Saturday, January 7, 2017

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Last year this book was all over bookstagram and I was a little wary about it.

Now I have read other books by this author which I enjoyed but for some reason every time I stopped to look at the book at the bookstore I kept putting it back.

It's about wizard called the dragon who comes to the village every 10 years and takes a girl. He does this is exchange for keeping the people safe from the Wood that borders their village. It's fairly clear from the back of the book that the girl he takes isn't the one every one thinks he will take.

I think it was this basic outline that was turning me away at first.  I couldn't see where it was going and how great that it could turn out.

This book took so many turns that I wasn't expecting and each one was more amazing than the last. I really had no clue where this book was going to end up. 

I will admit that I was a little bit silly in not realizing on the back it says the dragon is a wizard because when I started reading I thought the dragon was an actual creature type of thing but right off the bat you find out he's not and I was pleasantly surprised.  Yeah. Still though, I was more than happy with the result. 

This book has magic, adventure, emotion, and intrigue. It is such a lovely tale that sweeps you up and spins a web of fairy tale and fantasy around you like a warm blanket. It's a really great literary distraction, so don't be afraid of picking this one up when you're stressed out. It will totally take your mind off your troubles. 

I've got no idea if there will be more after this one but I am dying to go back into the lives of these characters. This is definitely on my reread list for this year!

Recommendation: Read this. Immediately. You will love it. I promise!

Thursday, January 5, 2017

The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood

This is one of the books that is covered in the t.v. series although I don't really remember the episode fully, but I do know one of them is like this book.

It's another Phryne Fisher mystery (yes, yes again. I know. I love them thought!) and this one is about a murder that happens right in front of her at a dance competition at the Green Mill club. The story follows two different paths and she ends up investigating two different cases at the same time.

This one wasn't my favorite, but I think part of the problem had to do with the fact that the copy I got from my library in town was one of the copies that is missing the final chapter. I had to go on Good Reads to figure that out because I was a little lost as to why the murderer wasn't revealed in the end. I guess it was a problem back when they were printed and readers who find this out should contact the publisher to get a hold of the last chapter. I haven't done that, but I still may.

I will say that this one leans a little more to the romance side of things which does happen occasionally with this series.  This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. I don't mind it much in these books, but this one was heavy on that, less heavy on solving the crimes.

Still in love with this series though!

Recommendation: For the lovers of the Phryne Fisher mysteries, for the lovers of the t.v. show, for the lovers of cozy mysteries.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Yearly Book Challenge Time!


It's the new year and that means we set ourselves new goals and new challenges.

One of the big ones is of course, the reading challenge on Goodreads. For the last two years I've set my goal to 100 books and both years I failed. In 2015 I think I got to around 50 maybe? Last year I read 58 books and was on the 59th on December 31st. 

I've seen a lot of posts about how many books people have read on Instagram in the last couple days and I am totally jealous of the people who made it to 100 books. I'm even more jealous to the writers who've read that many while still completing books. That right there is the dream that I am no where near reaching. I get totally jealous and feel like I'm so much less than them because I've not been able to reach those goals. 

That's such a big thing, that feeling of less than. I feel it every time someone is out there killing it while I'm on my couch watch trash television. I've got a lot to whip into shape when it comes to myself and where I want to be, this I know. 

I'm starting it off with a reasonable, real, honest goal.

I would still love to read 100 books this year, but rather than giving myself that goal (and then changing it over and over through out the year to make myself feel better).

My goal is 60 books. 

Come find me and let's reach our goals together, big or small. We can do this! 




Monday, January 2, 2017

The Graces by Laure Eve

Okay, before I even get into the story, I have to tell you that this book is visually stunning. It's gorgeous! The book wasn't printed in black, it was printed in dark blue. The cover is amazing, but what lies under the dust jacket is equally as gorgeous. It's one gorgeous book.

The Graces is about a family of witches. There is a new girl in school who wants to be part of their family, who wants to be like them.

I really don't want to go too much more into the story because I don't want to give anything away, but it's one of those finding yourself type of stories.

It's really darn good. I really liked it. It was different, and strange, and hauntingly interesting.

The Graces deals with a lot of feelings that we all at one time or another have experienced ourselves. It's a book that connects to the reader no matter what else is happening in the story.

I would have liked a little more magic but, that's just my preference. If you're going to write about witches, the witchier the better is what I say! This book didn't disappoint, but I'm not sure I could ever have enough!

At one point I read something that said people were comparing this to Twilight, and I don't agree at all. Fine, maybe I can see some of the similarities, but its not like that at all. Seriously.

Really looking forward to more, and I'm hoping this is the first in a long series.

Now, excuse me while I go watch The Craft....

Recommendation: This one is for the lovers of a good story, for the lovers of books about finding yourself, growing up, and being who you are. I recommend this book for sure.