Ten Characters Who Are Fellow Book Nerds
Annie *hahaha*
Month: July 2015
Rage’s Echo by J.S. Bailey – Review
Rage’s Echo by J.S. Bailey
Rating
2.5/5
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Description
He longs for heaven…and revenge.
Jessica Roman-Dell, a paranormal investigator from small-town Ohio, wants to find a ghost to prove that life continues after death. Little does Jessica realize the danger she’ll face when the spirit of a murder victim named Jerry Madison follows her home from a graveyard one night and refuses to leave.
Jerry says he is lonely. He wishes to go to heaven because watching the world pass by without him is more unbearable than death itself. But Jerry is there for another reason that will hit closer to home than Jessica ever could have imagined.
For Jerry is not as innocent as Jessica thinks. Like his murderers, he, too, has killed–and he will stop at nothing to send those responsible for his death to the grave.
Department 19: Darkest Night by Will Hill – Review
Department 19: Darkest Night by Will Hill
Rating
5/5
Goodreads Description
The brave men and women of Department 19 have fought Dracula at every turn, but now Zero Hour has passed and the ancient vampire is at full strength.
Inside Department 19, the Operators are exhausted and fractured. Jamie, Larissa, Matt and Kate are each struggling with their own demons. When the friends need each other most, they are further apart than ever.
Outside the Department, the world reels from the revelation that vampires are real. Violence and paranoia spread around the globe and, when it finally comes, Dracula’s opening move is more vicious than anyone could have imagined.
A final battle looms between the forces of darkness and the last, massed ranks of those who stand against it. A battle that will define the future of humanity. A battle that simply cannot be lost…
Leibster Award &Sisterhood Award & Blogger Recognition
Hey everyone 🙂 I have been nominated by other bloggers for three new blogging awards. Reflection of the Lights nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers, Fighting Books nominated me for a blogger recognition (the original post is on Edge of Night), and Powder and Page nominated me for a Liebster Award for New Blogs ♥ All three are ways of sharing your blog and finding new people to connect with. Thank you all so much ♥ Instead of creating a separate post for each I am combining elements of all three!
How my Blog Started
I started out in the bookstagram community earlier this year. I absolutely love to read and photos of books ♥ I was glad to find that many people loved the same, so much so that it was actually a thing on instagram! I decided to create my own blog after guest posting for The Book Elves.
Pieces of Advice
You do not have to review every book you read! Book slumps are normal! Review slumps are normal! Blog for yourself just as much as you blog for others. You want posting to be fun not become a chore.
Questions from Reflection of the Lights
- What’s a popular book/series that you’re just not into?
- The Mortal Instruments was great for the first three books and then the world just got drawn out too much. Not a fan.
- How many books do you aim to read every month?
- Ten would make me very happy
- What’s the last book that you fell in love with? Do you remember the first?
- Murder on the Orient Express. Agatha Christie is a genius. The first book would probably be the whole Nancy Drew series. I really like mysteries and solving puzzles!
- I like to read because…
- I can escape into a new world or another reality
- A place you would like to visit
- There are so many! But I would love to go see all the ancient buildings and ruins of Egypt.
- Paperback vs hardback vs ebook. Why?
- Paperback for physical books. I love being able to stack them and just see and feel towers of pages. E-books are great for ARC copies and for getting cheap books!
- What do you like about YA?
- The age group has so much potential for conflict and growing and adapting to new situations. Characters struggle with coming in to adult hood or navigating their place in their world. I love all of the fantasy elements and science fiction in a lot of the novels too.
- What do you dislike about YA?
- Love triangles. Like. Get rid of them please.
- Favourite way of acquiring books (used bookstore, online, etc.)
- Any way that is free! ARCs on NetGalley, ARCs from authors, trading between family and friends, etc. I also love Book Outlet and the NOOK store.
- Song you’re obsessed with right now
- Cool for the Summer – Demi Lovato ♥ Not my usual MO but I love it.
Eleven Questions from Powder and Page
- What’s your favorite book or book series?
- The Lord of the Rings
- What is your favorite genre?
- Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Mystery
- If you could have a party with three authors, who would you pick?
- J. R. R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie, Stephen King
- What is on your TBR pile?
- A bunch of books from book outlet, several horror novels, a few ARCs, basically tons of everything.
- If you could live in a novel, which would you pick?
- A lot of the novels I like are not really places/ societies I would want to live in and be a part of….
- Do you have a favorite book quote?
- “The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to the seeker after it.”
― Agatha Christie, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - “What’s wrong with my proposition?” Poirot rose. “If you will forgive me for being personal-I do not like your face, M. Ratchett.”
― Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express LOLOL Poirot Burn.
- “The truth, however ugly in itself, is always curious and beautiful to the seeker after it.”
- Why did you start your blog?
- I got hooked after joining instagram and the bookstagram community
- What three words would you use to describe yourself
- Goofy, Sarcastic, Reliable
- What would your dream job be?
- Librarian, Historian, etc.
- If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you bring with you?
- A way to get off of it
- Where have you always wanted to travel?
- Egypt
Eleven Random Facts About Me
- I always keep a book of my NOOK in my bag just in case 🙂
- I have recently become addicted to eye shadow palettes
- I would love to wear yoga pants and a t shirt all day everyday. I do not do yoga.
- I wish there were haunted houses were you could go through and see all the scary/gory displays and appreciate the horror. I love scary things but I hate being scared. People jumping out at me is definitely a no go. Shoutout to the haunted house worker who escorted me through the Asylum Horror set up two years ago to see all the cool displays after I ran out of the emergency exit when another black shrouded worker jumped out at me.
- I love to Netflix binge. Particularly Blue Bloods.
- Fall is my favorite because I can live in sweaters.
- If I could meet any author, dead or alive, I would pick Agatha Christie.
- I love myths and legends of any kind.
- The Renaissance Faire is my happy place.
- Sorry you think its intolerant of me not to tolerate your intolerance.
- I promise I’m not rude, I am just very shy and awkward.
I am supposed to nominate 15 other blogs to answer these prompts and questions. I say if you read this, you are nominated! Anyone who cares enough to read about me is someone I want to read about too!
♥, Clare
Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/ Diverse Characters – July 21
Ten Books That Celebrate Diversity/Diverse Characters
(example: features minority, religious minority, socioeconomic diversity, disabled MC, neurotypical character, LGBTQ etc etc.)
Okiku – Dead
The Hunted by Charlie Higson – Review
The Hunted by Charlie Higson
Rating
4/5
Goodreads Description
The Hunted is Charlie Higson’s sixth terrifying installment in the thrilling The Enemy series. The sickness struck everyone over fourteen. First it twisted their minds. Next it ravaged their bodies. Now they roam the streets – Crazed and hungry The others had promised that the countryside would be safer than the city. They were wrong. Now Ella’s all-alone except for her silent rescuer, Scarface – and she’s not even sure if he’s a kid or a grown-up. Back in London, Ed’s determined to find her. But getting out of town’s never been more dangerous- because coming in the other direction is every SICKO in the country. It’s like they’re being called towards the capital and nothing is going to stop them…In the penultimate book in The Enemy series, the survivors’ stories cross with chilling consequences.
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty – Review
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty
Rating
5/5
Goodreads Description
A young mortician goes behind the scenes, unafraid of the gruesome (and fascinating) details of her curious profession.
Most people want to avoid thinking about death, but Caitlin Doughty—a twenty-something with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre—took a job at a crematory, turning morbid curiosity into her life’s work. Thrown into a profession of gallows humor and vivid characters (both living and very dead), Doughty learned to navigate the secretive culture of those who care for the deceased.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes tells an unusual coming-of-age story full of bizarre encounters and unforgettable scenes. Caring for dead bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, Doughty soon becomes an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. She describes how she swept ashes from the machines (and sometimes onto her clothes) and reveals the strange history of cremation and undertaking, marveling at bizarre and wonderful funeral practices from different cultures.
Her eye-opening, candid, and often hilarious story is like going on a journey with your bravest friend to the cemetery at midnight. She demystifies death, leading us behind the black curtain of her unique profession. And she answers questions you didn’t know you had: Can you catch a disease from a corpse? How many dead bodies can you fit in a Dodge van? What exactly does a flaming skull look like?
Honest and heartfelt, self-deprecating and ironic, Doughty’s engaging style makes this otherwise taboo topic both approachable and engrossing. Now a licensed mortician with an alternative funeral practice, Doughty argues that our fear of dying warps our culture and society, and she calls for better ways of dealing with death (and our dead).
Happy Release Day to Mildred’s Resistance!
♥ ♥ ♥ The new installment of the fabulous Network series is out today! ♥ ♥ ♥
Mildred’s Resistance is a prequel detailing the backstory of two witches of the Network Series, one to become the High Priestess and one to become a great evil. I cannot wait to read this because I know it will be as amazing as the rest of the series! Seriously guys, pick it up! Here are links to my reviews of all of the other books in the Network Series 🙂
The Network Series 1: Miss Mabel’s School for Girls – Review
The Network Series 1.5: The Isadora Interviews – Review
The Network Series 2: Antebellum Awakening – Review
Goodreads Description
Absolute Power Corrupts Even the Best of Friends.
Mildred Graeme is a witch that knows what it’s like to fail. She loathes small talk, struggles with magic, and grew up wretchedly poor. What’s easy for her best friend Evelyn, a wealthy, powerful socialite, is difficult for Mildred.
The two lifelong friends reunite at Chatham Castle where they fight together for the dream of a better world. Mildred wants to save the Network from political elitism, while Evelyn encourages it. When Evelyn gains power and threatens to obliterate the Network, Mildred realizes that she must overcome her fear of failure to save the lives of those she loves, even if it means betraying her best friend.
Mildred’s Resistance is the prequel to The Network Series and a gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and unexpected romance that defies all odds to rise above the ghosts of failure.
Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession – July 14
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray – ARC Review
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
Rating
5/5
I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Description
After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O’Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to “read” objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, “America’s Sweetheart Seer.” But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners’ abilities…
Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?
Stacks and Shelves 