Have you done a mid-year reading check-in yet? πŸ“š
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What a wild year 2022 has been so far πŸ˜΅β€πŸ’« I've found new favorite authors, made progress on my original TBR, checked out some great backlist books, and hit some super exciting goals! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ I'm not going to *just* share my faves or least faves, but instead I'm going to share some of the fun stats from my reading year so far! 🀎
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- Out of the 30 books I just *HAD TO* read this year, I've read 24
- Out of my numerical goal of 120 for the whole year, I've read 119
- I've rated 44 books with 4.5/5 stars (hence my struggle when someone asks for a favorite from the year so far)
- I've read 16 ARCs from 12 different publishers (this makes me want to bawl with happiness because this was such a massive goal for me when I began book blogging!)
- I've participated in 10 buddy-reads
- I've added 38 books to my shelves (either purchased by me after I read and loved a book, given as a gift, or sent by a generous author/publisher)
- I've discovered that there's a chance I *might* like romance more than fantasy now and that's totally okay!
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What has your reading looked like in 2022? β˜•οΈ 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #midyearreadingchallenge #readinggoals #storygraph #readingstats #perfectespressopour
Which of your childhood favorites would you like t Which of your childhood favorites would you like to see reimagined? πŸ“–
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When I found out that GALLANT had The Secret Garden vibes, I was really excited because that was one of my favorites as a kid ⛲️ I think it would be really neat to see this story retold by a few other authors as well (looking at you, Marissa Meyer) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Some of the other stories I loved as a kid that I'd like to see "adulted" are:
πŸ‘‘ A Little Princess
πŸ§žβ€β™‚οΈ Aladdin
 🐁 Stuart Little (it could be cute okay? like some kind of fantasy?)
πŸ‘’ Madeline
⚜️ Rumplestiltskin (I've only seen this done once and I wasn’t obsessed so I need more!)
β˜‚οΈ Mary Poppins
🐎 Misty of Chincoteague
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Did you enjoy any of those stories as a kid? 🀎 
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#veschwab #gallant #veschwabfeatures #schwabstagram #readersofinstagram #booksofig #bookgrammer #bookgram #instabooks #bookgasm #fantasybooks #bookishfeatures #booktography #booklover #bibliophilelife #readersofig #readersgonnaread #bookaesthetic #instareads #readerlife #bookishlove #bookstagram #thesecretgarden #retelling #90sbooks #childhoodbooks #childhoodbooksrevisited #bookflatlay
Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“– β €β €β €β €β € Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“–
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Long story short, I joined bookstagram in 2020 because I love books and I love talking about books, but I never had a space to do that πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ After years of fashion blogging and feeling out of place because of my interests, I wound up on this side of IG and realized that it felt like home 🀎
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I schemed up a name (something to do with coffee and books that didn't have the words "coffee" or "books" in it), took a few photos, created a profile, and went to town πŸ™ŒπŸΌ It wasn't long before I completely FELL IN LOVE with the supportive community, safe space to find new books and talk about the ones I love, and really cultivate my photography skills (which had been lying dormant for far too long) πŸ™ˆ
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Now, I'm thrilled to have connected with favorite authors, created my own hashtag (hey there #perfectespressopour β˜•οΈ), reviewed incredible books, launched my own line of merch, and made tons of new friends 🫢🏼 When I begin to feel down about the numbers or the lack of inspiration, I remind myself of why I started in the first place and I find myself falling in love all over again πŸ₯Ή
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Thank you for being part of my bookstagram journey πŸ“š
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookstagram #booktography #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #booksta #bookphotography #bookswithmagic #booksaremagic #booknerdigan
Tell me your most recent "new-to-you" fave author Tell me your most recent "new-to-you" fave author and which book made you fall in love with their work πŸ“š
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A couple months back, I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of The Wonderland Trials by @saraellawrites... and I immediately fell head over heels in love 😍 Needless to say, I instantly added her entire backlist to my TBR πŸ™ˆ
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Lately, I've been feeling a bit disappointed with fantasy (which has always been my favorite genre) πŸ˜• It seems like each time I pick one up, I'm either completely uninterested in the story or it just falls flat - but The Wonderland Trials absolutely blew me away! 🀯 If you're looking for something that really stands out amongst the rest, you certainly need to pick this one up! 🫢🏼
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Have you read any great Alice in Wonderland reimaginings? πŸ‡ 
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#mybeigemood #cozyvibes #beigeaesthetic #coffeeandbooks #coffeegram #booktography #bookaesthetic #bookflatlay #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #calmversation #bookishthoughts #bookgram #bookblogger #cozyaesthetic #hyggebookstyle #mybookfeatures #mycozyretreat #ofcosymoments #bookstagram #bookmoments #booksaremagic #booksuggestions #thewonderlandtrials #aliceinwonderland #fantasybookrecs #yafantasybooks #fairytaleretellings
Recommend me an underrated queer book! πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ
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In my world, every month is #pridemonth and I always, always have queer books on my TBR (not just white mlm, but a wide range of lgbtqia+ stories) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ It's important to me to constantly be diversifying my shelves, learning more about the people around me, and continuing to create a safe environment for everyone in my little corner of the web 🀎
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My goal for June was to pack my TBR with as many queer books as I could in CELEBRATION of Pride Month, so I've already read 4 books with lgbtq rep:
πŸ¦‰ Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin
🌎 The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
πŸ“Ί The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
🌌 Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefluer
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I'm currently reading 3:
πŸ«– A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
🩸 Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
πŸ–Œ Portrait of a Thief by Grace D Li
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 And I have 2 more on my immediate list:
πŸ₯€ Malice by Heather Walter
β˜€οΈ Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
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Have you read any of these? πŸ“š 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #queerbooks #readqueerallyear #queerreads #lgbtbooks #queeryourshelves #flippingpages
Favorite Shadow and Bone character? 🦌 β €β €β € Favorite Shadow and Bone character? 🦌
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I'm officially considering this Shadow and Bone week, between celebrating the 10th anniversary of the book and finding out about Ben narrating the Demon in the Wood audiobook! πŸ₯‚ 
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Also, catch me counting down the days until when I get to see my babies on-screen again (can we get a season 2 premiere date, please?) πŸ“Ί
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To answer my own question, Genya is my very favorite Shadow and Bone character 🀍 In fact, I have plans for a Genya tattoo in the near future πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Are you as excited for the audiobook and season 2 of the show as I am? 🀩 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #shadowandbone #grishaverse #genyasafin #leighbardugo #grishaversary #binbons
Do you have a favorite book dedication? ✍🏼
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I've found a few recently that have definitely stood out to me πŸ‘€ Sometimes a dedication sets the mood for the book and that's something I really love! 🀎
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A few that have blown my mind recently are:
πŸͺž GALLANT (pictured) by VE Schwab
πŸ‘‘ FOR THE THRONE (actually, both of The Wilderwood books have fabulous dedications) by Hannah Whitten
πŸ›« EARLY DEPARTURES by Justin A. Reynolds
πŸ“– THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig
πŸ’” ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART by Stephanie Garber
πŸ₯˜ WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH by Elizabeth Acevedo
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Have you read any of these magnificent books? πŸ“š 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #bookdedications #gallant #veschwab #gallantbook #fantasybooks #fantasyreader
Is there a book you've read this year that is unli Is there a book you've read this year that is unlike anything else you've ever read? πŸ“–
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When I read THE ATLAS SIX in April, I was blown away by how unique it was! 🀯 I have never in my life read another book like it and that's part of why it got 5 stars from me ⭐️ Sure, it started at a slower pace but the further the story progressed, the more fascinating it was (and the pacing at the beginning made far more sense because it led to absolute BRILLIANCE) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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I don't read much dark academia, so recommend some titles to me (THAT AREN'T AS WELL KNOWN) that you've enjoyed! πŸ›
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#mybeigemood #cozyvibes #beigeaesthetic #coffeeandbooks #coffeegram #booktography #bookaesthetic #bookflatlay #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #calmversation #bookishthoughts #bookgram #bookblogger #cozyaesthetic #hyggebookstyle #mybookfeatures #mycozyretreat #ofcosymoments #bookstagram #bookmoments #booksaremagic #booksuggestions #darkacademia #theatlassix #darkacademiabooks
Do you enjoy books that are less plot, more ✨vib Do you enjoy books that are less plot, more ✨vibes✨?
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I definitely do! 🫢🏼 In the past few years, I've read more and more books like this and they always leave me feeling utterly fascinated (and maybe a little confused?) πŸ€” I gotta say that writing reviews for them can be a bit tough, but reading them is a lot of fun πŸ™ˆ
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Books I enjoy that are no plot, just vibes:
🐝 The Starless Sea
πŸŽͺ The Night Circus
πŸ’ƒπŸ» Where Dreams Descend
πŸͺΆ The Raven Cycle
πŸšͺ The Ten Thousand Doors of January
πŸ§™πŸ»β€β™€οΈ The Once and Future Witches
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Have you read any of these? πŸ“– 
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#mybeigemood #cozyvibes #beigeaesthetic #coffeeandbooks #coffeegram #booktography #bookaesthetic #bookflatlay #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #calmversation #bookishthoughts #bookgram #bookblogger #cozyaesthetic #hyggebookstyle #mybookfeatures #mycozyretreat #ofcosymoments #bookstagram #bookmoments #booksaremagic #booksuggestions #noplotjustvibes #turningpages #booktography #bookphotography
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Books, Monthly Wrap-Ups · December 7, 2020

November Reading Wrap-Up

The books I read in November were full of surprises.

I continued a few series, including one that I never thought I would move forward with: A Court of Thorns and Roses. Despite having read the first book three times (and disliking it every time), I decided to try the sequel and… it came as a complete shock that I enjoyed it thoroughly and have begun to look forward to the next installment in the series. I was also changed for the better by The Midnight Library. It really tackles some tough subjects like depression and suicide with such grace and encouragement (especially for those who have experienced such trials in life).

I am taking a break from “normal reading” for the month of December, to only read Christmas books! Once January rolls around, however, I plan to complete some of the series that I’ve really gotten into – such as Darkness Rising and The Waking Land. Below, you’ll find synopses of the books I read in November and if you’re interested in my thoughts on each title, the reviews are available on Goodreads (linked below).

You may also notice that if you click through to the books throughout that I’ve begun linking on Bookshop.org. This is an online resource that allows you to shop independent bookshops as easily as you would on Amazon while actually helping the smaller stores that rely on you to keep providing great reads. You can even pick your favorite indie to shop from, if they’ve set up a storefront on the website!


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bookish candles c/o Janzy Wax Co (use ESPRESSO10 for a discount) | “Be Safe” pin c/o The Bookish Shop (use ESPRESSO5 for a discount)

The 10 Books I Read in November

If you’re interested in reading my reviews as they go live, followΒ myΒ GoodreadsΒ account, and take a look atΒ my bookstagram – where I’ll share reviews on stories and on my feed!

Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Rigaud

Truly Madly Royally – Debbie Riguad

Read my audiobook review | rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She’s excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she’s definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who’s an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming…and undeniably cute. Zora can’t ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother’s big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora’s not sure it’s something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that’s like The Princess Diaries for a new generation.

Vengeful (Villains #2) – V.E. Schwab

Read my review | Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

The sequel to VICIOUS, V.E. Schwab’s first adult novel. Sydney once had Serenaβ€”beloved sister, betrayed enemy, powerful ally. But now she is alone, except for her thrice-dead dog, Dol, and then there’s Victor, who thinks Sydney doesn’t know about his most recent act of vengeance. Victor himself is under the radar these daysβ€”being buried and re-animated can strike concern even if one has superhuman powers. But despite his own worries, his anger remains. And Eli Ever still has yet to pay for the evil he has done.

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
Majesty by Katharine McGee

Majesty (American Royals #2) – Katharine McGee

Read my audiobook review | rating: β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†β˜†

Is America ready for its first queen? Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we’re looking at you Daphne Deighton. As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her “party princess” persona…and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace–and Prince Jefferson–at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne’s carefully laid “marry Prince Jefferson” plans. A new reign has begun….

The Midnight Library – Matt Haig

Read my review | Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

‘Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?’ A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time. Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better? In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston

Read my audiobook review | rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsidesβ€”namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him. As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

So This Is Love: A Twisted Tale – Elizabeth Lim

Read my audiobook review | Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†

What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? Unable to prove that she’s the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella starts work at the palace as a seamstress. However, when Cinderella finds herself witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king – and the prince – out of power, she is faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom. Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present… before it’s too late.

So This is Love by Elizabeth Lim
Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2) – Laini Taylor

Read my review (*spoilers) | rating: β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜†β˜†

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war. This is not that world. Art student and monster’s apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she isβ€”and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life. While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

The Waking Land (The Waking Land #1) – Callie Bates

Read my audiobook review | Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Lady Elanna Valtai is fiercely devoted to the King who raised her like a daughter. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Elanna is accused of his murder and must flee for her life. Returning to the homeland of magical legends she has forsaken, Elanna is forced to reckon with her despised, estranged father, branded a traitor long ago. Feeling a strange, deep connection to the natural world, she also must face the truth about the forces she has always denied or disdained as superstition powers that suddenly stir within her. But an all-too-human threat is drawing near, determined to exact vengeance. Now Elanna has no choice but to lead a rebellion against the kingdom to which she once gave her allegiance. Trapped between divided loyalties, she must summon the courage to confront a destiny that could tear her apart.

The Waking Land by Callie Bates
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) – Sarah J Maas

Read my review | rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Courtβ€”but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil loomsβ€”and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her futureβ€”and the future of a world cleaved in two. With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

The Calling (Darkness Rising #2) – Kelley Armstrong

Read my review | Rating: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Maya Delaney’s paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is – a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents. Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they’re kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home. In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

related posts
October Reading Wrap-Up // September Reading Wrap-Up // August Reading Wrap-Up

Have you read any of the books I enjoyed during the month of November?


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Comments

  1. melissa christine says

    December 7, 2020 at 12:14 PM

    These. sound like some wonderful books, i need to get the midnight library, it sounds interesting
    Mel πŸŒ™ | Moonlight Mel

    Reply
  2. Rach says

    December 7, 2020 at 1:34 PM

    I was totally slacking with my November reading and hoping I can pick It back up this month! I read Royals II Majesty too. While I enjoyed it, I definitely think the first one was better!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Reply
  3. Kileen says

    December 7, 2020 at 2:10 PM

    I am always blown away by the amount of books you read each month! It is so inspirational. The Calling sounds like a really interesting read! I already wonder how many others like her there will be and who started the fire that burned down their village!

    Reply
  4. Ellie says

    December 7, 2020 at 4:47 PM

    Oh wow that’s a lot of books in a month! I really struggle to complete books these days πŸ™ great reviews, I’ll be sure to check some out πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Charity says

    December 7, 2020 at 6:54 PM

    It looks like you have read some great books last month. I need to get back on reading. I haven’t had much time to do so here lately!

    Reply
  6. Neely Moldovan says

    December 7, 2020 at 8:02 PM

    Midnight Library is my book clubs book for December and I can’t wait to read it! I just ordered it!

    Reply
  7. Merry Sari says

    December 8, 2020 at 5:52 AM

    Oh, I always want to read The Midnight Library but it stays on my TBR list since last month. I’m gonna read and finish it this month! Adding Truly Madly Royally to my list as well. You’ve read so many great books this month, Stephanie. Always looking forward to your book recommendation x

    Reply
  8. Hayley says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:56 AM

    I haven’t read any of the books that you read this month but some of them (The Midnight Library and the Vicious series) are on my TBR. Hope you enjoy your festive reads and that you have a merry holiday season. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. Deborah says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:46 AM

    Looks like another great reading month for you and it seems you’ve read a few books that I’ve either already read or are on my to-read list! Love it!

    Reply
  10. Tanvi Rastogi says

    December 8, 2020 at 11:44 AM

    Adding ‘The Midnight Library’ to my list for next month.

    β₯ tanvii.com

    Reply
  11. Raji says

    December 8, 2020 at 12:22 PM

    You read so many of my favourite books this month! I’m so glad you enjoyed ACOMAF – it’s certainly an emotional rollercoaster! Interesting perspective on Red, White and Royal Blue, but I agree that it’s definitely not YA and it’s often miscategorized as such, even though it was clearly publicized as NA when I first heard of it. Hope you enjoy your Christmas reads!

    Reply
  12. Lydia says

    December 8, 2020 at 1:52 PM

    The midnight library sounds so intriguing! I’ll have to give it a try!
    Chic on the Cheap

    Reply
  13. Rebecca Piersol says

    December 8, 2020 at 2:57 PM

    i am loving the ROYAL theme this month! i still need to read the American Royals sequel

    Reply
  14. Maria Kossman says

    December 8, 2020 at 6:44 PM

    I haven’t read any of those from the list, however, the book about Cinderella’s story with a twist sounds sooo intriguing!
    As for December I usually step away from my reading list as well and get back to Dickens.

    Reply
  15. Em says

    December 9, 2020 at 8:30 AM

    you had a great reading month! I hate you didn’t love Majesty! I also have The Midnight Library on my list to read, glad that one was a 5 star read!

    Reply
  16. Lizzie says

    December 9, 2020 at 11:18 AM

    I always enjoy your reading posts! If I’m looking for a good book, I know just the place to go πŸ™‚ And off course, your photos are gorgeous as ever!

    Lizzie
    http://www.lizzieinlace.com

    Reply
  17. Jennifer Prince says

    December 9, 2020 at 11:50 AM

    The Midnight Library looks and sounds like something I’d love to read! I’m surprised that so many didn’t get 5 stars – interesting! The one about American royalty sounded interesting, but I’ll definitely pass at 2 stars. Ha! The cover on the first one is SO cute. I definitely judge books by their covers (although that’s one reason I liked the US royalty one at first – oh well!).

    Reply
  18. Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:12 PM

    These all sound like such good books! “Midnight Library” sounds super intriguing to me! xx.

    Reply
  19. Erin says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:24 PM

    The Midnight Library sounds amazing!! Thank you for this reco!!

    Reply
  20. Melissa says

    December 9, 2020 at 1:31 PM

    For the first time in years I didn’t read any books last month. I’m currently going through a reading rut so I started to re-read a book that I read years ago so hopefully that will help me to back to reading. I miss it but lately I just don’t feel like doing that. Definitely going to check out some of this books though. The Calling sounds so interesting!

    Reply
  21. Greta says

    December 9, 2020 at 7:01 PM

    You got in some good reading in November. I’ll have to add some of these to my reading list.

    Reply
  22. Ming Qian says

    December 10, 2020 at 8:02 PM

    I recognize several familiar titles in this blog post including Vengeful, Court of Mist and Fury, and the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy! I haven’t read a work of fiction in so long. I’ve been into non-fiction and biographies for several years now. Some of these titles that I have never heard of look so enticing to me though. I just might pick up one of them!

    Also, I may have said this before, but your images are ALWAYS stunning!

    Thanks for sharing your November roundup! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  23. Helena Marz says

    December 12, 2020 at 11:34 AM

    Love your book reviews especially it gives me an idea on what books is worth reading. The Cinderella one sounds like a good one to read!

    Reply
  24. Caitlin says

    December 14, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    Your book reviews are always so thorough! When do you find yourself reading most- before bedtime or in the evening? I have so many books to read but by the end of the day end up vegging out in front of the tv!

    Reply
  25. Andrea Alverson says

    December 15, 2020 at 2:29 PM

    I can’t wait to read Red White and Royal Blue. These are some good looking books!

    Reply
  26. Lily says

    December 17, 2020 at 3:51 PM

    One of my goals for 2021 is to READ! I love reading, but find it hard to do it. I tend to grab my phone and scroll social media instead…that needs to change. I will come back to go thru more of your reviews soon!

    Reply

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Have you done a mid-year reading check-in yet? πŸ“š
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What a wild year 2022 has been so far πŸ˜΅β€πŸ’« I've found new favorite authors, made progress on my original TBR, checked out some great backlist books, and hit some super exciting goals! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ I'm not going to *just* share my faves or least faves, but instead I'm going to share some of the fun stats from my reading year so far! 🀎
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- Out of the 30 books I just *HAD TO* read this year, I've read 24
- Out of my numerical goal of 120 for the whole year, I've read 119
- I've rated 44 books with 4.5/5 stars (hence my struggle when someone asks for a favorite from the year so far)
- I've read 16 ARCs from 12 different publishers (this makes me want to bawl with happiness because this was such a massive goal for me when I began book blogging!)
- I've participated in 10 buddy-reads
- I've added 38 books to my shelves (either purchased by me after I read and loved a book, given as a gift, or sent by a generous author/publisher)
- I've discovered that there's a chance I *might* like romance more than fantasy now and that's totally okay!
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What has your reading looked like in 2022? β˜•οΈ 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #midyearreadingchallenge #readinggoals #storygraph #readingstats #perfectespressopour
Which of your childhood favorites would you like t Which of your childhood favorites would you like to see reimagined? πŸ“–
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When I found out that GALLANT had The Secret Garden vibes, I was really excited because that was one of my favorites as a kid ⛲️ I think it would be really neat to see this story retold by a few other authors as well (looking at you, Marissa Meyer) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Some of the other stories I loved as a kid that I'd like to see "adulted" are:
πŸ‘‘ A Little Princess
πŸ§žβ€β™‚οΈ Aladdin
 🐁 Stuart Little (it could be cute okay? like some kind of fantasy?)
πŸ‘’ Madeline
⚜️ Rumplestiltskin (I've only seen this done once and I wasn’t obsessed so I need more!)
β˜‚οΈ Mary Poppins
🐎 Misty of Chincoteague
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Did you enjoy any of those stories as a kid? 🀎 
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#veschwab #gallant #veschwabfeatures #schwabstagram #readersofinstagram #booksofig #bookgrammer #bookgram #instabooks #bookgasm #fantasybooks #bookishfeatures #booktography #booklover #bibliophilelife #readersofig #readersgonnaread #bookaesthetic #instareads #readerlife #bookishlove #bookstagram #thesecretgarden #retelling #90sbooks #childhoodbooks #childhoodbooksrevisited #bookflatlay
Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“– β €β €β €β €β € Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“–
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Long story short, I joined bookstagram in 2020 because I love books and I love talking about books, but I never had a space to do that πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ After years of fashion blogging and feeling out of place because of my interests, I wound up on this side of IG and realized that it felt like home 🀎
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I schemed up a name (something to do with coffee and books that didn't have the words "coffee" or "books" in it), took a few photos, created a profile, and went to town πŸ™ŒπŸΌ It wasn't long before I completely FELL IN LOVE with the supportive community, safe space to find new books and talk about the ones I love, and really cultivate my photography skills (which had been lying dormant for far too long) πŸ™ˆ
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Now, I'm thrilled to have connected with favorite authors, created my own hashtag (hey there #perfectespressopour β˜•οΈ), reviewed incredible books, launched my own line of merch, and made tons of new friends 🫢🏼 When I begin to feel down about the numbers or the lack of inspiration, I remind myself of why I started in the first place and I find myself falling in love all over again πŸ₯Ή
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Thank you for being part of my bookstagram journey πŸ“š
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookstagram #booktography #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #booksta #bookphotography #bookswithmagic #booksaremagic #booknerdigan
Tell me your most recent "new-to-you" fave author Tell me your most recent "new-to-you" fave author and which book made you fall in love with their work πŸ“š
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A couple months back, I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of The Wonderland Trials by @saraellawrites... and I immediately fell head over heels in love 😍 Needless to say, I instantly added her entire backlist to my TBR πŸ™ˆ
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Lately, I've been feeling a bit disappointed with fantasy (which has always been my favorite genre) πŸ˜• It seems like each time I pick one up, I'm either completely uninterested in the story or it just falls flat - but The Wonderland Trials absolutely blew me away! 🀯 If you're looking for something that really stands out amongst the rest, you certainly need to pick this one up! 🫢🏼
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Have you read any great Alice in Wonderland reimaginings? πŸ‡ 
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Recommend me an underrated queer book! πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ
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In my world, every month is #pridemonth and I always, always have queer books on my TBR (not just white mlm, but a wide range of lgbtqia+ stories) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ It's important to me to constantly be diversifying my shelves, learning more about the people around me, and continuing to create a safe environment for everyone in my little corner of the web 🀎
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My goal for June was to pack my TBR with as many queer books as I could in CELEBRATION of Pride Month, so I've already read 4 books with lgbtq rep:
πŸ¦‰ Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin
🌎 The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco
πŸ“Ί The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
🌌 Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefluer
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I'm currently reading 3:
πŸ«– A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
🩸 Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
πŸ–Œ Portrait of a Thief by Grace D Li
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 And I have 2 more on my immediate list:
πŸ₯€ Malice by Heather Walter
β˜€οΈ Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
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Have you read any of these? πŸ“š 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #queerbooks #readqueerallyear #queerreads #lgbtbooks #queeryourshelves #flippingpages
Favorite Shadow and Bone character? 🦌 β €β €β € Favorite Shadow and Bone character? 🦌
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I'm officially considering this Shadow and Bone week, between celebrating the 10th anniversary of the book and finding out about Ben narrating the Demon in the Wood audiobook! πŸ₯‚ 
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Also, catch me counting down the days until when I get to see my babies on-screen again (can we get a season 2 premiere date, please?) πŸ“Ί
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To answer my own question, Genya is my very favorite Shadow and Bone character 🀍 In fact, I have plans for a Genya tattoo in the near future πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Are you as excited for the audiobook and season 2 of the show as I am? 🀩 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #shadowandbone #grishaverse #genyasafin #leighbardugo #grishaversary #binbons
Do you have a favorite book dedication? ✍🏼
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I've found a few recently that have definitely stood out to me πŸ‘€ Sometimes a dedication sets the mood for the book and that's something I really love! 🀎
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A few that have blown my mind recently are:
πŸͺž GALLANT (pictured) by VE Schwab
πŸ‘‘ FOR THE THRONE (actually, both of The Wilderwood books have fabulous dedications) by Hannah Whitten
πŸ›« EARLY DEPARTURES by Justin A. Reynolds
πŸ“– THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig
πŸ’” ONCE UPON A BROKEN HEART by Stephanie Garber
πŸ₯˜ WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH by Elizabeth Acevedo
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Have you read any of these magnificent books? πŸ“š 
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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #bookdedications #gallant #veschwab #gallantbook #fantasybooks #fantasyreader
Is there a book you've read this year that is unli Is there a book you've read this year that is unlike anything else you've ever read? πŸ“–
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When I read THE ATLAS SIX in April, I was blown away by how unique it was! 🀯 I have never in my life read another book like it and that's part of why it got 5 stars from me ⭐️ Sure, it started at a slower pace but the further the story progressed, the more fascinating it was (and the pacing at the beginning made far more sense because it led to absolute BRILLIANCE) πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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I don't read much dark academia, so recommend some titles to me (THAT AREN'T AS WELL KNOWN) that you've enjoyed! πŸ›
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Do you enjoy books that are less plot, more ✨vib Do you enjoy books that are less plot, more ✨vibes✨?
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I definitely do! 🫢🏼 In the past few years, I've read more and more books like this and they always leave me feeling utterly fascinated (and maybe a little confused?) πŸ€” I gotta say that writing reviews for them can be a bit tough, but reading them is a lot of fun πŸ™ˆ
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Books I enjoy that are no plot, just vibes:
🐝 The Starless Sea
πŸŽͺ The Night Circus
πŸ’ƒπŸ» Where Dreams Descend
πŸͺΆ The Raven Cycle
πŸšͺ The Ten Thousand Doors of January
πŸ§™πŸ»β€β™€οΈ The Once and Future Witches
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Have you read any of these? πŸ“– 
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#mybeigemood #cozyvibes #beigeaesthetic #coffeeandbooks #coffeegram #booktography #bookaesthetic #bookflatlay #bookrecommendations #booksofinstagram #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #calmversation #bookishthoughts #bookgram #bookblogger #cozyaesthetic #hyggebookstyle #mybookfeatures #mycozyretreat #ofcosymoments #bookstagram #bookmoments #booksaremagic #booksuggestions #noplotjustvibes #turningpages #booktography #bookphotography
Do you enjoy books with illustrations? πŸ–Œ β €β € Do you enjoy books with illustrations? πŸ–Œ
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I definitely do! πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™€οΈ One of the most pleasant surprises when I opened up GALLANT was seeing the hauntingly beautiful pieces of art inside πŸ–€ It made the story feel more alive and helped me understand the way the character's mind worked 🧠
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There was a similar feeling when I first read THE ATLAS SIX and saw the character art 🎨 It gave the cast so much more depth and it made me wish that more books included pieces like this πŸ“–
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Other additions that make books stand out to me:
πŸ“° Unique chapter breaks (I read a basketball book that was divided into 4 quarters, and a book about an actor divided into acts, things like that)
πŸ’¬ Text messages
πŸ—Ί Maps
✍🏼 Handwriting (especially in the form of letters or lists)
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What are some unique things you like seeing in books? πŸ“š 
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