Horror

The Haunting | Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

About The Book
Penny has been trying to forget Nash, her ex, since his father was exposed as a serial killer last Halloween. But when she finds a classmate stabbed, Nash and his sister, Grace, become the easy suspects. As Halloween approaches and the body count rises, Penny suspects the copycat killer might be someone no one expects.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4hgL8cm

My Rating

This book gave me major ‘90s teen slasher vibes, which instantly hooked me. From the very first chapter, we’re thrown into the chaos of a new killer on the loose, with our main character, Penny, caught right in the middle of it all. The story’s backdrop felt very reminiscent of Scream 4, with its small-town mystery and the return of a killer following in the footsteps of an infamous murderer. We also get a peek into Penny’s complicated relationship with her ex, Nash, which definitely added layers to the tension.

The murder mystery at the center of the plot follows a brutal pattern—one that echoes the killings Nash’s dad committed just last October. I really liked the way Preston set this up because it made every character feel suspicious and connected to a dark past, much like the vibe of the Scream movies. The pacing was fast, and there was never a dull moment, keeping me engaged throughout. Each new twist pulled me deeper into the story, even though I had a strong hunch about where the narrative might go.

However, I can’t say I completely connected with Penny as a protagonist. She has moments where she seems sympathetic toward Nash, yet at other times, it feels like she’s making everything about herself. That back-and-forth occasionally pulled me out of the story, though her inner conflict did make sense given their complicated history. I just wish her character had more depth beyond her relationship struggles. Despite this, I enjoyed how the mystery drove her forward, which felt fitting for the genre.

“I assume you don’t want me to call the cops and tell them about the killer in the cornfield?”

While I suspected early on where the story was headed, there were enough unexpected elements to keep me on my toes. I often find YA thrillers to be predictable, so I was pleasantly surprised that Preston didn’t go down the obvious route. The final twist was one I hadn’t even considered until right before it happened, which made for a satisfying payoff. I love when a book can keep me guessing, and this one definitely succeeded in that area.

That said, I’m not sure I loved the very ending. Preston tends to wrap up her books in a way that feels a little abrupt for my taste, and this one was no exception. But that’s more of a personal quirk of mine than a fault of the book. While the ending didn’t completely wow me, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. It stayed true to her signature style, which I know a lot of readers appreciate.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, especially perfect for October. The Halloween setting enhanced the creepy atmosphere, making it the perfect book for the spooky season. While it didn’t become an instant favorite, I think fans of Scream—especially Scream 4—will find a lot to love here. The book delivers on its slasher vibes while offering just enough twists to keep things fresh.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read it and what you thought! Also, what’s your favorite Scream film? Personally, I’m still partial to the original. Don’t forget to like and share this review, and if you enjoy book content, hit that follow button!

Until the next chapter,
Bunny

We Used To Live Here | Book Review

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About The Book
Young house-flippers Charlie and Eve score a great deal on an old home, but a family’s unexpected visit triggers eerie events. When their child goes missing and strange presences appear, the family won’t leave, and Charlie soon disappears too. As Eve’s grasp on reality fades, she begins to question what’s real and what horrors the house may hold.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/48qdFbw

My Rating

I’m not quite sure what to say about this book—it wasn’t as scary or compelling as people claimed. Still, it was weird and unlike anything I’ve read before. Sadly, the plot didn’t captivate me at all. I’m always down for a good strange, psychological thriller unfortunately, this book fell so flat and bored to me at times. OK, it bored me most of the time.

It was such a hard book for me to get through, and I don’t exactly know why because the plot was interesting. In the first few chapters, I was really wanting to know what was going to happen. We have a main character, Eve, who is a bit socially awkward and shy. When a family appears on her and her girlfriend’s doorstep, claiming the father once lived there, she lets them in—but things quickly get weird.

The setup makes you want to keep reading to figure out what the family is really doing there and where things are going to go. But by the 20% mark, I found myself not really caring about the story or the characters. There were some interesting moments here and there, but overall, I felt like I was just pushing myself to get through the book.

“Get them to leave. Whatever means necessary…”

The story didn’t scare or shock me at all. I had a lot of questions throughout, hoping they’d be answered by the end, but I felt like none of them really were. It seemed like the author added many elements to make the book stand out or feel different from other horror novels. However, some things didn’t flow together, and I couldn’t understand the overarching plot. Maybe I just prefer straightforward horror, and elevated horror isn’t my thing.

That said, I did like the main character’s development throughout the book. She starts off shy and passive but grows increasingly suspicious, strong, and determined. I think the author was trying to make her somewhat of an unreliable narrator, but I never truly felt she was. I was on her side throughout the entire book.

Overall, this isn’t a bad book, but it’s far from the scariest thing I’ve ever read. I don’t really understand the hype behind it. I’m not sure if my issues were with the plot or the writing. It might have been the added mixed-media excerpts that felt unnecessary. Nevertheless, it’s not a book I’d recommend to other horror lovers. And let me just say, the ending truly frustrated me.

In the comments, let me know if you share my thoughts on this book or if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to like and share this post with all your reader friends. Hit the follow button; it’s completely free and helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Horror | 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards

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Hi Friends,
I am back with my final 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards predictions. This time around, I am giving my predictions for the horror category. I have just started reading horror books this year, so I don’t have many predictions for this category, which is why I only have five books on this list. Still, I am pretty confident that some of these books, if not all, will be nominated.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
This book has been one of the most talked about and raved about horror books released this year. However, I was shocked to discover that its Goodreads rating wasn’t as high as you’d expect from a super hyped book. I do predict that this will be nominated, and I could see it winning the award depending on how many bookish creators that I follow vote.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
This book has recently been getting a lot of buzz, and its rating is past the 3.5 minimum for the awards. I don’t know much about the plot, but I have heard that it is pretty scary. A lot of reviews have said that it has a Paranormal Activity feel to it, which does sound very interesting. I don’t believe that this will win or have a shot at making it into the top 10, but I could see it getting a nomination.

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
I don’t know what is going on with horror books these days, but this is another fairly popular book with a Goodreads rating that is under 4.0. However, the cover of this book always creeps me out, and I love it! I know nothing about the story, but it has been all over the book side of social media. A lot of people are recommending this book and talking about what a roller-coaster ride it is.

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
This is a very highly rated horror book that came out this year, so I think it has a good chance of being nominated. I am curious to give it a read since I actually don’t know anyone who has read it. I hear that it mixes horror with comedy, which is a pretty interesting take on the genre.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
This book has a 3.63 rating on Goodreads, so there is still a possibility of it being a choice in the horror category. However, I am sure there are more 2024 horror books with better ratings that I have yet to hear about. My gut is telling me that, with Rachel Harrison being a well-known and somewhat popular horror author, it will snag a nomination.

I know that compared to my other Goodreads Choice Awards predictions, this one was quite short, but that is because it was hard to pick my predictions. Not only have I not read any of these books—I know, I’m ashamed—but some of the books I thought would be nominated had ratings that were too low. In the comments, let me know if you have read any of these books. And if you enjoy content like this, give my blog a follow so that you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Final Girls | Book Review

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About The Book
Ten years after surviving a brutal massacre, Quincy Carpenter is trying to move on with her life, despite being part of the infamous “Final Girls” group. But when Lisa, a Final Girl, is found dead and Sam, another Final Girl, shows up unannounced, Quincy must confront her traumatic past and uncover the truth before history repeats itself.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4hd1JxD

My Rating

Unfortunately, this book frustrated me quite a bit. I believe it’s Riley Sager’s debut novel, and it definitely reads like one. The premise is intriguing, but the main character really got on my nerves, making it hard for me to enjoy the story. Oddly enough, this seems to be a recurring issue for me with Sager’s protagonists.

The book follows Quincy, a final girl who survived a mass murder but has no memory of the attack. When she hears that another final girl has died, apparently by suicide, she reconnects with the only other survivor she knows of, Samantha. However, once Samantha enters her life, Quincy starts remembering her attack and quickly realizes Samantha might not be trustworthy.

Quincy comes across as really naïve for most of the book. Sure, she tries to act like she’s fine, even though she’s dealing with unresolved trauma, but I feel like someone who went through what she did wouldn’t be so trusting of Samantha. There were times I just wanted to shake Quincy.

Samantha, on the other hand, was an intriguing character. I liked her personality and wanted to know more about her. Her backstory, for me, was the most captivating part of the entire story. Besides Samantha, the other side characters weren’t that important, except for Quincy’s boyfriend, who I actually felt bad for at times. There was also the cop who saved Quincy the night of the attack, and let’s just say he and Quincy have a special bond.

“You can’t change what’s happened. The only thing you can control is how you deal with it.”

The story includes flashbacks that help the reader piece together what Quincy forgot about the massacre. I wouldn’t necessarily call her an unreliable narrator, but as the story went on, there were moments when I wasn’t sure who to trust or what twists were coming. Riley Sager has a way of making me second-guess who’s telling the truth and who’s lying, which, in my opinion, makes for a good thriller.

However, I found the ending quite predictable. I figured it out about halfway through and was hoping for something more surprising, so I was disappointed with how the book concluded. In my opinion, there wasn’t much suspense throughout the plot. Although the story did become more exciting as the plot progressed, I found it difficult to stay interested for most of the time.

Overall, I’m trying to remind myself that this is a debut novel, especially since I’ve enjoyed other books by this author much more. Despite the plot having promise, it didn’t shock or surprise me, and I saw most of the twists coming. Still, I’m glad I read it, even though it wasn’t the most thrilling experience. If you like the final girl trope, you might enjoy this book, but I wouldn’t call it a must-read.

In the comments, let me know if you’re a fan of books that revolve around “final girls.” If so, share which one you’d recommend. Don’t forget to like and share this post, and help my blog grow by following it.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 October Reads | Book Recommendations

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Hi Friends,
The spooky season is ending soon, so I thought it would be fun to share some books that I think would make great October reads. I’ve put together a list of 5 books to recommend that will work for many different types of readers. I understand that not all of us enjoy thrillers and mysteries but still want a book to get us in the mood for the season.

House of Hollow By Krystal Sutherland
I think this is a great book for anyone who wants a tamer horror story. This book nails the creepy and mysterious elements, but since it’s a young adult book, it isn’t too scary.
Related Post: House Of Hollow | Book Review

Hidden Pictures By Jason Rekulak
This is one of my all-time favorite thrillers! If you love a suspenseful page-turner, you’ll enjoy this book. It has plenty of twists and turns and played out like a thriller movie in my head. Hopefully, we’ll get a screen adaptation one day.
Related Post: Hidden Pictures | Book Review

The Only One Left By Riley Sager
This book got me to jump on the Riley Sager bandwagon. The fact that it’s a Lizzie Borden retelling of sorts makes the plot even more intriguing. I found the story captivating, thrilling, and the twists were really good.
Related Post: The Only One Left | Book Review

How To Survive Your Murder By Danielle Valentine
This book isn’t the most complex plot, and some might find it over the top and a little far-fetched. However, I loved it! It’s a classic teen slasher with a twist. The book is set on Halloween, which makes it perfect for October, and the ending was wild.
Related Post: How To Survive Your Murder | Book Review

The Ex Hex By Erin Sterling
I found this to be a cute, witchy romcom! It kind of has a Good Witch feel to it, which I found quite fun. I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romances, but I think this book really embraces Halloween vibes. If you’re someone who only reads romances, this is a great fall book option.
Related Post: The Ex Hex | Book Review

In the comments, leave me some fall book recommendations. You can find all of these books in my Amazon storefront! And don’t forget to use my link [Here] to sign up for a free trial of the audiobook and ebook service Everand, so you can read some of these books. Are you a fan of book recommendations? Let me know by giving this post a like and following the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Nightbooks | Book Review

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About The Book
A boy named Alex finds himself imprisoned by a witch and must tell her a new scary story every night to survive. As he runs out of stories, Alex desperately searches for a way to escape. This contemporary fantasy by J.A. White blends suspense and creativity, making it perfect for fans of dark yet accessible tales. Budding writers and readers alike will enjoy its clever twists and themes of storytelling.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4e4BqY1

My Rating

This fun, spooky story follows Alex, a boy who a witch tricks into becoming her prisoner. From the start, the plot feels creepy and original, moving at a fast pace that kept me engaged the whole time. Even though it’s a middle-grade book, it’s perfect for anyone craving a spine-chilling read that won’t keep them up at night.

Alex is a really likable main character, especially with his love for storytelling. He feels like a real kid—he loves writing creepy tales but doesn’t enjoy living one out. Alex also struggles with feeling different from other kids and thinks he’s weird, which makes him even more relatable. I rooted for him and his friends to escape, and while there were moments I worried for them, the story overall wasn’t too scary.

“And now I realize—so what if I write scary stories?”

The author keeps the story engaging with creepy twists and a few surprises. While middle grade isn’t a genre I usually read, I tend to enjoy it more when it involves fantasy and horror, and this book didn’t disappoint—it entertained me from start to finish, and I’m glad I picked it up. Don’t worry about the horror label; it’s a tame read, so there’s no need to feel nervous if you’re not into sscary books.

Overall, I recommend this book! I’m excited to watch the movie adaptation because I could easily picture it as a film while reading. As much as I enjoyed the book, I have a feeling I might love the movie even more. If you or a younger reader are looking for a great fall read, it’s perfect for spooky season vibes without being too frightening.

If you’ve read the book or watched the movie, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to like this post and share it with fellow readers. You can also listen to the audiobook on Everand, and if you’re interested, grab a free trial using my link [Here]. To stay updated and help support my blog, be sure to hit the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Finally Fall | Book Tag

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Hi friends,
Today, I’m kicking off the autumn season with the Finally Fall Book Tag! From what I’ve found, this tag was originally created by Alina Milena on Booktube. There are just ten bookish questions, all relating to fall. I’m a huge fan of fall and winter—let’s just say those are the seasons where I thrive and feel the happiest. So, this time of year always lifts my spirits. These questions were so much fun to answer, and they’ve made me even more excited that fall has finally begun!


My go-to for a book with a vivid setting has lately been the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace. But to change things up a bit since I always talk about those books, I’m going to mention The Shepherd King duology by Rachel Gillig. I’ve only read the first book, ‘One Dark Window‘, but this gothic fantasy has such a vivid and interesting world.
Related Post: Belladonna | Book Review
Related Post: One Dark Window | Book Review


A book I recently read was ‘In an Instant‘ by Suzanne Redfearn. It was both heartbreaking and powerful. The story deals with loss, grief, and tragedy in such a raw, realistic way. The writing was fantastic, but it was definitely a tough book to get through.


I’m going to out myself here and admit that I don’t typically read non-fiction books. However, I ended up reading ‘It All Began with a Scream‘ by Padraic Maroney, which might be a weird choice. It’s a non-fiction book about the successful Scream horror movie franchise. I found it interesting to hear from the actors and learn about all the behind-the-scenes drama. I discovered a lot of things about the movies that I didn’t know before, and as a horror movie lover, it was definitely a good read.


The first group that came to mind was the friend group in the Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace. While reading ‘Icebreaker‘, I found myself falling in love with them and adoring the personalities of all the hockey guys. They’re such a great group of people who would be fun to hang out with and would always have your back.


While looking at my bookshelf, I noticed that every single book in The Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco has very fall-colored spines. This makes sense, considering the series is quite eerie and gothic. I personally think these books make great fall reads, and I love how the color scheme fits perfectly with the autumn season.


This is one of those instances when I read the question, and a book popped into my mind immediately. The book is ‘What Once was Mine: A Twisted Tale‘ by Liz Braswell. This is a reimagining of Tangled and one of the only Twisted Tale books that I truly enjoyed. The premise is very much like *The Princess Bride*, where the story is being told to someone, and I loved that aspect of it.
Related Post: What Once Was Mine | Book Review


I found ‘House Of Hollow‘ to be creepy and dark. While it’s not too intense since it’s a YA novel, it definitely leans into horror. I thought the plot was really interesting and quite spine-chilling. I’ve heard it compared to the Brothers Grimm books, and I agree with that comparison. I don’t think this book gets enough hype.
Related Post: House Of Hollow | Book Review


I believe that ‘Pumpkinheads‘ by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks is the perfect answer to this question. This is such a cute, cozy fall graphic novel. It takes place on Halloween night at a pumpkin farm, featuring games, train rides, and food stands. The book is a quick read that not only gets you into the fall mood but also makes you smile. This is one of those stories I read every year simply because it’s so good and heartwarming. Plus, the artwork is stunning!


I hate to say this because I feel like I mention it all the time, but I’m always honest in my answers. The book I go back to every year is ‘A Christmas Carol‘ by Charles Dickens. It’s my favorite book and a timeless story. That said, I’d really like to reread ‘Little Women‘ this year, so I hope I can get to that soon.
Related Post: Little Women | Book Review


I’m not sure if this is necessarily an accessory, but I love having a cozy ambiance video playing in the background while I read. It really helps set the mood for the season. To make things even cozier, I like to have a warm beverage as well.

I hope you enjoyed this tag, and please let me know your answers in the comments below! In case you want to read these books, you can find some on Everand, which offers a free trial when you use my link (click here). Sadly, they don’t have all the books I mentioned, but it’s still a service I love to recommend. If you’re a fan of tags, please like and share this post. Your support means a lot to me, so don’t forget to hit the follow button before you go!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

By The Cover | September 2024

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
This is my September “Judging Books by Their Cover” post. Let me just say, the book covers coming out in September are ones I really like, so I don’t have many critiques for the covers I picked to showcase in this post. As always, please remember these are just my thoughts, and I am not trying to send any hate towards the cover designers or the authors.

Hot Hex Boyfriend by Carly Bloom (September 3rd)
This is that classic witchy, cozy romcom book cover. I’m not sure it’s something I’d be instantly drawn to at a bookstore, but I can tell exactly what type of book it is just by looking at it. I really like the cat, the cauldron, and how the text is done.

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao (September 3rd)
Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of Dustin Thao’s book ‘You’ve Reached Sam,’ but it does have one of my favorite book covers. And I’ve got to say, the cover for this one is just as impressive. I really can’t find anything to criticize about the design, and I think he’ll always have some of the best book covers out there.

Nightmare Of A Trip by Maureen Kilmer (September 10th)
This cover is so much fun. It gives me a classic spooky movie vibe. I really like the design—it reminds me of those old movie posters or VHS covers from back in the day. I’m not completely sold on the color choices; they seem a little muted, but the details are awesome. From the woman’s expression to the person in the house’s window, everything catches your eye. If I saw this book while shopping, I’d definitely grab it.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
(September 10th)
Do I think this cover is the most eye-catching or original thing ever? Not really. Would it be a cover buy for me? Absolutely. I’m not a huge fan of the font, and the cup design isn’t my favorite, but it does evoke Gothic horror and vampires. I think that fits the book’s description, so the cover works for the story. Plus, I love the little inclusion of the bat and moon.

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Sophie Sullivan
(September 17th)
I like this cover, but it feels a bit like a standard fall romance. The way the guy and girl are placed looks odd. The girl seems more natural, while the guy’s pose is awkward—he’s leaning back and his raised hand looks strange. However, I do love the colors and the leaves; it definitely captures the essence of autumn romance.

A Fire In The Sky by Sophie Jordan
(September 26th)
I think this is a stunning fantasy cover. The dragon is great, and I like how the text is layered over it. The small flame detail around the cover is a nice touch—it adds some fire without being too obvious, like a dragon in flames. This cover really gives off a high fantasy vibe with dragons, and I think many people would see it and be instantly interested in the book.

So, those are my thoughts on the book covers for some September releases. Let me know in the comments what you think of these covers and if any of these books are on your TBR for the fall. Your support means a lot to me, so if you could hit the follow button before you go, it really helps my blog grow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

The Hacienda | Blog Post

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About The Book
Years after her father’s execution, Beatriz marries Don Rodolfo Solórzano for the safety of his countryside estate, Hacienda San Isidro. However, the hacienda is far from a sanctuary, as eerie visions and unexplained events plague her. Rodolfo’s sister and the household staff’s odd behaviors deepen Beatriz’s unease. She seeks help from Padre Andrés, a priest with hidden powers, to confront the malevolent force haunting the estate. But the darkness within the hacienda may prove to be her downfall.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3SUy5Ty

My Rating

This book is often compared to Rebecca meets Mexican Gothic. While I haven’t read ‘Rebecca’, I did read ‘Mexican Gothic’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I love haunted house stories, so I had high hopes for this book, and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint.

The story is about Beatriz, a new bride who moves into her husband’s countryside estate, the Hacienda. But she quickly realizes things aren’t quite right at Hacienda San Isidro. She starts hearing voices and even sees a dead body. Honestly, she handled it way better than I would have.

Beatriz is an interesting character. She married a man she barely knew, hoping for a better life, but ended up in a situation that might be even worse than what she left behind. What I liked about the story is that it’s not just told from Beatriz’s point of view. We also get some chapters from Padre Andrés, the young priest she turns to for help. Even though his chapters are fewer, it was interesting to see things, especially the past, from his perspective.

“There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of match against paper, the sharp spark of amber and gold, the small crackle of a wick taking flame.”

You can tell from the description that there’s a bit of a magical element in the story, and the author blends it in really well. It gives the book something unique that makes it stand out among other Gothic haunted house stories. It even gave me *The Conjuring* movie vibes, which I really liked.

The writing is good, but sometimes it felt a bit slow, which made the story drag a little. But I never wanted to put it down, and once I started reading, I needed to know how it would end. Also, the book does mention some heavy and possibly triggering topics, which was a bit unexpected.

Overall, I enjoyed the historical setting, and I didn’t mind that the ending was a bit predictable. My only real complaint is how the romance part ended, though I’m not sure you’d even call it a romance. Still, I’m interested in reading more from this author, and I’d recommend this book to anyone just starting to explore the horror genre.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book in the comments. If you liked this post, please give it a like and share it with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the blog for more book-related content.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Summerween 2024 | Day Four

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Hi Friends,
Today is Summerween Day Four! Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling too well, so I didn’t get much reading done. However, I did manage to reach the 70% mark of Riley Sager’s ‘The Last Time I Lied‘. This book is getting so good that I can’t seem to put it down. I need to know how the story ends!

I also did a quick workout and took a nap, hoping it would make me feel better. Additionally, I uploaded a TikTok video! If you want to see my BookTok content, you can visit my page @BooksWithBunny. I post a lot of fun bookish content and book aesthetic videos, so if you’re looking for more book content from me, that’s another place to find it.

I finished the night with a donut for dessert and read some of my graphic novel ‘Something Is Killing The Children‘. I reached the 70% point in that book as well. While I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t finish any books, I know some days are like that. Still, I’m very happy with the amount of reading I did get done.

In the comments, let me know how many books you have read so far this month. If you are participating in Summerween, how is it going for you? Before you leave, show my blog some support by giving it a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny