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Books I Enjoyed But Rarely Talk About

Apr 14, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books that I enjoyed reading, but I rarely talk about. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

I’ve read a lot of books now. While I read a lot of books before I started blogging, it has probably tripled by now. And while I talk about the books that I love a lot of the time, today I wanted to share the books that I enjoyed reading, but I feel like I don’t talk about them often.

I tried to get a mix of books here from romance and contemporary to young adult and fantasy. Here are the books that I’ve loved reading, but rarely talk about. Like always these are in no order.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand: I read this one late last year and adored it. It tore me into a thousand pieces but it was so beautiful. It left me a mess not going to lie about that. But I feel like I haven’t talked about this one too often. It’s such a fantastic read and if you need a good cry – this is for you.

Romanov by Nadine Brandes: This is another one that I read last year and I truly enjoyed it a lot. I love my historical fiction so mix that with a little magic and romance – I’m all for it. It’s a really solid retelling that is atmospheric. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t talked about this one more often. Full Review.

Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris: I’ve always really enjoyed Rachel Harris books and I feel like I talk about her older stuff more. But this is one of her most recent novels and I loved it. It’s a great YA contemporary that explores many things from grief to friendship and love. I just love how Rachel Harris writes so freely while also writing characters that feel very real | Full Review.

Dragon’s Lair (Wind Dragons MC #1) by Chantal Fernando: I picked this one up last year when I first started getting into MC romances and I feel that I rarely talk about it now. While getting this post together I’ve started to re-read the series and I have no regrets. It’s just a good MC series. I’ve read a few more MC novels now and I think it’s still one of my favourites.

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand: I put off reading this series for such a long time and I still don’t know why. It was just great. It is a solid series that I think if you love your angel/urban fantasy then this is for you. While a couple of years old, it still felt pretty easy to read and wasn’t annoying in any way. It doesn’t feel out of date or anything.

The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine: This is such a fantastic young adult contemporary that I cannot believe I rarely talk about. It has fantastic disability rep, as well as being charming and a fantastic read. It’s one of those books that just makes me happy. And sometimes you need that. But while also being all this, it’s also heartbreaking at times – and that is my favourite mix.

Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera: I talked about this one a lot when the series first came out, and I feel like I need to start returning my praise to this series. This YA fantasy series is what I love about fantasy. Full of royal intrigued it is also being fast-paced with action and magic. Add in the romance and it’s my perfect fantasy.

The Darkest Hour (KGI #1) by Maya Banks: This is another series that I’ve talked about here and there. But I don’t think I’ve given it enough credit. This is a great romantic suspense series that is full of action. Sometimes things get a little crazy, but hey, I like that. It’s a massive

series which is something that I also love reading. If you’ve read this one and have any similar recommendations please let me know.

Disruption (Disruption #1) by Jessica Shirvington: If you haven’t read this duology yet, please pick it up. This a fantastic dystopia/science fiction series duo that is just fantastic. I could sit here and write about this book for a love time. But I won’t. All I want to say is. This series has a fantastic blend of science fiction and living in a different world. The romance is soooo good and the friendships are the bomb. Please read it.

The Girl from Everywhere (The Girl from Everywhere #1) by Heidi Heilig: I feel like this book was made for me. A historical fiction, with time travel, and set in Hawaii. Throw in a great romance and the perfect friendship group and that is what I want in a book. I rarely talk about this one anymore, but it’s fantastic.

And that is it for today! What are some of the books that you enjoyed reading, but rarely talk about now? Do we share any that’s the same? Let’s Chat!

Books I Bought Because Of Work

Apr 7, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books that I bought because of work. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

If you didn’t know already, I’m a bookseller. I have been for nearly 4 years now. So for a few days of the week, I spend my day in a bookstore selling books. It’s literally my favourite thing to do. But I don’t just “sell” books. I process books, I order them and well sometimes, I end up buying them. Today I’m sharing the books I bought because of work.

I haven’t read all of these yet, but I’ve read a good handful of them. That is the problem with working in a bookstore. I can get books just so easily. There are also books on here that aren’t my usual jam on this list. Customers are sometimes very perspective as well as sometimes these books don’t get on my radar on their own. Anyway like always these are in no order.

The Love That I Have by James Moloney: I would have probably picked this book up eventually, but it was my works ‘Book of the Month’ so it jumped right out me and I bought it. And I ended up adoring this book. It was hard to read don’t get me wrong. However, it was also gorgeous, heartbreaking and beautiful.

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton: This one here is a combo of working and the general bookish community especially here in Australia. This one really flew off the shelf and then it started to win all the awards and it made it even harder to have any copies in the store. But it wasn’t just because people were buying, I was hearing absolutely fantastic things about it. I have still yet to read it, but I will very soon.

The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh: Now I had heard of Fiona McIntosh before I even started working, but I never really picked her up. I always felt that I was ‘too young’ and nothing really caught my eye. And then The Pearl Thief came out and it was right up my alley. So I bought it and well, it was fantastic. I always love reading as many books as I can about the second world war and this one really stood out to me and it was heartbreaking but breathtaking.

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward: Now this one caught my eye here and there before I even thought about picking it up. I had so many customers rave about it to me and well I wanted to see what it was like. So I bought then the first one, and then the second and well. I’ve nearly read the whole series. I can’t stop! I love it when customers recommend me books and I end up loving it!

Dragon’s Lair (Wind Dragons MC #1) by Chantal Fernando: Another one of my buys that was influenced by my customers. Customers just kept on recommending to me, at this point I really hadn’t read too much MC books. So I gave it a go. And you know what? I really enjoyed this series. It’s fun, dangerous and sexy and that is a great combo.

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester: This is another ‘Book of the Months’ that caught my eye. I don’t think I would have picked this one up if I hadn’t been working. It was such a fantastic historical fiction read and I’m so glad that I did give it a go. Like most WWII books it made me ball my eyes out, but it was fantastic. Inspired by the true story of Lee Miller and that made it much more impactful.

Misadventures of the First Daughter (Misadventures, #3) by Meredith Wild and Mia Michelle: This is one of the books that I bought and it wasn’t for me. Again I had seen a lot of my regular romance customers pick books in this series up and I thought why not give it a go – I read 3 and I don’t think they were for me. From the books that I did read, they were all 1-2 stars.

MinaLima’s Illustrated Classics: These are absolutely beautiful and I cannot stop buying them. I’d seen MinaLima work before and thought they were beautiful but never really paid attention. And then I saw these gorgeous interactive classics and I needed them. My goal is to collect all of them, and I will do it! So far the Beauty and the Beast one has to be my favourite – but they are all gorgeous and I can’t wait to see what they bring out next.

The Light After the War by Anita Abriel: I don’t know much about this one, but it caught my eye when I walking through the store and then I bought it. It’s a historical fiction set during and after the second world war that also has romance and friendship. You have me there. Also influenced by the author’s mother’s experience escaping the train to Auschwitz with her best friend.

The Art of Harry Potter by Marc Sumerak: I don’t think I would have ever bought this book if I hadn’t seen it on the shelf at work. This is such a gorgeous book that explores everything from the Harry Potter movies and I adore it. It’s big and bold and I love just sitting and flicking through it. It really is beautiful.

And that is it for this post! Those are the books that I bought because of work. What are some of the books that others have made you buy? Let’s Chat!

What I Want To Read This Autumn

Mar 17, 2020

This week I’m sharing the books on my Autumn TBR. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

The world is on its head at the moment and there is a lot of uncertainty. Currently, I’m still working, but that could change at any day. If you didn’t know I work in a bookstore, and at the moment we are still open and I’m working just as hard as I would any other day. As a casual employee, there is a lot up in the air at the moment, it’s hard not going to lie, but I just have to push through.

But let’s try and not think about it too much, today I’m sharing with you the books on my Autumn TBR. Most of these books are coming out in the next couple of months and I hope that I will be able to get to them. Like always these are in no order.

The Midnight Lie (The Midnight Lie #1) by Marie Rutkoski: A new fantasy from Marie Rutkoski? Yes, please. The Winners Trilogy is still one of my favourite series to date. There is something about it that always hits the right spots. And I’m so ready to dive back into Marie Rotkoski world and fall in love with new characters. I’ve adored everything about Rotkoski books before and I can’t wait to fall in love with these characters as well.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales: This has only recently made it to my TBR, but I’m really excited to pick it up. A boy-meets-boy spin on Grease, yes, please! This one sounds like it’s going to fun, romance but also sounds like it’s going to kill me and I can’t wait. Plus this is an #LoveOzYA and that makes me even more excited.

The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte: I read Four Dead Queens last year and really enjoyed it and I’m keen to pick this one up. It sounds intriguing and something that I will love. A world where the dead can only be raised for the day! That is so damn interesting. I’ve been hearing great things about it at the moment and that is always a good sign for me.

Check, Please!, Book 2: Sticks and Scones by Ngozi Ukazu: I read book 1 earlier this year and fall in love with everything. And now I cannot wait to see what happens next. This series is totally adorable and puts together so many things that I love. An adorable romance, cooking and Ice Hockey. I put it on my Autumn TBR as soon as I finished the first book.

Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1) by Zoraida Córdova: I only recently found out about this one and I’m so intrigued. It sounds like it’s right up my alley and has everything that I’m looking for in a young adult fantasy. Set in the 15th century Spain, I’m so looking forward to something different in YA fantasy and this seems like it might be it.

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett: I didn’t even think twice before adding this to my Autumn TBR. I love Jenn Bennett’s work and this one is everything that I want. A bad boy, former best friends, and some trouble. I haven’t read much contemporary YA this year and I think this might be the one that gets me going. I know that romance is going to be intense and adorable and I’m so ready.

Sure Shot (Brooklyn #4) by Sarina Bowen: The latest Sarina Bowen books have been up and down for me, but I’m really excited to read Bess Beringer’s story. From the first time she was introduced, I loved her and I can’t wait to see where this goes. I mean she is going to fall for a player she works for and I’m so ready for that.

Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr:I’m always up for a new #LoveOzYA and this one sounds amazing. YA books set in that last year of high school really call to me. That last year is always a challenge and everyone has to try and survive it the best they can. Please Don’t Hug Me sounds like it’s going to funning, endearing, but also heartbreaking and wonderful. The protagonist is on the autism spectrum which sounds fantastic and I cannot wait to read it this Autumn.

Taking Down Evelyn Tait by Poppy Nwosu: I recently finished Poppy Nwosu’s first book and really enjoyed it, so I can’t wait to see what she brings in the next one. This one sounds like it’s going to be messy and beautiful all at the same time. I know it’s going to be honest and done right. This one comes out in April, so there is plenty of time to read it this Autumn.

Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal by Anna Whateley: Another #LoveOzYA, because you know what, I can. This one caught my eye as soon as I read about it. Everything about this book screams at me and that intrigues me right from the start. It’s full of diversity, which is a win for me. If it’s done right, I think this might be one I’ll starting recommending a lot!

And that is it. These are the books on my Autumn TBR. What’s on your TBR for the next couple of months? Do we share any books that are the same? Let’s Chat!