August Wrap-Up & September TBR

*all links lead to full reviews on either goodreads or my blog!*

• GIANT DAYS, VOL. 2: Best group of friends! - 5 stars! I think this is my favorite comic series ever? I don't like saying that, but I'm pretty confident in the fact that this series is absolutely amazing. It's a contemporary graphic novel series about a group of college roommates and all of their college adventures. Read it. Now.
• HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD: Biggest disappointment. - 1 star. I'm going to defer to the link on this one. Basically, this was the biggest mess of a play that I've ever read.
• THE BANE CHRONICLES: Best mix of characters! - 4.5 stars! This was so refreshing after I didn't really enjoy Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. I really enjoyed all of the stories in this, and it was brilliant to revisit my favorite character in this universe. I'm sure at this point, everyone's heard of it.
• MS. MARVEL, VOL. 4: LAST DAYS: Best superhero cameo! - 4 stars! I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE END OF THE SERIES, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER VOLUME. *grabby hands*
• HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION: Brought me the most joy! - 12 billion stars . . . okay, 5 stars! Do I really need to explain? This contains all the lyrics to Hamilton with footnotes from Lin and essays on the actors and the making of the musical. It's pretty dope. Listen to Hamilton if you haven't. Invest of this piece of actual art if you haven't yet.
• CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET: Most *eyerolls* in a book. - 2.5-3 stars. Again, I defer to the link on this one. I had quite a few problems with this book, most of which revolve around the romance (AKA: the main point of this book) and I'm honestly considering lowering this rating to 2 stars because I constantly think about how many issues I had with it.

POSTS I REALLY ENJOYED WRITING THIS MONTH

• CAN WE CRITIQUE OUR FAVES?: A half response post to a video, a half call to arms. Give it a read, I'm really proud of it.
• 12 MONTHS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: Part of the goodreads group from Trina and Kayla. I've never felt confident in any of the topics, but this is almost like a tag where I recommend you a book from each of the previous month's topics. 
• BOOKS I BROUGHT TO COLLEGE: HOW THE HECK AM I A SOPHOMORE? *has an identity crisis*

TBR:

Siege & Storm | Ruin & Rising | Six of Crows | This Savage Song

As I've endlessly shouted into the aether of the internet for the past two months, I am meeting Leigh Bardugo in September for the CK release. I can't be like "I mildly enjoyed Shadow and Bone, but I own all of your books. Also, you have a fantastic personality, and your Instagram stories give me life."

That would just be embarrassing. Therefore, I must at least finish the Grisha trilogy this month. AT LEAST.

Was was the best book you read last month? What book are you excited to read this month? Tell me down in the comments!

Follow

My Month in Tomes | December 2015

December was a fantastic month for reading! While everything I read wasn't fantastic, I did have quite a few really wonderful things that made up for all the crappy things I read.

Books Finished

• GIRL ONLINE BY ZOE SUGG: Meh. This was a bad way to start off my month. Definitely one of my least favorite reads of the year, maybe ever, but I wasn't going in expecting much so it wasn't really a disappointing read. - 2 stars
• THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: I am so glad that this is the next thing that I finished because this story took me from worst of YA to the best thing that I have read in all of YA. While the first book isn't my absolute favorite, it is a very close second--or third, it's hard to list them. - 4.5 stars
• CLOCKWORK PRINCESS BY CASSANDRA CLARE: This one was a victim of hype for me. "It's the best thing that Cassandra Clare has ever written." "Such a great series ender!" I was really let down by this book. It definitely wasn't my favorite of the series, and I thought that Cassie's ending was a little bit cheap. I kind of hate her for it. Other than the ending, I really enjoyed it, and while there was a serious lack of Magnus, I found myself really enjoying it. - 4 stars
• SHADOW AND BONE BY LEIGH BARDUGO: I got this series from my The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa, and I read it as soon as I got it. I had wanted to read this for a long time, and while it wasn't the absolute best thing I've read, I really enjoyed it and am excited to continue on with the trilogy (and finally read Six Of Crows). - 3.5 stars 
• THE DREAM THIEVES BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: Dudes, this is my favorite YA series probably ever. This is my personal favorite in the series at this point because Ronan. - 5 stars
• THOR, VOL. 1: THE GODDESS OF THUNDER: Freaking fantastic comic series. This was such a fun time, and while it was a little slow--and I did expect it to focus more on our new Thor than it did--I loved seeing Thor kicking butt and taking names. - 4 stars
• MS. MARVEL, VOL. 2: GENERATION WHY: This series isn't my favorite, but it is fun. It is more focused towards a younger audience, but definitely still enjoyable for older audiences. - 4 stars
• BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: SO MUCH FUN. Maggie is not afraid to mess with our emotions, and I am honestly so scared for Gansey. We get to see so much more of the plot in this book, but not as much of the character-driven stuff that I loved so much in the second book. - 4.5 stars
• THE SLEEPER AND THE SPINDLE BY NEIL GAIMAN: I randomly picked up this one from my library, and I enjoyed it. It was entertaining, and it definitely takes a twist on fairytales. It was totally unexpected and different experience. I did feel that Gaiman tried to stay too true to the format of classic fairytales with this book. While I loved the gorgeous illustrations, I think he should have made the story a little longer and more personal. - 3.5 stars 
• BELOVED BY TONI MORRISON: I FINALLY FINISHED IT! I started this book for school this past fall, and just never finished the last 70 or so pages. I have a lot of complicated and jumbled feelings about this book because while I appreciate what Morrison did, I didn't enjoy the reading experience. - 4 stars
• THOR, VOL. 2: WHO HOLDS THE HAMMER?: Again, I love this series, and I love getting to see our new Thor get help from other heroes as well as finally finding out who holds the hammer (clearly). - 4 stars
• MS. MARVEL, VOL. 3: CRUSHED: Ugh. This volume was completely pointless other than to show Malala being "tempted by the dark side" with very typical tropes. I expected more, but this was at least entertaining. - 3 stars
• THE MARTIAN BY ANDY WEIR: I would like to amend my favorites list and add this book to it (you may see it on my favorite books of 2016 list). I can't really explain what made me love this book so much other than that it made me love humanity again. And survival stories. (Which is a feat because I have had a strong, five-year-running hatred of survival stories.) 

Reviews this Month

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Girl Online by Zoe Sugg
The Raven Cycle (#1-3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Stats

• Favorite Read: The Martian! It was my last read of the year, and I had to (illegally) listen to the last 70 or so pages on audio to get it finished in time. But it was wonderful, and I wish I had listened to the whole thing! This book made me love people again, and it also made me love survival stories again because it's not your typical survival story.
• Most Surprising Read: I was really expecting to fall head over heals in love with Clockwork Princess, but I didn't. I am still going to continue on with The Mortal Instruments series, but I am glad I'm going in with lower expectations.
• Best Cover: The Martian and all the books in the Raven Cycle.
• Wish I Hadn't Read: Girl Online . . .  let's not go into it.

What was the best book you read this month? Tell me down in the comments!

Follow

My Month in Tomes | November 2015

**all goodreads links available through book cover**

Books Finished

   

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - 5 stars (review)

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - 5 stars (review)

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars (review to come)

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - 5 stars (review to come)

Reading Challenges

Goodreads: 82/70

Popsugar: 41/50

Rereads: 6/10

TBR Jar Challenge: 9/12

Over 500 Pages: 6/5

Currently Reading (in order of importance):

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Beloved by Toni Morrison

The Stranger by Albert Camus

What books have you read this month? Have you read any of the books that I read this month? Let me know down below!

Follow

My Month in Tomes | September 2015

I read more than I thought I would for having my first full month of school.

And I'm finished with my goodreads challenge so it doesn't really matter how many books I read anyway.

I still haven't found a good spot for photographing, so today's post comes to you from the air conditioning unit.

The Stack

• CLOCKWORK PRINCE: 5 stars! Such a fun read and an amazing sequel. Hopefully I will read the last book this month! I am simultaneously excited and scared. 
• EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING: 3.5 stars! A definite need to read if you like YA contemporary, but this one just wasn't for me as much as it "was" for other people. It wasn't everything, everything to me, but it was fun, fun. Definitely an entertaining read, but I found it incredibly predictable. However, the format of this book was something that definitely added to the fun of reading this. There are doodles and "Life is Short Book Reviews" from Madeline and email exchanges between Ollie & Maddy that are too good to miss.
• THE BAD BEGINNING: 5 stars! (A reread) I listened to the audiobook for this on Scribd (use the link on the sidebar to get two months free if you're a new user!) and this is one that I definitely reccommend if you want to reread (or finish) the series! It has a full cast of characters and sound effects. It's almost like you're listening to a movie, and I will definitely continue rereading/listening to the series.

I haven't done a lot of reading this month (or blogging for that matter) and this isn't the best post, but this is definitely for my sake and records. 

What books did you read this month? Tell me down in the comments!

Follow

My Month in Tomes: August 2015

This is where I talk a little. However, I don't have a lot of words to say because college has squished my brain out of my ears.

Books Finished

So I started college this month, and so I didn't read a lot, but I still did pretty well.

Books Finished

Book covers are linked to my goodreads reviews.

  

 

Reviews this Month

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - 5 stars
The Princess Diaries - Series Review (I-III) - 4 and 5 stars

Reading Challenges

Goodreads: 70 /70

Popsugar: 40/50

Rereads: 5/10

Over 500 Pages: 5/5

Classics: 0/3

Stats

• Favorite Read:  Clockwork Angel was so much fun to read. It was great. I need to start the third soon!
• Wish I Never Read: The Circle. I "had to read this" for college. I didn't have to read it. It's one of my least favorite books of all time. 
• Most Exciting Audiobook Find: THE FIRST THREE PRINCESS DIARIES BOOKS ARE NARRATED BY ANNE HATHAWAY. 'Nuff said. You should listen to them on Scribd (get two months free here: https://www.scribd.com/g/4tlyl0).

When I Wasn't Reading

COLLEGE. It's been rough, it's been tough. I've watched a lot of Friends (Yes, I love Friends, yes, my name is Monica, yes, we are very similar although I like to think I am less crazy). I've done a lot of homework. 

What was your favorite thing you've read or listened to this month? Let me know down below!

Follow

Two Months in Tomes: June + July 2015

*all goodreads links available through book cover*

Hullo. I decided not to do a June wrap-up because I only finished two full length novel (plus two novellas and a graphic novel). Well, I should have done one because this is going to be a behemoth of a wrap-up (because like twelve readathons happened and I didn't have a summer job).

Books Finished

   

   

   

   

   

 

Reviews This Month(s)

Landline - 3.5 stars
To All the Boys I've Loved Before - 5 stars
P.S. I Still Love You - 4.5 stars
Unravel Me - 4.5 stars
A Court of Thorns and Roses - 4 stars
Ignite Me - 5 stars
A Monster Calls - 5 stars
Vicious - 5 stars

Reading Challenges

Goodreads: 65/70
Popsugar: 39/50
Rereads: 5/10
Over 500 pages: 4/5
Classics: 0/3

Stats

• FAVORITE READ: Vicious was absolutely fantastic! Ignite Me is a close, close second with Nimona trailing not far behind.
• MOST SURPRISING: The Selection series! It was so much fun to read, and I clearly couldn't stop reading the series.
• SKIP IT: FRACTURE ME! If you like the Shatter Me series, you should read the first novella from Warner's POV, but Fracture Me should be skipped.
• BEST COVER: Oooh! So many pretty ones this month! Ignite Me and Nimona are both beautiful.
• MOST CONSUMED GENRE: YA Contemporary and YA Dystopian
• AVERAGE STAR RATING: 4.3 stars!! - Basically, I had an amazing reading month.

When I Wasn't Reading

Netflix, Netflix, Netflix. But really, with all the (seriously abnormal amount) books that I read this month, you wouldn't think I did anything except read. But I watched a lot of Netflix, participated in a lot of readathons (which is technically reading, but shut up), and went on vacation (BEAAACH!). I also bought a lot of books. Look:

July Haul

You've seen all these books through my weekly STS, but look how pretty they are all together. They even have a guardian wizard.

What was the highlight of your month? Have you read any of the books that I have / or have hauled this month(s)? Tell me down in the comments!

Follow