End Of The Year 2023 // Book Tag

Hi Friends,
Last year, I posted a video doing the ‘End Of The Year’ book tag, so I thought I should make it a yearly tradition. Just as I am a seasonal reader, I love a good seasonal tag too!



I have been reading ‘Furyborn’ by Claire Legrand since March, and I am only 50% into the book. This is an adult fantasy that is interesting, but I do not ever seem to be in the mood to read it. The book follows two female characters in different worlds, or possibly timelines, honestly, I am a bit confused. However, my main issue is that I am liking one of the characters’ storylines much more than the other. Still, I would like to finish it by the end of the year.



I read ‘Coraline‘ every October because it is the perfect spooky middle-grade read for fall. I love how fast-paced it is. and the fact that it is creepy, but not scary. The writing is so good and the animated film adaptation is one of my favorite fall movies as well.
Related Post: Coraline // Book Review



Last winter, I read ‘A Merry Little Meet Cute’ by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, which was my first baby step into the world of smutty books. So, when I heard there was a companion novel being released on October 10th, titled ‘A Holly Jolly Ever After,’ I was excited! It is definitely a new release at the top of my TBR.
Related Post: A Merry Little Meet Cute // Book Review



I want to complete the book series that I have started. My focus is on trying to finish a duology or two because I only have one book left to read. I have been wanting to read the sequel to ‘These Violent Delights‘ for a while and ‘A Magic Steeped in Poison‘ is another duology I should be able to complete soon. I would also like to see what all the hype around ‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros is about. Especially, since I have already pre-ordered the sequel that comes out in November.
Related Post: These Violent Delights // Book Review



If I find myself able to pick up ‘Once Upon A Broken Heart’ by Stephanie Garber, it could be my favorite book of the year. This is a 5 star book prediction. I am a huge fan of the ‘Caraval’ series by this author, and I hear that it is even better.
Related Post: Caraval // Book Review



Although I am a huge planner, I usually save making my reading plans for the next year until December. I have some goals I would like to accomplish. but I have not actually begun to make plans.


In the comments, let me know if you have done this tag before. If you are a fan of book tags, then like this post and follow the blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Re-Reading Books // Let’s Talk

Hi Friends,
Today we are going to have a decision on re-reading books. There are a lot of opposing opinions when it comes to re-reading. Some people re-read their favorite books multiple times throughout the years. While others are a one and done type of reader.

I don’t think that you necessarily have to consistently re-read your books to justify buying them. But, there are some books that warrant a re-read. You should 100% re-read the previous books in a series before picking up the next installment. If you are anything like me then you would have forgotten a whole lot about the series while waiting to read the next book.

I find that when you re-read books in a series it gives you a fresh start and gets you more excited to continue on with the story. As for non-series books, re-reading books can change your opinion of a book. Maybe you will enjoy the book better the second time around. Or, you could actually end up lowering your rating for the book.

In 2021, I re-read ‘The Afterlife of Holly Chase’ by Cynthia Hand for the first time in three years. I had originally given the book 3 stars, but after my re-read I bumped the book up to 5 stars. So, re-reading can help show how much your reading taste has changed. Personally, I’m trying to get more into re-reading and being captivated once again by my favorite stories. I would like to re-read some books that I didn’t enjoy, and see how I’ll feel about them years later.

I might be wrong, but I think re-reading is becoming less and less common. There are so many new books being released that readers forget about previously loved books. In the bookish community we are always talking about the books we’d like to read, which typically doesn’t include a re-read.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think we should focus just as much on re-reading as we do on reading new books. Most of us can watch are favorite shows and movies a million times, or listen to a song on repeat than why not re-read a book.

I have a list of some books that I would like to eventually re-read. Hopefully I can make them more of a priority. What are your thoughts on re-reading? Do you re-read books? Remember not to leave before following the blog to get posts notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Caraval | Book Review

About The Book
Scarlett’s dreams of seeing Caraval seem lost after her father arranges her marriage—until an invitation arrives. With a mysterious sailor’s help, her sister Tella brings Scarlett to Caraval, only to be kidnapped by its enigmatic master, Legend. Now, Scarlett must race through the elaborate game to find Tella before the five nights end and she vanishes forever.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4eXaiLx

My Rating


This book was captivating from the start, and the plot never slowed down. The concept of a magical carnival was fantastic, as I find carnival-centered stories fascinating—though I haven’t read many others yet, so my opinion might change in the future.

Scarlett, the main character, often second-guesses herself and is afraid to break rules, which is understandable given her tough home life. Still, I found her likable and didn’t mind her more cautious traits, though I could see how others might find her frustrating. Her sister, Tella, is a bit reckless and immature, yet I understood her desire for a better life for both of them. She came across as stronger and smarter than the book might show at first.

The story kept me guessing constantly, never quite knowing who to trust. At one point, I thought I’d figured everything out—but then something happened, and I was back to having no idea what to expect. I tend to enjoy books with unpredictable plots, which I think resonates with most readers.

The world-building was outstanding. The author brought Caraval to life, making me feel like I was playing the game alongside the characters. Without lengthy descriptions, the author gave enough vivid details to make the Caraval feel real.

“Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.”

The book explores themes of sisterhood and relationships, though more as a subtle backdrop. It’s dark and whimsical, with the whimsical elements helping keep the story light. The plot ultimately shows that everyone has an agenda and that everything comes at a price.

Another major theme of the book is control, and being controlled. It seemed like almost everyone wanted to control Scarlett—even Tella. I didn’t like how Tella pressured Scarlett into things she was against, even if it was out of love and a desire to protect her. It still felt underhanded. By the end, I really felt for Scarlett. Speaking of the ending, there’s a minor cliffhanger that has me intrigued, and I’m curious to see what comes next!

Despite all the positives, the story didn’t quite make it to a 5-star rating for me. However, Julian, the love interest, was definitely a highlight—he was very swoon-worthy. One thing to know about this book is that, while it’s essentially a fantasy story, it does address some heavy topics. You can check the book’s page on Book Trigger Warnings for more details.

Please share this post with other fantasy readers, and comment with your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it. I love interacting with my readers in the comments! And don’t forget to follow my blog—it truly makes my day!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Kingdom Of The Wicked // Book Review

Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published: 2020
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Witchies
Rating:Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder

Synopsis
From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series. Two sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself. And an intoxicating romance.


I am a fan of Kerri Maniscalco’s ‘Stalking Jack the Ripper’ series. Although, it’s worth mentioning that I have only read the first book in that series. However, I am very conflicted on my thoughts of this book. On the one hand I find the premise interesting, but I wasn’t thrilled with the characters, or the overall plot.

The book didn’t enchant me as much as I’d hoped it would. At first, I found the plot to be fast paced and engaging. But as the book went on, I cared less and less about the story. And don’t even get me started with the love plot. I get that this isn’t supposed to be a romance heavy book, which is a good thing. But the growing relationship between the two main characters, Emilia and Wrath, didn’t do it for me.

“Your heart will conquer darkness. Trust in that.”

The shocking twist wasn’t a shocking twist at all, and one could guess the villain, as well as the cliffhanger ending. However, it did at least leaves you wanting more, and anticipating the next book. As the reader, you do want to see what happens next. Are the more twist to come? What is in store for Emilia and Wrath?

Keep in mind that this isn’t a one session read, yet I do know some fantasy lovers can read a heavy fantasy in one sitting, so this could just be a me thing. I found the story to require a lot of focus and attention, which most fantasy worlds do. One of my biggest cons was the slow pacing, because it made the book seem longer than it is actually.

The writing was beautiful, since Maniscalco has a singsong way of telling a story, which makes it hard for me not to pick up the next book. In all honestly, I don’t think this book was my type of book, but I can see a YA fantasy fan really enjoying it. In the comments, let me know if you are a fantasy reader. Please hit the follow button, and share and like this post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

To Be Read // March 2022

Hi Friends,
It is TBR time again, but this month is going to be a little bit different. I was debating on doing the ‘Tis The Damn’ readathon, which is a Taylor Swift inspired readathon. This was the first readathon I participated in when I started my blog, back in March of 2021. However, I would like to do more mood reading. This isn’t to say that I going to stop doing TBR’s, but the way I do them will change. I have come up with three bookish categories. I will only be talking about the books I hope to read from each of them. The rest of the month I will mood read.

Previous TBR: This is a book that I have put on a TBR from the previous year of the current month. Not sure if that makes any sense. But, since we are in March 2022, it would be a book from my March 2021 TBR.


Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a “literary phenomenon” and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times).


Next In A Series: This one is pretty self explanatory, but I have a lot of series that I need to finish.


Perfect for fans of Kiera Cass and Anna Godbersen, and with all the drama, romance, and hidden secrets from The Thousandth Floor and The Dazzling Heights, this explosive finale will not disappoint.


Owned TBR: I am really working on reading the books I already own, which is good since I have a lot of options.


From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.


I have a list of other books I’d like to read this month. Most of them are YA thrillers and contemporaries. You can follow me on GoodReads and Twitter to stay up to date on what I am reading. And you can follow the blog to see my reviews of the books as I read them.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

12 In 2022 // Yearly TBR

Hi Friends,
I knew that I wanted to do some kind of 2022 TBR, but I decided not to include any new releases. Of course, I will be reading many 2021 and 2022 releases throughout the year, but I wanted to do more of a backlist TBR for the year. If you read my resolutions post, then you know that one of my bookish goals is to read more older titles. I want to read all the books that came out years ago that I have forgotten about. So, here are the 12 books I would like to read this year. Also, keep in mind that I am counting a book series as one book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth: I have heard a lot of mixed things about this series. But, I really want to read it this year. My husband read the entire trilogy, and we’ve seen the first two movies. I would like to read all the books, and possibly the companion novel ‘Four.’

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: I started this series a while ago, but never finished it. I attempted book two, ‘Catching Fire,’ but I put it down and never picked it back up. Now I think it’s time to see if all the hype about the series is true. I have seen the final two movies in the film adaptations, weirdly enough, so I kind of have an idea on how the books end.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: In 2020, I got the boxed-set for Christmas. Last year, I started the first book on audio, but I loaned it from the library, and had to return it before I was finished. I would like to at least read two or more books in this vampire romance series.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian:

I haven’t read a Jenny Han book in a minute. I would love to see what this trilogy is all about. It is the only Jenny Han series that I have yet to read, yet my opinions on her books have been fairly mixed. I hope that I enjoy this one as much as I did the ‘To All The Boys’ trilogy.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi: I have heard nothing but good things about this book, and love the premise of it. This book follows a Muslim-American teenage girl. Although, I was born in American, I was raised Muslim. Today, I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself Muslim, but it was a big part of my upbringing. We don’t get a lot of Persian and Muslim representation in books, so I’m excited to read a book that deals with a character that I can relate too.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: I have been very intrigued by this author since I discovered that she writes some books in verse. I am trying to learn more about this type of writing, because it is something I am very interested in. Now I don’t know much about this story, except that people love it. I would also like to read ‘With The Fire On High’ from her as well.

Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali: This is a Muslim teen romance that sounds very sweet and wholesome. I have had this on my overall TBR for a while, but never got around to it. However, I would love to pick it up this year if only because I just learned that the female character is named Zayneb. Fun fact that is my older sister’s name just spelled slightly different.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord: I am shocked that I haven’t read this yet. It is an adorable YA contemporary that I know I am going to love. I need to read this as soon as possible, because I love all things cute and contemporary. Honestly, I haven’t seen one negative review of this book.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland: I used to be in love with this book cover, because it is so different. But then I found out the plot, and knew it was going to be a crazy read. It has sister and mystery elements, with maybe a touch of horror. I haven’t seen too many people reviewing it, so I will be going into it with an open mind.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig: I am going to be honest, but this book sounds an awful lot like the one before. However, I have been wanting to read it since it was released two years ago. It is supposedly a ‘Twelve Dancing Princess’ retelling with a dark twist. I have become a big fan of horror and thriller books, and this one sounds pretty good.

American Royals by Katharine McGee: I cannot explain why I desperately want to read the series. Everyone in my life knows that me and royal plots don’t mix. But for some reason I am dying to jump into this trilogy. I have heard that the first book is great, but the second book falls flat. All I know is that this book has a cute romance and drama, and I am here for it.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken: This book was very hyped, leading up it’s release in January 2021. After the book came out, I noticed the hype died down quite a bit. There have been a lot of mixed reviews, with some recommending the book. Others, not so much. It is a YA Greek Gods story, that, despite the polarized opinions, I would still like to read.

I am going to stop myself here, so that this post isn’t novel length. Let me know any of the books on your yearly TBR in the comments. Don’t forget to follow my blog before you go to get notifications on all my new content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

My Unfinished Series

Hi Friends,
Let’s talk about all the book series I need to finish, and a few I might not. I am horrible at starting a series and never finishing it. I prefer standalone books, yet I can’t resist a good series.



This is a magical realism contemporary trilogy following two sisters. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this series, since this isn’t my go-to genre. Nevertheless, the story and characters captivated me. I would like to reread the first book, Caraval, before continuing on with the series. All the books have been released, so I’ll probably binge-read them all sometimes next year.


This is a set of companion novels marketed as a series. The first book is ‘My Lady Jane’, which is a historical reimagining of Lady Jane Grey. The next book follows Jane Eyre, and the last Calamity Jane. I have only read the first book, but would like to finish the series fairly soon. This author trio does have a new book out about Mary, Queen of Scots, which I’d also like to eventually read.


Truth be told, I started the series because of its stunning cover. Yep, it was a cover buy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed by the story. The overall plot was interesting enough, but I found the book slow and boring at times. Also, the love story was a snooze. And there are 10 books in the series? Seriously? What is this ‘The Immortal Instruments’? Do I really care enough about these  characters to read nine more books? Probably not.


Sadly, another likely DNF series. If you remember the old days of Booktube and book blogging, then you have probably heard about these books. A young adult dystopian trilogy with a bachelor-type plot, sounds cool, right? Wrong. Maybe I’m strange, because I didn’t love the first book. I didn’t exactly hate it, but, eh. Also, I can’t seem to bring myself to finish the series. I fear that reading it will put me into a reading slump. On top of everything, the author released a companion duology that wasn’t well received. I’m just not sure I want to force myself to read something I have no interest in.


This series is pretty special to me. I remember getting the entire trilogy for my 15th birthday. But for some reason, I’ve never picked up the last book in the series. I remember enough of the first and second books to not have reread of them, at least. So, I just need to bite the bullet and pick up the final book. Plus, I’d like to finish the series so I can watch the HBO series adaption that I’ve heard about.


I am dying to read the next book in this YA sci-fi, dystopian trilogy. The books follow multiple characters perspectives, and the ending of the first book took me completely by surprise. I am curious to see where the author takes the story. In case you’re interested, I have a review for the first book in this trilogy, if you’d like to know my more in-depth thoughts on it.


This series gives me Sherlock Holmes energy and I am here for it. The characters, forensics aspect and slow burn romance is magnificent. I have been putting off these books, because they take me a while to read. They are mainly plot-driven and are somewhat drawn out. Still, the writing and stories are fantastic.


I am probably one of the only people in the world that hasn’t read this series in its entirety. To my surprise, I enjoyed ‘The Hunger Games’ a lot. Tried picking up ‘Catching Fire’ soon after, but wasn’t in the mood for it. But I would like to finish the series off, since I have seen mostly all the film adaptations. Can one truly be a book lover if they’ve only seen the movie, and not the book its based on. I think not!


This is a cheesy trilogy that boarders on middle grade, and follows a group of young Robin Hood-esque thieves. Sure, it isn’t a great work of fiction, and it’s a bit too much like a Nickelodeon series, but it’s a fun and easy read. Finishing this series isn’t top priority, but I do plan on continuing with it. If anything, they’ll be entertaining.


This series got me hooked on audiobooks! The books are read by Sarah Drew (April on Grey’s Anatomy), which made for a great reading experience. The story takes place in a dystopian world where love is seen as a disease. I was riding high on this book after I read it back in 2013, but my taste in books has changed and the story doesn’t interest too much anymore. Maybe too much time has past for me to continue with the series. I’m not writing it off forever, but I’m also not 100% sure I’ll ever finish the series.

I still have to finish a certain series that ‘Shall Not Be Named’, but I refuse to talk about those books on my blog. Let me know in the comments if any of these are one of your favorite series. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog, and like this post.

Until The Next Chapter,

Bunny

To Be Read // July 2021

Hi Friends,
In July, I wanted to participate in a readathon. But I didn’t think I would be doing two in one month, but I’m not mad about it. First up, I will be doing the Summerween, which takes place from July 2 – July 8. I have been wanting to read my horror/thriller books, making this readathon the perfect choice. I have picked out one book that fills all the promotes, but I do have another book that I can read if I did up having the time.

Challenges:
1) Bake or make a drink with your spooky read

2) Read a book in the dark

3) Read a paranormal book

4) Read a horror book

5) Read a book with black or orange on the cover (or both)

I was going to pick Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake, since it’s a paranormal horror story. But the audiobook won’t be available at my library until four weeks. Instead, I found a graphic novel that easily fulfills all the promotes. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, and Miquel Muerto is a horror and paranormal story about missing children, monsters and a monster hunter. I heard that it is compared to Netflix’s Stranger Things, which I haven’t seen, but I know it is popular. I don’t know if the this book has enough Halloween colors on the cover, but the authors names are in orange, so I’m counting it.

The second readathon I will be doing is the Buddy Readathon. Joining this readathon was a very last-minute decision. I have been wanting to meet others in the book community, and this seemed like the perfect way to do so. If you’re interested in participating in the Buddy Readathon, please watch the announcement video. For the readathon, I was paired with Jazz! We got together and decided that we would try to get a bingo, and read one of the group books. Below are the prompts and books we will be reading.

Published Before 2016: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Group Read: Legendborn (Legendborn, #1) by Tracy Deonn

One Word Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

I already have a lot of required reading for the month, yet I’m adding more books to my July tbr. I am a big supporter of Christmas in July, so I have to try and fit in a Christmas read.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
This book follows two teens that send each other on a holiday adventure across New York. I have tried to read this YA Christmas story twice. I can never seem to get pass the first chapter. But I am on my reading game this year, so I believe I can finally cross this one of my tbr. Also this winter, I want to watch the Netflix series adaptation of the book.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
I have been wanting to reread this book for a while, and July seems like the perfect month for it. This is a YA Christmas Carol retelling that is pretty imaginative. I don’t remember my thoughts on the book the first time I read it, but Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” so I know this one had to have been a favorite.

On average, I have been reading 4 to five books per month. I will be prioritizing my readathon reads, but I am hoping to get to all the books on my tbr. I am over-estimating how much time I’ll have to read in July, still, a girl can dream. Let me know what is on your July tbr in the comments below. Please the support the blog by sharing and liking this post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Book Review: Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

Title: Bookish and the Beast
Author: Ashley Poston
Published: 2020
Rating: 3.0/5.0 Stars

Synopsis: When Rosie and Vance’s paths collide and a rare book is accidentally destroyed, Rosie finds herself working to repay the debt. And while most Starfield superfans would jump at the chance to work in close proximity to the Vance Reigns, Rosie has discovered something about Vance: he’s a jerk, and she can’t stand him. The feeling is mutual. But as Vance and Rosie begrudgingly get to know each other, their careful masks come off—and they may just find that there’s more risk in shutting each other out than in opening their hearts.
Source: GoodReads

I am happy to-be done with this series of companion novels but Ashley Poston. I started this series on a high note with Greekerella, but than it slowly went down hill. I wasn’t a fan of the second book in the series, and I’m sad to say this one fell short for me as well. I am a Beauty and the Beast fangirl and delighted to see a version of the story in the Once Upon a Con world. Unfortunately, I soon realized that I had too high of hopes for this book.

Rosie and Vance barely had any interaction, and no chemistry. Honestly, I would much have preferred to see their first meeting and watch their relationship build from their on. They would both talk about their first meeting and the instant connection they had, but during their present interactions I didn’t buy it. Also, Vance’s nobody understands me act was quite off-putting. He was seeking action by acting out, which was immature.

As for Rosie, she was the typical I’m “not like other girls” female lead. Her mother had passed away and they both shared a love of book, mainly the Starfield novels. I want to point out that I don’t think Rosie was a horrible character, but I am not a fan of that character type in books. The book did have character that were part of the LGBTQ community, which I love to see. However, the side characters played a very small part in the story.

“Books are not really just books at all, but doorways. They are portals into places I’ve never been and people I’ll never be.”

Frankly, I feel like she tossed these characters in, so that she could say the book diverse. I believe at one point they mentioned in passing that her father was bisexual and he was obviously developing a crush on Vance’s manager, he might not have been his manager, but I digress. I feel like her father being a bisexual was completely out of the blue, and a random add in. However, I would love a book on her father and possible falling in love with a woman and man, or a trans character.

Overall, I didn’t think that the love story was believable, the main characters were irritating to say the least and I could scream about what she did to Darien and Elle’s relationship. Also, only two other characters from the earlier books showed up in this one, which was lame in my opinion. I bet you can tell that this book wasn’t for me. In total, I would give the entire series a 3.5 start, but save yourself the time and read only “Geekerella.

I will note that there is a novella in the series, which I have yet to read. A safe bet is that I probably won’t be reading. Please share and like this post all your book loving friends. Follow the blog to get notified when I post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny