Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017
(in no particular order)

1. Murder, Magic, & What We Wore (Kelly Jones) (review)
2. Tash Hearts Tolstoy (Kathryn Ormsbee)
3. Roar (Cora Carmack) (review)
4. Geekerella (Ashley Poston) (review)
5. Duels & Deception (Cindy Anstey) (review)
6. Daughter of the Pirate King (Tricia Levenseller) (review)
7. The Crown's Game (Evelyn Skye) (review)
8. Defy the Stars (Claudia Gray) (review)
9. A Poison Dark & Drowning (Jessica Cluess) (review)
10. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Marie Kondo)
11. The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 6 (Kore Yamazaki)

What were your favorite books of 2017?

The #FridayReads Review (9/29/17)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland (ARC)

I've been craving light, simple reads of late and that typically means contemporaries, so I grabbed this purple pretty. Currently 45% through and while it does have some fun and snark that I'm enjoying, it also has a dark, somewhat unsettling side that I fear won't end well. Still, I'm invested enough to see it through.

Poisons of Crux: The Hollow Bettle by Susannah Appelbaum (PBK)

I'm currently out of sorts thanks to the season transition so due to a sudden desperate need for a young and magical read I pulled this randomly off the shelf. While normally I would've DNFd this wandering and non-linear story not 50 pages in (I think I actually did, long ago), for now I'm just enjoying the mindless magical adventure. 

>> DNF <<

Traveler by L.E. DeLano (ARC)

DNF at Page 45. Another Swoon Reads bites the dust. *sigh* Despite the protagonist being a writer I just didn't connect with her, and although the alternate worlds premise was interesting I couldn't even get through the explanation of how they worked to reach the actual travelling into them. Mainly though the story didn't feel properly balanced, and I wasn't really fond of the writing style. Would recommend Claudia Gray's A Thousand Pieces of You instead.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Renegades by Marissa Meyer (ARC)

*FLAILS*

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (9/22/17)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Traveler by L.E. DeLano (ARC)

Just starting this today. I haven't been having the best track record with Swoon Reads titles so I'm not expecting as much from this as I was before, but it still sounds like an interesting read so into the SR fray once more.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller (ARC)

4 Stars. A quick and thoroughly entertaining pirate adventure with an easy writing style and truly kick-ass female protagonist. Wish I had the second book on hand! Review to come.

By Your Side by Kasie West (PBK)

3.5 Stars. Not quite as good as I'd been expecting given the partial library setting, but still a good teen contemporary romance as the female protagonist had an anxiety disorder I could relate to. Review to come.

>> DNF <<

You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando (ARC)

DNF at Chapter 8. As much as I really wanted and expected to like this one, I found it dull. Other than a little spy training and mysterious vans there was very little going on in the first 80 pages other than "real" life, forcing A LOT of unnecessary filler description and movement to make up the word count. Although Reagan's skills were impressive, her personality and attitude weren't, and I never connected with her or really cared for her. I liked her friend Harper, and (no surprise) love interest Luke, but their relationships with Reagan weren't worth continuing the story - nor was the action that must have been coming, eventually. It was obvious from Chapter 1 that this is supposed to be predominantly a romance, and I like my spy stories to put the thrill first. I tried to read past Chapter 8 but found myself immediately skimming and then flipping whole pages, so as I really don't care what happens next or how it ends I'm passing on the rest.

Kat & Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza (ARC)

DNF at Page 114. Although quirky Kat and Meg eventually grew on me (even Meg's rambling viewpoint), their prospective boyfriends were cute and funny, and there were a few LOL moments, the school project plot was too mundane to maintain my interest and it read more MG than YA which unbalanced Meg's occasional older teen actions. The OCD and ADHD depictions seemed realistic, and I'm sure many - especially teens - will really connect with Meg and Kat and the story, but personally I'm just not engaged enough to finish.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid (ARC)

It's really about time I read this one. Keeping my fingers crossed I love it!

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (9/15/17)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando (ARC)

Decided to catch up on some early 2017 releases in case I want to request the sequels, and as this one has always looked awesome it was top of the pile. Just started it this morning so still on the Prologue, but so far so thrilling!

No Plot? No Problem! Revised by Chris Baty (PBK)

I'll be helping teens at my library with Nano this year so I'm brushing up on the basics! The original of this book was a lot of fun when I read it for my first Nano and I'm hoping it helps me recall what it's like to be a young writer again.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen (ARC)

3 Stars. An entertaining teen sci-fi thriller with an engrossing competition and relatable, diverse characters but extremely confusing description and WAY too many characters to keep straight. Review to come.


>> DNF <<

Warcross by Marie Lu (ARC)

DNF at Chapter 3. I really wanted to love this one, and given the video game setup and Japanese elements I really should have. But the illogically ruled first chapter frustrated me, the wallowing and introspective second chapter was dull and heavy with description, and when the end of the second finally promised the world of Warcross but the third chapter began with even more reminiscence instead, I just couldn't force myself to read any more. Perhaps I'll try it again some day - I did love Legend back when it released - but as I also recently tried and failed with The Young Elites as well, I doubt it.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu (ARC)

DNF at Page 45. I was warned a while ago that this may be too dark a read for me, but while it does have dark and somewhat disturbing elements, I found it rather dull and unengaging. The story claims an interesting premise with interesting magic, but Adelina's magic was extremely confusing as described in action, and I found Adelina and her desperate situation uninteresting. I loved Legend back when it released, but as I just DNFd Warcross as well it appears I've grown out of Marie Lu's style.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller (ARC)

Next on the early 2017 release pile. I've heard great things, so while pirates aren't typically my read I'll give it a try.

So what are you reading this week?

Top Ten Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Top Ten Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far

1. Murder, Magic, & What We Wore (Kelly Jones)
2. Tash Hearts Tolstoy (Kathryn Ormsbee)
3. Roar (Cora Carmack)
4. Geekerella (Ashley Poston) (review)
5. Duels & Deception (Cindy Anstey) (review)
6. The Crown's Game (Evelyn Skye)
7. Lucky in Love (Kasie West)
8. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Marie Kondo)
9. Spark Joy (Marie Kondo)
10. The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 6 (Kore Yamazaki)

So what are your best books of 2017 so far?

Paragraph Review: Duels & Deception (Cindy Anstey) | #famous (Jilly Gagnon)

Title: Duels & Deception
Series: standalone
Author: Cindy Anstey
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: April 11, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Mystery Romance
Told: Third Person Omniscient, Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (kidnapping, misadventure, kissing)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Miss Lydia Whitfield, heiress to the family fortune, has her future entirely planned out. She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father's choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going according to plan.

Until Lydia—and Robert along with her—is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won't hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert's help, Lydia strives to keep her family's good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants…

*          *          *

In a Sentence: A lighthearted Austen-esque mystery romance with entertaining characters and an engaging whodunit.

Duels & Deception was an easy and enjoyable read with writing reminiscent of Jane Austen's gentle yet playful tone that makes even the most mild of subjects engrossing. Although it could get a little too quiet on occasion such is the way with these kinds of stories, and the sedate times made the exciting moments all the more thrilling. The main mystery had me guessing at every turn, although I was all but certain of the correct culprit about halfway through. Several vocal gasps and giggles were easily elicited throughout, and I was grinning broadly by the end. The romance was sweet and perfectly proper, and the characters all unique and engaging from the main players to the villainous henchmen. Overall a pleasant read that I highly recommend for Austen fans, and I look forward to reading more by Anstey soon.

For fans of: Jane Austen

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

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Title: #famous
Series: standalone
Author: Jilly Gagnon
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person (Rachel & Kyle), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (innuendo, language, bullying, minor sensuality)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Debut author Jilly Gagnon bursts onto the scene with a story equal parts bite and romance, perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Jennifer E. Smith, about falling for someone in front of everyone. 

In this modern day love story: Girl likes boy. Girl snaps photo and posts it online. Boy becomes insta-famous. And what starts out as an innocent photo turns into a whirlwind adventure that forces them both to question whether fame—and love—are worth the price…and changes both of their lives forever.

Told from alternating points of view, #famous captures the sometimes-crazy thrill ride of social media and the equally messy but wonderful moments of liking someone in real life.

*          *          *

In a Sentence: A cliche and somewhat dispiriting #awkward contemporary romance about unexpected fame, bullying, and self-realization that was not the mood lifter I anticipated.

With its adorable cover and "modern day love story" premise I expected a lighthearted romance about finding love through a brush with fame. What I got, however, was an #awkward romance I could barely read due to a lot of cringing, eye-rolling, and sighing over misinterpretations, false assumptions, and the fact that I did not think the two made a good couple. About two-thirds through I did eventually come to understand why they felt they were attracted to each other, but in my opinion while they would make really good friends, they would not make long-lasting romantic partners. As far as the fame aspect, it was a somewhat dispiriting tale of expectations, self-realization, and for me badly handled bullying that soured the story. Thankfully it was a very quick read, and despite an overused misunderstanding of a resolution, the end was sweet and full of promise for the characters' futures. Overall #famous was not the fluffy love story I'd been looking forward to, but if you enjoy more drama in your contemporary romances then perhaps give it a try. 

Recommend if you liked: Broken Hearts, Fences, & Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

Scribble Rating: 

2.5 of 5 Scribbles