Queen of Books

Saturday, 22 September 2018

AUGUST '18 WRAP-UP

So, it's the end of the month and that means another wrap-up!

Sorry, this is so late.

August was when I was getting ready for college as well as trying to work on my novel. I am now in college and it's been going okay. It's hard to adjust but I'm getting there.

I read a lot this month and watched a lot of television and movies as you can see below.

Join my book club: here.

Anyways...

Time to talk about the books I read this month.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

The first book I read was Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston. I picked this book up because I heard it was a retelling of Anastasia which is one of my favorite animated movies (now a Disney movie! Yay for Disney buying Fox). I really liked all the similarities between the movie and this book. I loved the characters a lot and I rated it 4 Crowns.

The second book I read was Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan. I really enjoyed the first book when I read it a long time ago, so of course I had to read the sequel. I liked seeing the progression of events and how everything played out as Luna is a princess. I rated it 4 Crowns.

The third book I read was Suitors and Sabatoge by Cindy Anstey. I loved this book. I really liked the plot and the characters. I love Regency era books and historical fiction. Cindy Anstey writes some of the best historical fiction books and this wasn't an exception. I rated this one 5 Crowns.

The fourth book I read was Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda. I requested this as an ARC at the beginning of 2018 and I never got it which was disappointing. I got this book in California and I am so happy that I read it as I loved it. I really liked the story and how creepy and atmospheric it was. Horror science fiction Young Adult books are starting to become a favorite of mine. I rated this 5 Crowns.

Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson was my fifth book of the month. This was a reread for me but I love this series and have never finished it. Also, it's such a good series and I was having post Disney blues. I really like how Ridley Pearson did so much research for this book and it is so interesting to see things that the public don't. I rated this 5 Crowns.

End of Days by Susan Ee was my sixth read. I love this series a lot. So many people think this series is generic but I think it's very unique. It is an apocalyptic book with fallen angels but it is so much more than that. Penryn is a very strong female character who is very protective of her younger sister and values her family and morals even though death is occurring all around her. Oh, and her relationship with Raffe is super cute.

The seventh physical book I read was Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. This book is dark. There are three sisters and only one can be queen, so they have to kill the other two. Yeah, it's dark. I enjoyed this book even though the majority of the characters left something to be desired. I rated it 4 Crowns.

The eighth physical book i read was Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh. I really enjoyed this series. Renee Ahdieh has a very lyrical writing style which immerses you into the writing. I loved learning more about Okami and Mariko and meeting new characters and the real villain of the series. I rated it 5 Crowns.

The ninth physical book I read was Contagion by Erin Bowman. This book was another horror science fiction novel which I really enjoyed. It was a lot darker than Pitch Dark but I really enjoyed the mystery about it. I rated it 4 Crowns.

The tenth physical book I read was P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han. I love this series so much and I was going to read the whole thing in order to watch the movie on Netflix. I loved this almost as much as the first book. This series is adorable between Lara Jean and Peter's relationship, Lara Jean's style and her obsession with baking. It's so cute. I rated it 5 Crowns.

The eleventh physical book I read was The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber. I picked this up from the Mystery section at the library and I wasn't expecting much but I ended up loving it. It was such a good mystery with some amazing characters and I rated it 4 Crowns.

The twelfth physical book I read was Catwoman Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas. I loved this book a lot. I liked this more than Sarah J. Maas' other books as I feel like we got to see her real writing and how she develops her characters and plot. I rated this 5 Crowns.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue was a book that I had to read for college but I actually ended up enjoying it. I liked her writing style and I enjoyed the story but I did not like the ending. I rated this one 3 Crowns.

The fourteenth book I read was Star Wars Most Wanted by Rae Carson. I really liked this book as I loved the movie Solo. I liked learning about Qi'ra and Han before they were together or even friends. I loved the plot and the high stakes. I rated this book 4 Crowns.

The fifteenth book I read was Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han. I loved this ending although I did cry as I didn't want it to end. I loved seeing more of Lara Jean, Peter Kavinsky and the others. I rated this one 5 Crowns.

AUDIOBOOKS READ

NONE

ARC'S READ

The first and only ARC I read was Girl at the Grave by Teri Bailey Black. I really enjoyed this book. It was a perfect fall read, though I read it in August. I liked the main character as well as the mystery. I will have a full review up as soon as possible. I rated it 3 Crowns.

REVIEWS IN MARCH:

Mini Reviews: Tahereh Mafi Edition

Movie Review: Christopher Robin

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han Book Review

WEEKLY WRAP-UP:

DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:

ARC August '18 TBR

Disney for the Day: Disneyland Essentials

July '18 Wrap-Up

FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:

NEW FICTIONAL BAE'S:

Fowler from Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Ben from Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Tuck from Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

Raffe from End of Days by Susan Ee

Okami from Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh

Peter Kavinsky from P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Sebastian Gage from The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee

Luke Fox from Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

NEW FAVORITE FEMALES:

Ana from Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Luna from Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Imogene from Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Laura from Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

Penryn from End of Days by Susan Ee

Mariko from Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh

Lara Jean Covey from P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Thea from Contagion by Erin Bowman

Lady Darby from The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee

Selina Kyle from Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

NEW FAVORITE BOOK RELATIONSHIPS:

Luna and Fowler from Rise of Fire by Sophie Jordan

Ben and Imogene from Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Laura and Tuck from Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

Penryn and Raffe from End of Days by Susan Ee

Okami and Mariko from Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh

Peter Kavinsky and Lara Jean from P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Sebastian Gage and Lady Darby from The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee

Selina and Luke from Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

NEW BLOG FINDS

NONE

SONGS ON REPEAT

Done for Me - Charlie Puth ft. Kehlani

You Drive Me Crazy - Britney Spears

My Prerogative - Britney Spears

Boys - Britney Spears

Loyal to Me - Nina Nesbitt

You Were Right - Gabriela Geneva

Born Ready - Dove Cameron

Rumors - Sofia Carson

BOOKS I WANT TO READ NEXT MONTH

The graphics at the top belong to me. The background pictures for them, however do not.

Sunday, 9 September 2018

Weekly Recap: 9/3 - 9/9

Weekly recap is where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

My first week of college is over and I'm onto the next week. I already have had a lot of work and I am trying to learn how to manage it the best I can. I did get up a blogpost this weekend which was a book playlist. Check it out!

I didn't read too much this week but I did finish one book which was a reread.

Now, let's get into recapping.

New Books

Purchased:

Library:

Received for Review:

Saturday, 8 September 2018

Book Playlists - To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Hello everyone! It's September which means school is starting and I am a lot more busy than I was during the summer. That being said, I am starting a new series on this blog which is called: Book Playlists. I will do one every now and then when I find a book that I love and want to put songs to it.

The first book I am making a playlist for is To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han.

I Like Me Better
Lauv

I love this song so much and it isn't just because it was used in the movie version of To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I think it captures Peter Kavinsky and Lara Jean's relationship perfectly.

I especially think this line works for their relationship: "I knew from the first time, I'd stay for a long time 'cause I like me better when. I like me better when I'm with you."

Lovers
Anna of the North

This song was used in the movie for the hot tub scene which I love. I also just love the tempo and the softness of this song. It's very unique and really works for their relationship.

Line I love: "Now I'm in the dark, show a little loving. Shine a little light on me."

Fearless
Taylor Swift

I've always loved this song and it really works for this book. It describes how Lara Jean changes when she gets into a relationship with Peter Kavinsky. She really comes into her own and gains courage.

Line I Love: "And I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drag me head first. Fearless."

No Promises
Demi Lovato and Cheat Codes

This song is not my favorite but it fits the book. Peter and Lara Jean's relationship is fake throughout most of the book so this song really makes sense.

Line I Love: "Oh na na, just be careful, na na. Love ain't simple, na na. Promise me no promises."

Baby One More Time
Britney Spears

I love this song so much! Also, it totally works for this book. It shows how much the two main characters come to like each other and respect each other.

Line I Love: "My loneliness is killing me (and I). I must confess I still believe (still believe). When I'm not with you, I lose my mind."

Is There Somewhere
Halsey

This is a song that describes the complexity of their fake relationship and how they gain feelings for each other which is not the point of a fake relationship.

Line I Love: "I'm trying not to let it show, that I don't want to let this go. Is there somewhere you can meet me?"

Electric Love
Borns

This song describes the relationship between Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky and I really like the lyrics and the song.

Line I Love: "Baby you're like lightning in a bottle. I can't let you go now that I got it. And all I need is to be struck by your electric love."

Roses
The Chainsmokers

Roses by The Chainsmokers is a song that is always on the radio and so many people know it. Including myself. I really enjoy it and think it fits the overall tone of the book.

Line I Love: "Say you'll never let me go."

Bathwater
No Doubt

Bathwater is such a good song that I just discovered and it truly works for this book. I feel like it describes how Lara Jean feels about Peter Kavinsky picking her.

Line I Love: "So why do we choose the boys that are naughty? I don't fit in so why do you want me?"

Goodnight n Go
Ariana Grande

Goodnight n Go is one of my new favorite songs from Ariana. I feel like it fits the end of the book quite well (I'm not going to spoil it but it is bittersweet).

Line I Love: "Why d'ya have to be so cute? It's impossible to ignore you. Must you make me laugh so much. It's bad enough we get along so well. Say goodnight and go."

Be Okay
Oh Honey

This is another song for Peter and Lara Jean. It is very cute and I like the melody. It also describes the two when they realize they like each other.

Line I Love: "Can't complain about much these days, I believe we'll be okay."

Out of the Woods
Taylor Swift

I love this song so much. It really describes Peter and Lara Jean when they are having a hard time with their relationship.

Line I Love: "Are we out of the woods yet?"

That's it for this blogpost. If you have any suggestions for the next book I should do, then let me know in the comments. Also, if you have a song to add to this list, then write it in the comments. I'll be adding a Spotify link soon.

See you all soon!

Sunday, 2 September 2018

Weekly Recap: 8/27 - 9/2

Weekly recap is where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

AHH! I'm writing this in my dorm room. I will possibly share pictures of it once it is completely done. It's still a little bit of a mess but I'm a mess too so it's okay. College is already stressful and I miss my home and family but it will be fun (hopefully!). Also, it's so hard making friends here.

I'll be sort of MIA on here for awhile but will try and post once a week.