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It’s Time Travel Thursday! Hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog, this is where you get to take a look back at what you were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…) and get to relive those bookish memories!
This time last year I was reading:
The Last Mile by David Baldacci (Amos Decker #2)
Convicted murderer Melvin Mars is counting down the last hours before his execution–for the violent killing of his parents twenty years earlier–when he’s granted an unexpected reprieve. Another man has confessed to the crime.
Amos Decker, newly hired on an FBI special task force, takes an interest in Mars’s case after discovering the striking similarities to his own life: Both men were talented football players with promising careers cut short by tragedy. Both men’s families were brutally murdered. And in both cases, another suspect came forward, years after the killing, to confess to the crime. A suspect who may or may not have been telling the truth.
The confession has the potential to make Melvin Mars–guilty or not–a free man. Who wants Mars out of prison? And why now?
But when a member of Decker’s team disappears, it becomes clear that something much larger–and more sinister–than just one convicted criminal’s life hangs in the balance. Decker will need all of his extraordinary brainpower to stop an innocent man from being executed.
My thoughts: There are a lot of problems with the story, but they don’t matter too much because of its incredible readability. The feeling I get when I read this book is almost like I’m on a white water rapids ride and honestly the ride just takes you and it’s thrilling and exciting and there’s no time to stop and wonder if it makes sense. You have no time to take in the scenery, or enjoy the company, or really do anything except hang on for the ride. At the end of the book, I’m left wondering what happened because the only thing I remember is the thrill of the ride.
Which isn’t to say the story isn’t good, it’s actually a pretty good story, just with a lot of implausibility and loose ends, but that’s another part of my awe – the storytelling skill it takes to make an okay story sound amazing. It’s also just what I need at this time; books that are easy to read and easy to get lost in.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What were you reading this time last year?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Movies/TV Shows That Would Have Made Amazing Books
I can’t think of very many ideas for today’s topic, so from now on I’m going to go with books in alphabetical order every time I need an easy go-to topic, an idea I’m stealing from Pam @ Read! Bake! Create! I think it’s genius!
So here are the Top Ten Books on my TBR beginning with A. These are all books I intend to read, hopefully soon, but definitely eventually.
Top Ten Books Beginning with A
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – I actually got about 30% into this audiobook but stopped because I was getting confused with the names and characters and wanted to switch over to a printed copy. I’m not sure if I’ll pick up where I left off or start over again. Or maybe I should just keep going with the audiobook and not worry about getting all the details right.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint – It’s been on my TBR since a Greek mythology binge a few years ago. I’d love to finally read it some time really soon!
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan – I’ve read this, but not the other books in the series. And I read it long enough ago that I don’t remember a thing and have to reread before diving into the next books.
All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord – I’ve read a few of Emery Lord’s books and enjoyed them, so I really want to read this one too.
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter – I’ve heard so many good things about this author but haven’t read a single book by her. I thinking I have to remedy this and also possibly use it for the 52 Book Club Prompt 25: An author “everyone” has read except me.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal – Another author I’ve heard good things about, and another possibility for the same prompt.
A Theory of Haunting by Sarah Monette – So this books sounds really scary and satisfyingly creepy, and for some reason I feel the need to give myself some sleepless nights.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells – The second book in the Murderbot series. I read the first and loved it and I wanna read the rest of it!
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – The second book in the Elements of Cadence series. I read the first one and I really want to know what happens next.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid – I love fairy tales and tales about faes. How can I resist?
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to the Sunday Post, a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer to share weekly news and updates on what we’ve been up to on our blog, with our books, and book-related happenings.
You Know Nothing, Spring Snow
I am not happy that it’s snowing again, I just want to get that out of the way. I can’t believe how much I talk about and fixate on the weather, but I wouldn’t if it would only do what I want! Or maybe it’s time for me to toughen up and get friendly with Canadian weather.
One good thing about cold weather is having soups to warm you up! My husband made Bak Kut Teh and it was soooo good. The picture below is not the actual dish he made. I was too hungry and we weren’t thinking of plating for aesthetic purposes so we didn’t take pictures. It’s just a random picture taken off the internet for illustration purposes only.
Bak Kut Teh is a Chinese herbal pork soup/stew that’s sweet and savory. The main focus of it is the pork, but we often add tofu, different kinds of mushrooms, some vegetables, and we usually eat it with rice and garlic in soy sauce. The garlic is the best part for me!
I’ve often wondered if a vampire gave me the choice of eternal life but I’d have to give up garlic forever, would I do it? Such a dilemma; garlic vs. eternal life. What would you choose? 🧄or🧛♀️
On my husband reading The Count of Monte Cristo, he managed five chapters and decided it was too verbose for him right now, so he’s putting it aside. I can’t say I blame him; I tend to skip flowery descriptions most of the time and just focus on important events that happen in the book, but he likes to pay attention to details and there were just so much here.
On the bright side, he’s still open to taking recommendations from me and reading the books I love! He’s on The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher right now, because it’s the only one currently available from the library, but I hope to get him on the other Kingfisher books as well.
Unfortunately, a couple of days ago I somehow sprained my right shoulder. It hurts to move it or to spend too much time on the computer – I think because of the height of the table and the way my arm/elbow rests on the table and the position when using the mouse, so I have to take frequent breaks. Thank goodness I did most of my blog posts earlier in the week! I’ve been trying to rest it more, but it seems to be hurting more today than when it started. Hopefully it will get better soon.
All the happy things:
I got more blog posts than usual up last week! A few reviews, and other fun memes.
I finally got caught up with updating my books read on Goodreads and The Story Graph.
My husband and I had a really fun night dancing and singing to music while he made Bak Kut Teh.
We watched The Greatest Night in Pop, and it was so amazing to see how it all came about. I loved it!
Books I read last week:
I did not finish a single book last week but I did finish a short story that Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl highly recommended; Signal Moon by Kate Quinn.
From the title and cover, I thought it might be some futuristic scifi story, but it wasn’t what I expected at all. I’d say it’s more of a historical fiction with paranormal elements, and I loved it. It’s short and sweet, and I thought it was perfect on its own, but it also made me really want to read Kate Quinn’s other books. I’ve never read any of her books before and I need to remedy that.
Other than that, I’ve been reading a few books; The Count of Monte Cristo is still ongoing – the timeline is until the end of April and we have multiple check-ins, Blitz by Daniel O’Malley – the final book in the Checquy Files, and The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell – for my book club discussion next week.
They are all relatively thicker/denser books, so I can’t just breeze through them. I’ve been wanting to take a break and read something light, but I also feel like I don’t want to add another story into my mental space until I’ve finished at least one of these. I’ll probably take some time this weekend to make a dent in one or two of them.
It’s Time Travel Thursday! Hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog, this is where you get to take a look back at what you were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…) and get to relive those bookish memories!
This time last year I was reading:
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
Mark, Todd, and Zola came to law school to change the world, to make it a better place. But now, as third-year students, these close friends realize they have been duped. They all borrowed heavily to attend a third-tier, for-profit law school so mediocre that its graduates rarely pass the bar exam, let alone get good jobs. And when they learn that their school is one of a chain owned by a shady New York hedge-fund operator who also happens to own a bank specializing in student loans, the three know they have been caught up in The Great Law School Scam.
But maybe there’s a way out. Maybe there’s a way to escape their crushing debt, expose the bank and the scam, and make a few bucks in the process. But to do so, they would first have to quit school. And leaving law school a few short months before graduation would be completely crazy, right? Well, yes and no . . .
Pull up a stool, grab a cold one, and get ready to spend some time at The Rooster Bar.
My thoughts: It was okay. Great storytelling, but not so great story – I like the depth of the characters, but the story and the circumstances were kinda far-fetched and irreverent, and I don’t like the moralities on either side. I can’t root for anyone, and the MCs made a lot of stupid decisions. Just because it worked out for them (unrealistically), doesn’t make it smart. They could’ve played it so many different ways. Or maybe just have a different story to bring down the bad guys.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What were you reading this time last year?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books on my Spring 2024 TBR
Well, it’s time for the Spring 2024 TBR list! I only finished 4/10 of my Winter 2023-2024 TBR list, so if I was a good girl, I would’ve brought them forward to this list. But I’m not a good girl, and the heart wants what the heart wants, when the heart wants it.
Disclaimer: This Spring 2024 TBR list is non-binding and I reserve the right to change my mind and this list at any time.
I would like to finish all of these if I can because at the time of compiling this list, I assure you, I am very excited for all of them, but I am constantly distracted by new and shinier books all the time, so we’ll see how I end up doing!
Top Ten Books on my Spring 2024 TBR
Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett – Because I loved the first book and want to continue with any and all sequels!
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree – Same as above, and even more so because I love it so much!
The Keeper of Hidden Books by Madeline Martin – I’ve read two of the author’s books and loved them. I’m sure I’ll love this one too.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson – It sounds so intriguing and I must know what everyone is raving about!
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed – I need this book, it sounds right up my alley. It gives me chills! In a good way.
Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman – This would be a reread, but I’ve been wanting to reread the whole series.
Funny Story by Emily Henry – I am very, very, impatiently waiting for this one to be released!
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie – My online book club seems to be having a disagreement about whether this book is good or not, and we are required to choose sides, so I have to read it before making my decision!
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan – A story set in Malaysia, written by a Malaysian author. I must support my countrywoman, and besides, the book sounds really good!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What’s on your Spring 2024 TBR?
Welcome to the Sunday Post, a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer to share weekly news and updates on what we’ve been up to on our blog, with our books, and book-related happenings.
Good Food, Good Week
I made dim sum from scratch last week! I made a bunch of siu mai and crispy wontons and they were delicious. My husband made stewed pork hock too for the first time and it was pretty good. There was no special occasion except to feed our cravings. It might have backfired because now I’m craving them even more!
I know the pictures are kind of brown, but we made veggie dishes too; we had steamed okra and shiitake mushrooms, I just didn’t take pictures of them because I was more excited about these ones! I’ll be sure to take better pictures next time.
We watched a couple of movies; Argylle and Ricky Stanicky. They were both really cheesy, but just so much fun! And coincidentally, John Cena acts in both of them. I promise we didn’t watch either shows just because of him, but his performance on Ricky Stanicky was really something. I especially loved him in his Britney Spears costume!
I am also taking a page out of several blogs I’ve seen do this happiness/gratitude list thing. I haven’t been mindful about all the good things happening in my life, so I’d like to start incorporating it into my weekly updates.
All the happy things:
My husband finished The Storyteller by Dave Grohl! I’m so happy and I loved that we got to discuss it together!
He asked for recommendations for his next book, and I said The Count of Monte Cristo, and he’s actually willing to give it a try! I’m so excited for him! And for me because then I’ll get to talk about it with him!
We took a walk around the neighborhood because the weather was nice.
I had some chocolate this week! Yum!
My online bookclub is doing a readalong for The Count of Monte Cristo; we had a midpoint discussion for the book yesterday and it was fun!
I made cookies!
Books I read last week:
I finished The Bodyguard by Katherine Center in two days! Yayy! So it did kind of get me out of my slump, and then I started reading The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo next. It completely lived up to expectations and more. I loved the story so much! I haven’t written reviews for either of these books yet, but I’ll do it soon!
The Count of Monte Cristo is ongoing because of the readalong, and I’m enjoying it more because of hearing other readers’ thoughts. I am also really enjoying Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday right now. As of this writing I am 72% in, but I’m sure that by the time you read this, I’d have finish the book because I fully intend on going back to reading it after I finish writing this post!
I have the final book in The Checquy Files, Blitz by Daniel O’Malley, ready for me on audiobook, so I’ll be reading that. I also intend to start The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell before the end of the week for my book club’s BOTM.
How was your week? I hope you had a great week last week, and I hope you have a great one again this week!
It’s Time Travel Thursday! Hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog, this is where you get to take a look back at what you were reading this time last year (or the year before or the year before that…) and get to relive those bookish memories!
This time last year I was reading:
Sadie by Courtney Summers
A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial-like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. And an ending you won’t be able to stop talking about.
Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.
But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.
When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.
Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.
My thoughts: I’ve liked Courtney Summers’ books before but I wasn’t sure about this one at first. I ended up loving it. It’s good in so many ways, and it hits so hard in the feels. I don’t even know where to begin with all the emotions I felt. It started slow at first, and I was distracted with real life stuff so I wasn’t paying a lot of attention, but as we went along, I got more and more invested. The ending got me still thinking about it. Ugh, my heart.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What were you reading this time last year?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books I’m Worried I Might Not Love as Much the Second Time Around
I love to reread and most of the time I enjoy the books just as much, if not more, on the second/nth read. However, there are a few books I used to love that haven’t aged well and/or that I’m worried I might not like the next time I read them (Gone With The Wind, and Mists of Avalon), but I can’t think of enough to make a top ten list, so I have decided to go with the Top Ten Books I Love to Reread instead.
Most of these are books I’ve reread multiple times, some of them even in the double digits. There are a few more books I love to reread as well, but these are my favorite comfort reads.
Top Ten Books I Love to Reread
The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie – This is probably the most underrated one on my list, and the most read. For a time, ever since I read the book for the first time as a pre-teen, I would reread it every year for many years. I’ve lost count but I’m sure it’s been at least 10 times, probably closer to 20. It’s a book set in ancient Roman and Germanic times, with a badass female protagonist, and it’s one I always recommend any time I can.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – I’ve also lost count on this one, I’m currently rereading it on what might be the 9th or 10th time, I’m not sure. It’s one of my favorite classics and somehow despite the intensity and subject matter, it’s a comfort read.
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins – I remember the first three times I read this series was first on physical copy, then e-book, then audiobook. After that, the rereads were mostly on audio, but I love it every single time and keep getting something out of it.
Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster – This is such a sweet and comforting book. It’s a shorter book, and filled with illustrations, and just a nice read for whenever I need a comfort snack. I’ve read it more times than the others simply because it’s so easy to pick up and read quickly.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – Another sweet and comforting book. I very hardly reread the rest of the series for some reason, but I always enjoy this first one.
On Writing by Stephen King – I have read this book on print, and have a hardcopy of it, but it’s just better when you listen to it on audio with the author himself narrating. It really feels like he’s a friend talking to you and it’s so inspiring to listen to. I respect his work ethic and his approach to writing so much. Sometimes when I’m in between audiobooks and if this one is available, I borrow it just to listen to his voice lull me to sleep.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – I probably wouldn’t classify this horror story as a comfort read, but it’s one of my favorite stories to come back to when I want a chill down the spine. I don’t come back to it as often as the other ones on this list, but I love that this is a story about flawed humans (and monsters). I get so much out of it, and more, every time I read it.
Imperial Woman by Pearl S. Buck – This particular book has the dubious honor of being my favorite, most-read book that I’ve never finished. I don’t see it as a dnf, but as one of the best stories that should’ve ended sooner than it did. I love this book from beginning until 99% of it and I just never finished the last few pages, even with all my rereads! Maybe on my next reread, but I don’t feel a need to read the last 1%, so we’ll see.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown – Technically, I read and reread all of Brene Brown’s works indiscriminately, because they’re all just so good. She also tends to repeat her stories in many of her talks/videos/platforms and I love hearing them over and over again because they inspire me and make me feel less alone. Her works are lifesavers, and I read them any time I need a boost.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – I’ve probably done the 12-week course three times (or 2.5 times, I don’t remember if I finished the third), but I listen to the audio every once in a while without doing the exercises, and there was a time when I was taking walks every night while listening to this audio. It’s one of my favorite memories because I was going through something, and just listening to this book helped me get my mind off things and gave me so much peace.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read or reread any of these books?
Welcome to the Sunday Post, a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer to share weekly news and updates on what we’ve been up to on our blog, with our books, and book-related happenings.
TV Binges and Reading Slumps
I’m still sneezing a little but feeling much better than the week before. The weather has also gotten warmer, which is lovely, and I hope it lasts! I’m itching to go outside and take some long walks without feeling miserable and cold.
One of the best things about cold weather is cozy reading days, but I’ve been in a reading slump so I didn’t get to enjoy that. I did end up watching a lot of TV, however. I’ve been binging on 9-1-1: Lone Star and I’m on the second season now. I didn’t know that it was a spin-off, I’ll probably watch the other one once I’ve finished this.
My husband and I also watched Poor Things last week, and it was so good. They totally deserve every single one of the awards they won! I love that it was able to be both funny and profound. I love that it’s such a different take on the Frankenstein phenomenon, almost complete opposites but still such a commentary on beauty. Would Bella have been as well received if she had been subjectively hideous as Frankenstein’s monster was? I also love the commentary on societal expectations, and how shame is also subject to those expectations. There is so much to be gotten from this movie. It’s just really good!
Books I read last week:
It’s been a slow week for me with reading, I feel like I’m in a bit of a slump. I technically finished two books; A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross, and Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry, but I had finished them both by Monday, and I haven’t really gotten my head into anything else.
I’ve been reading The Count of Monte Cristo, and Fairy Tale by Stephen King for two readalongs, but they are both rereads so I’m not champing at the bit to find out what happens. I joined the readalongs because I was excited about discussions and seeing what other people thought, and I still am excited about that, but I also feel like I need something new to get me going, so I started reading The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. I just started it so I can’t say if it will get me out of my slump, but so far, so good!
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Weird or Funny Things I’ve Googled Thanks to a Book
I had some trouble with this topic because I couldn’t think of many things I’ve googled because of a book. I think most of my googles might have been boring fact-checks that I don’t remember after because they’re just boring. Which is a problem because the topic specifically states weird or funny things.
However, I’ve cheated by changing my topic to just Things I’ve Googled Thanks to a Book, and I went ahead and cheated even more by asking my friends about their weird and funny googles because of books they read, so I could add more to the list. Theirs are definitely weird and funny, and some are NSFW, so I’ve put them under spoiler tags. Read at your own risk!
Things I’ve Googled Thanks to a Book
1. Dark Visions by L.J. Smith
I read this series a long time ago and remember being fascinated by the description of the inukshuk. I didn’t actually google at the time I read it, but it stayed with me for so long that I googled it later, and it was the first thing that came to mind with today’s prompt.
The inukshuk
The word “inukshuk” means “in the likeness of a human.” For generations, Inuit have been creating these impressive stone markers on the vast Arctic landscape. Inukshuks serve several functions, including guiding travellers, warning of danger, assisting hunters and marking places of reverence.
2. Bury Me Deep by Christopher Pike
Another one I read a long time ago, but I remember being fascinated by one of the plot points and googling it later.
The bends
Decompression sickness, also called generalized barotrauma or the bends, refers to injuries caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you, of either air or water.
It’s also the name of an album by Radiohead, but that’s got nothing to do with the book. It’s just one of the things that pop up when you google “the bends”.
3. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
More recently I googled how long an octopus could live out of water, and while Marcellus in the book stated he could go 18 minutes, the answer I googled said it was around 20-30 minutes, which is close and totally makes sense.
4. Watership Down by Richard Adams
Full disclosure: I haven’t read this book, but while googling about the book, I found out that Watership Down is actually a place in Hampshire, England.
Watership Down is a hill or a down at Ecchinswell in the civil parish of Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green in the English county of Hampshire, as part of the Hampshire Downs. It rises fairly steeply on its northern flank, but to the south the slope is much gentler.
Now on to my friends’ googles that gave me giggles!
Things My Friends Have Googled Thanks to a Book
5. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
They googled the etymological history of “goal” because they were curious about “jail” vs “goal”. We didn’t get into a deeper discussion about it because we were busy laughing about the other answers.
6. Pod by Laline Paull
NSFW
They googled dolphin vaginas. Apparently in the book, the females were constantly being called “spirals”, which were meant to be disparaging and perhaps the equivalent to the word “cunt”.
I did not read this book, so I have no context to what that referred to. It has made me curious about the book though!
7. Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
NSFW
This one is for shark penis. So in the book, the main characters are a husband and wife, and the husband has a condition that would slowly turn him into a shark. I have not read the book, but I was given the impression that there’s reason to be curious about sexual relations between a shark and his human wife, maybe…
I haven’t read this book, but it was on my TBR before this conversation, I swear! Now I want to read it more!
8. The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore
NSFW
And this one is for nipple piercings in a historical setting. What prompted my friend was a bad review for this book where the reader didn’t like it because one of the characters had a nipple piercing and they didn’t think nipple piercings were true to the times. My friend decided to google it, and apparently, it is accurate to the times!
I don’t know the context for this book, but I do know that our ancestors were often a lot more liberal than we give them credit for, so I totally believe it!
I don’t have any more at the moment, but I loved this topic and finding out what my friends have googled. I’m excited to see what everyone else’s answers are too. This topic has definitely made me want to keep better track of what I google because of books, and hopefully the next time we come back to this topic, I’ll have funnier answers!
What weird or funny things have you googled because of a book? I’d love to hear it!
