10 Day TBR Challenge [Day 5]

Unfortunately, I’ve majorly been failing with this daily challenge. Being that I have other posts I need to begin working on, along with buckling down on my book and schoolwork, I’m afraid I’ll have to retract myself from this challenge early.

But don’t worry! I’m going to do one last day, so I can at least say that I completed half of the challenge. I’m a bit disappointed about not finishing this challenge, but I have some exciting posts coming for the future. Without further ado, let’s do this!

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Day 5: Unfinished Series

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I know. I know. I still haven’t finished the Harry Potter series. I was planning on marathoning this series and finally finishing the entire thing, but after reading so many big books this year, I’m in desperate need of a break. Hopefully, I’ll pick this back up soon or my TBR jar will give it to me. We’ll see.

2. A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow by George R. R. Martin

Do you now understand why I want a break from huge, high-fantasy books? I’ve be a fan of Game of Thrones since around the time season two came out. At first, I was too intimidated by the size of the books to even consider reading them. But as I’ve developed as a reader and writer, I’ve decided reading the A Song of Ice and Fire series was a task I was happy to take on.

I read A Game of Thrones the beginning of this year and loved it. I then re-watched season one within a couple of days and maybe shed a few tears and solidified my hatred for Joffrey once again. Then, because my TBR jar likes giving me a challenge, gave me A Clash of Kings in June and took an entire TWO MONTHS to read. *sobs quietly*

I may not have enjoyed it as much as the first, but this is still one of the greatest book series out there. Martin is such a brilliant man and I can’t wait to read more of his work (next year probably).

3. Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

I’m not one who usually enjoys novels that are more story-driven rather than character-driven, but The Looking Glass Wars was able to hold my attention and persuade me to buy the second book. The first novel had this cinematic way of telling the story and action that it almost felt as though I was watching a film. And okay, a Mad Hatter with a hat that turns into a throwing blade? SOLD.

I’m excited what the Red Queen has in store for our Wonderland warriors in this second installment.

4. Ravenous by MarcyKate Connoly

So technically, Ravenous is the companion book to Monstrous, but I’m going to go ahead and call it a sequel. It kind of is. Sort of. *whispers* Not really.

The first installment of this series, Monstrous, is a luscious, MG fantasy retelling of Frankenstein. It may or may not have also made me a little emotional. I’m expecting this one to do the same. Also, LOOK AT THAT COVER AND THAT ART STYLE.

5. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

I devoured the first book, A Great and Terrible Beauty, fairly quickly. I loved the historical backdrop and the hint of wizardry and magic. I may not have been too fond of most of the characters, but I don’t think they were necessarily created to be liked.

I’m curious as to how this series will continue and close and how the last book ends up being over 800 PAGES. I obviously can’t get a break over here.*sobs* But you know, at least this one is only 600 pages. Because to me, that’s not a lot. The struggles of being book dragon.

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Again, I’m sorry, especially to my gal Lissa, for failing at this challenge, but I have some great reviews and updates and other posts in the works along with writing a book, trying to contain feels for said book, trying to devour my books before my TBR eats me alive, and schoolwork. But who cares about that? Not me.

(Okay, I was going to insert a GIF of someone dramatically putting on glasses and being all cool, but then I discovered an account on Tumblr called Guys with Glasses and I got distracted for a second.)

Ahaha, yeah. *clears throat* So here’s a GIF of someone dramatically putting on glasses.

10 Day TBR Challenge [Day 4]

For the second time now, we’re going to go ahead and pretend I didn’t miss a day, because when you’re already writing most of the time, you kind of forget that you have a blog to take care of. But you know, mistakes happen. It’s alright.

Today’s challenge has to be my favorite of all: cover love! I have way too many books for this prompt, covers that I could stare at for eternity. But to prevent myself from further wasting time, I narrowed it down to four books with some of the most beautiful covers.

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Day 4: Cover Love

1. Vixen by Rosie Garland

Can we just take about 5,000 YEARS TO APPRECIATE THIS BEAUTY? Whenever I pick up this book, I simply can’t stop staring at it. Everything from the delicacy of the fox and the flowers to the autumn-colored palette is captivating. I love delicate artwork. Everything with thin lines and little to no color always captures my attention.

Vixen is an adult, historical novel that takes place in 1349. I believe the story is told from two POV’s; a teenage girl and a priest. Rosie Garland is known for writing eclectic pieces of literature, so I’m interested to see how this novel is.

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

2. To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey

I’m sure you all know this by now, but I am OBSESSED with birds. They always me remind me of my novel that I’m currently working on and the core themes presented in it. Eowyn Ivey is also one of my favorite authors, so this was a win-win.

Much like Ivey’s first novel, To the Bright Edge of the World takes place in the wilderness of Alaska. A colonel is set off into wild with a small group of men, where the world is dark and magic may linger. I AM IN. *whispers* You should also take a peek at Ivey’s debut novel, one of my favorite books, The Snow Child. 

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

3. Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell

I feel like I don’t even need to describe what it’s about because JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER. This cover is one of the most darling things my eyes have ever seen. I want to paint a mural of this for my future child’s room. Or maybe just for myself. But I can’t paint, so I’ll have to settle on staring at this cover. But really, what could be more darling than this?

Okay, Sebastian Stan laughing might be the most darling thing, BUT MOVING ON. 

Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms is about a girl who lives in Africa and sees everything as gold, all the animals and wildlife as a gorgeous sea of gold. But then she gets shipped off to a boarding school in England and things get rocky.

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

4. The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

Yes, another book by Katherine Rundell with a cover designed by the same artist, Lizzy Bromley. Everything about this cover from the wolf outline to the whimsy of the trees and the silhouettes down to the marker-like gold font, what’s not to love?

The Wolf Wilder is about a young girl and her mother who live in the snowy terrain of Russia in a home full of food and fire. Only ten minutes away lives a pack of wolves in a ruined chapel. The girl’s mother is a wolf wilder, the opposite of an animal tamer, someone who teaches animals how to be wild and fend for themselves. But then the Russian army comes along and threatens everything the girl and her mother have made. And I have an inkling this is the type of MG story that will tear my heart to shreds.

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

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I do apologize for being late, and for not guarenteeing that it will happen again. Like I said, I write just about each and every day for most of said. I get caught up in my own stories and the routine of my scedule that I forget about daily posts such as these. But I will try my best to stay on track and not be too late. I hope you all enjoyed this!

10 Day TBR Challenge [Day 3]

What’s that you say? I missed a day? What? No, you MUST be mistaken. *nervous laughter* I definitely wasn’t distracted by the loveliness that is Sebastian Stan and re-watching Captain America: Civil War multiple times.

*clears throat*

As much as I love to pick up a physical book and flip through the pages, smell the paper and ink and trace the title and the illustrations … okay, I really do love physical books. But sometimes, it’s nice (and cheaper) to buy an e-book from Amazon or borrow a digital novel from my local library.

Today’s prompt is e-books, which lets me go back through the digital novels I’ve been collecting over the last two years. And believe me: THERE’S A LOT. LIKE 20 OF THEM. So I’ve narrowed it down to three random books on my KIndle.

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Day 3: E-Books

1. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I purchased this book quite sometime ago when it was on sale, because I’m always in need for contemporaries and I’ve heard nothing but incredible things about Matthew Quick. Being that it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten what it’s about, but now I’ve just taken a quick (pun intended) look at the synopsis and OH MY GOD.

Forgive Me, Leaonard Peacock is a novel about (you guessed it), Leonard Peacock. Leonardo who decides to stash a pistol into his back pack, along with four gifts for the people who matter to him most. These gifts are his final goodbye, because on Leonard’s birthday, he plans to kill his former best friend and himself.

I know. MADNESS. I really want to read this book now. *side-eyes TBR jar*

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

2. The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch

I’m not going to lie; one of the first things that gripped me about this book was the cover. I love the Tim Burton-esque style and the old-fashioned font. Once I read the synopsis, I went ahead and purchased it. Besides, I could always use more historical fiction.

The Hangman’s Daughter takes place Germany, 1660, where a dying boy with some form of tattoo on his shoulder is pulled from a river. Murmurs of witchcraft spread through the area and stir up a thrilling tale.

I hope it’s as good as the cover.

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

3. Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

I’ve had this beauty on my want-to-read list around the time I first started reading, which was about two years ago, and finally bought it around the beginning of this year (I think). Even back then, I was immediately drawn to fantasy books, and between the title, cover, and synopsis of Wildest Dreams, I had to have it.

Wildest Dreams begins with a girl, named Seoafin, or Finnie, in the modern-day world. Shortly after her parents perish in a plane crash, our protagonist finds a parralel universe where everyone has a twin. A witch sends her to this parralel universe, and there begins her crazy adventure where fantastical creatures roam and magic is as real as the air we breathe.

{Goodreads; Amazon; Book Depository}

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Which do you prefer, physical book or e-books? Be sure to let me know down below, along with any other thoughts, comments, or questions. And don’t forget to to check out Day 1 and Day 2 of this challenge if you haven’t already.