It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (3)

This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and was then passed on to Sheila from Book Journey, then Kathryn The Book Date, where it currently resides. It's a fun way to share what we've read in the past week, what we're currently reading, and what's next!

Covers link to Goodreads, reviews linked below if I've posted them!

Read:

1. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns is one of my favorite books of 2019 thus far! I loved the focus on libraries and dangerous books, and the romance and love interest was sublime. Silas was probably my favorite character though - animal sidekicks ftw.

4.5/5

Review

2. Happy Together by Suzann Pileggi Pawelski and James O. Pawelski

I am literally always on a self-help kick, and wanted to read one about romantic relationships specifically. I thought Happy Together took a great approach to relationships by emphasizing positive psychology, and seeing the best in your partner. There are some great exercises in here that I can't wait to try out with my significant other! It wasn't life-changing, but I did quite enjoy reading this one.

3.5/5

3. Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Save the Date was a fluffy and funny contemporary novel revolving around the main character, Charlie, and her sister's wedding. It focuses on the issues of change when it comes to family. Charlie tries so hard throughout the novel to reconnect with her four siblings and get back that feeling of the whole family hanging out together and talking, the way it was before everyone moved out of the house. Charlie is the youngest, and the last one left, the house is being sold, and her mother's comic focusing on their family is ending. 

I liked Save the Date well enough, but I noticed something that many other readers on Goodreads did as well: it sort of read like a screenplay. There were some great scenes I could imagine full-out cackling at if it were a movie scene, but only got a slight smile, if that, in book format. I did appreciate the focus on family and siblings - although there is a little romance - and the realization that sometimes your family isn't perfect, and that's okay!

3/5

Currently Reading: 

I went a little crazy starting new books this week, as you can see... no judgement!!

1. Burned (Pretty Little Liars #12) by Sara Shepard

This is one of those series that never ends, but I kinda don't mind it (think the other neverending series, Gossip Girl). It's pure fluff, and interesting enough to keep me turning pages, even though I know that A is not whoever the girls are guessing at this point.

2. Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

I LOVED the first book is this series, Pivot Point, so I immediately started on the next one. This one alternates between the main character Addie's POV, and her best friend Laila. It's not quite as engrossing as Pivot Point, but I do like being able to see inside Laila's head since she seemed a little shallow in the first book.

3. Grim Tuesday (Keys to the Kingdom #2) by Garth Nix

I love Garth Nix with a probably abnormal passion, so I'm determined to get into this series despite not finding the first book very compelling. I'm not far into Grim Tuesday, but it's not hooking me so far, sadly.

4. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) by Jenny Han

I'm almost ten years behind the hype on this one, but it's super cute so far! I love short chapters <3

5. The Gathering Storm (Katerina #1) by Robin Bridges

I plucked this one off my shelf through a random reads thing I've been doing - putting all my to-read books on Goodreads into a random number generator and reading the one that is selected. The Gathering Storm is a little different than what I expected based on the cover, but I'm intrigued.

Next: 

It'll be all I can do to finish my currently reading for next week I think, but I am going to start a couple new things despite that.

1. Coral by Sara Ella

I was just approved for an ARC of Coral on Netgalley, and I'm so excited! The Little Mermaid was my favorite movie as a kid, and adult me likes the angst of the original Hans Christian Anderson tale as well - this is a twist on that version. I can't wait to dig into this. The book comes out in November!

2. Messenger by Lois Lowry

I re-read The Giver recently and remembered how much I loved it - I'm finishing up the series now, and really enjoying the new stories and characters.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted at The Book Date and is a way to share what we've read in the past week, what we're currently reading, and what's next!

Read:

I finished three books this week which is HUGE for me. I just moved to a new city, and my job and classes haven't started up yet, so it's been a great time for reading.

1. The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket

Goodreads │ Amazon

I was inspired to re-read this series by the amazing Netflix TV adaption. I still love the wit and dry humor of these books, and the little easter eggs in the drawings and references.

5/5

2. Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood

Goodreads│Amazon

I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book through Goodreads. The book is based on the true story of the kidnapping of Sally Horner, the girl who inspired Nabakov's Lolita. Told from the perspectives of Sally, several of her family members, and various people she crosses paths with during the two years she was held by her kidnapper, Rust and Stardust was haunting and well-written, and nuanced in a way that these kinds of stories usually aren't. For more, see my review.

4/5

3. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Goodreads │ Amazon

This is the first book in a long time that has kept me hanging onto the edge of my chair, reading frantically way past my bedtime. My bedtime is 10pm sharp, but still. This book was crazy. I love an unreliable narrator, and Mara Dyer delivers. Strange things have been happening to her for some time now, but it's hard to tell whether she's crazy, has a stalker, or has supernatural powers. Spoiler: it might be all three.

5/5

Currently Reading:

I like to impose crazy reading quotas on myself, which is why I'm always reading a nonfiction book and self-help book slowly, and at least one other book at a quicker pace.

1. John Adams by David McCullough

Goodreads │ Amazon

I haven't gotten very far into this one, but I loved 1776 by the same author. It'll probably be a few months before I finish, because 1) I'm only reading a couple pages a day, and 2) it's 651 pages long!

8% read

2. The Brain Fog Fix: Reclaim Your Focus, Memory, and Joy in Just 3 Weeks by Mike Dow

Goodreads │ Amazon

I'm at the very beginning of this one as well, but the author speaks really convincingly about brain health and its connections to what we eat, which is what the first couple of chapters are on. Especially striking to me were the stats on the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's. I'm excited to learn more and start the three-week program at the end.

4% read

3. Legendary by Stephanie Garber

Goodreads │ Amazon

I LOVED Caraval when it came out last year, and I've been itching to start this sequel. I love how atmospheric this series is, and the descriptions and writing are lush and beautiful without going too purple-y. I'm loving Legendary so far as well.

25% read

Up Next: 

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Goodreads │ Amazon

As part of my catch up on the classics initiative, Catch-22 is next on the list.

Last Week's Posts:

8 Books That Will Get You in the Back to School Spirit (Or Make You Run Screaming from the Memory of High School)

Rust and Stardust, or, the One in Which I Mostly Lose All Hope for Mankind

Six August Releases I'm Super Excited About

I'd love to know what all of you are reading as well. Have a great week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted at The Book Date and is a way to share what we've read in the past week, what we're currently reading, and what's next!

Read:

I just finished Tender Morsels after a long long time waiting (I've probably had it since 2009), and it seemed to take forever to finish. I did enjoy it for the most part, but the middle part was entirely too slow, with too many man-bears. Such beautiful writing though. 3/5, review to come.

I was super into this book at the beginning, my interest waned near the middle, and then it picked right back up again at the end. I look forward to the sequel. Plus, what a pretty book! 4/5

Current:

I've been waiting to continue this series for forever, and I'm loving it so far! The mixture of fantasy and historical fiction is just perfect.

That cover!!! I've heard some really lackluster reviews on this one, but I'm loving it so far. It's unique and atmospheric, and FRANCE <3

This is a re-read. It's been way too long since I've done a read-through of LOTR.

So cute so far! And I love the boots on the cover.

I got this from Netgalley; I love Ann Brashares and I'm really enjoying the story so far.

I'm getting close to finishing the Pendragon series legit 10 years after starting it!!!

Next:

In keeping with the LOTR theme.

SO excited!! I've heard nothing but good things.

I just can't get enough.

Have an amazing week everyone!