Showing posts with label saga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saga. Show all posts

Friday, May 3, 2019

April 2019 Wrap-Up!


I was hoping to read a lot of books this month but I did not think I'd end up reading this many, especially considering how busy April was for me in terms of school and social events. I ended up reading 21 books this month and I enjoyed most everything I read! I tweaked my TBR from the beginning of the month but I did end up reading all but one book on my updated TBR, which is a huge accomplishment because I've never done that before! Overall, I'm just really happy with what I read this month so let's go ahead and dive into talking about all the books!


BOOKS READ
1.
Title: Saga, Volume 7
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 4.75 // 5 stars
Series Review
2.
Title: Loving My Pack 
Author: Lane Whitt
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
3.
Title: Saga, Volume 8
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Series Review
4.
Title: Paradise Lost
Author: John Milton
Rating: n/a rating--read for class
I was required to read this for a class and it was super boring. I'm not a religious person so I just didn't enjoy this fanfiction of the Bible. I'm currently writing a paper on it and I did have a big presentation on it as well, so I do understand the story a good deal but I don't really like it that much.

5.
Title: Saga, Volume 9
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Series Review
UM WHAT. THAT ENDING. WHAT. I need the next one like yesterday! Why oh why did it have to go on hiatus? *insert sobbing here*

6.
Title: Paper Girls
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Cliff Chiang
Rating: 2 // 5 stars
Honestly I was expecting more from this. It was enjoyable but I was also a tad bored and super confused. Upon finishing it, I didn't have the urge to read the next one or have the general good feeling I get when I finish a book. Instead, it was more of a "oh it's finally over." After coming from Brian's other graphic novel series, Saga, I did have high hopes for this one. However, I was a little let down. I don't know if I'm going to continue with the others because the situation is kind of interesting but I also don't know if I want to subject myself to the possibility of being bored.

7.
Title: Invictus
Author: Ryan Graudin
Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars
Review
8.
Title: White Hot Kiss
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review (from 2015)
-reread-
My gosh this book was just as good as I remembered it being. I honestly forgot a lot of what happened and I sincerely have no idea what is going to go on in my reread of the next two books other than a few tiny plot details. Overall this book was just addicting and fun and an easy read. I love the characters and the plot. It was also so nostalgic reading this because I first read it three and a half years ago. Honestly I want to dive into the second book right now even though I'm trying to spread my reread out until the release of Storm and Fury.

9.
Title: Escaping From Houdini
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review
10.
Title: Trying to Live With the Dead 
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
11.
Title: When the Dead Come A Knockin'
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
12.
Title: Strange the Dreamer
Author: Laini Taylor
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
13.
Title: Amulet: The Stonekeeper
Author/Illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
A super cute, quick read that has me intrigued to see what happens in the next one. 

14.
Title: Amulet: The Stonekeeper's Curse
Author/Illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
15.
Title: House of Korba
Author: C.L. Stone
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
This reread was definitely enjoyable and I did like this installment more the second time around. However, compared to the pace and action of the previous books, I do still feel like this book didn't have much going on. I would have liked to have seen a lot more happen but, again, I did like it more than the first time I read it.

16.
Title: Touch of Mischief
Author: C.L. Stone
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
17.
Title: Amulet: The Cloudsearchers
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
These graphic novels are just so cute. I'm super interested in seeing what happens next with the characters and plot. The magic is super interesting and nothing like I've ever seen before. Super excited to read the next one. 

18.
Title: Embrace
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars
Review
19.
Title: The Power
Author: Naomi Alderman
Rating: n/a--read for school
This book was super thought provoking. It basically revolves around what would happen if women suddenly got a power of electricity that allows them to shock others and whatnot. I wouldn't say I necessarily liked this book, but it did get me thinking a lot and I was quite blown away just by the idea of the story. There were a lot of uncomfortable moments for me, though. Some moments I needed to set the book down because I was just so uncomfortable with what was happening in the story. I do think this was the book I enjoyed the most out of all the ones we read in class this semester. 

20.
Title: Every Heart a Doorway
Author: Seanan McGuire
Rating: 3 // 5 stars
So I enjoyed it. I didn't love it but I enjoyed it. I liked the mystery aspect and I like how quick I was able to read it. It was magical and mysterious and interesting. However, due to how short this book was, I didn't feel like I connected to most of the characters outside of the main character. I don't think I'm going to read the others because I prefer to read a continuation of this specific story and not prequel companions.

21.
Title: Again, But Better
Author: Christine Riccio
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review


BLOG POSTS



TV/MOVIES

I didn't watch that much this month but I did still watch some. Mostly TV shows. I think I rewatched a movie this month but I don't remember what it was. Anyway, here's the rest of what I watched in April.

I finished season 1 of Chuck. This was a show my dad used to watch sometimes when we would visit and I just had the urge to start watching it when I saw it on Prime Video. I watched all of season 1 and I'm currently a few episodes into the second season but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue soon or if it'll take a while.

I also finished rewatching the first season of Hart of Dixie. I started this show a couple years ago and I didn't finish it yet also had forgotten pretty much everything that I had seen. I decided to just rewatch the first episode and then that spiraled into the whole season. I'm not sure if I'll continue rewatching this summer or wait a little longer but I did enjoy the drama of this season.

I also finished season 3 of Psych. I randomly started watching an episode from that episode and ended up just continuing to watch it. I still watch an episode or more every day and I've been slowly making my way through other episodes.


EVENTS

I haven't done an events section on my wrap-ups in a long time but April was such a busy month for me and I did SO much! Here's just a (very) quick run down of everything that happened in April:
  • Watched an amazing drag show
  • Participated in a 12-hour Relay For Life event
  • Had not one, not two, but FIVE presentations
  • Wrote four papers
  • Finalized a bunch of study abroad stuff
  • Explored Chicago with my friend and went to an amazing restaurant
  • Had my last classes of the semester
  • Hit 2,000 followers on Instagram! 


Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren


You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

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Sunday, April 7, 2019

Graphic Novel Review: "Saga" Volumes 1-9 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Title: Saga
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Series: "Saga" #1-9
Genre: Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy Graphic Novel
Overall Page Length: 1,402 pages
Published Between: 2012-2018
Vol 1 Date Started: March 28, 2019
Vol 9 Date Finished: April 4, 2019
Overall Rating: 5 // 5 stars 

If you would have told me that one of my favorite reads of the year so far would have been a graphic novel series, I would have laughed, mostly because I had no plans to read this series this year.

I'd been hearing amazing things about this series for a long time. I'd been wanting to read it for years, but graphic novels are expensive. Then I found out my school library had a graphic novel section and I got very very excited. And better yet, they had all 9 of these graphic novels and no check-out limit. So I got them all. 

Boy was this a wild ride. It didn't take me very long to read any of these which I'm a tad sad about. I just discovered this series and now I have to wait even longer to read the next installment. But I'm so happy that I did get the chance to read these. And now that I'm all caught up, I don't have to worry about spoilers and I can immediately jump on the tenth volume when it comes out. 

Ok, so moving into the actual review...I loved these, obviously. I will say I loved different volumes more than others but overall, this is a 5 star series for me. I think that what made it that for me is because I could read it so fast and it was so addicting. I didn't think I would connect as much with the characters because there obviously isn't much text, but the images definitely helped with that.

The characters, oh boy. I love a few, like a couple, and don't like a few. Despite seeing the backstory and motivations for some of the characters I don't like, I still can't find it in me to like them. I think they're good, well-written characters, but I don't like them. I absolutely love the main three characters, though. I just love their relationships, their struggles, their journey...everything! Just...my heart. 

The plot is definitely interesting. There's a war going on and we're pulled into these star-crossed lovers' stories while they're on the run from freelancers, their own governments, and pretty much everything else honestly. I really am excited to see what happens next with how the ending of the ninth volume went. 

I have to say I'm a little heartbroken after the ending of the ninth volume. Both at what happened and what was set up for the next installments but also because I do have to wait a while for what happens next. But in terms of being a well-written story, it was so well executed. 

Overall, I just have to say I've found a new favorite series. I also think that the story itself and the quality of art are simply amazing and have most likely ruined me for other graphic novels since I'll be expecting the same quality elsewhere. I highly recommend these, though, and I cannot wait to see where this story goes.


Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren


You can follow my bookstagram here. A brand new giveaway will be posted soon!

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Monday, April 1, 2019

March 2019 Wrap-Up!


Wow. I am honestly shook while sitting down to write this wrap-up. Halfway through March I had read all of three books--all of them for school--and I was feeling very disappointed with how my reading month was going. Somehow I turned it all around in the second half of the month. Once spring break was over it was like I was on reading overdrive. Overall, I managed to read 16 books this month. Sixteen. Rarely do I ever get over 12 books a month and I'm so happy with this number. I'm hoping to carry over this momentum and at least match that number by the end of April. But, without further ado, here's my March Wrap-Up!


BOOKS READ

1.
Title: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Author: Harriet Jacobs
Rating: N/A--Read for class

2. 
Title: Sula
Author: Toni Morrison
Rating: n/a--read for class
Sula

3.
Title: Macbeth
Author: William Shakespeare
Rating: N/A--Read for class
I mean, it was enjoyable I guess? I was critically reading and analyzing as I read, though, so it took me forever to read through it when I was doing the assigned scenes. Since I now have to go watch a movie adaption, I'm interested to see how it's portrayed on screen. 

4.
Title: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Author: Stuart Turton
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review

5.
Title: Wicked Saints
Author: Emily A. Duncan
Rating: 3 // 5 stars
Blog Tour Review + Excerpt

6.
Title: Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows
Author: J.M. Bergen
Rating: 4.25 // 5 stars
Review

7.
Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review

8.
Title: Saga, Volume 1
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Well this was a delightful ride. I'm cursing myself for not bringing the second volume with me to work because now I'm not sure what I'm going to do. But anyway, this was a fun graphic novel. I enjoyed the artwork and the plot but I have to say the dialogue between the two main characters was pretty great. I'm super excited to see what happens next.

9.
Title: Finding My Pack
Author: Lane Whitt
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
On my third time reading this, I definitely am still getting all the feels from it. It's still as addictive and fast-paced as the first time around. However, I also notice how cringe the beginning is a lot more now. Still, I love it.

10.
Title: Daring Greatly
Author: Brené Brown
Rating: n/a--read for class
I think that this book was pretty powerful and inspiring. After I stopped thinking about it as "oh god I have to read this for school" and instead as "Maybe I can learn something," I ended up enjoying it. I still would have preferred reading a fantasy novel or watching Netflix, but I feel like I learned something from this read. This book is very relevant to my life. For almost everything she talked about, I could pull up something from my life that related to that concept. As I start drafting my paper on this book for a class, I have no doubt that I'm going to have a list of things I want to start using in my own life. I've already started thinking back to this book during certain behaviors and corrected them in the moment. I highly recommend this book.

11.
Title: Saga, Vol 2
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

12.
Title: Keeping My Pack
Author: Lane Whitt
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
It was definitely fun reading this. I just really enjoy this world and these characters. They'll always hold a special place in my reading since this is one of the first series that introduced me to RH. I will say I am super excited to read the next book...finally! After waiting two and a half years for this final book, I can finally read it!

13.
Title: Saga, Volume 3
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 5 // 5 stars

14.
Title: Saga, Volume 4
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
I just...these graphic novels make me laugh so hard. But after reading about these characters, I also am connecting to them a lot more and I'm honestly shook at the way this one ended. Guess I'll need to read the next one immediately. 

15.
Title: Saga, Volume 5
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars

16.
Title: Saga, Volume 6
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrator: Fiona Staples
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Damn this was good. Some hilarious laughable moments and some great feels moments. Definitely excited that I've made it this far and have the next ones already check out from the library. Overall, just reading this series has been super fun and enjoyable! I highly recommend this to older readers (as it's definitely got a lot of mature content).


BLOG POSTS



TV/MOVIES

On top of reading 16 books this month, I also watched quite a lot of TV shows and movies. Most of these were from the first half of the month, but I'm pretty happy with all that I watched this month.

First, I finished season 8 of Hawaii Five-0. It feels like forever ago but man, I love this show. I cannot wait until the entirety of season 9 has come out so I can get a trial to CBS and watch it all! There's just something so addictive about this show and these characters.

Then I started rewatching Arrow. I finished season 1 and got about halfway through season 2 before I kind of fell off of watching it again. I still plan on watching it here and there but right now I'm more focused on reading. Still, it's an enjoyable series if a bit boring at times.

Next I watched Bohemian Rhapsody and holy shit you guys! This movie was great! I loved watching it and, while there were a few times I was a tad bored, the rest of the scenes totally made up for it. The casting was magnificent and the music was just...so good. I've been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for a few weeks and I'm sufficiently in love.

Then while I was at my dad's we watched a documentary called The Dawn Wall. It was all about the two climbers who free climbed El Capitan for the first time. It was such an interesting documentary with breathtaking footage at times. The story was also so inspiring and I will admit I cried at least twice. Overall, I just found it really fascinating!

And then I saw Captain Marvel with my dad and sister. And oh boy was it good. I didn't realize how chronologically it takes place so much earlier than most of the other movies and I found it to be so good and a great backstory to not only Captain Marvel but also to SHIELD and Nick Fury. The humor was on point and there was some thinly veiled social commentary that I was living for. I definitely cannot wait to see more of Carol in the next Avengers movie!

Next I watched the entirety of Queer Eye season 3. You guys...I just love this show and these guys so much. I swear ever since I finished watching it I end up watching at least one video about the cast every day--whether it be an interview, a game they're playing, or something else. I just love how amazing they all are and this is such an inspiring, heartwarming show in such a tough world. I cannot wait for the next season but I'll make do by listening to the audiobook of their joint book!

Lastly, I rewatched the first season of Supernatural. It was announced that the show would be ending after its 15th season and I kind of want to watch the last season live. But since I haven't seen past season 7 and I've forgotten a lot of what happened before that, I figured I would slowly start rewatching the series. I'm hoping to spread it out over many months so we'll see how long it actually takes me and if I have the self-control to not binge three seasons in a week.


Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren


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