Monthly Wrap-Up: May ’17

Who else felt that May was really busy? I feel like there was always something going on and it was almost impossible to give my full attention to reading or blogging. This month I somehow managed to finish four novels and two graphic novels. I read less than I usually do, but it was simply because I really could not find the time. I should have finished one more book this month, but this past holiday weekend was so busy, I had very little time to read. In other news, the Comment Challenge is back for the summer. If you’re interested in joining this challenge for July, a sign-up post will go up on the 3rd.

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

Favorite Book This Month:

My favorite book this month is hands down Roshani Chokshi’s A Crown of Wishes. I loved the setting, the writing, and the characters. I loved the world-building, the story, and the character development. Basically, I loved everything about this novel and it is officially my favorite read so far this year.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

All the books I read this month received a positive rating from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Wishlist for Female Characters – Yes, this post was my favorite TTT topic for May. It gave me a chance to talk about all my wants for female characters.

Summer 2017 Comment Challenge: June Sign-up – As I mentioned in the intro, the Comment Challenge is back for the summer. June signups are closed, but our July sign-up post goes up on June 3rd. We’d love for you to join us!

FLYLēF 2nd Anniversary: Friendship Tour & Giveaway – Always great to celebrate your fellow bloggers’ blogiversaries. Lonna, who is my partner in crime for the Comment Challenge, is celebrating her blogiversary with a friendship tour and giveaway. If you haven’t entered, be sure to do so!

FLYTIP: Dog-Ear-Me-Not – This was a really fun post to put together where I share some of the ways I save my place while reading.

Reading Challenges:

One of these months, I’m going to read an absurd number of fantasy novels…

1. The 2017 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This month I didn’t finish any debut novels.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 9 books

2. Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017 is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Cherry. This month I read two fantasy novels for this challenge: Roshani Chokshi’s A Crown of Wishes and N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.

• Challenge Goal: 20 books; Current Count: 8 books

June Releases I’m Excited For:

 

Was your May as busy as mine? Did you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend? What’s your favorite 2017 read so far? Let me hear from you 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 ’17

This wrap-up is a little late. I already feel like my May is going to be way busier than my April. Speaking of April, one of the defining moments from last month in terms of blogging was the week and a half I took off from blogging. I went on a blogging (and unexpected Twitter break) hiatus in the middle of the month because I had been feeling all kinds of slumpy. The break did a lot of good as I really missed being a part of this community and I feel like I’ve shaken off both my blogging and reading slumps. Despite said reading slump, I managed to read four books, reread another, and picked up two graphic novels in April. I’ve also been working on a lot of bookish spring cleaning and am hoping to continue this in May.

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

Favorite Book This Month:

I have a mini review for Vol. 1 & 2 of Ms. Marvel which should be up later this month. This is only the second graphic novel that I’ve picked up and it was such a lifesaver when I was not feeling in the mood to read any kind of novel.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

All the books I read this month received a positive rating from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Things That Make Me Instantly Want (or Not Want) to Read a Book – This was a really fun post to put together of some of my bookish turn-ons and turn-offs.

Spring Cleaning: Bookworm Edition – I have so much bookish organizing that I need to do. TBR books I need to delete, bookshelf organizing, book unhauls. So I thought it would be fun to put together a list of the various ways I am cleaning up my bookish life over the next couple of months.

Reading Challenges:

I might need to accept the fact that I may not meet my Flights of Fantasy goal this year. Yes, it’s still early, but I’m just not picking up a lot of fantasy so far this year.

1. The 2017 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This month I read one debut: American Street by Ibi Zoboi. Pretty sure I’m going to meet this challenge before the first six months of the year is out.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 9 books

2. Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017 is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Cherry. This month I read only one fantasy novel: The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig.

• Challenge Goal: 20 books; Current Count: 6 books

May Releases I’m Dying to Read:

 

Which April release was your favorite? Do you have any spring cleaning in mind this season? Let me hear from you in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.

If you haven’t already, be sure to enter the giveaway on my blog. I’m taking part in the May Book of Choice Giveaway Hop which ends the 15th of this month. It’s open to the US and INT, so be sure to get on that. Click on the image on the left to enter and be sure to check out all the other participants’ giveaways.

Monthly Wrap-Up: March ’17

Much to my own astonishment, I picked up seven books this month. I say astonishment because I’ve been combating a bit of a reading slump these past couple of weeks. I could read, but I really had to make myself pick up a book. This month I participated in a readalong of Jane Austen’s Emma which I found so enjoyable. I’m planning on taking a little blogging hiatus in April, so you can look for that post around the 12th. I feel myself falling into a blogging/reading funk and I don’t want to continue to force myself into finishing posts/books. This month I also posted my book haul for the last three months and surprisingly, I wasn’t as out of control as I thought I was. Progress, people.

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

Favorite Book This Month:

If you’re breathing, you’ve probably heard of Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give. If this book isn’t on your TBR, it needs to be. Buy it. Request it. Read it.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

All the books I read this month received a positive rating from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR List – I’ve stopped making TBR lists every month, but every once in a while I don’t mind taking a look forward and sharing what books I’m hoping to get to.

2017 First Quarter Book Haul – I bought some really amazing books these last three months. I’ve read quite a few and the rest are ones I’m really excited to pick up.

Reading Challenges:

I’m starting to fall behind on my Flights of Fantasy challenge. I’ve been meaning to pick up more fantasy books, but I just haven’t really found the time.

1. The 2017 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This month I read two debuts: The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 8 books

2. Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017 is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Cherry. This month I read The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco.

• Challenge Goal: 20 books; Current Count: 5 books

April Releases I’m Excited For:

   

Which March read was your favorite? What’s on your spring TBR? Let me hear from you 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: February ’17

Despite only reading six books this month, I still feel like I had a really good reading month. I wanted to get through more books, but the short month made that kind of impossible (why?!) and before I knew it, I was rushing to finish my final book of the month. I bought far too many books in February and may have to restrict myself for the next couple of months. I’ll have a book haul post up at the end of March, so you can see how out of control I’ve been (so much shame).

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

Favorite Book This Month:

I read a couple of five-star books this month, but I really want to highlight Tiffany D. Jackson’s Allegedly. I literally finished the book, closed it, and let out a “wow.” It is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. If you haven’t read this one, please do!

Least Favorite Book This Month:

All the books I read this month received a positive rating from me.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

(covers linked to Goodreads)

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Wish Had More Relevant Female Characters – Would love it if authors put more energy into writing more than one strong female character in their books.

Top Ten Tuesday: Romance Tropes I Kind of Love – In honor of Valentine’s Day, I shared my favorite romance tropes.

Kernels of Nonsense: Are ARCs Worth it? – In which I discuss my thoughts on ARCs and my hiatus from requesting them.

The Aesthetically Pleasing Book Tag – Loved this tag so much. A look at some gorgeous book covers, back covers, and everything in between.

Reading Challenges:

Didn’t quite get a chance to pick up as many fantasy books as I would have liked, but still making progress…

1. The 2017 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Once again, I read three debuts (I’m on fire, I know): Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza, Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson, and Heartstone by Elle Katharine White.

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

2. Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017 is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Cherry. I’m still sticking to a more rigid definition of fantasy, so even though I read a couple of books that could be considered both fantasy and science-fiction, I won’t be counting them. This month I read the following fantasy books: Elle Katharine White’s Heartstone and V.E. Schwab’s A Conjuring of Light.

• Challenge Goal: 20 books; Current Count: 4 books

March Releases I’m Excited For:

 

How was your February? What’s your favorite book so far this year? Let me hear from you 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: January ’17

I have very mixed feelings about January. There were some really good moments, but sometimes it feels like we’re living in the Twilight Zone in this country. It can be really disheartening and stressful. Unfortunately, reading and blogging can be hard during these times. This month I did read five books, reread another, listened to my first audio book, and picked up my first graphic novel. I’m so happy I decided to tackle audio books and graphic novels for the first time because I enjoyed both and will definitely be exploring both more in the future.

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

Favorite Book This Month:

I love it when a sequel is even better than the first book in a series. Susan Dennard’s Windwitch was amazing and I’m dying to get my hands on the third book.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

I am not having very much luck with ARCs lately. Gilded Cage by Vic James failed to draw me in, which leaves me very confused as most seem to have enjoyed this one. Review will go up next month. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Jane Austen Editions I Want – All the Jane Austen books I’m salivating over.

Winter 2017 Comment Challenge: February Sign-up – The Comment Challenge is back in business this Winter! If you’d like to join us for March, look for our sign-up post tomorrow.

2017 Reading/Blogging Challenges – Announcing challenges I’m taking part in this year.

Kernels of Nonsense: Preordering Debut Books – My first discussion post of the year, talking about how one decides if preordering debuts is worth it.

Reading Challenges:

It’s the first month for these challenges and I think I’m off to a wonderful start…

1. The 2017 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. I read three debuts this month: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti, Gilded Cage by Vic James, and Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Current Count: 3 books

2. Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge 2017 is hosted by Alexa Loves Books and Hello, Cherry. I wasn’t sure if I’d include certain subgenres (magical realism, dystopian fantasy, would graphic novels count?) when it came to this challenge, but I think I’m going to restrict my count to books I’d just label fantasy. This month I picked up the following fantasy books: Susan Dennard’s Windwitch and S. Jae-Jones’s Wintersong.

• Challenge Goal: 20 books; Current Count: 2 books

February Releases I’m Excited For (so many!!!):

How was your January? Any February releases you’re extra excited about? Let me hear from you 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: December ’16

This wrap-up is going to be pretty quick. The beginning of December went as well as November, but getting a chance to spend time with family during Christmas was a really great way to end the month. I still feel like I’m shaking off that blogging and reading slump that crept up during the month, but I have high hopes for the new year. I got through five books which isn’t bad considering the slump and the holidays.

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

Favorite Book This Month:

Catherynne M. Valente’s The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making was the final book I read in 2016. It’s a really charming MG novel and I’ll have much more to say in my review soon. Cover is linked to Goodreads.

Least Favorite Book This Month:

Erin Summerill’s Ever the Hunted was so very disappointing. It’s a shame, because that cover is gorgeous.

Reviews Posted This Month:

Read But Not Reviewed Yet:

Notable Blog Posts This Month:

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best Books of 2016 – A look back at my favorite books I read in 2016

Winter 2017 Comment Challenge: January Sign-up – The Comment Challenge is back for Winter! If you’d like to join us for February, look for our sign-up post tomorrow.

2016 Fourth Quarter Book Haul – I really ought to buy less books.

End of the Year Book Survey – A look back on my year in reading.

Reading Challenges:

Final reading challenge update for 2016!

1. The 2016 Debut Author Challenge is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. I read two debuts this December: Erin Summerill’s Ever the Hunted and Kerri Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper.

• Challenge Goal: 12 books; Final Number: 12 books – Success!

2. The 2016 Read My Books Challenge is hosted by The Worn Bookmark. This month I read three of my own books: Rae Carson’s Like a River Glorious, Ruta Sepetys’s Salt to the Sea, and Catherynne M. Valente’s The Girl Who Circumvented…

• Challenge Goal: 30 books; Final Number: 31 books – Success!

3. The 2016 Finishing the Series Challenge is hosted by Bea’s Book Nook. Nothing this month.

• Challenge Goal: 7 series; Final Number: 8 – Success!

January Releases I’m Excited For:

How was your December? Did you enjoy the holidays? Let me hear from you in the comments and feel free to leave me a link to your own wrap-up post and I’ll be sure to visit.