Weekly Wrap-Up: 4/10 – 4/16

This week was, fortunately, less busy than the one before it. Thank goodness. The holidays always seem to be busy for me, regardless of what I decide to do. Maybe I’ll change up my routine around those times?

Anyway, I was able to get more stuff done, and post more than one book review this past week. Yay! And I also participated in Shelf Control for the first time in what feels like forever. So progress on several fronts!

But enough about that. Let’s go over last week.

Wednesday 4/12: Shelf Control #13

Last Wednesday, I finally posted another Shelf Control. Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies.

Shelf Control #13

Thursday 4/13: The Cloud Roads Review

Thursday was when I was finally able to get my review out for The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells. It was an interesting, slow-burn fantasy novel, and is the first in The Books of the Raksura series. I gave it ★★★✯☆.

My review of The Cloud Roads

Friday 4/14: First Line Friday #10

On Friday I participated in First Line Fridays yet again. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature formerly hosted by Wandering Words.

First Line Friday #10

Sunday 4/16: Blood & Honey Review

Yesterday, I had finally finished re-skimming Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin, and was ready to post my updated review for it on the blog. I gave it ★✫☆☆☆.

My review of Blood & Honey

Books That I Read Last Week

Goals for 4/17 – 4/23

I just want to keep up with everything like I’ve been doing for the past few weeks. I’m really happy with what I’ve been able to post on the blog, and get done with the rest of my life outside of the blog.

I do want to do another Majestic Monday before the day is out. It’s something I haven’t been able to really get to for about a month, and I’m somewhat disappointed in myself for not keeping up with it, even though it was out of my control.

I also want to read more than one book this week, and just read more in general. Last week I fell into a little slump, and I want to get myself out of that ASAP.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #13

It’s been, gosh, another three weeks since I’ve participated in this feature. Again. (Ugh.)

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a whole lotta fun, so if you’re interested in participating yourself, click the backlink above.

This week I’m gonna highlight a book I’ve had for a couple of months, but (obviously) haven’t read yet. It’s Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, the first in The Locked Tomb series.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

SERIES: The Locked Tomb (Book #1)

LENGTH: 448 pages

GENRES: Fantasy, Science Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Fiction

PUBLISHER: Tor/Forge

RELEASE DATE: 10 September 2019

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

WHEN I GOT IT: February 2023

WHY I WANTED TO READ IT: It was a book – and a series – that I’d heard nothing but praise for. Then, when I decided to look into it more, I realized that I liked a lot about the story and world building.

WHY I HAVEN’T READ IT YET: I’ve been distracted by all kinds of books lately (which is par for the course for me, honestly), and then I decided to wait until closer to Nona the Ninth’s paperback release later this year. (I’m a simple person. I already have the first two in paperback, and I want my books to match, okay?) (I’ll make the digital sacrifice for Alecto, though, and buy its paperback next year.)

WILL I EVER READ IT?: I think that I already answered this question, but I’ll reiterate: Yes, absolutely I still intend to read this.

Thank you for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/20 – 3/26

Gosh, it’s a new week already. Time sure flies when you read a bunch of books, haha.

I got a ton of stuff done last week that I’m happy with, but at the same time, I didn’t quite get to everything that I wanted to get finished (or posted). But I’m reading a lot more and posting a lot more than I was in December and January, so I’m really happy with what I’ve gotten done (and read) in the past couple of months.

Without further ado, let’s go over last week.

Monday 3/20: Spring 2023 Equinox

Last Monday, I forwent a Majestic Monday post, and instead did special spring post. It was basically about whether or not I’m a seasonal reader, what I generally read, and some of the stuff on my immediate TBR.

Spring Reading 2023

Wednesday 3/22: WWW Wednesday / Shelf Control #12

Wednesday I was able to double post! Yay! I did a WWW Wednesday (hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words), and a Shelf Control (hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies).

WWW Wednesday 3/22

Shelf Control #12

Thursday 3/23: A Court of Wings and Ruin Review

Last Thursday, I finally posted my review for A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. It was a big book, so it took me a couple days (and then I like to spend a day ruminating on what I read and getting my thoughts together). But I finally finished it and posted the review!

A Court of Wings and Ruin Review

Friday 3/24: First Line Friday #8

On Friday I participated in First Line Fridays (~~formerly~~ hosted by Wandering Words). I had a lot of fun with the post. The eighth time I joined in, and it hasn’t gotten old yet!

First Line Friday #8

Books That I Read Last Week

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Goals for 3/27 – 4/2

I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. Aside from this weekend, I did fantastically last week. (I usually take Saturday off from blogging, and I was feeling under the weather yesterday.)

I was gonna post my A Court of Frost and Starlight review yesterday but… yeah, didn’t feel good. So you can expect that review later today! And I finished A Court of Silver Flames this morning, so I’m gonna try to post that review tomorrow!

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

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #12

It’s been, gosh, three weeks since I’ve participated in this feature. Again.

This week I’m highlighting a book I’ve wanted to read for a couple of years, but have never found the right time to read it: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Length: 305 pages

Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fiction

Publisher: Tor Books

Release Date: 17 March 2020

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret. Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: April 2021

Why I Wanted to Read It: Because I’d heard nothing but good things about it, particularly from one of my college friends. And the reviews were also glowing.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I was busy with other stuff when I first got it, and then it just never seemed like the right time for whatever reason. Plus, as usual, I kept getting distracted by other books.

Will I Ever Read It?: I absolutely still want to read this. Perhaps if I enjoy In the Lives of Puppets, I’ll read it afterwards.

Thank you for reading and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 3/6 – 3/12

It’s a new week! Yay!

And last week was honestly fantastic for me. Sure, I didn’t quite post as much as I might’ve liked to, but I was feeling waaayy better – which is a huge step up from the two weeks preceding it. And I’ll take that any day.

But yeah, it’s a new week, so it’s time to wrap up the last one. So let’s get to it!

Wednesday 3/8: WWW Wednesday #7

Last Wednesday I did another WWW Wednesday post. WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words, and celebrates the 3 Ws of reading. What are the 3 Ws you might ask? We’ll, you can find out if you check out my post from last week.

Thursday 3/9: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea Review

On Thursday, I finally posted my book review for The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh. It was a wonderful fairytale-like fantasy novel that I rated ★★★★☆. If you’re interested in my thoughts on it, you can read my review in full here.

Friday 3/10: First Line Friday #6

This past Friday I participated in another First Line Friday. First Line Friday is a weekly feature formerly hosted by Wandering Words, but is something that I discovered over at One Book More. To see what book I highlighted, you can click here.

Sunday 3/12: A Court of Mist and Fury Review

Yesterday (still part of last week though), I did another retrospective book review. It’s where I review a book I read before I created this blog and see if it still holds up for me.

This time, I did A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J, Maas, a very popular fantasy novel in a very popular fantasy series. I originally felt it was ★★★★★, but my feelings have since changed. If you want to know what I think about the book now, my entire review and all, you can read it here.

Goals for 3/13 – 3/19

Once again, I don’t really have any other goal than to post at least as much as or (hopefully) more than last week. So yeah, still nothing fancy, but it’s what I’m able to do at the moment. I only recently got over being sick for a while, and I’m still trying to take it easier and I don’t want to stress myself out.

Annnd that should tie everything out in a nice little bow. As always, thank you so much to everyone for reading, and have a fantastic day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/27 – 3/5

It’s the start of a new week, and I’m finally feeling better. And I owe it all to last week – I did a ton of research on how to make myself feel better with my chronic illness, and it’s really helped.

Back to the blog, I’m honestly pretty happy with what I was able to post last week. I would’ve liked to get one more post out, but it’s fine. It was more than the week before, after all.

Tuesday 2/28: Weekly Wrap-Up #IDK

I don’t usually highlight my Weekly Wrap-Up from the prior week, but it was late, which was unusual. And it really felt significant to me while getting over being sick. So yeah, that’s what was up last Tuesday.

Wednesday 3/1: Shelf Control #11

Last Wednesday, I finally did another Shelf Control. It’d been a couple of weeks since I’d participated, so I was determined to make it happen last week.

Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves. If you missed my post and are interested in what book from my bookshelf I highlighted last week, you can read it here.

Friday 3/3: First Lines Friday #5

On Friday, I managed to participate in First Line Fridays. First Line Fridays is a weekly feature (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words. It focuses on judging books by their words as opposed to their covers.

You can check out my post here if you’re interested.

Saturday 3/4: February 2023 Monthly Wrap-Up

Saturday, I finally got around to posting my reading wrap-up and stats for February 2023. I’m really happy with everything I was able to read and accomplish last month, even if I would’ve liked to read and review more books. I’ll definitely do better in March!

If you wanna see my reading stats from last month, you can read the post here.

Goals for 3/6 to 3/12

This week’s goal is the same one from last week: just to post more than I did the week before. No specific post goals again. I’d really like to do five posts, though, if possible. And I definitely think it’s possible, seeing as I’m feeling way better this week. I’m excited to see what’s in store for me!

As always, thank you so much for reading and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #11

It’s been a couple of weeks (again), but I started getting sick (again) last week, so I couldn’t post as often as I might have liked. But here it is – another Shelf Control post!

Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books languishing on our bookshelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. It’s a whole lotta fun, so if you’re interested in participating yourself, click the backlink above.

This week I’m focusing on the first book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, eponymously named Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1)

Length: 464 pages

Genres: Horror, Mystery, YA, Fiction

Release Date: September 20, 2016

This #1 New York Times bestseller and deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion.

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine.

When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her back to her own sheltered world. The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why It Languishes on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: 2019

Why I Wanted to Read It: I thought that it looked interesting at the time.

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I essentially bought it on a whim and checked out some (spoiler free for the story) reviews, and realized that this book was probably not for me and kind of ignored it. I was distracted by other stuff going on that was more important, too.

Will I Ever Read It?: Probably not. Mostly because I bought it on a whim (as I’ve mentioned) and I lost interest quickly. I’m considering trying out Maniscalco’s other series, though I haven’t bought or even borrowed a copy of Kingdom of the Wicked yet.

Have you read this book or any of the author’s other work? What did you think? Or is it just sitting unread on your bookshelf too?

Thanks for reading and have a glorious day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2/13 – 2/19

It’s another Monday, so, as the start of a new week, it’s time to wrap up the last one.

This past week had a lot, Valentine’s Day probably being the standout. But as for the blog… I managed to post a few times.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Tuesday 2/14: The Ballad of Never After Review / Valentine’s Day

On Tuesday, incidentally Valentine’s Day, I posted my book review of The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber. It’s the sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart, and it has just as much of a banger ending. But it doesn’t have the most banger characters. More on that in the review – which you can read here if you want.

And also: Happy Valentine’s Day!! 💖🌹💌🍫

Wednesday 2/15: Shelf Control #10, WWW Wednesday #5

Shelf Control (graphic from BookshelfFantasies.com)

Last Wednesday, I actually managed to double post! Yay! First, I did a Shelf Control, a weekly feature I participate in, hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies. Later on, I posted for another meme I participate in, WWW Wednesdays, hosted by Taking on a World of Words.

You can check out the Shelf Control here, and you can read the WWW Wednesday post here.

Thursday 2/16: Birthstone Book Covers February 2023

Thursday, I finally posted my Birthstone Book Covers post for the month of February. Birthstone Book Covers is a fun thing hosted by Books Are the New Black. You can read my post here and see how to join in if you’re interested.

Friday 2/17: First Line Fridays #4

For Friday, I participated in yet another weekly meme that I like, First Line Fridays. It’s not really hosted anywhere anymore (to my knowledge) but I saw it over at One Book More.

For more info on the meme, and if you missed my post and wanna check it out, you can read it here.

Saturday 2/18 & Sunday 2/19: Error 404 – Not Found

Uhhhh… So this weekend I didn’t do anything. Sorry – was doing some family stuff and taking a bit of a break. It felt good at the time, but now I’m a little disappointed in myself for not doing at least one more post. Whoops. Hope this coming week goes better.

Goals for 2/20 – 2/26

So, like, I wish I posted at least a bit more. And I want to rectify that this coming week. Other than that, here’s the particular posting goals I’d like to do:

Majestic Monday
Shelf Control
WWW Wednesday
First Line Friday
at least two book reviews
…idk what else at the top of my head right now

So that’s it for this past week’s Weekly Wrap-Up! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Shelf Control #10

Sooo… It’s been, like, three weeks. Whoops. Things got a little crazy after my medical thing at the end of January. But I’m back with another participation post for Shelf Control!

This week, I’m highlighting one of the books that’s been sitting on my shelf the longest: American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Series: American Gods (Book #1)

Length: 635 pages

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

Release Date: July 16, 2002

Description:

Days before his release from prison, Shadow’s wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Numbly, he makes his way back home. On the plane, he encounters the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break.

Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long, hard look into the soul of America. You’ll be surprised by what – and who – it finds there…

Why It’s Still Sitting Unread on My Bookshelf

When I Got It: June 2016

Why I Wanted to Read It: I’d heard nothing but good things about it, and I was at a point in my life where I was attempting to read more adult fiction (still hasn’t really happened yet, lol).

Why I Haven’t Read It Yet: I got distracted by a bunch of stuff. I was starting a new job, transitioning to university, and I got some big news about my favorite fictional thing ever that I go gaga over. But yeah, it kinda fell off the wayside and then I lost interest.

Will I Ever Read It?: I don’t know. That’s honestly the only answer I can give now, lol.

What books have you been reading lately? Which ones are languishing unread on your bookshelves?

Thanks for reading and have a great day/night!

See ya ~Mar

Weekly Wrap-Up: 1/23 – 1/29

Good [insert time of day of your choice here]! It’s the start of a new week, so it’s time to wrap up the past one. It’s time for a Weekly Wrap-Up.

This past week I posted a lot more, even despite the medical stuff I had going on, so I’m super satisfied with what I was able to do. I did so many posts, participated in some features/memes, and even double posted on a few days.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Monday 1/23: Majestic Monday #8

This past Monday, I did one post – Majestic Monday. Majestic Monday is when I admire three pretty book covers that I’ve come across in the interim. Because pretty covers deserve recognition! If you missed the post, you can check it out here, to look at the books that I highlighted.

Tuesday 1/24: Spinning Silver Review

On Tuesday, I finally managed to get my review out for Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. It was a truly fantastic novel that I definitely recommend. Fantasy, winter vibes, and fairies done right. What more could you ask for?

If you want to read the full review, you can read it here.

Wednesday 1/25: Shelf Control #9, WWW Wednesday #2

This was a double post day. The second one during the week, in fact! (The first was Monday, cuz I posted my last Weekly Wrap-Up for the week before then, too.)

Wednesday I posted my usual contributions to participating on the two Wednesday features I take part in. Shelf Control is a feature hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies, and WWW Wednesday is a feature hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

I posted for both of them last week. You can read my Shelf Control post host here and you can check out my WWW Wednesday post here.

Thursday 1/26: Scarlet Review

Thursday, I did another book review, but this was a retrospective one. A retrospective book review is when I skim through a book I read in the recent years before I had a blog, and determine whether I like it as much as I did when I originally read it.

This time I did Scarlet, the second book in The Lunar Chronicles, written by Marissa Meyer. If you’re interested and you missed it, you can read the review here.

Friday 1/27: First Lines Friday #2

First Lines Friday is another meme that I’ve started taking part in very recently. It’s a fun little thing (formerly) hosted by Wandering Words, but I saw it on One Book More.

I posted my second contribution this past Friday. You can read it here if you missed it and are interested in checking out my post

Sunday 1/29: Deeplight Review

Yesterday, I posted yet another book review, this one on another book by an author I’d read earlier in January. That’s right – it was Deeplight by Frances Hardinge.

Deeplight is an unsettling, dark fantasy with both Frankenstein and Subnautica elements to it. Go read it if you like darker stuff, it’s pretty good. Check out my full review here, if you missed it.

Goals for the Week of 1/29 – 2/5

This week I did a lot of what I wanted. I was able to do all of my usual weekly posts and several book reviews. I also started looking into some stuff to make my blog even better. Due to some stuff going on, though, I wasn’t able to start a new post series that I was interested in doing.

So this week, my goals are:

Majestic Monday
Shelf Control
WWW Wednesday
First Lines Friday
a few book reviews
the new thing that I wanted to do last week that I wasn’t able to

Annnd that’s all for this Weekly Wrap-Up! As I said, did a lot, double posted, read a lot of books. Had a lot of fun doing it too.

Thanks so much for reading, and have an excellent day/night! Join me next post for more bookish things!

See ya. ~Mar