Monthly Wrap-Up: September ’18

I don’t say this often, but I had a really lovely and productive month in terms of books and blogging. I started a blog series in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month (will continue into October), currently have a Twitter giveaway running (check it out here), and got started on some spooky posts for October. I also ended up reading seven novels and two poetry books. Yay, me! I also got an ARC in the mail (Julie C. Dao’s Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix) from the publisher which made me really happy. As you may have noticed, the blog looks a little different today and that’s because I love giving A Kernel of Nonsense a little bit of a spooky makeover for October. Hope you stick around all month long and find out what I have in store.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

Anna-Marie McLemore is one of the most talented authors I’ve read in recent years. If you enjoy magical realism and fairy tale retellings, Blanca & Roja needs to be on your TBR. I cannot wait to hold the final copy of this novel in my hands. My review for this will go up this Thursday. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book this month received less than three stars.

Reviews Posted This Month:

 

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke – I probably won’t get to this one soon, but I’m still really excited to check this one out.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C.Dao – It was pure coincidence that I had this post in my drafts when I ended up receiving an ARC for this one from the publisher in the mail. Now I’m even more stoked.

Summer 2018 Comment Challenge Wrap-up + Newsletter – Lonna and I end our seasonal blogger challenge with a wrap-up post and an opportunity for bloggers to signup for our newsletter to let you know when we bring this challenge back.

Latinx Heritage Month, Part I: Favorite Reads – I share my top eleven reads I read over the course of the last year by Latinx authors. Includes shout outs for Anna-Marie McLemore, Elizabeth Acevedo, Lily Anderson, and Adam Silvera.

Latinx Heritage Mont, Part II: New & Upcoming Releases – I put together a list of 51 books by Latinx authors being released September 2018 through 2019. Be sure to check it out!

Latinx Heritage Month, Part III: Latinx Poets You Should Know – I share a few Latinx slam poets that I love.

Top Ten Tuesday: Hidden Gems You Should All Read – I share some hidden gems I’ve read over the last year. I recommend all of these books if you haven’t done so already.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Hey now, I read a debut this month! I picked up Mirage by Somaiya Daud and it was so good, but my progress for this challenge has been so bad.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 6 books

October Releases I’m Excited For:

How was your September? Have any spooky plans for October? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

 

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Monthly Wrap-Up: August ’18

I didn’t read much in August, but this is the first month this year where I don’t feel guilty about it. I took a little hiatus at the beginning of the month which went by real quick, but I’m still happy I took it. I read four books in August, but still felt really productive because I’ve gotten an early start on September and October posts. August marks the end of the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge that I cohost with Lonna @ FLYLēF. We have a wrap-up post coming up at the beginning of September, so be on the lookout. I’m really excited about Latinx Heritage Month which begins September 15th. I’ve got a lot of awesome posts in store, including a giveaway, so keep an eye on my blog and Twitter account. I can’t believe fall is just around the corner. I for one have been dreaming about cooler weather. I want to wear all the cute sweaters. I just need the weather to cooperate.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

I had high expectations for this one and am happy to say that Natalie C. Parker’s Seafire lived up to all of them. If you like pirates and the sound of an all-female crew, you must read this one. Click on the cover to read my review.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book this month received less than three stars.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Mirage by Somaiya Daud – I probably won’t get to this one soon, but I’m still really excited to check this one out.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore – If you know anything about me, you know how excited I am for another Anna-Marie McLemore book. Can’t wait to read this one!

Top Ten Tuesday: Five Blogs I’ve Followed the Longest and Five I’ve Recently Followed – Loved giving a shout out to bloggers I’ve followed the longest and those I’ve recently followed.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. I went another month without reading any 2018 debuts. I might not make my goal for this one.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 5 books

September Releases I’m Excited For:

(so many, but only picking five to highlight, but SOOO many)

How many books did you read in August? Which September release are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

Monthly Wrap-Up: July ’18

I actually had a pretty good reading month. I’m so surprised and really pleased. These numbers won’t astound anyone, but for someone who has been struggling to read “enough” books during the last few month, July felt really productive. I read seven books this July; got to a couple of that I’ve been putting off for a while and even snuck in a reread (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). I’m feeling really good about my summer reading right now, so hopefully this carries into August. It is also the start of the final month of the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge which I cohost with Lonna @ FLYLēF. For August, my partner is Barb @ Booker T’s Farm. I’m really looking forward to interacting with her more over the course of the month.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

I had some really good reads this month, but my favorite was S.K. Ali’s Saints and Misfits. It was such an unexpected favorite and the protagonist Janna is now among my favorite contemporary characters. My review for this one will go up in August. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book this month received less than three stars.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Seafire by Natalie C. Parker – What do you get when you combine pirates and Mad Max: Fury Road? Apparently, it’s this novel. I am beyond stoked for this book.

Summer 2018 Comment Challenge: August Sign-up & August Partners – The final month of this challenge is starting. We’ve had such a fun time with the challenge this year and I’ve met so many wonderful bloggers.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Pride by Ibi Zoboi – If you’re like me, you love discovering new P&P retellings. Be sure to check out this one, it sounds all kinds of amazing.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books in 2018 So Far – Loved sharing my favorite reads so far this year.

2018 Second Quarter Book Haul: How Did This Happen? – I accidentally accumulated far too many books this quarter.

2018 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag – I finally got a chance to post this tag where I looked back on the first half of the year.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. I didn’t read any debuts this month which make me feel a little guilty. I am now two books behind schedule >_<

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 5 books

August Releases I’m Excited For:

How is your summer reading going? Any title your hoping to get to before the season is over? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

Monthly Wrap-Up: June ’18

There are days when I am fine with reading less and others where it throws me into panic mode. I read only four books in June, plus a collection of poetry. It wasn’t much, but I ended the month kind of okay with it. I’m suffering from lack of free time rather than a slump. Hopefully, I can get more books in in July because my summer TBR is pretty big. We are in the midst of the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge. If you’re not familiar, Lonna @ FLYLēF and I cohost this summer challenge; we pair bloggers each month and have them interact with one another through comments on each other’s blogs. If you’re interested in joining us, our sign-up post for August goes up tomorrow. I am paired with Carolina @ Fictionologyst for July and I really excited to get to know her.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

Melissa Lozado-Oliva’s Peluda was a gift I bought myself for my birthday in May. I saw this video and immediately became intrigued, ended up watching various YouTube videos of her slam poetry and just fell in love with her words. Even if you aren’t a fan of poetry, I encourage you to check out Melissa Lozado-Oliva. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book this month received less than three stars.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Kernels of Nonsense: In Which I Tell You How I Really Feel – Shared some unfiltered opinions this month that I don’t make a habit of talking about too much. Very cathartic.

Summer 2018 Comment Challenge: July Sign-up & July Partners – The second month of this challenge is starting today. You can sign-up for August starting tomorrow.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik – I am so excited about this release. Can I have it now?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Want to Travel in Unconventional Ways – This was one of the funnest posts I’ve put together. Love that fiction introduces us to some odd ways to travel.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. I didn’t read any debuts this month which means I’m behind by one book!

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 5 books

July Releases I’m Excited For:

What are some of your summer reading plans? Any summer releases you’re really excited for? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

Monthly Wrap-Up: May ’18

I think I’m simply destined to read less books this year compared to last. No matter what I did in May, I just never had enough time to sit down and read. I finished a whopping three books, reread a graphic novel and picked up another. I’m taking this opportunity to officially announce that I am lowering my Goodreads goal from 65 books to 55. I’ve been playing with the idea for a couple of months now and I think it will take tremendous pressure off my shoulders. May was the start of the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge signups. If you missed signing up for June, I have good news for you. Tomorrow we will be posting our July signup post. We had such a good turn out for this first month, I’m really looking forward to this challenge this summer. Shout out to my partner for June: Elnade @ Confessions of a Serial Reader, can’t wait to visit your blog all month long!

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

My favorite read this month was Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda. This is my favorite graphic novel and I just love how this world is dominated by women. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

I’m so disappointed with Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Pérez. Can’t decide if I disliked the insta-love or the one-sided friendship between the lead and her cousin more.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Kernels of Nonsense: Five Books I Want to Check Out From My Library – I am on an unofficial library ban, but am so very much dying to check out these five books.

Summer 2018 Comment Challenge: June Sign-up & June Partners – This seasonal challenge is back. We pair bloggers together each month and challenge them to comment on each other’s blogs all month long.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Monday’s Not Coming – This is one of the few books I’ve preordered this year and can’t wait to get to it.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: From Twinkle, with Love – Loved Sandhya Menon’s first novel and am so excited for this one.

Top Ten Tuesday: The Lion Doesn’t Stand a Chance…Against My Friendship – There are so many great upcoming releases and these are ones I’m most looking forward to.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This month I read one debut novel, Sweet Black Waves by Kristina Pérez.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 5 books

June Releases I’m Excited For:

How was your May? Are you participating in any summer challenges? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

Monthly Wrap-Up: April ’18

I…don’t know what happened in April. I felt that I started out the month strong reading-wise and then I just got super busy and found it really hard to make time to read. I somehow managed to read four books in April which is the least amount of books I’ve read in a month so far this year, but it still feels like it’s an accomplishment because I wasn’t sure I would get through two. I finally took steps to revamp on old feature (new posts for this will go up in May) and started working on the Summer 2018 Comment Challenge which will be open for signups starting tomorrow (so come back to the blog to find out more!) April just went by so fast for me and I don’t have much to say about it other than now that it’s over, I can’t believe it’s already May.

(Book covers below are linked to my reviews, unless otherwise specified.) 

Favorite Book This Month:

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland was amazing. It might be my favorite read of the year so far. My review for this one goes up in a couple of days, so be sure to look for that. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

No book this month received less than three stars from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read, Review Coming Soon:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Kernels of Nonsense: Giving the Feature Both More and Less Direction – I’ve decided to modify this discussion feature on my blog and hopefully this means you will see it more often.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Undead Girl Gang – I actually got a chance to read this one a little early, so look for my review this upcoming week.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Way You Make Me Feel – I am so excited for Maurene Goo’s latest contemporary novel. I need it now!

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Wish Were More Popular – Shout out to all the authors that I think deserve more love in the community.

Reading Challenges:

Aside from the Goodreads challenge, I’m only participating in one reading challenge this year.

1. The 2018 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This month I read one debut book: To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 4 books

May Releases I’m Excited For:

How was your April? Which May release are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.