May 2019 Wrap Up + Mini Reviews

Hey, guys!

I managed to read so many books this month. I'm really not sure how I did it. I'm pretty happy with what I read, though I went through a week where I just read sub-par books. You'll see. Here are the books I read this month!

The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass 
4.5 stars

The lag that I felt occurred in The Elite was immediately remedied when diving into The One. I love love love this book so much. The feelings of nostalgia really healed the sadness that had been welling up in my heart from all that happened in April. I love America and Maxon with all of their flaws. I don't think I'll read The Heir and The Crown for a little while, but I'm definitely going to reread them soon. I just love Kiera's writing. She has such a lovely style and the way she creates and develops her characters is so masterful. I hope she writes more soon, but I know that she's a mother as well as an NYT bestseller, so I totally understand her writing hiatus. I still miss her though.

Original series review: {click here}

Where Are They Now? (The Selection #5.2) by Kiera Cass 
3 stars

I loved this little novella. I absolutely love the world of the Selection and I wish I had been able to learn more and more about the original girls. They're all so wonderful and I loved seeing their happily ever afters/endings.

The Backstagers Volume 1 by James Tynion IV and Rian Sygh ~ 3 stars

This volume was really cute, but I found myself getting really bored halfway through. The first issue is by far my favorite, but I don't think I will continue this series. I'm really disappointed too because when I first read the first volume, I was so in love with the little world and the characters that I was introduced to. It's too bad.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting 

3.5 stars

I've written a full review on Meet Cute. Click {here} to read my review!

{DNF} Lost Boys by Riley Quinn

ARC provided by the author

Release Date: May 11, 2019
No rating

I really tried with this book. I really did. However, I just was not enjoying it at all. I DNF'd it around 120 pages in, but absolutely nothing happened in it. I was just really bored. I really love my fantasy novels to be action driven and this just wasn't. I was bored with the characters, I didn't care about the actual conflict (was there a conflict) and rereading the synopsis to see what would happen just wasn't compelling me to finish this book. I know that I accepted this review request, but I was really bored and it wasn't happening. 

The Chupacabras of the Rio Grande (The Unicorn Rescue Society #4) by Adam Gidwitz and David Bowles 
3 stars

I was sent this ARC for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own. 

I really enjoyed this addition to the Unicorn Rescue Society series. It's such a great way to educate kids about important issues and immerse them in other cultures. I absolutely adored the setting of the Texas/Mexico border. The issues that were touched upon -- border relations -- are written in a way that children will understand and create their own opinion about the matter. In this story, Elliot and Uchenna head to Laredo, Texas with Professor Fauna to save the chupacabras and preserve their homes. As they are investigating the scene, they meet former Unicorn Rescue Society members, a young chupacabras, and the stinky Schmoke Brothers. This was such a great addition to the series -- definitely, one of my favorites-- and I'm eager to see where Gidwitz and Bowles take this series. It's so freaking fun, powerful, and relevant. These books are the stories that I hope young readers find and read...I'll definitely be reading these to my future children.

Full review {click here}

Steven Universe 2016 Special by Shannon Watters (Editor), Whitney Leopard (Associate Editor), Chris Rosa (Associate Editor), Ayme Sotuyo (Illustrator), Grace Park (Designer), Rebecca Sugar (Creator)
4 stars

I loved the donut theme of this volume. Each comic had me giggling and loving the characters even more. I absolutely adore Steven Universe.

Check Please: #Hockey, Volume 1 by Ngozi Ukazu 

4.5 stars

Before reading this adorable graphic novel, I had only heard positive things about this book. However, I was wary to pick it up because I do not typically enjoy sports-centered stories because I'm not an athletic person, nor do I enjoy watching, partaking, or learning about sports. This graphic novel...IT TOTALLY BLEW ME AWAY! I absolutely love the characters, the art style, the plot, the romance, and the hockey focus. Bitty is such a wholesome bean and I cannot wait to see what kind of growth he experiences in volume 2. The slow burn romance between Bitty and Jack was so freaking cute and I really do not appreciate the cliff hanger that we were left with. I definitely recommend this precious graphic novel.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

5 stars

I have a full review for this book up already! I absolutely adored this book! 

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally

5 stars

Read via audiobook on Audible with my boyfriend, Alex.

This book was so wonderful. We're such big fans of Megan and Nick. I love love love the audiobook so freaking much. They were constantly interrupting their own writing to add little stories and every moment was a hilarious ride of hilarity. I'm definitely going to have to listen to more of Nick's books. 

I definitely recommend this book via audio, HOWEVER, you should have the book out as well because of the pictures and illustrations that are found throughout. Great stuff. Definitely worth purchasing both formats. 10/10!!

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer 

4 stars

I originally read this book when it first came out in 2013 and again in 2015 as a series reread. Here are my new thoughts 4 years later: I remember reading this and being so immersed and in love with the characters, but rereading for the third time at age 21 made me realize that there are still some flaws in this book. Scarlet is SO ANNOYING! She and Wolf are so two-dimensional and I am not for it. Scarlet was only focused on getting to her grandmother and her inner turmoil about trusting Wolf was getting repetitive. I wish she had more complexity than what was shown in the book. I'm not sure if it was the audiobook narrator, or the character itself, but damn was she just so annoying and whiny. I just did not enjoy her perspective like I did my first two reads. 

I understand why Wolf is so bleh though. He's mysterious and his thoughts cannot be tamed. I'm excited to get back to the wolf-boy that I loved in 2015/2016.

Cinder is the best. I love her so much. Carswell Thorne! UGH, LOVE!

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'Neill

5 stars

Another fabulous graphic novel. I'm such a big fan of Katie O'Neill now! Her style is so freaking beautiful and immersive. The magical creatures that she creates are always so captivating. I really want an Aquicorn! UGH PRECIOUS! The story of Aquicorn Cove is so important because it emphasizes the importance of taking care of our environment. The way that Katie wrote and created this story was so perfect because it captures the need for awareness for the need to take care of our home. "There's no home without a future." This graphic novel was so empowering, beautiful, breath-taking, important, immersive, whimsical...need I say more? I hope that everyone picks up Katie O'Neill's books and supports her work. She deserves every bit of hype.

Fae's Captive (#1) by Lily Archer 

2.5 stars

Road to Winter (Fae's Captive #2) by Lily Archer

2 stars

Bite of Winter (Fae's Captive #3) by Lily Archer 

2 stars

Beyond the Mountain (Fae's Captive #4) by Lily Archer 

2 stars

I have some of my thoughts up on my ebook-a-thon wrap-up! I also have a series review for these books up! Check out my full review {here}

Waiting on Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey 

3 stars 

This was a fun idea for a contemporary, but I found the constant and repetitive references to the iconic rom-com movies eventually became really annoying. I also really didn’t like the main character. The side characters and love interest were the best parts of the story. The “twist” at the end of the book was really random as well. I think this story has a lot of potential but it wasn’t 5-star material for me. I’m sure that a rom-com fanatic would love this book. Overall, the book was fun and a lovely love letter to the romantic comedy movie genre. It made me laugh many times. 

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

2.5 stars

(first half ~ 3 stars; second half ~ 2 stars)

This book was a bumpy ride...here is my full review. My review goes up on June 5th! Stay tuned! The link will send you to the review on the 11th at 12AM EST. {click here}

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo 

5 stars

This story is so powerful, beautiful, and full of hope. It's one of my new favorites of the year. I'll be finishing up my full review soon! Stay tuned!

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

3 stars

I quite enjoyed this little contemporary, however, I really didn't enjoy the "talking on the internet, meeting irl, having crushes on each other, and allowing confusion to ensue because of the lack of communication" trope. I think that the confusion from that executed trope just added an extra element that wasn't needed. It would have been a much better fluffy romance without it. Overall, it was really cute and I liked the characters. The way that the author handled trauma, teen drug use, and safe and consensual sexual escapades was really nicely done. I love how sex-positive and healthy this romance was. It was also nice to read a hate-to-love romance that was written for teens. I'll definitely have to check out more of Jenn Bennett's work. 

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

4 stars

I'm such a big fan of the film for The Princess Bride. It's one of my all-time favorite movies. Fantastic! This book would have definitely been a 5-star book if I hadn't seen the movie so many times. The movie is phenomenal, the book is just as great. It has some parts that weren't included in the movie -- backstories for the characters --, but other than that, the movie was nearly word-for-word taken from the book. WHICH IS GREAT! I love a A+ adaptation, but reading the book was like just a slower version of the movie and I was bored. 

If you haven't seen the movie, I definitely recommend that you use your own discretion when deciding if you'll watch the movie or read the book first. Either way, you'll be entertained. I could have lived without reading the book, but I'm still glad that I read it. It was a bucket of fun. 

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

When I was asked to read this for the blog tour, I was so excited. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It was still quite good. I want to reread it some time so that I can formulate my own opinion about the book, rather than the audiobook that I didn't enjoy much. You can read my review {here}.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

4.75 stars

If you've been following my recent reads, you'll know that I'm becoming trash for Christina Lauren's books. They're so engaging and addicting. I always love the characters, the story, the romance -- everything. Those ladies just have the best writing style and the best characters. I'm so glad that I pre-ordered this book and read it with my friends. It's just such a fun book. I definitely recommend.

Number of Literary Things Read: 24
Top 3 Favorites: With the Fire On High, The Unhoneymooners, 
& Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Number of Pages Read: 6,101

Physical: 10

Audio: 4

e-Books: 6

Graphic Novels: 4

What did you read this month? Let's discuss in the comments!

Happy reading,

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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February 2019 Reading Wrap Up + My Current Reads!

Hey, guys!

This past month has been sooo freaking busy. I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating you all. I'm finding that the junior years of high school and college are definitely the hardest years so far. I've managed to read much more than I anticipated and the books that I did read were so fantastic! Here are the books that I read this month (+mini reviews - for now!)

A Curse So Dark & Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

~ 5 stars ~

      I had the pleasure of reading this book a week early, but I became so busy that I was unable to read it completely beforehand. I managed to finish the book the day after it was published and WOW-OH-WOW! I was so pleased with this book. It's definitely a new favorite and I'm unashamed to say that I bought two more of Brigid's books this month post-Curse. This book was the perfect blend of diversity, a new fantastical world, alternate universe crossing, romance, friendship, action, retelling elements, and immersive writing. I love this book so fracking much. I'm honestly still not sure how to describe why I love it so much. I'm still collecting my thoughts and I honestly want to reread the novel so that I can read a finished copy. I cannot wait for A Heart So Fierce & Broken. I already know it's going to be epic and beautiful. Bring it on, Brigid!

Shoutout to Good Choice Reading for the amazing virtual signing for Curse!

Bloom by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau

~ 5 stars ~

       Another beautifully written story that I cannot get enough of. This book is also a new favorite that I instantly bought soon after reading it. I had been eagerly yet quietly anticipating this book for a month now and when one of the librarians pointed out the new graphic novels in our collection, I had to read it ASAP. I procrastinated my homework and binge-read the first 3/4 before the library closed and basically swallowed the last 1/4 after I got home. This story is just so beautiful, sweet, and wholesome. I absolutely love Ari and Hector. They are the soft, beautiful baking boys of my heart. I cannot wait to read more from Kevin and Savanna. This graphic novel deserves all of the stars!

Bingo Love Volume 1: Jackpot Edition by Tee Franklin, Marguerite Bennett, Gail Simone, Shawn Pryor, Jenn St. Onge, Sara Alfageeh, Paulina Ganucheau, Beverly Johnson, and Ariela Kristantina

~ 4 stars ~

I also picked this beautiful book up from my university's library (along with Be Prepared and Bloom). I've been eyeing this story since it came to our shelves and I am so glad that I read this lovely story. The story of Hazel and Mari is so beautiful, inspiring, and heartwrenching. I am, for real, so blessed to have read this book. This book follows Hazel and Mari as they fall in love in the 1960s, but are driven apart by the hands of their conservative families. Decades later, they find each other again and realize that their love is still very much alive. They take control of their lives and live the rest of their lives together. The journeys that these women face is so eye-opening and inspiring. This graphic novel needs to go viral and get into the hands of anyone and everyone. 

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

~ 3 stars ~

     I've been following Vera as an artist for a hot minute, but I have never really read any of her published work. I'll see clips or bits and pieces online, but I've never really picked up her work before Be Prepared. One of her other graphic novels, Anya's Ghost, was very popular when it first came out in 2011, but I haven't picked that one up either (I will soon, though because it's at the library!). Be Prepared follows Vera in a semi-autobiographical story about how she goes to a Russian summer camp. Throughout the story, Vera is trying to make friends, find herself in her culture, and to learn more about herself as a person. Though I enjoyed this story, I really didn't connect with Vera like I would have hoped. Maybe it's because I'm not nine or Russian, but I just didn't like her that much. I just didn't think there was a hopeful message at the end. It just fell flat. However, I really did enjoy the story, the illustrations, and color schemes. This is perfect for younger readers. I just didn't connect as much as I thought I would. 

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

~ 5 stars ~

Another new favorite contemporary! February has been a fantastic month for finding new faves. It's crazy how much I enjoyed Radio Silence. I started listening to this glorious book via Hoopla over a weekend and I could not put this book down! Not only was the audio narrator fantastic (Aysha Kala), the story was absolutely enthralling. I absolutely love the characters, their stories, the diversity, the whole vibe...everything was perfect! There was never a dull moment in this book. I've never really chosen to lay in bed and finish an audiobook, but I stayed up til 2am to finish this one. This book was everything I could have asked for. I need more Alice Oseman! I recommend this book to everyone! It has everything you could want: platonic boy/girl relationships, beautiful soft boys, diverse characters, a podcast with fantasy/dystopia elements, different social media, road trips, school drama, mystery, and more! This book is too wonderful to explain. I wish I had more. I need more!

image was taken from www.goodreads.com

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

~ 4.5 stars ~

This book was everything I could have hoped for. Not only was it just as deliciously romantic as The Kiss Quotient, the characters were also just so engaging and the plot was just so wonderfully done. I had the pleasure of reading and e-ARC from NetGalley and this book just made me sooo excited for more work from Helen Hoang. I absolutely adore her writing style, her methods of characterization, and the way she develops relationships and incorporates diverse characters and topics. I cannot wait to read the next book in this little universe. I was so thrilled to have gotten to see Stella and Michael in this book too. Their little cameo was perfect and I literally yelled when I realized that it was them. Ugh, I love Helen's characters. I cannot wait to get my hands on my preordered finished copy. 

Release Date: May 7, 2019

My Current Reads

I've also managed to have quite a few books on the back burner this month. I'm currently reading 3 books alongside the books I'm reading for school. I'm really excited to finish these awesome books and let you all know what I think of them. Keep an eye on my Goodreads and Instagram stories to know about my current reading progress!

Roomies by Christina Lauren

(via physical paperback)

As I am typing up this blog post, I'm pretty positive that I'm going to be finishing this book after I finish writing up my wrap up and book haul. This book is so much fun. I love the writing style of the authors. Their dialogue is so funny and the premises of their books are so ridiculous, but so well executed and addicting to read. I love love love Holland and Calvin's personalities. They absolutely crack me up. I cannot wait to see how the second half of this book will go. I honestly hope that I cry.

I'm currently 40% through this book.

Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer

(via physical hardback)

This book is also SO GOOD! Joanna's writing style is so beautiful and I cannot wait to see how this book turns out. I've been putting off finishing this book because I don't want it to end. I love the elements that she's taken from Russian folklore and culture and the basic bits from the legend of East O' the Sun West O' the Moon. It's probably tied with Beauty and the Beast as my favorite fairy tale/folk story. I cannot wait to pick up Joanna's other book, Beneath the Haunting Sea. Joanna pitches it as "Jane Eyre meets The Silmarillion" I think I need that in my life! Yes, please!

I'm currently 60% through this book.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

(via audiobook through Hoopla)

I quickly picked started this audiobook after listening to Radio Silence, hoping for a story that was just as engaging and entertaining as RD. Unfortunately, Solitaire isn't as good as RD, but I'm still quite enjoying it. I'm not sure how I like the main character, Tori, or the audio narrator; but I really enjoy the side characters and the mystery of the plot. I'm eager to pick up more of Oseman's work after this. I love her writing style and characterization techniques. 

I'm currently 36% through this book. 

What are you guys currently reading? Let's chat in the comments!

Happy reading!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~
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January 2019 Reading Wrap Up

Hey, guys!

This is going up much later than I anticipated, but the beginning of February really snuck up on me. I can't believe how fast this month went by. I also cannot believe how much I read this month. I'm so ahead on my reading goal for the year. I think Goodreads says I'm 11 books ahead of schedule. I am so pleased with myself. I hope I can keep it up. We will see what happens in the future!

  

This month, I read 7 full books, 5 graphic novels/comics, and 5 short stories. Of course, if they are individually on Goodreads, I will usually count them as (1) piece of literature, so of course, the short stories are counted.  Who wouldn't count them? (The boyfriend wouldn't haha)

Here are the books I read in January!

Full-Length Novels

• Prince's Gambit (Captive Prince #2) by C.S. Pacat
• 3 stars
• The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Gods of Olympus #1) by Rick Riordan
• 5 stars
• King's Rising (Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat
• 3 stars
• Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
• 4 stars
• The Wicked King by Holly Black
• 5 stars
• The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
• 5 stars
• Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith
• 4.75 stars
• Review coming soon!

Graphic Novels/Comics/Single Issues

• Steven Universe Volume 1 by Rebecca Sugar, Jeremy Sorese, Coleman Engle
• 5 stars
• Steven Universe Volume 2 by Jeremy Sorese
• 5 stars
• Steven Universe Volume 3 by Grace Kraft, Rebecca Sugar, Rii Abrego
• 4 stars
• Steven Universe Warp Tour Volume 1 by Melanie Gillman, Rebecca Sugar, Katy Farina, Whitney Cogar
• 5 stars
• Steven Universe (2017-) #6 by Grace Kraft, Rii Abrego
• 4 stars

Novellas/Short Stories

• Green But For A Season (Captive Prince #2.5) by C.S. Pacat
• 3 stars
• Pet (Captive Prince #1.5) by C.S. Pacat
• 4 stars
• The Adventures of Charls the Veretian Cloth Merchant (Captive Prince #3.6) by C.S. Pacat
• 3 stars
• The Summer Palace (Captive Prince #3.5) by C.S. Pacat
• 4 stars
• Galatea by Madeline Miller
• 4.5 stars

Upcoming Reviews & Blog Posts:

• {FULL SERIES REVIEW} The Captive Prince series by C.S. Pacat
• {Short Story Review} Galatea by Madeline Miller
• {TV Show/Comic Discussion} Steven Universe by Rebecca Sugar
• A *Discussion Post* on PR in Publishing (for a class, but still relevant for my blog! Yay!)
• {Re-read Review} The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan & East by Edith Pattou
• {Review} Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
• {SJM reviews to be written [SO DAUNTING]}: ACOFAS, Kingdom of Ash, Tower of Dawn
• LONG OVERDUE REVIEWS: Mirage by Somaiya Daud, Ruin & Rising by Leigh Bardugo, City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, And I Darken by Kiersten White, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
• {Collective Series Re-Read Review} The Shatter Me series (#1-3 +novellas) by Tahereh Mafi
• {New Adult Joint Reviews} The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and Josh & Hazel's Guide to Dating by Christina Lauren

This probably sounds like a lot of upcoming content...it is! I'm currently in the busiest semester of my college career, so bear with me while I try to figure out my current groove. I'm still working on understanding my homework schedule and meeting schedule for online class meetings and internship meetings ALONG WITH my two jobs and the responsibilities that they entail.

Thank you so much for your patience as I continue my education. I'm doing my best to make sure that I have consistent content on this blog. If you'd like a day-by-day connection with my bookish shenanigans, check out my Instagram!

I tend to go on rants about my current reads, I change up my shelves live on my page, and I share the books I unhaul and haul as they are happening. 

Thank you all so much! I absolutely adore this reading community! You guys are the absolute best! Thank you for reading my reviews and reading my nerdy comments and ideas. 

Thank you for sticking with me! 

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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