Weekly Wrap-Up: 11/13 – 11/19

So, I’m just gonna go right out and say it. I think last week was great. It could have been slightly better, but I ended up having some annoying stomach problems over the weekend. So I didn’t finish the book review I had planned (now coming: tomorrow).

Anyway, let’s wrap-up last week.

Tuesday 11/14: Tasteful Tuesday

Last Tuesday I finally did another Tasteful Tuesday. Tasteful Tuesday, if you aren’t aware, is when I highlight an awesome looking book cover and talk about what I like about it.

Tasteful Tuesday #2

Wednesday 11/15: Shelf Control

On Wednesday, after many, many weeks, I actually participated in another Shelf Control. Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books that are just sitting on our bookshelves, created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control #15

Thursday 11/16: White Trash Warlock Review

Last Thursday, I got around to posting my book review for White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton, a queer, urban fantasy. I gave it ★★★★☆.

My review of White Trash Warlock

Friday 11/17: November 2023 Birthstone Books

On Friday, I participated in one of my favorite monthly posts, Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books are the New Black. It’s November, which has two birthstones – topaz and citrine, so the covers were all gold-ish.

Birthstone Book Covers: November 2023

Books I Read Last Week

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
One Piece Volumes 13 - 14 - 15 by Eiichiro Oda
One Piece Volumes 16 - 17 - 18 by Eiichiro Oda

🎁💖 Wrapping It All Up 🎁💖

So yeah, I got quite a few posts published this past week. I had planned for one more, but sometimes life just doesn’t let you have nice things. Next week I might have less posts as usual, because of the holiday, but who knows. Maybe I’ll still somehow manage to get four posts in?

As for reading, I’m hoping to read the entirety of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. I unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity to start it this weekend, and I want to correct that ASAP. I’m also gonna continue with One Piece, of course, and I’m hoping to finish up the arc that I’m reading this week as well.

This week, I’m also going be doing a doing a bunch of stuff to get ready for Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite holidays, cuz to me it’s always been a celebration of food and family (which are two things that I adore). So even though I’ll be a little busier than usual, I don’t mind too much.

I think I mentioned that I had a book haul a week or two ago, but I don’t think I ever posted a picture of said haul. Well, here it is! From top to bottom: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, Complete Poems: 1914 – 1962 by E.E. Cummings, and The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

But yeah, that’s all for the wrap-up. Thank you so much for reading, and have an excellent day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: November 2023

It’s another month, so it’s time for some more Birthstone Book Covers. Since it’s November, that means beautiful golden ones!

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

November has two birthstones – Topaz and Citrine.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordon & Mark Oshiro
The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells
The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen

What are your favorite books with golden book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this November?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 10/9 – 10/15

Betcha didn’t expect to see this! It’s been awhile since the last one of these. I know I said a couple months ago that I needed a bit of a break from Weekly Wrap-Ups, and that there was a chance I might drop them for good. But I’ve decided not to, and on top of that I’ve decided to start posting them again.

The week of 10/9 through 10/15 was more productive for me than recent weeks. I’m hoping that this, plus the return of wrap-ups, is the start of something good for my little blog. Fingers crossed. 🤞🍀

But it’s been weeks (months!) since the last one of these, and I know you’ve missed Weekly Wrap-Ups, so without further ado, I’ll get on with the post.

Monday 10/9: Most Anticipated Reads of 2023 (Part #4)

Last Monday, I posted my final Anticipated Reads of 2023 post. On it were six books that I’m interested in, coming out October, November, or December.

My Most Anticipated Reads of 2023: Oct, Nov, & Dec

Wednesday 10/11: The Chalice of the Gods Review

On Wednesday, I posted my book review for the unexpected sixth installment of the Rick Riordon’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series – The Chalice of the Gods.

This book meant a lot as a longtime fan of this series. And it was just as good as I had hoped it would be. I gave it ##.

The Chalice of the Gods Review

Friday 10/13: Friday the 13th / First Line Friday

Last Friday was a special Friday. Not only was it Friday the 13th, but it was a Friday the 13th in October! So it was doubly cool, and very Halloween-ey. 🎃👻🐈‍⬛💀🕸️🦇

I also posted a First Line Friday for the first time in a couple of weeks. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 10/13

Sunday 10/15: October 2023 Birthstone Book Covers

Yesterday, I participated in one of my favorite monthly posts, Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books are the New Black. October has two birthstones, opal and tourmaline, so it was pink and/or white covers.

Birthstone Book Covers: October 2023

Books I Read Last Week

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordon
One Piece: Volumes 1 - 2 - 3 by Eiichiro Oda
One Piece: Volumes 4 - 5 - 6 by Eiichiro Oda
The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub

🎁💝 Wrapping It All Up 🎁💝

Now this part is a bit different. I’m not doing a “Goals for Next Week” type of thing anymore, because it rarely ever amounted to anything. I really only ever did what I’d vow to do maybe half the time, and it frequently felt like I was breaking promises, both to myself and to anybody who’d read these posts. So I’m just not gonna do it anymore.

Instead, I’m going to talk about other stuff I did last week outside of the blog. And maybe mention a couple of things I might like to do in the future. Maybe.

Speaking of past and future, as you probably saw above, I’ve recently (finally) started reading One Piece. I’ve really enjoyed it so far, even though I’ve honestly barely scratched the surface – and I know that it only gets better. I’m looking forward to several more months of catching up, and then a few more years reading new chapters until Oda decides to end his magnum opus.

I also recently finished The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub, so I’ll have decided on my final star rating any time now, and a book review out this week. So watch out for it!

Outside of book stuff, I attended the Taylor Swift Eras Tour movie in theaters. Confession: I’m a huuuuge Swiftie. I’ve loved her music since the beginning, way back in 2006, and I’ve loved all her “eras” of music in different ways. So it was really fun especially since I haven’t gone out much lately. Highly recommend if you’re a Swiftie with the means. My only caveat was that they cut out a few of the songs for (what I feel are) very stupid reasons. (There was no need to shorten it – three plus hours movies exist!!)

What books have you been reading lately? Do we have any crossover – that is, have we been reading some of the same ones? What music do you like? What have you been listening to lately?

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have an excellent day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: October 2023

Another month, another post about book covers and birthstones! This time it’s for October, so it’s time for some pink and white cover art.

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

October has two birthstones – Opal and Tourmaline.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons
Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons
Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Charlie, Love and Cliches by Ella Maise
Charlie, Love and Cliches by Ella Maise
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

What are your favorite books with pink and/or white book covers? If you participated in Birthstone Books, which books did you choose this October?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have the most wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: September 2023

Since I didn’t have any surprise vacations this month, I was able to participate in one of my favorite monthly posts in a reasonable amount of time, lol. And this time I did waaayy better in finding covers for Birthstone Book Covers.

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

September has one birthstone – Sapphire.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordon
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
Eragon by Christopher Paolini

As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you have an terrific day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: August 2023

Since I decided to take an impromptu vacation last week, I had to postpone this post. But I’m back from my blogging vacay, so here’s August 2023’s Birthstone Book Covers.

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

August has one birthstone – Peridot.

This one was a bit harder for me than I expected it would be. Regardless, I did my best. The covers are all lighter green, at least.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Maze Runner by James Dashner

As always, thank you to everyone who popped in and checked out my post. I hope you have an amazing day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 7/10 – 7/16

Sooo… Last week was super bad with the blogging. Like really, really bad. I had at least two more posts planned, but then a bunch of drama in my personal life happened on Friday, and I just didn’t have the time or energy to blog.

But yeah, I’m sorry about last week. It is what it is, though, and the past can’t be changed.

Anyway, I don’t really have anything else to say. Here’s last week’s weekly wrap-up.

Wednesday 7/12: WWW Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I participated in WWW Wednesday, as I usually do. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday 7/12

Thursday 7/13: July 2023 Birthstone Book Covers

On Thursday, I decided it was time for me to participate in the monthly post Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a monthly post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Birthstone Book Covers: July 2023

Books I Read Last Week

The Forests of Silence by Emily Rodda
The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda

Goals for 7/17 – 7/23

I just want to get back into gear with my posting again. I really, really want to do book cover analysis and admiration again though, so a Majestic Monday might just make its first appearance in forever. Then I want to do my usual posts, and a couple book reviews.

Those are my goals for this week. Fingers crossed! 🤞😁

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, and have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: July 2023

It’s earlier in the month again! Yay! When I find the time to post this by the halfway point in the month, I get all excited, cuz I feel like I’m keeping a pace with my blogging. So here I am, with my birthstone book picks of June 2023.

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

July has one birthstone – Ruby.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

Thank you so much for reading, and have a fabulous day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 6/12 – 6/18

I was a lot more productive this past week than I was the week before, and I’m super happy about it. I posted a bunch more and I finally finished another book and reviewed it. So yeah, got a lot more done.

This week, I’m aiming to be just as productive – but hopefully even more so – but we’ll see how that goes! I’m just so glad that last week was better.

Anyway, let’s get on with the wrap-up!

Tuesday 6/13: June 2023 Birthstone Book Covers

Last Tuesday, I not only did a rare Tuesday post, but I also participated in June 2023’s Birthstone Book Covers. Birthstone Book Covers is a monthly post created and hosted by Leslie @ Books Are the New Black.

Birthstone Book Covers: June 2023

Wednesday 6/14: WWW Wednesday

Wednesday I participated in WWW Wednesday, as I usually do. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature currently hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

WWW Wednesday 6/14

Friday 6/16: First Line Friday

On Friday, I once again participated in another weekly thing – First Line Fridays. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #18

Sunday 6/18: Witch King Review

Witch King by Martha Wells

Yesterday, I finally got around to posting my book review for Witch King by Martha Wells. It’s a recent fantasy release, and it was probably my most anticipated book coming out this year. But, unfortunately, I thought it fell a bit short. I ended up giving it ★★★☆☆.

Witch King Review

Books I Read Last Week

Witch King by Martha Wells

Goals for 6/19 – 6/25

This week, I definitely want to make sure and post two book reviews. I’ve been really slacking on that sort of post lately, and I really wanna do better. I also, of course, want to participate in my usual weekly posts, as well.

As for other stuff to post on the blog… I want to do another popular books that I’ve never read post. It’s been a while, so I think it’s definitely time. (I also kind of want to do a Majestic Monday, but I’m not sure I’ll have enough time before the day ends.)

Anyway, thank you all so much for reading, and have an excellent day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Birthstone Book Covers: June 2023

It’s earlier in the month again! Yay! When I find the time to post this by the halfway point in the month, I get all excited, cuz I feel like I’m keeping a pace with my blogging. So here I am, with my birthstone book picks of June 2023.

Leslie @ Books Are the New Black created a fun monthly post called Birthstone Book Covers. Each month, she features book covers that are either the same color of that month’s birthstone or include the color in the title.

June has three birthstones – Alexandrite, Moonstone, and Pearl.

Since June has a few colorful birthstones, I went halvesies with this one. Half of the books I chose were predominantly blue and/or teal, and the offer half had primarily white covers with some blue on them.

Rules:

📚 Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black) and link back to her so she can check out your post.
📚 Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
📚 HAVE FUN!
📚 Nominate people if you want!

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

Thank you so much for reading, and have a fabulous day/night!

See ya ~Mar