartoon Characters
I have a few favorite cartoon characters that I would love to dress up as,
including Waldo, Velma and Arthur!
These costumes would be super easy, and so much fun!

 

Favorite Superheros
These are not book characters, but are two of my most favorite superheros!
These would be SO cool to dress up as!!


Book Fairy
Totally not a fictional character at all,
but WHO wouldn't want to be a book fairy?!
I found this on Pinterest, and it's SO COOL!

•     •     •

Those are just a few fun things that I would love to dress up as for Halloween!
Maybe one Halloween I will actually get to do it!

Do you dress up for Halloween?? What are your favorite costumes??