Weekly Wrap-Up: 11/6 – 11/12

It’s Monday, so here I am with another weekly wrap-up.

I feel good about last week. I know I said that the week before, too, but I think things have been going well for this little blog. I got two book reviews our, and participated in two weekly posts. November’s been going pretty good so far.

Anyway, let’s get on with it.

Wednesday 11/8: Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Last Wednesday, I posted another Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time in a while. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. For this one, I highlighted System Collapse by Martha Wells.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: System Collapse

Thursday 11/9: Nightbane Review

On Thursday, I posted another book review. This one was for Nightbane, the sequel to Lightlark, by Alex Aster. It’s a YA romantasy series. I gave Nightbane ★✬.

My review of Nightbane

Friday 11/10: First Line Friday

Last Friday, I participated in another First Line Fridays for the first time in a long time. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday: 11/10

Saturday 11/11: Home Review

Ah, a rare Saturday post. On Saturday, I posted a little review for the short story Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells. It’s part of the Murderbot Diaries, and the only MD thing I hadn’t read until yet. I gave it ★★★★★.

My review of Home

Books I Read Last Week

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

🎁💖 Wrapping It All Up 🎁💖

So yeah, I read quite a bit last week, and I was pretty decent with my posting. I’m hoping to do even better this coming week, though.

This week, I’m gonna finish Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, and I’m gonna read System Collapse when it comes out. I’m also planning on continuing with One Piece and starting the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive – The Way of Kings.

Concerning non-book stuff and non-blog stuff that I’m gonna be doing this week, well, I’m gonna be cleaning up around the house in preparation for Thanksgiving next week. I’m also going to be making sure that everything is in order for the food and baking and stuff.

But yeah, here’s hoping that I get all I’m planning on done. I’m looking forward to so many things to read, and I don’t want as much work next week. 🤞🍀

As always, thank you to everyone for reading, and I hope that you have an awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: System Collapse

Good morning/afternoon/any other time of day everyone! It’s been a almost a month since the last time I made it for Can’t-Wait Wednesday. But I’m really excited for a novel coming out next week, so I thought it was more than time to do it again.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings (and was previously hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where it was known as Waiting on Wednesday) to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. They’re usually books that have not yet been released.

This week’s book is:

System Collapse by Martha Wells!

This is my most anticipated book of 2023. Ever since I first read All Systems Red, I’ve been a huge fan of The Murderbot Diaries. It’s probably my favorite sci-fi series. And this one’s another full novel to boot, like Network Effect, as opposed to a novella like the rest of the series.

System Collapse by Martha Wells

SERIES: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #7)

LENGTH: 256 pages

GENRES: Science Fiction, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor.com

RELEASE DATE: 14 November 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Am I making it worse? I think I’m making it worse.

Everyone’s favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast!

Yeah, this plan is… not going to work.

Are you a fan of The Murderbot Diaries? Do you like any of Martha Wells’ other works? What books are coming out that you’re looking forward to?

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

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 10/16 – 10/22

Another week, another weekly wrap-up!

Guys. Last week I read so much. So much bookage. I can’t remember the last time I read so many books during one week. Sure, most of them were graphic novels – but it still totally counts! And I had a 9 day reading streak on The StoryGraph. Oh, and I brought back Weekly Wrap-Ups last Monday, too!

I really don’t have too much to say in my little makeshift intro this time. So let’s get on with the post!

Tuesday 10/17: The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch Review

Last Tuesday, I reviewed a great October read – one that’s a new release to boot. It was The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub. Perfect for Jane Austen (as it’s a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice), as well as fans of historical fantasy and retellings. I gave it ★★★★☆.

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch Review

Wednesday 10/18: 1st Year Blogging Birthday / Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday I ended up doing a rare double post, but it was a very special occasion. October 18th of 2022 is the day that I posted my first post on this blog, so it was my first blogging anniversary.

I also participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings, and is where the books we’re all excited to read are spotlighted and discussed. The book I focused on was A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber.

One Year of Book Blogging

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: A Curse for True Love

Friday 10/20: Fall Book Recommendations 2023

A few days ago on Friday, I finally, finally posted my book recommendations for fall. There are so many spooky novels that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, as well as a ton of books that just have great autumn vibes that I love.

I didn’t even mean to post it on the year anniversary of my Fall Book Recommendations from 2022, but sometimes these weird coincidences just happen. (I had actually hoped to get it posted earlier.)

Autumn Book Recommendations 2023

Sunday 10/22: Hooky Review

Yesterday, I reviewed the absolute cutest graphic novel – and one that has some of the most fall of fall vibes to boot! I really, really enjoyed it. Hooky by Miriam Bonastre Tur is a treasure. I gave it a median rating ★★★★✯.

Hooky Review

Books I Read Last Week

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub

Hooky: Volume One by Miriam Bonastre Tur

Hooky: Volume Two by Miriam Bonastre Tur

Hooky: Volume Three by Miriam Bonastre Tur

One Piece: Volumes 7 - 8 - 9 by Eiichiro Oda

One Piece: Volumes 10 - 11 - 12 by Eiichiro Oda

🎁💖 Wrapping It All Up 🎁💖

So I did the posts that I’d hoped to do this past week, which makes me really happy. I feel like I’m starting to get back into the groove of things. I also did a ton of stuff outside of the blog that I’d wanted to get done as well, which made me feel great too.

Still reading One Piece 👒🏴‍☠️🌊🗺️, and I’m planning to for the foreseeable future. (It’s long AF, after all.) I finished the first arc – the East Blue arc – though. I’m planning on starting the next arc in November.

Regarding the books on my TBR that I’m gonna read next, well, A Curse for True Love 🦊🃏🏹💘 is coming out tomorrow, so that is definitely next next. After that, I’m planning on starting the Iron Druid Chronicles. 🪄🗡️ Ever since it caught my eye a couple months ago (the series has bright and beautiful eye-catching colors!), it’s been on my radar. The books totally look right up my alley, and I’ve finally decided to start the series. I hope that I like it! 🤞🍀

Concerning non-book stuff that I did last week… there’s honestly not really anything. I just spent so much of it reading. I’ve been watching YouTube in some of my spare time not spent time reading or hanging with my spouse, and I mostly watched creepy videogames or continued with my Twilight Saga 🩸🧛🐺🌚 deep dives/roasts/in-depth plot summaries. I just finished the Eclipse one and am planning on moving to The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, before Breaking Dawn. It’s been a little thing I’ve been doing throughout the month of October to celebrate Halloween. 🎃🕸️ I’ve been watching one Twilight book analysis a week.

Other than all that… Hmmm, I haven’t been doing a ton else aside from the usual life stuff. Oh! My spouse and I picked up Super Mario Bros. Wonder 🐘🌈 yesterday to play, and have been enjoying it! It’s a lot of trippy fun, and is has some unique ideas. Other than that though, not a lot went on. I mean my spouse and I hit a relationship milestone, but that’s super personal so I’m not gonna be talking about it.

Anyway, what books did you read last week? What did you think of them? Have we been reading any of the same stuff lately?

As always, thanks to everyone so much for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day/night! ☀️🌙

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “A Curse for True Love”

Good morning/afternoon/any other time of day everyone! It’s been over a month – again – since the last time I made it for Can’t-Wait Wednesday. And there’s a few books coming out in the next several weeks, so I thought it was more than time to do it again.

This week’s book is:

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber.

I have a love-hate relationship with the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy. On the one hand, they’re very fast reads and have a very potentially interesting world and magic. On the other hand, many of the characters are annoying and just get pushed along by the plot, and a good chunk of the world building is wasted potential.

But yeah, despite the grievances I’ve been kinda venting about here, I really am looking forward to the final book in this trilogy. Next Tuesday can’t come soon enough!

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

SERIES: Once Upon a Broken Heart (Book #3)

LENGTH: 448 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, YA, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Flatiron

RELEASE DATE: 24 October 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Two villains, one girl, and a deadly battle for happily ever after…

Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle.

But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out.

But first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. Blood will be shed, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test.

Are you looking forward to A Curse for True Love? Have you read the other OUABH books, or the Caraval trilogy? What books are you excited for coming out in the near future?

As always, thank you all so much for reading, and I really hope that you have a awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Godkiller”

Good morning/afternoon/any other time of day everyone! It’s been a… month, I think, since the last time I did a Can’t-Wait Wednesday? Yeah. And there’s a couple of books releasing in the coming weeks, so I thought it was time to do it again.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings (and was previously hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine where it was known as Waiting on Wednesday) to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. They’re usually books that have not yet been released.

This week’s book is:

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner!

I’ve had my eye on this one for a couple of months, ever since I saw the cover like in… April? May? Yeah. It’s so good. And the premise sounds fantastic. How could I not be interested in it?

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

SERIES: Godkiller (Book #1)

LENGTH: 300 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: HarperVoyager

RELEASE DATE: 12 September 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Gods are forbidden in the kingdom of Middren. Formed by human desires and fed by their worship, there are countless gods in the world—but after a great war, the new king outlawed them and now pays “godkillers” to destroy any who try to rise from the shadows.

As a child, Kissen saw her family murdered by a fire god. Now, she makes a living killing them and enjoys it. But all this changes when Kissen is tasked with helping a young noble girl with a god problem. The child’s soul is bonded to a tiny god of white lies, and Kissen can’t kill it without ending the girl’s life too.

Joined by a disillusioned knight on a secret quest, the unlikely group must travel to the ruined city of Blenraden, where the last of the wild gods reside, to each beg a favor. Pursued by assassins and demons, and in the midst of burgeoning civil war, they will all face a reckoning. Something is rotting at the heart of their world, and they are the only ones who can stop it.

Are you looking forward to Godkiller? What books are you excited for coming out in the near future?

As always, thank you all so much for reading, and I really hope that you have a awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/7 – 8/13

Here we are again. Another weekly wrap-up. Can you tell that I’m disappointed in myself about last week? Lol.

Ugh, I don’t know what happened during the second half of the last week. Actually, no, I do – food poisoning and the like sucks. It wasn’t exactly good poisoning (maybe), but my stomach definitely didn’t agree with a couple of things I ate. At all.

(Also, I’m not sure if I can have coffee anymore. 😭😭)

Anyway, I’m not gonna waste anymore time. Let’s wrap up the past week.

Tuesday 8/8: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter Review

Last Tuesday, I finally posted my review of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson. It’s a Japanese manga and Final Fantasy inspired fantasy. I really enjoyed it. I gave it ★★★★★.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter Review

Wednesday 8/9: WWW Wednesday / Can’t-Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I double posted for the first time in a long time. First, I participated in one of my staples: WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

Then, I posted for another thing I’ve been participating in every once in a while – Can’t-Wait Wednesday. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings.

WWW Wednesday 8/9

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Thornhedge”

Books I Read Last Week

Goals for 7/14 – 7/20

My goals for this week are to just be better than I was last week. My blogging output was just so bad! Ugh! But yeah, I just want to be better.

For this week, I want to post reviews for the books I finished last week. I also want to participate in my favorite weekly features/memes, as per usual. Also, it’s getting to the halfway point of the month, which is around the time I participate in my other monthly post, so I’d like to do that too.

But that’s kind of all I’ve got planned. Wish me luck!🤞🍀

And of course, as always, I hope you have a wonderful day/night. Thank you so much for reading.

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Thornhedge”

Here I am! With the moderately rare double post! What can I say? There’s a few books releasing in the near future that I’m excited for!

This week’s book is:

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher!

I absolutely love a good fairytale retelling or what-if story. There’s so much potential with them! And this one seems pretty interesting. Plus, I really liked What Moves the Dead, and I want to read more T. Kingfisher stuff.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

LENGTH: 128 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 15 August 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is an original, subversive fairytale about a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

If only.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He’s heard there’s a curse here that needs breaking, but it’s a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Are you looking forward to Thornhedge? Have you read other T. Kingfisher books? What books are you looking forward to coming out in the near future?

As always, thank you all so much for reading, and I really hope that you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 7/31 – 8/6

It’s Monday again, which means that it’s once again the beginning of another week. So it’s time to wrap up the last one!

I didn’t do everything that I’d wanted to, but I’m somehow okay with that. I think it’s because I did a lot of varied posts, and even started participating in a new one. I also finally finished another book, and a review for it will be making its way onto this blog very soon.

Enough of my talking. Let’s just dive right in!

Tuesday 8/1: July 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

Last Tuesday, I posted my monthly reading wrap-up for July 2023. The earliest I posted it in a month yet! (You don’t get any earlier than August 1st after all.) Yay!

I didn’t read or review – or even post – as much as I’d hoped to, but that’s in the past now and there’s nothing I can do about it. All I can hope is that I have a better August!

July 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

Wednesday 8/2: Can’t Wait Wednesday

On Wednesday, I participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday for the first time in forever. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: “Masters of Death”

Friday 8/4: First Line Friday

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

First Line Friday 8/4

Saturday 8/5: August 2023 Spell the Month in Books

On Saturday, not only did I do a rare Saturday post, but I participated in Spell the Month in Books for the first time. Spell the Month in Books is a monthly post created and hosted by Jana @ Reviews from the Stacks.

Spell the Month in Books – August 2023

Books That I Read Last Week

Goals for 8/7 – 8/13

So yeah, I didn’t get any reviews out last week like I’d wanted. But, like I mentioned earlier, I still finished another book, and I did a bunch of different posts this past week. So I’m gonna count that as a win this time!

This week, I’m going to definitely post a book review (in the very near future), and hopefully I’ll get around to reading another book and posting another review. I’m also going to do the usual posts I participate in (of course), and maybe another Popular Books post. We’ll see.

And of course, as always, thank you to everyone so much for taking the time to read my little bookish blog. It means the world. And I hope you have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Masters of Death”

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done one of these, but there’s finally a bunch of books coming out in the near future that I’m excited for. So I thought I’d participate in another Can’t-Wait Wednesday.

This week’s book is:

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake!

This one is technically a rerelease, but it’s the author’s preferred text, and I’ve never read it before, so I’m pretty excited. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Olivie Blake’s writing as well.

Masters of Death by Olivie Blake

LENGTH: 384 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor Books

RELEASE DATE: 8 August 2023

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Vampiric estate agents, death’s godson and a demonic personal trainer all abound in this smart, freewheeling dark fantasy from the author of the bestselling The Atlas Six.

When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with her ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is a fraud – despite being the godson of Death.

As the mystery unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into a quest that neither wants nor expects. And they’ll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel and a love-stricken reaper. And it transpires that the difference between a mysterious lost love and a dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as you’d hope.

Thank you so much for reading, and have an awesome day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 5/22 – 5/28

So… These last couple of weeks haven’t been super great on the blog. But real life has also been quite the wild ride as well. Last weekend and early this past week, all kinds of crazy and unfortunate life stuff. And this weekend the power went out! Grrr. So much sucky stuff!

Anyway, I’m hoping that this week is gonna be more productive, and just better in general. And hey, summer has essentially started now, and that always feels great!

But yeah, I’m not gonna waste any more time. Let’s wrap-up the (very small) past week!

Wednesday 5/24: WWW Wednesday / Can’t-Wait Wednesday

Wednesday was when I finally got my crap together, and found myself to be mentally ready enough, and enough time to post. And I double posted!

First I participated in WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words. I then also participated in Can’t-Wait Wednesday. Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa @ Wishful Endings.

WWW Wednesday 5/24

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Witch King”

Thursday 5/25: Popular Books That I’ve Read Never #2

On Thursday, I finally got around to posting another Popular Books That I’ve Read Never. Popular Books That I’ve Read Never basically describes itself – it’s a blog post where I discuss popular books that I’ve never (and most likely won’t ever) read.

Books I Read Last Week

Goals for 5/31 – 6/4

This week I’m definitely gonna do more. Post more, read more, get more stuff done in real life. I’ve adjusted from last week, and the power’s back on, so productivity is gonna be a lot easier to keep up with.

Considering specific goals: I’m finally gonna finish The Stardust Thief, which I’m very excited to do. I haven’t finished it yet cuz I haven’t been enjoying it – on the contrary, I’m enjoying it a lot! – it’s mostly because I haven’t had any free time, or I didn’t have any light to read.

For other specific goals, I’m planning to post another Majestic Monday later, I’m planning on participating in the weekly bookish posts that I usually do, and I’m going to post at least a couple of book reviews. Oh, and I’m also going to post my monthly reading wrap-up for May 2023.

But yeah, that’s what I’m planning on for this coming week. As always, thank you so much for reading, and have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar