The TBR Tag!

 

Hey guys!
I haven’t posted in over a week (oops) due to being really ill with a fluey virus, I have spent the best part of a week in bed in the dark. I’m still feeling under the weather but improving! Anyway, today I’m doing The TBR tag, which was created by @aperfectioncalledbooks

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I honestly don’t. I need to though. It’s more than a tbr pile, it’ll be a tbr bookshelf before long! I totally admire (and envy) those who keep spreadsheets but I am not that organised, nor do I actually want to know the exact number. I don’t need that kind of anxiety!

Is your TBR mostly print or e-book?

A mix of both but mostly physical books I believe. Though I have acquired a lot of kindle books so maybe it’s evening out a bit.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

I’m a huge mood reader! I go by whatever I think fits my mood at the time. I study English Lit so I have a lot of set reading, I don’t like to set monthly tbrs for that reason. I’d rather pick a book when I want rather than forcing myself to read something.

A book that’s been on your TBR the longest.

I dread to even think.

A book that you recently added to your TBR.

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
I was kindly gifted this from my Amazon wishlist and I cannot wait to pick it up!

A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

A book on your TBR that you NEVER plan on actually reading.

I would hope I will read all the books on my tbr eventually. There’s none I don’t plan to read?? Why would it be on my tbr??

An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for.

House of Blood and Earth (Cresent City) by Sarah J. Maas

A book on your TBR that basically everyone has read except you.

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you.

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

A book on your TBR that you’re just dying to read.

The Burning White by Brent Weeks

The number of books on your Goodreads TBR shelf.

139.

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I tag anyone who wants to do it!

Let me know if your TBR is as out of control as mine!

The Most Disappointing Books I Read in 2019 (Warning: Unpopular Opinions)

Hello there.

Today I’m going to discuss the books that disappointed me in 2019 (not necessarily 2019 releases). If you want a more positive post you can check out my 2019 Favourites.

Let’s get the disclaimer out of the way: Just because I was disappointed by these books doesn’t mean they’re bad. None of these books were bad, I was just let down by these overhyped books.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone, I’d only ever read the SoC duology before, I heard the Grisha trilogy was a bit mediocre but I had some hope after liking the first one. Unfortunately, the Siege and Storm let me down big time. It was just a bit meh in every way really. Nikolai was BY FAR the best part.

Review here

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Another Bardugo…
This was a reread for me, after not liking the Grisha trilogy I thought I’d reread SoC and remind myself of better her work. Nope. It wasn’t as good on a reread as the first time. The characters are the best part but overall it’s a bit boring. The worst part and probably the reason I didn’t like it this time around was the audiobook…

I’m not even joking when I say this was one of the worst audiobooks I’ve ever listened to. It’s a full cast narration and everyone’s voices just sound wrong… Wylan & Kaz’s narrators especially.

Review here

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The Girl King by Mimi Yu

This was my first read of the year and an ARC so I hoped to love it but unfortunately, it was just a bit meh. The concepts and the world are interesting but it fell flat overall.

Review here

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Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

This might be the most disappointing as I really liked Nevernight and Godsgrave.
I just cannot express my disappointment in this book.

Review here

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book is quite possibly the most overrated book ever.
It’s by no means bad, it’s pretty good, it’s a quick read which is nice. But, it’s very very overhyped which lead to me being disappointed. I just had too high expectations, I guess. I find it quite predictable and frustrating at times, I didn’t love any of the characters and I didn’t get emotional at the ending. It was just okay. *shrugs*

Review here

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What’s a disappointing book you read in 2019?

Best Books I Read in 2019

Hey guys!
Today I’m going to share my favourite books I read in 2019 (not necessarily 2019 releases). I didn’t have a great reading year in terms of quality, I read a lot of mediocre/disappointing books (post coming soon). I didn’t have many 5 Star reads, sadly.

In no particular order:

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

I read the entire series in 2019 (on audiobook) and I LOVED it!!
It was such an amazing ride. I adore the characters, the world, everything!

Reviews: Cinder | Scarlet| Cress | Winter | Stars Above

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The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E Pearson

 

Oh my god, this series.
I cannot stress (!!!) how much I loved these books. I devoured the whole trilogy in a week or less. It was incredible. Now one of my all-time favourite series. This series restored my faith in YA fantasy!

Review| Spoiler Discussion

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The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

This is one of the books that surprised me the most, I am not a huge contemporary/romance reader but I LOVED this! Such an amazing book, so surprised it’s a debut. It’s adorable and deals with heavier topics.

Review here 

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Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

My last read of 2019 and boy did it end on a high!
Another surprising read – a romance!
It was seriously incredible. The main character has a chronic illness and I have never related so much to a character before. This book was so so so good, if you read anything from this list please pick this!

Review here

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Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Would this even be my list without a Sanderson novel?
This was my first time reading a YA (and sci-fi) novel by him and of course, it did not disappoint! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to the sequel in 2019 but I cannot wait to pick it up soon. Hopefully, it’ll be on my best books of 2020!

Review here

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Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples

2019 is the year I got into comics/graphic novels.

I picked this up on a whim, I had a free trial of Kindle Unlimited and I wanted a quick read, so I thought why not a graphic novel? Oh my god! It’s incredible. I loved every moment. I cannot believe it’s taken me so long to get into graphic novels!?!

Review here

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Crownbreaker by Sebastien De Castell

Stunning conclusion to what has been an incredible series!
Everything was wrapped up nicely and I couldn’t be happier.

Review here

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Let me know what some of the best books you read in 2019 were, I’d love to know!

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2019 Reading Wrap Up + 2020 Reading Goals

 

Hey guys!
Happy New Year 🙂
I for one am glad 2019 is over. On to bigger and better things in 2020!

 

If you want to check out all the books I read in 2019, you can check my Goodreads here.
Or my monthly wrap-ups:
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov

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2020 Reading Goals

I don’t really set many reading goals since I don’t want to feel pressured when reading, I want to enjoy myself more than anything!

1) Goodreads Goal: 40 Books
(excluding the ones I read for uni)
Hopefully, with the uni books, it’ll be over 50. I’ll review this total halfway through the year.

2) Goodreads Rating Goal: 4
It was 3.8 in 2019 – which is fine but I’d like the higher that and hopefully read better books!

3) Read More Diverse Books!
Racially, LGBT, Disability etc.

4) Read More Graphic Novels
I started reading them for the first time in 2019 and I am in LOVE!
I definitely want to get into more! (suggestions welcome!)

5) Get My TBR Down!
My physical tbr* anyway…
I keep buying more and more books and my unread books are getting out of hand. I need to read the books I own. So, I’ll be restricting my buying and reading ones on my shelf/kindle already!

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How was 2019 for you? Did you reach your Goodreads goal?

2020 Anticipated Book Releases | Blogmas Day 12

Happy Boxing Day!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (if you celebrate)

Final Blogmas post! It has been good, but I for one will be glad for a break. Well done to anyone who did Blogmas daily, you’re amazing!

Let’s get onto the books, in no particular order:

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

I am dying for more SJM. Her books are insanely addictive and I just drink them up. I am so excited to read something Adult by her!

Out March 3rd
Preorder here: Amazon UKKindle |Hardback

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The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne

I love Alexa Donne’s first book, so I’m excited to get this one too!
I don’t know much about this, which is fine – I prefer to go in blind. I hope it’s as good as her debut!

Out 4th February
Preorder here: Amazon UK Kindle| Paperback

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Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

I bloody adored Get a Life, Chloe Brown and this is the sequel following another Brown sister. I cannot wait for this!

Out June 23rd
Preorder here: Amazon UK Kindle | Paperback

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The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence

Have I finished Mark Lawrence’s other books yet? No. Will that stop me from being excited/being this? Also, no. The books I’ve read so far have been great. This one sounds amazing, so I’m definitely picking it up!

Out April 30th
Preorder here: Amazon UK Kindle|Hardback

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The Switch by Beth O’Leary

I absolutely loved The Flatshare, it was one of my favourite reads of 2019. I will now pick up anything this author does. I pray that I love this as much as The Flatshare. The premise of this sounds SO cool! I cannot wait to pick this up!

Out 30th April
Preorder here: Amazon UK Kindle | Hardback

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What 2020 releases are you looking forward?

The Joy Of Christmas Book Tag | Blogmas Day 11

 

Happy Christmas Eve!
I cannot believe Christmas is tomorrow. Time really does fly!

Today I’m going to do The Joy of Christmas Book Tag!
This tag was created by Samantha at Novels and Nonsense

1) Anticipation: The Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating?

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas!!!
I am SO ready for some SJM! I have missed her addictive writing so much.

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2) Christmas Songs & Carols: What book or author can you not help but sing its praises?

Anything Brandon Sanderson.
I will never shut up about how amazing his books are.
The world-building, the character, the plot twists. EVERYTHING is amazing.

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3) Gingerbread Houses: What book or series has wonderful world-building?

I’m not going to repeat my previous answer (Even though Sanderson is the King of world-building)
So I’ll go with Lightbringer by Brent Weeks.
Incredible magic system and world. I cannot wait to read the final book asap and be back in this amazing world! If you like Sanderson, give Lightbringer a go!

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4) A Christmas Carol: Favourite classic or one that you want to read

Jane Eyre & Pride and Prejudice

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5) Christmas Sweets: What book would you love to receive for Christmas

The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman
(The only book I specifically asked for, so I know I’m getting it hehe)

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6) Candles in the Window: What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling

Recently, Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
FEELS! This was adorable. The romance gave me so many fuzzy feels, I highly recommend this book!

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7) Christmas Trees & Decorations: What are some of your favourite book covers?

Here are a few of my favourites from 2019 releases!

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8) Christmas Joy: What are some of your favourite things about Christmas And/Or some of your favourite Christmas memories?

FOOD!!!

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Have a great Christmas / Happy Holidays!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Books I Wish I Read in 2019 | Blogmas Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of Blogmas!
Today I’m going to talk about the books I wish (should’ve) I read in 2019. Hopefully, this will inspire me to actually pick up these books. I’ve had some on my tbr for ages or some were anticipated releases I just haven’t read yet.

 

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

I literally preordered this book and it came out in 2018 and I still haven’t read it. I reallllllllly need to get to this in 2020. I enjoyed the first book and yet still haven’t picked this one up. *Facepalm*

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The Burning White by Brent Weeks

I planned to read this in December but life got way too busy and I didn’t want the enjoyment to be affected by my stress. I will definitely be reading this in January when I’m done with my finals!

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Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

Another book that I just don’t have time to enjoy. I want to love this book so reading it while I’m stressing over finals would probably kill that enjoyment. Hopefully, I’ll get around to it ASAP!

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The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

I really wanted to finish this trilogy but alas I don’t even own the book. I’ve read the first two, had an arc of The Cruel Prince, really enjoyed it. I got The Wicked King when it came out… didn’t like it. Very unpopular opinion but it was boring as hell. I’m not sure why I’m continuing but I feel like I might as well finish the series now.

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What book do you really need to get to in 2020?