Saturday, June 30, 2018

June 2018 Reading Wrap Up

Hey, guys!

This has been a pretty good reading month. I've read 13 books and graphic novels. Though the end of the month ended pretty slow, I'm pretty happy with what I've read this month. I'm excited to read all of the books on my TBR for July. Here are the books I read this month!



  1. The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
    • Read in a grocery store in 5 minutes
    • 3 stars
  2. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Nogozi Adichi
    • borrowed from a friend - thanks, Martha!
    • 5 stars
  3. Saga Volume 5 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
    • borrowed from a friend - thank you, Emmie!
    • 5 stars
  4. Plutona by Jeff Lemire, Emi Lenox, Jordie Bellaire, & Steve Wands
    • borrowed from a friend - thank you, Emmie!
    • 3 stars
  5. Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll
    • borrowed from the library
    • 3 stars
  6. Confess by Colleen Hoover
    • 3 stars
  7. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
    • book club book of the month
    • 3 stars
  8. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
    1. 3 stars
  9. That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston
    1. 2.5 stars
  10. Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard ~ audio + physical
    • reread via audiobook
    • Review {click here}
    • I will be reviewing this book again
    • 3 stars
  11. The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell
    • ARC provided by HMH
    • 5 stars
    • A new favorite(!!!) book!
  12. Algedonic by R.H. Sin
    • borrowed from a friend - thank you, Maddie!
    • 5 stars
  13. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
    1. 3 stars

Overall, I read some pretty average books this month, but I also found some new favorites. I'm reading and planning on reading some pretty great books in July, so stay tuned!

Favorite Book of June: The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell
Least Favorite Book of June: That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

June Book Haul {click here}

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Friday, June 29, 2018

June 2018 Book Haul


Hey, guys!

     This past month I've managed to acquire some really really cool books! I'm super excited to read and check out these books. I've already read a few, but I'm really excited to read the ones I haven't. I've actually picked up some books that focus on Norse mythology and culture. I'm currently researching for a writing project that I'm hoping to do. I'm also collaborating with a bunch of publishers and they've sent me some exciting books to read soon. Stay tuned for those reviews! Here are the books I've picked up this month!



  1. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan 
  2. Circe by Madeline Miller
  3. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
  4. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
  5. Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf (not pictured - lent out to a friend)
  6. The Creature of the Pines (The Unicorn Rescue Society #1) by Adam Gidwitz
  7. The Basque Dragon (The Unicorn Rescue Society #2) by Adam Gidwitz
    1. review coming soon!
  8. Algedonic by R.H. Sin
    1. review coming soon!
  9. Myths of the Norseman by Roger Lancelyn Green
  10. The Prose of Edda by Snorri Sturluson
  11. Epic Norse Myths and Tales
  12. The Bewitched Viking by Sandra Hill
  13. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman 
  14. Bonfire by Krysten Ritter
  15. Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd
  16. Wrong In All the Right Ways by Tiffany Brownlee

Thank You's!


  • Thank you, Crown Publishing for sending me this copy of Bonfire by Krysten Ritter! I'm super excited to get to it. 
  • Thank you, Penguin Kids for sending me the first two Unicorn Rescue Society books! My review for book 2 will be going up soon!
  • Thank you, HMH for sending me a copy of Grim Lovelies
  • Thank you, Tiffany Brownlee and Henry Holt for sending me Wrong In All the Right Ways!


Book of the Month Unboxing: {click here


Stay tuned for my June reading wrap up! 

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

{Review || LivTheBookClub May 2018 BOTM} The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

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Page Count: 288
Published on: February 13, 2017
Published by: First Second
Genre(s): Graphic Novel, YA, LGBTQAI+, Historical, Romance, Comics
Source: purchased for book club
Age Rating: all ages
Where to Find it: Amazon // Goodreads // Book Depository
My Rating: 5 stars






Goodreads synopsis:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.
 


~~~

Hey, guys!

    During the month of May, the Liv the Book Club chose The Prince and the Dressmaker as our book of the month. This is a full color graphic novel that takes place in Paris, France during the dawn of the modern age. The novel follows the young seamstress Frances. After creating a unique dress for a noblewoman, France's talent is noticed by the Crown Prince of Belgium: Sebastian. Sebastian hires Frances to become his personal seamstress and enlists her in aiding him in maintaining his secret identity as Lady Crystallia. The two grow close and soon are best friends. Though Frances adores being Sebastian's secret weapon, she longs to live her dream and become a famous fashion designer. 


     This novel was absolutely beautiful. I absolutely adored every bit of it. The characters were so well thought out, their stories were fantastic. The plot was so wonderful and the pace was so addicting. I didn't want it to end. The art style was beyond perfect for the vibe of this book. The writing was phenomenal and stirred up every emotion. The colors and line work were just stunning. I cannot stress the perfection of this book enough. 
      There was a fantastic focus on acceptance and unconditional love in this book. The discussion on gender norms was done so well. This story is going to be one of those influential stories that will brilliantly inform the uninformed reader. Often times, those who are considered different often are dehumanized and forced into a label that does not accurately portray or define who they are. There is a trend lately where people will just make assumptions about people, specific group of people, etc. I think this book has the capability to enable readers to begin to accept people for who they are or even just understand why people are who they are. 


     Overall, this graphic novel is an absolute treat. I highly recommend it to everyone. Happiness is imminent when reading this beautiful story. This is going to be one of my all time favorite books of the year and probably ever. Everyone needs to pick it up.

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~


Monday, June 25, 2018

[Try A Chapter #1] June 2018 Reading Slump

Thursday, June 21, 2018

{Bookish Subscription Box} Book of the Month #5: June 2018


Hey, guys!

      This month I took advantage of the amazing $5 sale that the Book of the Month Club had and managed to cash in a few free books that I had from my friends using my referral link. Because of my referral link, I picked three books this month. I'm so excited to read these books. If I could have, I would have had 4 books this month, but I couldn't. Maybe someday I will get the book that got booted out of the box. 


Here are the books I picked for June!


Image result for book of the month logo



What Is The Book Of The Month Club??


Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription box. Each month, 5 curators pick out their favorite new hardcover books, and you can choose which one you want to receive on the first of the month. You can also add up to 2 additional books for only $9.99 each.


How It Works:

1. New selections are chosen each month. On the 1st of the month, the site announces the 5 books that they chose for the month.
2. Choose your book! Choose by the 6th, or skip the month.
3. The boxes are shipped and you get a beautiful BOTM box and book!

Shipping: U.S. only (apologies to my international readers!)

Cost: $14.99/month (includes a book credit - after all credits are used each extra book is $9.99); Shipping is FREE

Overall Product: Subscribers will receive a hardcover book from the books that were selected that month. You can add up to 2 extra books for $9.99 each plus BOTM goodies for an additional fee.


~~~

June Picks


1. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
2. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
3. Circe by Madeline Miller

~~~

June Pick:

The Kissing Quotient by Helen Hoang



I'm super excited about this book. It looks so interesting, romantic, and sexy. I'm quite hesitant about the sexy bits, but I'm really excited about the autism rep that it has. There needs to be more books with characters that are on the autism spectrum! 

Goodreads synopsis: 

A heartwarming and refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in the world to predict what will make your heart tick.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.

It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...

Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...
 

~~~

Where to Purchase
Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository // BOTM

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.24 stars (4,243 ratings)
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult
Page Count: 336


~~~

Extra: April 2018

Circe by Madeline Miller



I've been anticipating this book for quite a long time. However, the actual book is $27! I'm so excited to have acquired this book. I cannot wait to read it. It sounds so freaking good.

Goodreads synopsis:

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.
 


~~~

Where to Purchase
Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository // BOTM

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.4 stars (17,228 ratings - 3,473 reviews)
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction, Historical, Retelling
Page Count: 394



~~~

Extra: March 2018 

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan



Goodreads synopsis:

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

~~~

Where to Purchase


Average Goodreads Rating: 4.19 stars (3,643 ratings - 1,012 reviews_
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Genres: YA, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Fiction, Fantasy
Page Count: 462


My Other BOTM Club Blog Posts:

☆ March: {click here}
☆ April: {click here}
☆ May 2017: {click here}

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~


Wednesday, June 20, 2018

{Review} A Whisper in the Dark by Louisa May Alcott


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Page Count: 48 
Published on: June 17, 2004 (first published in 1996)
Published by: Entangled Teen
Genre(s): Classics, Mystery, Gothic, Feminist
Source: borrowed from Mallory
Age Rating: adult
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon
Book Depository: {click here}

My Rating: 3 stars








Goodreads synopsis:

I yearned to go, and when I willed the way so on appeared; so careless of bonnetless head and cambric gown, I stretched my hands to him, saying boldly, "Play young Lochinvar, Guy; I am little and light; take me up before you and show me the sea.."He liked the daring feat, held out his hand, I stepped on his boot toe, sprang up, and away we went over the wide moor, where the sun shone in a cloudless heaven, the lark soared singing from the green grass at our feet, and the September wind blew freshly from the sea. As we paused on the upland slope, that gave us a free view of the country for miles, Guy dismounted, and standing with his arm about the saddle to steady me in my precarious seat, began to talk. 


~~~

Hey, guys!

    I borrowed this short story from my friend Mallory. This is the only piece by Louisa May Alcott's that she has read and I had never read it, so of course I had to borrow it! I love LMA! 

    A Whisper in the Dark was an intriguing look into Alcott's darker prose. Like her character Jo (Little Women), Alcott wrote many "blood and thunder" stories in her earlier writing career for newspaper columns and magazines. Her earlier work often discussed rather dark and taboo subjects that the public often did not want to discuss. During this time, women were considered quite unhinged if they were to write openly. Many women were put into asylums and hospitals for exhibiting behaviors that were considered irregular or too masculine. 

   In this short story, the main character: a young girl is sent to live with her uncle and cousin. She finds out that she is to be betrothed to her cousin in the future. She hears that her uncle plans to take her fortune and squander it. She plans to lead both of the men on and ensure her financial standing. When her uncle does the unthinkable, she becomes terrified for her future and emotional. She is then put into a mental institution and labeled as hysterical, though her emotions were understandable. 

    In this short story, Alcott has managed to discuss the mistreatment of the female sex during the late 1800s and creatively display to the public of the horrors that women had to face when falsely imprisoned and hospitalized for standing up for what they believe in. I really enjoyed seeing Alcott's stance on these issues through her work. I've already known that I deeply admire her, but this just further solidified my opinion of her. She was a pioneer for women and writing women alike. I just love her so much. This wasn't my favorite of her work, but I really enjoyed it nonetheless. She's a masterful writer. 


Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

{Read-A-Thon} Cram-A-Thon 2018 Wrap Up



Hey, guys!

    This round of Cram-A-Thon was soooo ROUGH!!! I didn't really follow my TBR at all because I was just struggling to push through my reading slump. However, I did technically read four books. Granted, I did finish two books that I had already started, but I'm counting them! It took me a while to get through these books, so I'm pretty proud of my reading progress. Consider this a sneak peek into my June Reading Wrap Up! Here are the books that I finished and the challenges that they correspond with!

Challenge 1: 
A predicted 5-star book

I really wasn't sure what I would have rated these four books. I was hoping for higher ratings, but all four of these books ended up being 3 star-books for me. 

Challenge 2: 
A book that's out of your comfort zone

None of my four books were out of my comfort zone. I just read what I could because I was in such a terrible slump. 

If I were to stretch this challenge, I could maybe put The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue in here. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but I did really enjoy this. The only reason this book doesn't receive a 4-star rating is that I easily just put it down. It's been sitting on my currently reading pile for a couple months and I just didn't have any desire to finish it. 

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Challenge 3: 
A book that has been on your TBR for a long time

None of these books have been on my TBR in a LOONG time, but I have been meaning to reread Red Queen to continue on with the series since Glass Sword came out in 2016.


Challenge 4: 
An LGBTQ+ Own Voices Book

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

I'm not sure if this is an own voices novel, but it had some great LGBTQA+ rep. I cannot attest to its authenticity, but there was some great diversity throughout this novel. Though this book had a wonderful alternate world, I really did not enjoy it as much as I would have hoped. The characters, relationships, and the pacing just weren't up to par. The world, the diversity, and the alternate history were fantastic though. I really enjoyed those bits. 

I will have a review up for this book soon!

☆☆☆ I gave this book 2.75 stars ☆☆☆ 

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Challenge 5: 
Something that is not a standard novel

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard

KIND OF FAILED!
I'm not sure if this counts, but I did read 90% of Red Queen via audiobook. That is not my usual means of reading, so it's not standard for me. 

Goodreads thoughts: {click here}
2015 Review: {click here}

This time around I gave 
☆☆☆ Red Queen 3 stars ☆☆☆

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Challenge 6: A book with your favorite color on the cover

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

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This is actually the book of the month pick for the Liv the Book Club. I really expected to enjoy this book, but it really fell flat for me. I wasn't that big of a fan. I'll have a full review coming soon.

☆☆☆ I gave The Belles 3 stars ☆☆☆

Challenge 7: 
Read 7 books

FAILED

I read 4 books. Ha. 

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~



Tuesday, June 12, 2018

A Very Gudetama Review


Hey, guys!

This is a very unconventional review, but I really wanted to share these hilarious and super fun Gudetama books with you all. My best friend, Emmie, absolutely loves the character Gudetama. She often sends me Gudetama related pictures, memes, and videos. When we go out shopping and we see a Gudetama themed thing, she will point it out and get excited about his character. Because of her interest and love for Gudetama, I have begun to really relate and enjoy his character as well. He's just so fun. 


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I have been sent these Gudetama books for an honest review by Penguin Random House. 
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

~~~

Synopsis:

Eggsistential Thoughts by Francesco Sedita and Max Bisantz

Not all Sanrio characters are cheery! In Japanese, when you're lazy, you are referred to as gude gude. And that's where our new friend gets its name. Gudetama (tama from "tamago," egg in Japanese) is the lazy egg. Gudetama likes soy sauce and being left alone. Sometimes, Gudetama wonders if we are born only to suffer. And here, in Eggsistential Thoughts, are Gudetama's musings on life.

Gudetama's Guide to Life by Brian D. Clark

In Japanese, when you're lazy, you are referred to as gude gude. Gudetama (tama from "tamago," egg in Japanese) is the lazy egg. Gudetama likes soy sauce and being left alone. Sometimes, Gudetama wonders if we are born only to suffer.

Each page of this book is kind of packed with helpful lessons, inspiring quotes and mind-blowing advice that will have you laying around like an egg in no time! And all of it comes straight from the yolk of a Gudetama!

~~~

Publication Information

Page Count: 48 pages - Eggsistential Thoughts 
80 - Guide to Life
Published on: October 17, 2017 - Eggsistential Thoughts
 April 10, 2018 - Guide to Life
Published by: Penguin Random House
Genre(s): graphic novel, sequential art, humor, picture books, children's

Source: provided by publisher
Age Rating: all ages

~~~

Purchasing Information:

Where To Find It
Eggsistential Thoughts: Goodreads // Amazon
Guide to Life: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: 
Guide to Life -- {click here}
Eggsistential Thoughts -- {click here}

~~~

My Ratings: 3 stars (both)

~~~

My Thoughts:


Overall, this was a pretty cute coffee table book. The art was really cute and really fun. I really enjoyed Gudetama's drama and complaints. However, this book does not have much substance to it. It's cute, but it's not an actual novel about Gudetama, if that is what you're looking for (I wasn't). This is the perfect book to flip through in a waiting room, while you're having a longer bathroom excursion, or if you're just killing time.


Overall, this was really cute too. There was more substance than Eggsistential Thoughts, which I enjoyed. The humor that was used throughout was really entertaining and I really enjoyed the illustrations that were featured throughout. I really did relate so some of Gudetama's behavior. He's quite relatable for an egg. 



I hope you guys enjoyed these small reviews. Gudetama is lots of fun. If you enjoy Sanrio's other characters and you enjoy dry humor and eggs, you'll love these books. 

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Summer 2018 Cram-A-Thon TBR


Hey, guys!

I was totally surprised to realize that the Cram-A-Thon starts today! I've always tried to participate in the Cram-A-Thon if I could. This week looks be quite busy, so I hope to complete a good chunk of these books. I know this is a very ambitious TBR, but I have lots of hope. 


Summer Session: June 10 - June 17

Twitter: @cramathon


My TBR!


Challenge 1: 
A predicted 5-star book

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas

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Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Challenge 2: 
A book that's out of your comfort zone

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

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The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Challenge 3: 
A book that has been on your TBR for a long time

Wintersong (Wintersong #1) by S. Jae-Jones

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The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride....

All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They've enraptured her mind and spirit and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesel can't help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.

But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds--and the mysterious man who rules it--she soon faces an impossible decision. With time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed.


Challenge 4: 
An LGBTQ+ Own Voices Book

That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

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Set in a near-future world where the British Empire was preserved, not by the cost of blood and theft but by effort of repatriation and promises kept, That Inevitable Victorian Thing is a novel of love, duty, and the small moments that can change people and the world.

Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendant of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history two centuries earlier. The imperial practice of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage like her mother before her, but before she does her duty, she'll have one summer incognito in a far corner of empire. In Toronto, she meets Helena Marcus, daughter of one of the empire's greatest placement geneticists, and August Callaghan, the heir apparent to a powerful shipping firm currently besieged by American pirates. In a summer of high-society debutante balls, politically charged tea parties, and romantic country dances, Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an unusual bond and maybe a one in a million chance to have what they want and to change the world in the process —just like the first Queen Victoria.


Challenge 5: 
Something that is not a standard novel

Runaways Deluxe Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona, & Takeshi Miyazawa

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They were six normal teenagers linked only by their wealthy parents' annual business meeting...until a chance discovery revealed the shocking truth: their parents are the secret criminal society known as the Pride! For years, the Pride controlled all criminal activity in Los Angeles, ruling the city with an iron fist...and now, with their true natures exposed, the Pride will take any measures necessary to protect their organization - even if it means taking out their own children! Now on the run from their villainous parents, Nico, Chase, Karolina, Gertrude, Molly, and Alex have only each other to rely on. 
COLLECTING: RUNAWAYS (2003) 1-18

Challenge 6: 
A book with your favorite color on the cover

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

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Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision. 

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.


Challenge 7: 
Read 7 books

Runaways Deluxe Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona, & Takeshi Miyazawa


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Teenage fugitives Nico, Gert, Karolina, Chase, and Molly are survivors. After learning their parents were secretly supervillains, the kids discovered special skills of their own and toppled their parents' criminal empire, the Pride. Now, the Runaways meet Victor Mancha, the unknowing son of another infamous super villain, as a meddling ex-super hero support group tries to force the Runaways off the streets! Meanwhile, one Runaway deals with an unexpected legacy, and the team helps Cloak and Dagger hunt a stalker...which leads to confrontations with the New Avengers and the X-Men.


Happy reading, y'all!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~