I found this fun summer book tag from I’m All Booked Up and since I’m trying to add more book tag topics on my blog, this one is perfect for the season!
So let’s get started:
1. Iced Drink: A Refreshing Book
Pumpkin is fun, heart-warming, feel-good story and perfect for Pride Month!
2. Cotton Candy: A Book That Was Fluffy and Sweet
Paris, ballerians, criossants and love? This one was definitely a sweet book.
3. Sunglasses: A Dark Book
This isn’t dark just because of the amazing book cover, but from chapter one it’s pretty intense and graphic.
4. Picnic on a Rainy Day: A Sad Book
This book cover looks fun and summery but nope – this one made me cry and broke my heart. 😭
5. Sand: A Book That Irritated You
This was a DNF for me because I couldn’t stand how one of the characters often talked in caps.
6. Summer Blockbuster: Favorite Book to Screen Adaptation
I loved watching this series come to life on Netflix. I think they picked the perfect people to play these beloved characters and the movie aesthetic was spot on!
7. Dropped Ice Cream: A Book You Were Anticipating That Wasn’t Good
This series has amazing reviews and the first book was pretty good, didn’t love it but I liked it. Then I read the second one and I struggled to finish it. Told myself not to even bother with book three. I blame it on the hype and my high expectations haha. It’s not for me.
8. Palm Tree: A Large Book That You Loved
Her books are getting massive! 🤦🏻♀️ But I did love this one.
9. Bonfire: A Book You Want to Burn
I don’t hate it though it was one I DNF’ed – it’s just not for me and I’d never burn a book unless it was necessary for survival! 😆 But since we are talking about bon fires – this one had a bon fire scene!
10. Fireworks: A Book That Exploded Into the Scene
I was there when it exploded haha! I mean, it was undeniable but this series was a force to reckon with when it published in 2005 and the iphone wasn’t even out until 2007 – we didn’t even have bookstagram or all this social media to push it out into the world. I bought it because of the cover from Barnes & Noble. When it caught fire, with the whole series out, I lent my hardcovers to so many family and friends and these were people who didn’t even like to READ! That’s how powerful this series was. I even lent it to my Pentecostal Christian friends who are against vampires and paranormal anything and I respected their views but they were the ones asking me for the books lol 🤷🏻♀️. It was quite a phenomenon.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!
This week’s topic is:
Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2021
Six Crimson Cranes by. Elizabeth Lim – release date 7/6/21
The Heart Principle by. Helen Hoang – release date 8/31/21
The Last Legacy by. Adrienne Young – release date 9/7/21
The Hawthorne Legacy by. Jennifer Lynn Barnes – release date 9/16/21
Velvet was the Night by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia – release date 8/17/21
The Bronzed Beasts by. Roshani Chokshi – 9/21/21
Steelstriker by. Marie Lu – release date 9/28/21
Kingdom of the Cursed by. Kerri Maniscalco – release date 10/26
Our Violent Ends by. Chloe Gong – release date 11/16/21
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by. Roseanne A. Brown – release date 11/2/21
#SixforSunday is… it’s really just that. You choose 6 books (normally) that you’d choose to fit whatever the prompt is that week. This meme is hosted by A Little but a Lot and you can follow the link to find the prompts for April to June.
This week’s topic:
LGBTQIA+ stories on your TBR/TBB (to be bought)
A dark, twisty, atmospheric thriller about a centuries-old, ivy-covered boarding school haunted by its history of witchcraft and two girls dangerously close to digging up the past. The fierce and dangerous romance and evocative setting makes it a perfect read for Pride month and for fans of dark academia vibes.
Felicity Morrow is back at the Dalloway School to finish her senior year after the tragic death of her girlfriend. She even has her old room in Godwin House, the exclusive dormitory rumored to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls some say were witches.
Felicity was once drawn to the dark legacy of witchcraft. She’s determined to leave that behind her now; but it’s hard when Dalloway’s occult history is everywhere. And when the new girl won’t let her forget it.
It’s Ellis Haley’s first year at Dalloway. A prodigy novelist at seventeen, Ellis is eccentric and brilliant, and Felicity can’t shake the pull she feels to her. So when Ellis asks Felicity for help researching the Dalloway Five for her second book, Felicity can’t say no. And when history begins to repeat itself, Felicity will have to face the darkness in Dalloway—and in herself.
From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.
Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.
So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.
With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.
A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead.
In Thanopolis, those gifted with magic are assigned undead spirits to guard them—and control them. Ever since Rovan’s father died trying to keep her from this fate, she’s hidden her magic. But when she accidentally reveals her powers, she’s bound to a spirit and thrust into a world of palace intrigue and deception.
Desperate to escape, Rovan finds herself falling for two people she can’t fully trust: Lydea, a beguiling, rebellious princess; and Ivrilos, the handsome spirit with the ability to control Rovan, body and soul.
Together, they uncover a secret that will destroy Thanopolis. To save them all, Rovan will have to start a rebellion in both the mortal world and the underworld, and find a way to trust the princess and spirit battling for her heart—if she doesn’t betray them first.
Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.
Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.
To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. This debut YA fantasy will leave you spellbound.
Wyatt would give anything to forget where he came from—but a kingdom demands its king.
In Asalin, fae rule and witches like Wyatt Croft…don’t. Wyatt’s betrothal to his best friend, fae prince Emyr North, was supposed to change that. But when Wyatt lost control of his magic one devastating night, he fled to the human world.
Now a coldly distant Emyr has hunted him down. Despite transgender Wyatt’s newfound identity and troubling past, Emyr has no intention of dissolving their engagement. In fact, he claims they must marry now or risk losing the throne. Jaded, Wyatt strikes a deal with the enemy, hoping to escape Asalin forever. But as he gets to know Emyr, Wyatt realizes the boy he once loved may still exist. And as the witches face worsening conditions, he must decide once and for all what’s more important—his people or his freedom.
Perfect for fans of What If It’s Us and Mary H. K. Choi, this stunning coming-of-age novel from Printz Honor author Mary McCoy follows a Memphis teen whose quest to uncover the secrets of love reveals new truths about herself.
For the past two years, Lee has been laser-focused on two things: her job as a sound tech at a local coffee shop and her podcast “Artists in Love,” which she cohosts with her boyfriend Vincent.
Until he breaks up with her on the air right after graduation.
When their unexpected split, the loss of her job, and her parent’s announcement that they’re separating coincide, Lee’s plans, her art, and her life are thrown into turmoil. Searching for a new purpose, Lee recruits her old friend Max and new friend Risa to produce a podcast called “Objects of Destruction,” where they investigate whether love actually exists at all.
But the deeper they get into the love stories around them, the more Lee realizes that she’s the one who’s been holding love at arm’s length. And when she starts to fall for Risa, she finds she’ll have to be more honest with herself and the people in her life to create a new love story of her own.
Funny, romantic, and heartfelt, this is a story about secrets, lies, friendship, found family, an expired passport, a hidden VHS tape, fried pickles, the weird and wild city of Memphis, and, most of all, love.
This tag was created by chami, but I saw this one on The Journeying Bibliophile and I thought it would be fun to do and look back. Check out her blog for more awesome bookish content!
Are we really half way through the year?! 😫
Best book you’ve read so far in 2021
I’ve been pushing aside fantasy for contemporary books in 2021. I don’t know why…but that’s what my mind, heart and soul wants for some reason.
For me, this one matched my mood of 2021. It’s got tarot reading, a relatable main character, an emotional journey that touched my heart, an enemies to lovers romance, and it just made my heart feel like it was too big for my chest. That hasn’t happened in awhile so this book has been my favorite of 2021 – it comes out in August.
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021
This was published in 2020 but I read it in January this year. I didn’t even like the main character in the first book, but I liked seeing her growth in Greythorne and I look forward to reading the third book next year.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
So many fit under this category but this one was just released and I need to read it asap.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Again, I have a few books that fit in this category, this only being one of them. The covers for this series are amazing!
Biggest disappointment
I struggled so hard to get through this book and yes I read the first two books because of the hype. Decided not to continue on with the series.
Biggest surprise
I was expecting a funny romcom in paradise and got a heartfelt, emotional story that made me cry! In a good way though – I did love the story.
Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
This is the first book I’ve read of Sarah Wilson and I thought it was a fun read and look forward to reading more work from her!
Newest fictional crush
Killian from Savage Lands by. Stacey Marie Brown – I think he’s more of a 2020 crush but it was the end of 2020 so I’ll add him to my 2021 crushes. I need more of him in this series or maybe his own series?
Newest favorite character
Daunis from Firekeeper’s Daughter is an amazing character and very fleshed out. I learned a lot from her.
Book that made you cry
This made me tear up because of all the triggers in this story. I felt it all too strongly.
Book that made you happy
This was such a feel good book! Definitely me happy and smile.
The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
I love this book cover! It’s so intense.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Where do I begin?! lol…
Here is just a few haha
Feel free to do this fun tag to look back on 2021 and what you’ve read so far! Happy reading! ~ Yolanda
I was playing around with a new blog theme yesterday. I wanted one that showcased many things on the home page instead of just my latest post, so I think I finally got it looking somewhat close to what I envisioned?
Are you someone who likes to stick to the tried and true or do you like to change the look of your blog often, like I do?
What’s your favorite wordpress theme to use for your blog? The one I’m using right now is called Maxwell and I like the clean look of it even with so many things going on with the homepage.
Every time I mess with my blog, I end up seeing the Pages section which I don’t update regularly. I haven’t updated the Pages since the end of 2020. Here we are at mid 2021 and I’m wondering if I should update the Book Reviews list and Bookish links right now since I’m updating my blog. How often do you update your Pages info? Are you consistent about it or wait until the end of the year like me?
I really should be writing four book reviews though….so let me get it and leave this layout alone before it changes again! 🤪
Happy book birthday to these new releases! What are you excited for?
Susan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling, young adult epic fantasy Witchlands series continues with Witchshadow, the story of the Threadwitch Iseult.
War has come to the Witchlands . . . and nothing will be the same again.
Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before.
Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia—rightful queen of Nubrevna—finds herself without a crown or home.
As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie.
Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?⠀ ⠀ Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she’s a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It’s a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail.⠀ ⠀ Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But after the king meets a suspicious end, things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis are forced to navigate a viper’s nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary’s secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.⠀
A queen foretold to save the world…
Free from Malek’s clutches, Lyana returns to the world above determined to keep the isles from falling. But in a land where magic is forbidden, convincing the avians to believe in her power takes the one thing she doesn’t have—time. With Xander’s help, she must unravel the puzzle of the rift and gain their trust or lose her home forever.
A dragon in search of his destiny…
Turned into a monster by the king he loathes, Rafe flees Da’Kin. Yet even with the help of his crew, he can’t outrun the new power simmering beneath his skin or the gruesome visions haunting his dreams. A dark spirit calls out to him, and soon he’ll have to answer.
New enemies change the game as the final battle draws near…
Stuck in her spirit form, Cassi is at the mercy of the man she betrayed. Before he wreaks his vengeance, she must tell someone what she witnessed in the sacred nest. A demon walks the earth, an evil no one anticipated. But with all her friendships broken, who among them will believe her?
Prophecies unravel. War arrives. And passions burn, threatening to set the world aflame.
Furyborn meets A Curse So Dark and Lonely in this courtly feminist fantasy from Grace and Fury author Tracy Banghart.
Annalise may be cousin to the prince, but her past isn’t what she claims, and she possesses a magic so powerful it takes all her strength to control it. Evra is a country girl, and has watched as each friend and family member came into their own magic, while hers remains dormant. But everything changes after Annalise loses control of herself and Evra begins experiencing the debilitating visions of a once-in-a-generation clairvoyant meant to serve the crown.
Thrown together at court, Evra and Annalise find that they have the same goal: to protect their kingdom from the powerful men who are slowly destroying it. But neither is quick to trust the other — Evra’s visions suggest a threat to royal rule, and Annalise worries that her darkest secrets will be revealed. Their magic at odds, the young women circle each other, until the truth must come out.
Full of intrigue, romance, and shocking twists, this gorgeously immersive fantasy will keep readers spellbound until the very last page.
In the concluding installment to the Wrath of Ambar duology from masterful author Tanaz Bhathena, Gul and Cavas must unite their magical forces―and hold onto their growing romance―to save their kingdom from tyranny.
With King Lohar dead and a usurper queen in power, Gul and Cavas face a new tyrannical government that is bent on killing them both. Their roles in King Lohar’s death have not gone unnoticed, and the new queen is out for blood. What she doesn’t know is that Gul and Cavas have a connection that runs deeper than romance, and together, they just might have the strength and magic to end her for good.
Then a grave mistake ends with Cavas taken prisoner by the government. Gul must train an army of warriors alone. With alliances shifting and the thirst for vengeance growing, the fate of Ambar seems ever more uncertain. It will take every ounce of strength, love, and sacrifice for Gul and Cavas to reach their final goal―and build a more just world than they’ve ever known.
Acting like she’s in love with her handsome nightmare of a co-star–in a movie directed and produced by her complicated Hollywood royalty family–is Sloane’s job. But what happens when the lines between script and reality get blurred?
Out-of-work actress Sloane Ford is in desperate need of something to do after losing her steady TV gig. When her famous family ropes her into working as a producer on their World War II-era romance, they neglect to mention that the film will be headlined by Joseph Donovan, her least favorite former co-star of all time. The roguish actor made her life a living hell the last time they worked together, using his movie star good looks and Irish charm to cover for his erratic professional behavior. On their new film set, he promises he’s different now, but Sloane is far from convinced.
As filming gets underway, it becomes clear that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When the lead actress is abruptly fired, Sloane agrees to step in and take over the role, and she starts to remember why she fell in love with acting in the first place. On camera, she and Joseph share an electric chemistry. Off camera, they’ve been honing their characters and, much to Sloane’s surprise, growing closer. But playing the role of a woman in love with Joseph Donovan is a dangerous business, and the more time they spend together, the less Sloane can tell what’s real between them, and what’s just for show.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl (Happy Birthday!)in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!
I saw this tag post on Ali’s Books and thought it was a fun one to do. This tag was created by Rincey Reads. It’s a fun tag that takes a look back at what I was reading 10 years ago versus today. Please check out Ali’s post here. Let’s try it out!
What was your favorite book in 2011?
I started tracking my reading on Goodreads in 2012 so I have no info on 2011. I had to do a search of young adult books published in 2011 and once I saw the list – I knew this was the title I bought and devoured quick because dystopia was all the rage.
What is your favorite book of 2021 (so far)?
This one comes out in August but I really fell in love with it. So far it’s my favorite, but I know the year isn’t over!
What was your least favorite book in 2011?
I have no info on this 🤦🏻♀️.
What was your least favorite book in 2021?
Yeah, this was a DNF for me, I skimmed through most of the book and it just wasn’t for me.
What is a book published in 2011 that you still want to read?
I still see people raving about this book and I haven’t read it yet.
What is the book published (to be published) in 2021 you want to get before 2022?
There are a few I want, but this one is a definitely buy for me on release day!
What is a genre you used to read a lot of that you don’t read as much of anymore?
I’d say suspense and thrillers. I read a lot of these decades ago but I gravitated to romance and young adult about 10 years ago.
What is a new genre you’ve discovered since 2011?
A sub-genre in romance called New Adult. But I feel like it’s died off in the past 2-3 years or turned into a lot of bully romances which I did read for awhile until I got tired of the alphas and wanted to manhandled these males back. 😅
What is a reading or book habit you are hoping to leave behind in this decade?
Reading more than one book at the same time. I never used to do that until I started a book blog and had arcs to read by a deadline! Haha…I feel like it takes my enjoyment out of reading at times.
What is a new reading goal or habit you want to create in the upcoming decade?
I need to routinely clean up my TBR list and not be afraid to DNF books. I always want to give every book I read a fair chance but sometimes I struggle through and I really don’t have the time with so many books out there to read. So definitely going to try and be more consistent with “letting go”.
I tag YOU! Feel free to do this tag is you want! 🙂