Top Ten Tuesday | 7/28/20

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: (a freebie which means I make up my own topic…so….)

Books I Recently Acquired

I just got my Book Outlet order come in and finally got this book in my hands!

🌺

By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, not her friends, her family, not even her boyfriend, Malcolm, who believes video games are partially responsible for the “downfall of the Black man.”

But when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, news of the game reaches mainstream media, and SLAY is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. Even worse, an anonymous troll infiltrates the game, threatening to sue Kiera for “anti-white discrimination.”

Driven to save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness. But can she protect her game without losing herself in the process?

***

How cute is this book cover? It makes me happy just seeing these colors.

🌺

The world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.

Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn’t dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn’t call attention to themselves. But Skye dreams of joining the glittering world of K-Pop, and to do that, she’s about to break all the rules that society, the media, and even her own mother, have set for girls like her.

She’ll challenge thousands of other performers in an internationally televised competition looking for the next K-pop star, and she’ll do it better than anyone else.

When Skye nails her audition, she’s immediately swept into a whirlwind of countless practices, shocking performances, and the drama that comes with reality TV. What she doesn’t count on are the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the Korean pop entertainment industry, her sudden media fame and scrutiny, or the sparks that soon fly with her fellow competitor, Henry Cho.

But Skye has her sights on becoming the world’s first plus-sized K-pop star, and that means winning the competition—without losing herself.

***

I was asked to join the blog tour for this title and it’s different from what I read but the synopsis is so intriguing. Hope it’s good!

🌺

In an endless winter, she carries seeds of hope

Wylodine comes from a world of paranoia and poverty—her family grows marijuana illegally, and life has always been a battle. Now she’s been left behind to tend the crop alone. Then spring doesn’t return for the second year in a row, bringing unprecedented extreme winter.

With grow lights stashed in her truck and a pouch of precious seeds, she begins a journey, determined to start over away from Appalachian Ohio. But the icy roads and strangers hidden in the hills are treacherous. After a harrowing encounter with a violent cult, Wylodine and her small group of exiles become a target for its volatile leader. Because she has the most valuable skill in the climate chaos: she can make things grow.

Urgent and poignant, Road Out of Winter is a glimpse of an all-too-possible near future, with a chosen family forged in the face of dystopian collapse. With the gripping suspense of The Road and the lyricism of Station Eleven, Stine’s vision is of a changing world where an unexpected hero searches for a place hope might take root.

***

Got this one also on Book Outlet and yes…it was the cover that made me cave in buying this haha.

🌺

A princess fleeing an arranged marriage teams up with a snarky commoner to foil a rebel plot in B. R. Myers’ Rogue Princess, a gender-swapped sci-fi YA retelling of Cinderella.

Princess Delia knows her duty: She must choose a prince to marry in order to secure an alliance and save her failing planet. Yet she secretly dreams of true love, and feels there must be a better way. Determined to chart her own course, she steals a spaceship to avoid the marriage, only to discover a handsome stowaway.

All Aidan wanted was to “borrow” a few palace trinkets to help him get off the planet. Okay, so maybe escaping on a royal ship wasn’t the smartest plan, but he never expected to be kidnapped by a runaway princess!

Sparks fly as this headstrong princess and clever thief battle wits, but everything changes when they inadvertently uncover a rebel conspiracy that could destroy their planet forever.

***

Yes, I finally got a copy of this book because the ebook was on sale on Amazon! I’m excited to read this.

🌺

Impossible love between two girls —one human, one Made.
A love that could birth a revolution.

After the War of Kinds ravaged the kingdom of Rabu, the Automae, Designed to be the playthings of royals, took over the estates of their owners and bent the human race to their will.

Now, Ayla, a human servant rising the ranks at the House of the Sovereign, dreams of avenging the death of her family… by killing the Sovereign’s daughter, Lady Crier. Crier, who was Made to be beautiful, to be flawless. And to take over the work of her father.

Crier had been preparing to do just that—to inherit her father’s rule over the land. But that was before she was betrothed to Scyre Kinok, who seems to have a thousand secrets. That was before she discovered her father isn’t as benevolent as she thought. That was before she met Ayla.

Set in a richly-imagined fantasy world, Nina Varela’s debut novel is a sweepingly romantic tale of love, loss and revenge, that challenges what it really means to be human.

***

I got approved for this on NetGalley! Looking forward to reading this.

🌺

rom the award-winning author of The Truth of Right Nowcomes a stunning, grounded fantasy in the vein of Dread Nation that follows a black teen as she finds her place among a family of women gifted with magical abilities.

In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move.

On top of all that, Evvie’s magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation—a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie’s talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface…

And when the demons of Evvie’s past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her.

***

Another title on NetGalley I was approved for!

🌺

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

***

Check this one out! I got approved for it on NetGalley and it barely has a blurb…yet it was intriguing enough I had to request it. It’s out April 2021.

🌺

Delta of Dead River sets out to rescue her family from a ruthless dictator rising to power in the Wastes and discovers a secret that will reshape her world in this post-apocalyptic western mashup for fans of Mad Max and Gunslinger Girl.

***

Seriously, thank you NetGalley! Check out this cover and it’s about witches? I’m so excited to read this one!

🌺

Kappa Rho Nu isn’t your average sorority. Their parties are notorious. Their fundraisers are known for being Westerly College’s most elaborate affairs. But beneath the veil of Greek life and prestige, the sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches. For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven, pledge this year means living up to her mother’s impossible expectations of becoming Kappa Rho Nu’s next president. Scarlett knows she’d be the perfect candidate — that is, if she didn’t have one human-sized skeleton in her closet…. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.

***

The sequel to The Beautiful! It’s sitting on my shelf and I will get to it very, very soon.

🌺

Following the events of The Beautiful, Sébastien Saint Germain is now cursed and forever changed. The treaty between the Fallen and the Brotherhood has been broken, and war between the immortals seems imminent. The price of loving Celine was costly. But Celine has also paid a high price for loving Bastien.

Still recovering from injuries sustained during a night she can’t quite remember, her dreams are troubled. And she doesn’t know she has inadvertently set into motion a chain of events that could lead to her demise and unveil a truth about herself she’s not quite ready to learn.

Forces hiding in the shadows have been patiently waiting for this moment for centuries. And just as Bastien and Celine begin to uncover the danger around them, they learn their love could tear them apart.

I have so many books to read and review! Drop your TTT link in my comments, I’d love to read what you posted.

Top Ten Tuesday | 6/16/20

This week’s topic is:

Books on My Summer 2020 TBR

The ones I already have on my kindle app and will be reading this month are:

Dark Skies by. Danielle L. Jensen
Winds of Fate by Lucia Omonobi
Opposite of Always by. Justin A. Reynolds
The Kiss Quotient by. Helen Hoang

The rest hopefully I’ll be able to acquire by buying or borrowing. We shall see! What’s on your list? I honestly don’t know many new releases coming out because I’ve been busy with other things so I’d love to see what you have on your lists so that I can add to mine. ☺️

Top Ten Tuesday | 6/09/20

So much has been happening in the past few weeks that it’s taken me some time to write a post for this blog. I’ve been reading some and working on posts, but slowly. I’ve been on my social media sites posting support for Black Lives Matter and trying to do my part in helping to bring awareness to the issue. I’ve been donating where I can, and now I feel like I need to support the movement through my blog as well.

I looked at the amount of reviews I posted on this blog in the past year and counted 9 books from black authors that I’ve read and reviewed. 9…out of 180++ books that I have read since last year! That’s awful and I need to do better. I’ve read books by other POC authors as well but still, I think the total would still be less than 50 books by POC authors. Out of 180. And 180 is the most books I’ve read in any year! I’m not on pace to read that many books this year but…I’m going to channel my energy for the rest of this 2020 towards reading more books by black authors and other POC authors out there.

Since this week’s TTT topic is: Books I’ve Added to my TBR and Forgotten Why

I’m going to switch it up and call it:

Books By Black Authors I’ve Added to my TBR:

Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Never mind she’s also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, and unrequited crushes.

But everything changes in the aftermath of a siren murder trial that rocks the nation; the girls’ favorite Internet fashion icon reveals she’s also a siren, and the news rips through their community. Tensions escalate when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical voice during a police stop. No secret seems safe anymore—soon Portland won’t be either.

For Malik, the Solstasia festival is a chance to escape his war-stricken home and start a new life with his sisters in the prosperous desert city of Ziran. But when a vengeful spirit abducts Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, as payment into the city, Malik strikes a fatal deal—kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia’s freedom.

But Karina has deadly aspirations of her own. Her mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated; her court threatens mutiny; and Solstasia looms like a knife over her neck. Grief-stricken, Karina decides to resurrect her mother through ancient magic . . . requiring the beating heart of a king. And she knows just how to obtain one: by offering her hand in marriage to the victor of the Solstasia competition.

When Malik rigs his way into the contest, they are set on a course to destroy each other. But as attraction flares between them and ancient evils stir, will they be able to see their tasks to the death?

The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun.

On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.

But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.

Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack.

But then Kate dies. And their story should end there.

Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind.

Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do to save the people he loves.

The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky.

In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life.

Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together.

And they’re willing to fight an entire war to get there.

When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.

Fiercely independent and smart, Zora Emerson wants to change the world. She’s excited to be attending a prestigious summer program, even if she feels out of place among her privileged, mostly white classmates. So she’s definitely not expecting to feel a connection to Owen, who’s an actual prince of an island off the coast of England. But Owen is funny, charming…and undeniably cute. Zora can’t ignore the chemistry between them. When Owen invites Zora to be his date at his big brother’s big royal wedding, Zora is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, along with her family and friends. Everyone is talking about her, in real life and online, and while Owen is used to the scrutiny, Zora’s not sure it’s something she can live with. Can she maintain her sense of self while moving between two very different worlds? And can her feelings for Owen survive and thrive in the midst of the crazy? Find out in this charming romantic comedy that’s like The Princess Diaries for a new generation.

Magic has a price—if you’re willing to pay.

Born into a family of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. But each year she fails to call forth her ancestral powers, while her ambitious mother watches with growing disapproval.

There’s only one thing Arrah hasn’t tried, a deadly last resort: trading years of her own life for scraps of magic. Until the Kingdom’s children begin to disappear, and Arrah is desperate to find the culprit.

She uncovers something worse. The long-imprisoned Demon King is stirring. And if he rises, his hunger for souls will bring the world to its knees… unless Arrah pays the price for the magic to stop him.

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her previous life, family memories, or her childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at a local university seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.

And a teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.

The mage’s failure reveals Bree’s own, unique magic and unlocks a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that she knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, Bree will do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn by becoming one of their initiates. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur and his knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

I like how I have a mix of everything that I love to read in this list: fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi and romance. I’m waiting to get my hands on a few of these through my library and NetGalley (if they approve me), but I’m already reading Truly, Madly, Royally. Also the Kingdom of Souls ebook is only $1.99 right now on Amazon, so that’s waiting for me on my iPad. If you have any suggestions below on books from black authors I would enjoy please list them below so I can add them to my ever growing TBR list!

Top Ten Tuesday | 4/7/2020

This week’s topic is:

Books I Bought/Borrowed Because…

(Fill in the blank. You can do 10 books you bought for the same reason, i.e., pretty cover, recommended by a friend, blurbed by a favorite authors, etc. OR you could do a different reason for each pick.)

Borrowed: It’s crazy times with depressing news all around because of the coronavirus and so I needed something cute. This did the job!

Borrowed: Again, was going for the romance books because of this anxious time …this one was interesting and review coming soon!

Borrowed (on hold): Because I didn’t know I had to read this before The Bride Test! lol…oh well.

Borrowed (on hold): because it’s a new release…I’m a bit wary about the whole Mozart story thing but I’m also curious.

Borrowed (on hold): looks intriguing

Borrowed (on hold): it’s a popular new release and the cover looks so cool

Borrowed (on hold): love the cover and I’ve read another book by Emma Mills and enjoyed it

Borrowed (on hold): I’ve read the other two books in the series and want to see how it ends.

Borrowed: Saw this available on my online library and remember seeing it on NetGalley but I never requested it.

Borrowed (on hold): another hyped new release so I want to see if it’s good

Top Ten Tuesday | 3/31/20

This week’s topic is:

Ten Signs You’re a Book Lover

(basically, people know you’re a book lover because… i.e., you’re always carrying a book or two, your library card broke from overuse, etc.)

Bookshelves at max capacity.

And I don’t have a huge bookshelf, but lately my collection has been spilling over into my daughter’s bookshelf. I need more.

2. Needing more bookshelves. (see number 1 😅)

3. When I can’t wait for the hardcopy, I resort to buying the eBook. And if you are like me and a hardcopy book you buy is 700 pages and heavy to hold for hours, you buy both copies if it’s an awesome read. 😆

4. I have a library card for the physical library and online library on Overdrive.

5. I started a book blog so I could join NetGalley! Thank you so much to all of you for following my blog. I appreciate it!

6. I have a bookstagram account and post book photos. I also love seeing book photos from everyone I follow on there. Follow me @ylmpastmidnight.

7. I also have a twitter account and follow book publishers and authors to try and win arcs and giveaways. I’ve won only one so far.

8. I have a Goodreads account but I mostly used it in the past just to track what I read. Now I post reviews on it.

9. My TBR list seems never ending. 😩

10. During this social distancing phase in our lives and lockdowns or shutdowns…people are borrowing books from me! Also, even when they borrow books, I still have so much on my shelves I haven’t read yet AND I still want to buy more. Book addict problems!

What about you fellow book lovers? Leave me a link to your TTT below or leave me a comment!

Top Ten Tuesday | 3/10/20

This week’s topic is:

Authors Who Have a Fun Social Media Presence

Here are some of the authors I follow on Instagram or Twitter:

Danielle L. Jensen – @danielleljensen (ig) https://danielleljensen.com

I love her books and I follow her because that way I can get updates on her upcoming books plus she has beautiful photos on ig. https://danielleljensen.com

Beth Revis – @bethrevis (ig)

If you are an aspiring writer, Beth’s ig account always has tips and motivational posts which is awesome. For me, I just like knowing the process that an author goes through and it’s always inspirational to hear words of encouragement (no I’m not writing a book haha).

Kristin Jacques – @krazydiamond_writes (ig)

I loved this book of hers and I follow her to get news about the sequel or giveaways!

Rin Chupeco – @rinchupeco (ig)

I love Rin’s account because she not only posts book news but personal stuff too like what she’s eating haha or her cats. Love that she gives us a glimpse into her normal life and her quirky personality. ☺️

Mary E. Pearson – @maryepearson (ig)

I love her books so I need to stay up to date on her book news! Also at times she posts author process videos in her stories, which is cool. I love getting insight into the hard work that authors put into their work. Writing is not easy and I appreciate the creative minds of authors.

Tahereh Mafi -@tahereh (ig)

Tahereh Mafi might be the first author I followed on social media because at the time I was obsessed with the Shatter Me series, most specifically obsessed with Warner haha. But Tahereh is so artistic with her photos and her sense of fashion. And then when she got married and had a child, her photos are the sweetest, so her ig account is a lovely blend of books, fashion and family life – which is awesome.

Holly Black – @hollyblack (twitter)

Because I was so obsessed with this series, I had to follow Holly and get news about the books. But I found other great content on her account like links to articles and interview she’s done. And have you seen photos of her writing office? Amazing.

Jenn Bennett – @Jenn_Bennett (twitter)

Another author I follow for news of upcoming books or giveaways but her twitter account is pretty interesting and funny. She always post random thoughts and I so relate with random thoughts. 😅 Also she’s an artist as well! So many authors are artists, which is very cool.

Sarah J. Maas – @SJMaas (twitter)

Because I am obsessed with her books? LOL…of course I need to follow her for all the book news. She also used to post some awesome pics on ig about her vacation spots and home. Now she’s a mom and she posts some baby pics but very rarely, which is fine, I’m there for the book news mostly.

Maggie Stiefvater – @mstiefvater (twitter)

Maggie is another artist/author and her art work is amazing! And have you seen the cars she drives? Again, I love seeing authors and their personalities shine through not only through their writing but in their everyday lives and other hobbies.

Who did you have on your list? I’d love to know – leave me a comment below!

Top Ten Tuesday | 3/03/20

This week’s topic is:

Books With Single-Word Titles

This one should be easy right? Alright, here we go:

The only one I haven’t read in this list is Verity! But yay, glad I could find 10. One word titles are actually pretty common, now that think about it. 🤔☺️

Thanks for reading! Would love to see your list, comment your link below!

Top Ten Tuesday | 2/25/20

This week’s topic is:

Characters I’d Follow On Social Media

Is this my first TTT of 2020?! It is. I know it’s been a hot minute since I did one of these and life is just so busy with sick kids, homework and my opening up my Etsy shop again. But this looks like a fun topic, so let’s do it!

What characters would I follow on social media?

Lara Jean Covey (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) – because the whole letter writing was so me in middle school. LOL, I crushed on a lot of boys. Plus I think she’d post some aesthetically pleasing posts on Instagram. 💕

Kitty Covey – because she cracks me up and she keeps things real. I mean sending her sister’s letters was shady BUT…I still love her.

Jude Duarte (The Folk of the Air Series) – because she’s a bit savage haha.

Cardan (The Folk of the Air Series) – because I bet he’d post some good selfies. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses series) – because I just wanna see his face.

Enrique (The Gilded Wolves) – because I want to know all the historical information he can’t stop spewing from his mouth. I can just imagine his twitter account. 😅 I’d learn a lot!

Elizabeth Bennett (Pride & Prejudice) – because she’s smart, witty and she’s my girl! And I want the family pics of her, Darcy and the wonderful family I imagine they have. I even want to see her hanging with her sisters and bestie. 😍

Tierney James (The Grace Year) – can you imagine what her social media content would be like?! 😳 I’m here for it.

Pepper (Tweet Cute) – because she would post the most amazing desserts and I hope the recipe to it too! I’d buy her dessert cookbook for sure.

Karou (Daughter of Smoke & Bone) – because she would have some amazing artistic content. She’d have some awesome travels pics too I think.

This one was a fun post! I’d love to check out your TTT so drop me your link in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Top Ten Tuesday | 12/24/19

This week’s topic is:

Books I Hope I Find Under My Tree

Merry Christmas EVE everyone! Can you believe it? We are finally here at Christmas eve – my kids will be so excited to open gifts tomorrow, but more importantly we get to hang out with family. I’m still trying to get my energy back from having the flu, I feel like I’m not 100% and still need a long nap after running errands or like yesterday, I took my kids to the dentist, came home and napped. I’m just…TIRED.

And Look…I’m not getting ANY books under my tree because I’m still waiting for my large Book Outlet order I made a month ago. Yes, it takes a month to get to me here in Hawaii because it travels by ship when it makes it’s way to California. But I’m used to it! So I’ll show you what books I’m waiting for in that order:

Charlotte Gorman loves her job as an elementary school librarian, and is content to experience life through the pages of her books. Which couldn’t be more opposite from her identical twin sister. Ginny, an Instagram-famous beauty queen, has been chasing a crown since she was old enough to say “world peace,” and she’s not giving up until she wins Miss American Treasure. But when Ginny has a face-altering allergic reaction the night before competition, Charlotte suddenly finds herself in a switcheroo the twins haven’t successfully pulled off in decades.

Woefully unprepared for the glittery world of hair extensions, false eyelashes, and push-up bras, Charlotte realizes, after walking a mile in her twin’s sky-high stilettos, there might be more to the pageant circuit than just a sparkly crown . . .

A half-Japanese teen grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school in this debut novel.

Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.

But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.

From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane’s made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time’s a ticking, and she needs a change—there’s nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She’s going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.

Aurelia Isendare is a princess of a small kingdom in the North, raised in privilege but shielded from politics as her brother prepares to step up to the throne. Halfway around the world, Athan Dakar, the youngest son of a ruthless general, is a fighter pilot longing for a life away from the front lines. When Athan’s mother is shot and killed, his father is convinced it’s the work of his old rival, the Queen of Etania—Aurelia’s mother. Determined to avenge his wife’s murder, he devises a plot to overthrow the Queen, a plot which sends Athan undercover to Etania to gain intel from her children.

Athan’s mission becomes complicated when he finds himself falling for the girl he’s been tasked with spying upon. Aurelia feels the same attraction, all the while desperately seeking to stop the war threatening to break between the Southern territory and the old Northern kingdoms that control it—a war in which Athan’s father is determined to play a role. As diplomatic ties manage to just barely hold, the two teens struggle to remain loyal to their families and each other as they learn that war is not as black and white as they’ve been raised to believe.

Seventeen-year-old Megan Harper is about due for her next sweeping romance. It’s inevitable—each of her relationships starts with the perfect guy and ends with him falling in love . . . with someone else. But instead of feeling sorry for herself, Megan focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theater, and fulfilling her dream college’s acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

So when she’s cast as Juliet (yes, that Juliet) in her high school’s production, it’s a complete nightmare. Megan’s not an actress, and she’s used to being upstaged—both in and out of the theater. In fact, with her mom off in Texas and her dad remarried and on to baby #2 with his new wife, Megan worries that, just like her exes, her family is moving on without her.

Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright inspired by Rosaline from Shakespeare’s R+J. A character who, like Megan, knows a thing or two about short-lived relationships. Megan agrees to help Owen with his play in exchange for help catching the eye of a sexy stagehand/potential new boyfriend. Yet Megan finds herself growing closer to Owen, and wonders if he could be the Romeo she never expected.

In their fresh and funny debut, Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka break down the high school drama to find there’s always room for familial love, romantic love, and—most importantly—self-love.

Beware of the woods and the dark, dank deep.

He’ll follow you home, and he won’t let you sleep.

Who are the Sawkill Girls?

Marion: the new girl. Awkward and plain, steady and dependable. Weighed down by tragedy and hungry for love she’s sure she’ll never find.

Zoey: the pariah. Luckless and lonely, hurting but hiding it. Aching with grief and dreaming of vanished girls. Maybe she’s broken—or maybe everyone else is.

Val: the queen bee. Gorgeous and privileged, ruthless and regal. Words like silk and eyes like knives, a heart made of secrets and a mouth full of lies.

Their stories come together on the island of Sawkill Rock, where gleaming horses graze in rolling pastures and cold waves crash against black cliffs. Where kids whisper the legend of an insidious monster at parties and around campfires.

Where girls have been disappearing for decades, stolen away by a ravenous evil no one has dared to fight… until now.

Ryan McCullough and Gabby Hart are the unlikeliest of friends. Introverted, anxious Gabby would rather do literally anything than go to a party. Ryan is a star hockey player who can get any girl he wants—and does, frequently. But against all odds, they became not only friends, but each other’s favorite person. Now, as they face high school graduation, they can’t help but take a moment to reminisce and, in their signature tradition, make a top ten list—counting down the top ten moments of their friendship:

10. Where to begin? Maybe the night we met.
9. Then there was our awkward phase.
8. When you were in love with me but never told me…
7. Those five months we stopped talking were the hardest of my life.
6. Through terrible fights…
5. And emotional makeups.
4. You were there for me when I got my heart broken.
3. …but at times, you were also the one breaking it.
2. Above all, you helped me make sense of the world.
1. Now, as we head off to college—how am I possibly going to live without you?

Black Swan meets Pretty Little Liars in this soapy, drama-packed novel featuring diverse characters who will do anything to be the prima at their elite ballet school.

Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette’s desire to escape the shadow of her ballet-star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever.

When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.

June, Bette, and Gigi have given their all to dance at Manhattan’s most elite ballet school. Now they are competing one final time for a spot at the prestigious American Ballet Company. With the stakes higher than ever, these girls have everything to lose… and no one is playing nice.

June is starting to finally see herself as a prima ballerina. However, getting what she wants might cost her everything—including the only boy she’s ever loved. Legacy dancer Bette is determined to clear her name after she was suspended and accused of hurting her rival, Gigi. Even if she returns, though, will she ever regain the spotlight she craves? And Gigi is not going to let Bette—or the other dancers who bullied her—go unpunished. But as revenge consumes her, Gigi may be the one who pays the price.

After years of grueling auditions, torn ribbons, and broken hearts, it all comes down to this last dance. Who will make the cut? And who will lose her dream forever?

For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. Her friends were okay, her grades were fine, and while she somehow managed to land a boyfriend, he doesn’t actually know anything about her. When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind.

Sam’s stuck. Literally, figuratively, emotionally, financially. He works at a café and sleeps there too, on a mattress on the floor of an empty storage room upstairs. He knows that this is the god-awful chapter of his life that will serve as inspiration for when he’s a famous movie director but right this second the seventeen bucks in his checking account and his dying laptop are really testing him.

When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other.

Top Ten Tuesday | 12/3/19

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. Check out their blogs for more awesome bookish content!

Holiday Reads

(Books You Love Reading During the Holidays)

I haven’t done one of these TTTs in awhile! This week’s topic is Holiday Reads-Books You Love Reading During the Holidays. I’m usually in the mood to read romance books during the holidays but not necessarily Christmas holiday romance. A few here and there is good for me. And of course I still read my young adult fantasy books. But because I slowed down in November, it feels like I’m playing catch up in December already, so I’m just going to list what I’m reading.

I posted about this title in last week’s WWW Wednesday but I gotta be honest…it’s been slow going. So far there is insta-love and a major heartbreak, and the couple reuniting which you can guess is not going so well. This book so far has been kinda depressing and I don’t know if it’s one I want to finish in December. 😞

I have the eARC of this book and it publishes in January so I’m reading a little but each day. It’s fascinating…a female version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV but whatever…I don’t even REMEMBER Henry IV, did I even have to read that in high school? There are lady knights!! Lady knights having sex with other lady knights! It’s a pretty amazing undertaking storewide because there are so man characters to follow. I finally hit 20% of the book (it took me all weekend). I’m determined to finish this by this week!

I really need to get a move on this story, I think I’m a fourth in. It’s a good story so far, I just was in the mood for romance and put this down to read the romance novels in my NetGalley shelf haha.

I just finished Wintersong, the first book in this series and I’m going to jump into this one before another book sucks up all my attention.

And yes because I need romance this month, I also started another NetGalley eARC. I’m on chapter two with this one but honestly, I think I’ll finish this one first out of the titles I just listed. 😅

Another eARC on NetGalley that I got started on and I’m at 30%. This is the second book in the Crown of Feathers series and I’m not feeling it as much as the first book in the series. Maybe I’m just not in the mood because it is the holidays? Not sure but I have some time to finish this one, it publishes in February 2020.

There you have it, 6 books I am reading when I feel like it! Haha…I don’t usually have that many open at once, but it is what it is. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s December, I’m not in a rush to read anything really unless it’s an arc that’s about to be published soon. I’m just going to try and just chill for the rest of the year. ☺️ Thanks for reading!