Showing posts with label wrap-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wrap-up. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2021

December 2020 Wrap-Up

Well everyone, December (and 2020) are officially over. I am very happy about that, but I know that 2021 isn't going to just be magically better. However, I do have hopes for 2021 in general as well as my upcoming reading year. But today is not to talk about that (for that you can check out my bookish resolutions post here). Today I'm here to wrap up the last month of the year.

I only read three books this month which is way less than I planned on and none of them were from my TBR. I have to say, this was a terrible reading month for me. However, that's because it was the holidays and I had finals and a whole host of other things going on. I do have high hopes for this upcoming year in terms of reading so hopefully I read a few more books in January! Let's go ahead and dive in... 



BOOKS READ
1. 
Title: Four Psychos
Author: Kristy Cunning
Rating: 3 // 5 stars
-reread-

2. 
Title: Three Trials
Author: Kristy Cunning
Rating: 3 // 5 stars
-reread-

3. 
Title: The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume 2
Editor: Stephen Greenblatt
Rating: n/a -- read for class



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Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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Wednesday, December 2, 2020

November 2020 Wrap-Up


Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well on this sunny December afternoon. Today I'm bringing you my wrap-up for the month of November! Now, November was a pretty good reading month. Do I wish I could have read a little bit more? Yes. However, I enjoyed every single book I read this month and had some new favorites added to my list! I also have a solid TBR lined up for December based off of what I read this month, so I'm hopeful that December will also be a good reading month for me. For now, though, let's dive into my November! 


1. Title: The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

2. Title: Hate
Author: Tate James
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

3. Title: Liar
Author: Tate James
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

4. Title: Fake
Author: Tate James
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

5. Title: Kate
Author: Tate James
Rating: 3.25 // 5 stars

6. Title: Half-Blood
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

7. Title: Daimon
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4 // 5 stars

8. Title: Pure
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: 4 // 5 stars






Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



You can follow my bookstagram here for more bookish content!

To get more awesome posts like this post, click the follow button to the right!

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Wednesday, July 1, 2020

June 2020 Wrap-Up


Hello everyone! Today I'm here to wrap up the month of June. I can't believe we're already halfway through the year, though I can't say that I'm not grateful for it. I think I'll be even more grateful when it's next year and the next six months are over. That being said, in June I took a remote summer class that I'm actually finishing up later today. Because of my class, I didn't get to read as many books as I'd hoped. I did get through 7 books this month and 3 of those were for my class specifically. Hopefully July will be filled with more reading!  



BOOKS READ

1. 
Title: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
New Moon (Twilight, #2)

2.
Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

3.
Title: The Girls
Author: Emma Cline
Rating: n/a--read for class
Review
The Girls by Emma Cline

4.
Title: The Storm Crow 
Author: Kalyn Josephson
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review
The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)

5.
Title: Dear Martin
Author: Nic Stone
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review TK
Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)
I've been wanting to read this for a while now and when it went on sale I figured that I would pick it up finally. It's a really short read but with a complete, in-depth story. I thought that this book did a really good job of addressing police brutality and racism in a way that will be accessible to younger readers. Additionally, I really liked how it addressed racism in school because a lot of people my age and younger only think of racism as something old white people do but that's not the case. While this book does cover these tough issues, the author doesn't sacrifice the plot, characters, or relationships for it. Overall, I really liked Justyce and thought that this was a powerful and well-rounded read. I look forward to the sequel coming later this year and to reading some of Nic Stone's other works while I wait. 

6.
Title: Girl, Interrupted
Author: Susanna Kaysen
Rating: n/a--read for school
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
This was an interesting memoir that followed a teenage girl in a mental hospital back in the late 1960's. I thought it was an interesting read told in a unique way. I don't think I'll read it again since I feel that I learned what I could from it already but I am interested in seeing the movie (starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie) to see how they adapted it.

7.
Title: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Rating: n/a--read for class
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
This is a book that a lot of people my age read when they were a lot younger. It's also one that I struggled a bit with reading. I think I would have absolutely adored this in late-elementary into middle school. However, I did have a lot of moments while reading it where I was shaking my head or groaning at the characters and their actions. Maybe it's a signal that I'm a semi-adult now since I'm not approving of what the characters are doing half the time.  I'm somewhat interested in seeing what happens in the next book, so I might see if I can borrow it from my library. 



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Friday, May 1, 2020

April 2020 Wrap-Up!


Hey all! So if March was a million years long, April flew by. Maybe it was because I finally got used to lockdown and was swamped with schoolwork and maybe it was because the days all blended together. Either way, it's now May and I am shook at how fast that went. I'm working through my final projects and exams and by Tuesday night I will be finished with my junior year of college (thank god). But this post is all about my bookish experience over the last month. I finished a total of 14 books in April (way better than May) and started another. I would have liked to read even more, but I can't be too upset about that number. Hopefully May can be equally as amazing of a reading month. Anyway, without further ado, here are all the books I read in April!



BOOKS READ
1. 
Title: Deep River
Author: Howard Thurman
Rating: n/a--read for class
Deep River and the Negro Spiritual Speaks of Life and Death
I read this for an African American Literature class and it was actually quite interesting at parts, especially in conjunction with lectures and watching videos of spirituals being performed. 

2. 
Title: House of Earth and Blood
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)
3.
Title: Crave
Author: Tracy Wolff
Rating: 2 // 5 stars
Review
Blog Tour
Crave by Tracy Wolff

4.
Title: The Escape, or A Leap for Freedom
Author: William Wells Brown
Rating: n/a--read for class
The Escape; Or, a Leap for Freedom
I had to read this play for class and it was rather interesting. It was the first play published by an African-American author and had quite a bit of comedy throughout it. It was also rather short so I was able to get through it quickly and enjoy it throughout.

5.
Title: Hide and Seek Her
Author: Hayley Stumbo
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
Hide and Seek Her
I reread this because the third book in the trilogy finally released last summer/fall time. It's been a while since I read these books so I wanted to have it all fresh in my mind before I read the final book. I have to say, I did enjoy this book a lot on my reread through and I can see why I loved it so much the first time. It was a really quick read as well and I actually flew through. I'm even more excited to reread the second book, though, because that's really when shit starts to go down! 

6.
Title: Finders Keep Her
Author: Hayley Stumbo
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
Finders Keep Her by Hayley Stumbo
This was always my favorite of the books that had been released so far and, rereading this, I remembered why. It's so addicting and fast-paced. Whereas a lot of the first book focused more on the romance, there's a lot of angst and more of the thriller aspect of the series in this book. I flew through my reread and I'm so excited to read the final book tonight. I literally have been waiting four years for this moment and I cannot wait. 

7.
Title: Losers Reap Her
Author: Hayley Stumbo
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
Losers Reap Her

8.
Title: These Broken Stars
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)

9.
Title: This Shattered World
Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review
This Shattered World (Starbound, #2)
10.
Title: Their Fractured Light 
Authors: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
Their Fractured Light (Starbound, #3)

11.
Title: This Night So Dark
Authors: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
This Night So Dark (Starbound, #1.5)
I thought this was an interesting little novella to help get a little bit of backstory on one of the main characters in this trilogy. While it technically takes place between books 1 and 2, a lot of it is told in flashback which I thought was interesting. I liked getting to see not only a bit of Tarver's history but also get to know more about this big plot point that comes out at the end of book 1 and seems to tie into this event from Tarver's past. Overall, was enjoyable and I thought it helped my understanding of the story become a bit better even if it wasn't necessary to read.

12.
Title: The People Could Fly
Author: Virginia Hamilton
Illustrators: Leo and Diane Dillon
Rating: n/a--read for class
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
This was a really cool book to read. It was a book I was looking forward to all semester because (1) there's pictures and (2) it's all about American black folktales which I've never read before. I really enjoyed getting to read these and then discuss them with my classmates and professor.

13.
Title: Bird Brain
Author/Illustrator: Chuck Mullin
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Bird Brain: Comics About Mental Health, Starring Pigeons
This was such a cute little graphic novel and I honestly feel so SEEN after finishing it. There's so much on the different aspects of living with anxiety and I related so much to different parts of this book. Not only that, but the art style is wonderful and the author included little anecdotes throughout which I really enjoyed.

14.
Title: Incendiary
Author: Zoraida Córdova
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review & Blog Tour
Incendiary (Hollow Crown, #1)



BLOG POSTS

March 2020 Wrap-Up!
March 2020 Book Haul
Book Review: "House of Earth and Blood" by Sarah J. Maas
Blog Tour: "Crave" by Tracy Wolff + Giveaway
Stay Home Reading Rush TBR
15 Bingeable Book Recommendations (& Free Reading Resources)
Book Review: "Losers Reap Her" by Hayley Stumbo
Book Review: "Crave" by Tracy Wolff
Book Review: "These Broken Stars" by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Book Review: "This Shattered World" by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Book Review: "Their Fractured Light" by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Blog Tour: "Incendiary" by Zoraida Córdova + GIVEAWAY



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



You can follow my bookstagram here for more bookish content!

To get more awesome posts like this post, click the follow button to the right!

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link



Wednesday, April 1, 2020

March 2020 Wrap-Up!


Well hello everyone! March is finally over. The only thing I can say is about damn time! Looking back, March seemed like it lasted a decade. At the beginning I had midterms, then I was in London before the pandemic really hit, and then I was moved out of college and back home in isolation doing online classes. Suffice to say, this month wasn't a great reading month. I did read 8 books, but half of them were rather short and my TBR was quite a bit longer for the month. However, I am not too upset because I was already stressed about life and I'm glad I didn't stress over books as well. Anyway, let's just dive in! 



BOOKS READ
1. 
Title: Lumberjanes, vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
Authors/Illustrators: Stevenson, Ellis, Watters, & Allen
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Beware the Kitten Holy (Lumberjanes, Vol. 1)
This was super cute and adorable. It was a bit different than I expected, but in a good way. I'm definitely getting a lot of family of friends vibes and I like that it's set at a camp. Also, the introduction of supernatural events and whatnot has me really intrigued! 

2. 
Title: Lumberjanes, vol 2: Friendship to the Max
Authors/Illustrators: Stevenson, Ellis, Watters, & Allen
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson
I was a bit more confused at times with this one but it was still super cute and fun. I'll definitely be continuing on with the next one!

3.
Title: Lumberjanes, vol 3: A Terrible Plan
Authors/Illustrators: Stevenson, Ellis, Watters, & Allen
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
A Terrible Plan (Lumberjanes, Vol. 3)
This was so cute. It was less intense than the last ones but the entire thing was so cute and fun. I really liked getting to see a more laid back installment with the characters hanging out together and just being cute.  

4.
Title: The Confessions of Nat Turner
Edited By: Kenneth S. Greenberg
Rating: n/a--read for class
The Confessions of Nat Turner by Kenneth S. Greenberg

5.
Title: Ash Princess
Author: Laura Sebastian
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
This was a reread that I did in order to continue on with the trilogy for a blog tour and...I think I liked it even better this time around. It still wasn't perfect and there were moments that dragged, but I enjoyed it even more than the first time around.

6.
Title: Lady Smoke
Author: Laura Sebastian
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian

7.
Title: Ember Queen
Author: Laura Sebastian
Rating: 4.25 // 5 stars
Review
Ember Queen (Ash Princess Trilogy, #3)
8.
Title: She's With Me
Author: Jessica Cunsolo
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
She's With Me



BLOG POSTS

February 2020 Wrap-Up!
Book Review: "Lady Smoke" by Laura Sebastian
Blog Tour: "Ember Queen" by Laura Sebastian + Giveaway
Book Review: "She's With Me" by Jessica Cunsolo



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



You can follow my bookstagram here for more bookish content!

To get more awesome posts like this post, click the follow button to the right!

Get free worldwide shipping with Book Depository using my affiliate link



Sunday, March 1, 2020

February 2020 Wrap-Up + Haul


Hello everyone! Today I'm here with my February Wrap-Up and I'm actually very happy with how this month went in terms of reading! I only read 2 books in January, but after this month, I'm almost back on track with my Goodreads challenge. Plus, I got through a bunch of amazing books! I read a total of 12 books this month so let's go ahead and dive on in!



BOOKS READ
1. 
Title: Our Nig
Author: Harriet E. Wilson
Rating: n/a -- read for class
Our Nig: or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black
This was a very interesting read and quite emotional at times. It follows the story of Frado, a free black child in the North. However, while she's technically free, she is stuck in an indentured servitude which is pretty much the same thing as being a slave. While the story itself was interesting and easy to read, it also provided a look into what the North was like at that time since, at least in my schooling, we're taught that the North was a happy wonderland for black people in that time period, when it really wasn't the case. 

2. 
Title: Secrets From the Grave
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Review
-reread-
Secrets From the Grave (The Veil Diaries Book 6)
Rereading this was fun, but I also realized that compared to the first few books in the series I didn't feel as connected to the characters. Still, it was fun to revisit and I'm glad I reread and found details I'd forgotten or missed from the first time around. 

3.
Title: When the Dead Have it Easy
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 4.5 //5 stars
Review
-reread-
When The Dead Have It Easy by B.L. Brunnemer
This was another reread on my approach to reading the newest release in this series. I did enjoy it, though as with the first time, not much happened in this book outside of the relationship. I'm still glad to have read this book, but I will admit that there were times where I was bored which usually doesn't happen in this series.

4.
Title: When the Dead Come Home
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Rating: 5 // 5 stars
Review
When the Dead Come Home (The Veil Diaries Book 8)

5.
Title: The Shadows Between Us
Author: Tricia Levenseller
Rating: 4.5 // 5 stars
Blog Tour Review
The Shadows Between Us

6.
Title: All the Stars and Teeth
Author: Adalyn Grace
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Blog Tour Review
All the Stars and Teeth (All the Stars and Teeth, #1)

7.
Title: The Backstagers, Vol 1: Rebels Without Applause
Author: James Tynion IV
Illustrators: Rian Sygh & Walter Baiamonte
Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars
The Backstagers, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV
All three of these graphic novels were really cute and fun. As someone who dabbled in theater (but didn't do a lot of it actively), it was fun to get to see theater getting combined with magic and whatnot. Plus, these characters were super cute and I really enjoyed the art style!

8.
Title: The Backstagers, Vol 2: The Show Must Go On
Author: James Tynion IV
Illustrators: Ryan Sygh & Walter Baiamonte
Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars
The Backstagers, Vol. 2 by James Tynion IV

9.
Title: The Backstagers, Vol 3: Encore
Author: James Tynion IV
Illustrators: Ryan Sygh & Walter Baiamonte
Rating: 3.5 // 5 stars
The Backstagers, Vol. 3 by James Tynion IV

10.
Title: The Sky Weaver
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Rating: 4 // 5 stars
Review
The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelli

11.
Title: Writing Fiction
Author: Janet Burroway
Rating: na/a--read for class
Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway
It's the same as every other generic writing fiction book. That's not a bad thing, because it does its job and lays out the basics of writing, but there was nothing in this that I felt catapulted it into a must-have guide.

12.
Title: David Walker's Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World
Author: David Walker
Rating: n/a rating--read for class
David Walker's Appeal by David  Walker
I had to read this for school and it was definitely interesting. It's not a fiction story, it's a very real appeal to people about the state of things during slavery. It wasn't nice or easy to read, but it opened my eyes a lot more to things that went on because of slavery that I'd actually never learned about before. 



BOOK HAUL

Guys...my haul was so small this month that I could include it in my wrap-up again! Additionally, I didn't buy either of these! The first of these I was sent by a publisher for review (coming in March) and the second I won in a giveaway. This is actually a pretty big deal to me because it's the first month since June 2015 where I haven't bought a single physical book. It's been over four and a half years of me consistently buying books and, as I'm trying to cut back on buying them, I'm actually really proud that I managed not to buy any in February. Of course, with March being the month of Crescent City, I will be buying some soon but I'm still overall very happy with this because it showed me I can stick to a book-buying ban.

The Winter DukeThe first book that I got was an ARC of The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett which was sent to me by Novl. This one actually releases at the beginning of March so there isn't too long of a wait for it! I will be taking this will me to London on spring break and I can't wait to read it!


Lobizona (Wolves of No World, #1)
The second book I got this month was an ARC of Lobizona by Romina Garber (also known as Romina Russell). I've read one of Romina's other books and enjoyed it quite a bit so I was excited when I won the Goodreads Giveaway for a copy of her newest upcoming release! I believe this releases in May but it is available for preorder.



BLOG POSTS

January 2020 Wrap-Up
BLOG TOUR: "All the Stars and Teeth" by Adalyn Grace + Giveaway
Valentine's Day Book Tag
Book Review: "When the Dead Come Home" by B.L. Brunnemer
BLOG TOUR: "The Shadows Between Us" by Tricia Levenseller + Giveaway
Book Review: "The Sky Weaver" by Kristen Ciccarelli
Books I HAVE to Read in 2020



Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren



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