Getting Back Into Blogging | Recently in Reading #4

"Recently in Reading" is a feature on my blog that I created myself, although I did adapt it from the Goodreads Tag and made it into a feature that I could do semi-regularly on my blog!

I'm so happy to be back on the bookish internet, and after rounding up all the best books I've read in the year I've been away, I thought this would be a good way to catch you up on the recent goings-on of my reading and bookish life before jumping back into everything.

I recently finished Obsidio, the last book in the Illuminae Files by Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff. I've been following this series for years, so I was really anticipating this finale. (So much so that I bought it release day and then waited almost six months to read it.) I'm simultaneously very happy with how it ended but so sad that it's over. We will get another space trilogy from this writing duo next year, but . . . it just won't be the same.

Currently, I am a few stories away from finishing the Toil & Trouble anthology, which I've surprisingly been loving. I've also been making my way slowly through Stephen King's Full Dark, No Stars, which I started during Spookathon but never finished.

The best comics I've been following issue-by-issue and picking up from my local comic book stores have been Margaret Stohl's The Life of Captain Marvel and John Allison's (yes, the John Allison from everyone's favorite Giant Days) By Night, both of which I have been loving.

I've been reading a lot of comics while I was away, and one that was recommended by one of my favorite comic writers Kelly-Sue DeConnick and recently released the first issue is Man-Eaters, a satirical comic (almost similar in tone to The Power by Naomi Alderman) where women when on their period turn into man-eating cats. I love it so far.

Novel-wise, I recently heard great things about A Heart in a Body in the World, which I know almost nothing about. I also loved Brandy Colbert's story in Toil & Trouble, and I saw that she has an upcoming release, The Revolution of Birdie Randolph, which has an amazing cover and I also know nothing about. Similarly, the cover for Hello Girls dropped recently, and I don't need to know anything else because I'm already in love with it.

Nonfiction November starts soon, so I want to finish what I'm currently reading before then. If I have time, I also want to start some of my semi-recent acquisitions (What If It's Us, Fierce Fairytales, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing) before or during the month of November.

Recently, I made a trip to Nashville for a signing of What If It's Us, where I also picked up a copy of Anna-Marie McLemore's Blanca & Roja. While I was in the area, I also traded some books at the used book store, and I found a bunch of things that I've been wanting to read for ages. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a sci-fi that has amazing reviews and has the found family trope, which is my favorite. Also grabbed some recent fantasy releases, The Queens of Innis Lear and Spinning Silver, as well as Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace.

I'm not entirely sure what I'll buy next, but it'll either be The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes or a nonfiction book that I grab during the month of November.

Last week, I went to the local stop on the What If It's Us book tour, and I got to meet up with book friends that I haven't seen in ages. It was so nice to catch up with them, and it was so nice to see Becky and Adam again.

Another thing I've been loving (though my wallet hasn't) has been going to my local comic book stores. It's been a great way of grabbing new comics that I wouldn't have heard of otherwise.

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Hiatus Catch-Up | Recently in Reading #3

"Recently in Reading" is a feature on my blog that I created myself, although I did adapt it from the Goodreads Tag and made it into a feature that I could do semi-regularly on my blog!

If you saw my recent post, then you know that I've kind of disappeared from the blogging community the last few months. Part of me missed it, and part of me was relieved to be taking a break. But, now I'm back and I wanted to catch you all up on the things I've been reading and loving during my break!

Y'all, y'all. You need to read this book. You must, must read it. I've written up a brief review on Goodreads, but basically, this is a magical realism book that takes place in an unnamed war-torn country (similar to Pakistan) but in this form of our world, there are these doors that lead to different places around the world. It's the story of two immigrants, Saeed and Nadia, and how they leave and how they adjust to where they wind up.

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE | ALWAYS AND FOREVER, LARA JEAN | FINAL GIRLS

You know me, always reading too many books at once. This time around, we have an interesting mix. All very different. I'm as confused as you are by this mix. (I think Lara Jean is just so sickly sweet that I needed something murderous. Weird? Probably.)

So there have been a lot of books that have happened upon my eye during my hiatus, but these six are some of the ones I'm most excited for:

• THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13: This is not a new book. It's nearly 25 years old, and it's actually very similar to Harry Potter. Platform 13 at King's Cross Station has a secret door underneath that appears only once every nine years. Then there's something about a prince that was moved from one world to the other. Adventures ensue. There's magic and wizards. It sounds great.
• LOVE, HATE & OTHER FILTERS: This debut releases January 2018 and it's an #OwnVoices story about an Indian-American Muslim girl who is forced to confront Islamophobia when a suicide bomber strikes in America and he happens to have the same last name. People are suddenly looking at her family completely differently, now with much more hatred, much more fear. I needed this yesterday.
• MIDNIGHT AT THE ELECTRIC: I've never read a Jodi Lynn Anderson book, but I've heard praise through the roof recently about this one. This takes place in three different timelines--2065, 1934, and 1919--and it follows these three ladies and how their lives intertwine.
• MOXIE: Things that intrigue me: 1) The UK cover. Look how pretty this is. 2) Amy Freakin' Poehler has blurbed this. 3) Girl fights sexist behavior in her high school by starting a feminist zine, inspired by her mother's behavior in the 90's.
• ARTEMIS: I GOT APPROVED FOR THIS ON NETGALLEY. *deep breath* Anyway, Andy Weir's second book releases November 14th, 2017 and it's basically a heist story that takes place on the moon. I'm super excited.
• SPEAK EASY, SPEAK LOVE: This is a retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. That's all I need to know. That's all I want to know. It's my favorite Shakespeare play. This releases September 19th, 2017.

• BLOODLINE: I love Star Wars. I love Leia Organa. I love politics. This is all of the above, and I currently have it out from my library and want to read it ASAP.
• THE BACKSTAGERS, VOL. 1: Another library book. This is a new comic that Noelle Stevenson has given her stamp of approval. Similar to Lumberjanes, this is a group of boys that have to deal with supernatural shit while working backstage (get it? *nudge nudge*) at their school's theater. This checks all my boxes. So excited.
• DRESS CODES FOR SMALL TOWNS: This releases August 22nd, but I have an ARC and want to read/review this before it releases. I love Courtney Stevens, and this is supposed to be a wonderful story that follows the queer daughter of a preacher in a small town. I relate to this so much it's not even funny.

LOOK. AT. THAT. FRENCH. EDITION. OF. SIX. OF. CROWS.

OH. MY. GOD. IT'S. GORGEOUS.

So, Emma @ Awkwordly Emma went to the great and terrifying North (that's right, Canada) and got a bunch of lovely things and said she'd send me a surprise in the mail. I could not stop yelling for about ten minutes. It's one of the most beautiful things I own. Who cares if I can't read French? (Also, doesn't it look so wonderful with all my other SOC things? *flails*)

Hopefully nothing. However, I did just order The Underground Railroad from Book Depository to support the Booktube-a-Thon. It'll take like a month to get here, I'm sure. Or get lost.

In an effort not to repeat myself with Exit West, I'm going to pick my new favorite YA book, which is When Dimple Met Rishi. I will link my review here for you to read in full. Additionally, I got to meet Sandhya at a tour stop and she is so lovely and wonderful. It was a joy to meet her in person. (Also, inside tip from the author herself: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is the movie to watch if you loved Dimple. They are so similar, and it's a fantastic film.)

And that's it! I'm so happy to be back blogging! If you want to see more of the books I bought recently, you can check out my last post here. Also, tell me down in the comments a recent favorite book/bookish thing!

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IRL Book Friends | Recently in Reading #2

"Recently in Reading" is a feature on my blog that I created myself, although I did adapt it from the Goodreads Tag and made it into a feature that I could do semi-regularly on my blog!

Much of the reason I created this was so that I could have something to do on my blog when I've kind of fallen off the internet and haven't been blogging as much as I would like. So, it's been a while. I've had three posts in draft for almost the entirety of February . . . and it's now March 12th. However, we're not going to think about that, and I'm going to do a quick update on what's been happening in my reading life.

I never got around to reviewing this on my blog, but you can find my review of this absolutely fantastic book over on Goodreads.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It was the last book that I read (which was in February, but shhh I need you to keep my secret) and I think it's a bit early to say but I think this could be a favorite of the entire year. It's definitely going to be hard to beat.

This is the story of Frances, who is a student in the UK. She's a study machine, she's Head Girl, she's an artist, and she's loves this podcast called Universe City. This book is incredible, and it's incredibly diverse. Frances is biracial as well as bisexual. There's actually a demisexual character, and when I read that part of the story, vulcan Monica was in tears.

If you're in the US, you can preorder it through Amazon (it comes out March 28th!) or if you're not (or you are) the UK version is already available through Book Depository.

Are you ready for my ridiculous "I Can't Choose Which Book to Read So I'm Reading Too Many" list? Well, here they are (from left to right, most recently started to I've been reading this book forever):

• FAKING NORMAL: I actually just picked this up yesterday (S/O to me for breaking my book-buying ban!) because I got to meet Courtney Stevens at SEYA book fest yesterday and needed to read something of her's immediately. Update: I really, really like it. (Also, it takes place in Tennessee, my state! How cool is that!?)
• VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER: I'm so proud of myself. I continue onward with my goal of finally finishing this series. I'm a good way into the audiobook of this, and it's might be beating out Magician's--or, *gasp* Wardrobe--for my favorite in the Narnia series thus far.
• HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME: This book is one that I'm honestly really enjoying, but the constant roller coaster, back and forth between happy chapters and sad chapters really was starting to take a toll on me and I had to put it to the side for a bit. I'm reading this about two or four chapters at a time. So, see you in June with my review of this book.

I'm putting this upcoming book on here for this, but I could also put Sheba's other book, Skunk Girl, on here as well. I had never heard of Sheba Karim's books before I saw her on a panel at SEYA this weekend. She seemed very sweet, and the way she talked about her books really made me want to read them.

Goodreads link so that you can also discover this wonderful woman

So before I went to SEYA and got obsessed with reading everything Courtney Stevens has ever written, I was planning on spending this week finishing two amazing series by two of my favorite authors. These two hunking finales:

I'm setting myself up for a week of tears and feels. I'll see you on the other side.

Hi, hello. I haven't shut up about SEYA throughout the duration of the post. (Fear not, it doesn't stop here!) But after hearing Courtney speak and getting to see her absolutely genuine and beautiful personality, I knew that I needed to read at least something that she's written. Naturally, I picked up her debut book because I wanted to start at the beginning.

I haven't planned this out yet, but I won't buy another physical book until Laini Taylor's Strange the Dreamer releases.

At least, I hope so.

photo cred: Jenna (the beauty in the yellow flannel) | twitter | youtube | photography website 

Can you guess? Can you guess?

You're right. It was the Southeastern YA Book Festival that was yesterday, March 11th. I got to hang out with some amazing book friends as well as meet some new ones. I also got to meet some of the absolute sweetest authors.

Adam Silvera was so nice, and I luckily got in the beginning of his signing line.

Becky Albertalli took so much time to just listen to me rant and rave about my love for Simon and my excitement for Upside. She drew an Oreo in my book. Life is complete. She was the absolute sweetest.

(paragraph-long ramble about Courtney C. Stevens redacted for your own sanity)

Mindy McGinnis is basically the queen of genres. She was so sweet and probably has the neatest author signature of all time. I'm excited to read her many, many books.

And that's it! Tell me what you are currently reading/loving and the most recent bookish favorite of yours down in the comments!

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Recently in Reading | September 2016

"Recently in Reading" is a new feature on my blog that I created myself, although I did adapt it from the Goodreads Tag and made it into a feature that I could do semi-regularly on my blog!

This was the last book that I read, and oh heavens, it was fantastic. I absolutely adore Nina and Matthias with all my heart. Definitely two of my most beloved characters that I've read this year. Also, this is home to two of the best and most well-developed characters that I read this year: Kaz and Inej. I haven't picked up Crooked Kingdom yet, but FRIDAY.

I picked up Jay's newest release a couple of weeks ago, and I really love it. I'm only a few chapters in, but I love the writing. If you're not a fan of overly descriptive and almost flowery writing, this might not be for you. However, I am a really huge fan of beautiful writing, so I am enjoying this so far.

I have always been really interested in Norse Mythology, and I have a book of the main mythology around it somewhere in the depths of my bookshelf. So, when I saw this pop up on Goodreads when a friend of mine shelved it, I immediately went to add it to my TBR because if Gaiman can't kick me to learn about Norse Mythology, then nothing can.

This book is set to be released in February 2017.

Like I said earlier, I am picking up my copy of this beautiful book on Friday when Leigh Bardugo comes to my local(ish) indie bookstore. I'm really excited to meet her, and I am even more excited to pick this book up and flail while I read it. Or cry. Don't tell me what to expect. I don't want to know!

I won a Twitter giveaway for an ARC of Iron Cast from the author (which means I also got some pretty cool swag and she signed my book) and I'm super stoked for it. Hopefully, after I devour CK, I won't be in too bad of a mourning period and can read and review this by the time it's released.

I'm not quite sure what I will want to buy next. I am really trying to stick to my book buying ban, so since I technically pre-ordered Crooked Kingdom and have already paid for it, I don't want to put that here. Instead, right now I am thinking I might buy The Devil in the White City or On the Other Side. However, that's a while off, so let's not think about it right now!

Now, I would put Six of Crows here again just because it was that fantastic. However, I want this portion to be able to include new favorite books, fandoms, authors, quotes, series, etc. This time around it's a new favorite quote, conveniently from Six of Crows:

"Many boys will bring you flowers. But someday you'll meet a boy who will learn your favorite flower, your favorite song, your favorite sweet. And even if he is too poor to give you any of them, it won't matter because he will have taken the time to know you as no one else does. Only that boy earns your heart."

Aww. This book is just too perfect, too wonderful for this world.

What did you think of this feature? I'm thinking of doing it every few months or just whenever I feel the urge to do it. I really like it, so tell me what you think of it down in the comments!

Also, let me know what has been your most recent bookish favorite, whether it be a subscription box, a fandom candle, jewelry, a quote, or an event that you went to!

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