The writing was concise, consistent and engaging. I truly enjoyed the strong, dynamic characters and adequate world building. Unfortunately, the pacing was just ok, and there were lulls at times when the story felt stagnant. The story was original, fun, and entertaining overall. #netgalley #ARC #bookishfirst

Thank you to Bookish First and NetGalley for offering this title in their catalogs. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Finally opened my Calculated Signed and Swag box. I loved this series!

#bookbox #signedbooks #bookseries #ya #fantasy #yafantasy #favoritebooks #booktok #bookstagram #booksandtea

Thank you @BookNAround for the #JolabokaflodSwap! The candy is yummy, and the book looks good. Merry Christmas 🎄

@MaleficentBookDragon thank you for putting the swap together ❤️

#swap #bookswap #Jolabokaflod #blinddatewithabook #bookmail #booksandcandy #surprisemail

Thank you @BookNAround for the #JolabokaflodSwap. I opened it before realizing what it was. ❤️ Will post photo on Christmas Eve 🎄

@MaleficentBookDragon
#swap #jolabokaflod

My #JolabokaflodSwap is ready for Monday's mail!

@MaleficentBookDragon thank you for arranging it!

#swap #bookswap #Jolabokaflod #blinddatewithabook #bookmail #booksandcandy #surprisemail

Is anyone planning a Secret Santa or holiday swap? Before Covid, there was Secret Santa Goes Postal and it was awesome!

My group will have a Secret Santa and separate card swap. Check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook!

#secretsanta #swap #holidayswap #blinddatewithabook #bookswap #elfster #wishlists #winterswap #secretsantagoespostal #gifts #penpals #bookmail #postoffice #boxswap #ninja #raok #birthday #presents #christmas #christmascards

Faerie Fallen
By Carol Beth Anderson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Faerie Fallen is a gorgeous hardback that has been on my TBR for too long. Anderson is a phenomenal and inventive author who always delivers original and engaging stories. The story is fleshed out well, character development is seamless, and world building was expertly executed. My only major gripe is that it felt a little too long. Now I need to know what happens next!

Autumnal colored stack for YA Sci-Fi and Fantasy Addicts' Fall Challenge.

#bookstack #halloweenbooks #fallreads #cozy #tbrstack #readingchallenge #bookclub #bookgroup #bittersweetinthehollow #ya #yabooks #books #photochallenge #bookchallenge #library #shelfiesunday #cats #booksofig #bookcommunity #bookgram #amazingbook #bookrecommendations #fantasybooks #vampires

I'm going to Indies Invade Philly next month. While this genre is not in my wheelhouse, I would like to get a few books signed. Is anyone familiar with these authors? I'm looking for something with more of a rom-com feel, less boom-chica-wow-wow, and not with half naked men on the cover. 😂
#indiesinvadephilly #bookcon #booksigning #indieauthors #smut #romcom #bookstagram #bookish #books #supportauthors #penelopeward #meghanquinn #bookfriends

Enjoying one of the last days of summer by sitting outside and reading an ARC of Bittersweet In the Hollow. I've been under the weather and slept most of yesterday, but was able to work on catching up on some book club stuff today. My daughter is home from college for a couple days already because she missed the cats. 😂 What are you up to?

#poolside #summer #summerreading #bookstagram #booktok #booktube #librarylife #arc #bookishfirst

I won a giveaway from Your Adventure Awaits…A Bookish Journey of their Pick Your Fate bundle. The book I received - Consensual Hex - sounds interesting and I haven't heard of it before. 😃
https://www.etsy.com/shop/YourAdventureAwaitsB?ref=usf_2020
#blinddatewithabook #etsy #etsyshop #bookclub #witchbooks #witch #halloweenbooks #halloween #postcards #bookmail #bookish #giveaway #bookgiveaway #bookishetsy #bookworm #kindlebooks #happymail

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

#introvert #extrovert #extrovertedintrovert #bookish #bookishpals #bookcommunity #fullybooked #bookmail #personality #neurodiversity #tbr #bookshelf #goodreads #quiet #mybookishlife #bookme #funnybooks #nonfiction #bookcollection #signedbooks #booksale #bookstore #smalltalk #booktok #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #qotd

Mush. Always, always, always helping. 😻😻

#bookstagram #cats #catsandbooks #catlady #catsofinstagram #catlife #cat #instacat #hellokitty #cutekitty #torbie #cutekitty #kittycat #animals #pets #petsofinstagram #meowstagram #booksofinstagram #mylibrary #mylove #mylife #bookart #bookish #bookishshop #bookmark #booksale #readingcommunity

Check out my bookstagram for this giveaway. 😉🥰
Iheartya311 on IG
https://www.instagram.com/p/CvqadLGLBn1/?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ==

This story was unique and very interesting. It felt dystopian but was realistic at the same time. I love Divergent and Hunger Games, and the reading about the Trials of Forgive Me Not gave me similar feels.

While I mostly enjoyed the writing, I struggled with the story. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, and they fail to make me feel any emotion. The transitions between POVs were not fluid and pacing was also inconsistent. There were parts that were clunkly and the book was much longer than necessary. The story had a lot of potential but the execution didn't hit the mark for me.

I really liked the premise of this book and I've been waiting for a while to read it. Overall, it was average. I enjoyed the character development and writing style a lot. Some of the characters were hard to connect with, though. The end started off to be satisfying but fizzled out when part of it made no sense.

#bookreview #bookstagram #booktok #librarylife #ya #youngadultbooks #bookmerch #bookworm #mybooks #goodreads #bookclub #pangobooks

My rating was flip flopping between a 3 and 4 throughout this book, but overall it's more of a 3. The premise and cover definitely drew me in. The story started off strong and I was really into it but then the pace slowed down. The writing was mostly OK but seemed inconsistent at times.
......
Thank you to Bookish First for offering this title in their catalogue. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

This was an easy and short read. The writing was OK and the characters were well fleshed out. The chapter breaks in audio were very clunky though. I was not a fan of how the story ended - not even a cliffhanger, it just stopped.

#bookreview

I wish I read it sooner. I loved nearly everything about it. The unique story kept me engaged and I didn't want it to end. The writing was simple at times but I could feel what the characters were feeling - it was written that well! Pacing, character development and world building all flowed seemlessly, making it feel like the author has natural talent. The conclusion is satisfying and wraps up the story well. This book is why I love YA!

This was cute but not memorable. It felt superficial, lacking substance. The banter was sometimes entertaining but mostly useless. A more complex story would have made it more enjoyable. The author did a good job of making the main character unlikable. I kept waiting for the build up to a pivotal moment, but neither ever came.

#bookreview #bookstagram #retelling #classicbooks #ya #youngadultbooks #booktok #litsy #goodreads #storygraph #bookly

This one was a bit of a let down for me. I expected a more powerful and exciting conclusion to the series. I did love the writing, character development and world building as I usually do with Shusterman, but the plot and pacing left much to be wanted. It was more like 2.5 stars for me but I can't bear to give Shusterman 2 stars so I rounded up to 3.
#ya #youngadultbooks #scythe #nealshusterman #bookreview #arcofascythe #bookstagram #bookart

This was an original story with solid world building. I enjoyed the characters a lot. The pacing was uneven though, and the writing style seemed bland. A solid, average 3 stars. I am slightly interested in the rest of the story since it ended on a cliffhanger, but I'm not itching to finish it. Since I already own book 2 I'll read it, but if I didn't own it, I'm not sure it would even be on my TBR. #bookreview #ya #fantasy #bookswap #bookmail

House of Yesterday
by Deeba Zargarpur

⭐️⭐️/5
Challenge prompts complete:
LiterALLy BOOKiSh - stunning cover
Book Hoarders - Chosen for cover alone
YA Sci-fi and Fantasy Addicts Summer Challenge - Judge a book by its cover

The cover really drew me in, but that's where my excitement stopped. I wanted to like this story so much more than I did. The writing was plain, overall boring. An easy enough read but nothing close to spectacular.

I have not been a fan of books with gods, mythology or fate lately as they seem to bore me. I wanted to give Threads that Bind a fair shot and I was excited about the premise but unfortunately it failed to hold my attention.

Cover Snobs is a new Facebook group for sharing recommendations of books with gorgeous covers. We're aiming to keep the group simple, drama-free (but respectful opinions welcomed), and small-ish.
https://facebook.com/groups/1318778998986505/

If you like book clubs, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook too!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1208628009497556/?ref=share
@literally.bookish

I'm generally not a fan of science fiction so I attempted to start this book with an open mind. I'm glad I was able to do so because I was quickly impressed and hooked by chapter three. I'm used to not liking books like this because they are usually overdescriptive when it comes to the world building and don't make much sense. ..... cont

My library shelves are as done as done can be for now. They will forever be changing with new books & decor, so it's a work in progress. Just need to hang up the artwork & get pillows for the couch, then my library will be finished.

#bookstagram #booktok #booktube #ya #youngadultbooks #libraryshelves #shelfie #bookshelf #prettybooks #booknerd #bookworm #readinggoals #newbooks #bulletjournaling #funkopop #botm #bookmail #libraryart #RAOK #kindle

I'm gonna toot my own horn here... just a little bit. My favorite book gifting group invited me to be an admin and I'm so excited! If you enjoy RAOKs and swaps, you'll like this group. My favorite activity is Bedtime Blessings, it's like a RAOK posted every night. 💜 Check out the group on Facebook:
Book Lovers Amazon Wishlist Giving!!

#RAOK #swap #bookstagram #kindle #gift #giftinggame #giveaway #bookclub #booksubscriptionbox #readingchallenge

Make sure to check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook for this giveaway!
😍😍😍
A year long subscription to the postcard prompt challenge from Your Adventure Awaits!

LiterALLy BOOKiSh (Book Club)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1208628009497556/?ref=share

*All of my bookish prompts are packed away so digital edits will have to suffice for now.*

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🖤 2022 challenge prompt: #25 - favorite author's favorite book
🖤 November bingo prompt: recommended by a parent
🖤 Bookish First bingo prompt: Author has written YA and adult

Original, oddly satisfying and well-written. This was my first Neil Gaiman book but definitely won't be my last.

2 stars - The premise and writing style are what first piqued my interest of We Deserve Monuments when I saw it offered on Bookish First. I really liked the beginning of the story but my enthusiasm quickly faded as the storyline became muddy and stagnant. It felt very anticlimactic. A few dramatic twists and turns to make the story more complicated would have definitely made it more interesting. Overall, it fell very flat.

Wow. I didn't expect to read this book for hours and lose track of time. I was immersed in the story for almost its entirety. There were some lulls in the story and action but considering the very satisfying ending, I decided to give it 5 stars. Thank you to BookishFirst for offering this title in their catalogue. This review is entirely my own. Not on BookishFirst? You're missing out on FREE BOOKS! Sign up with my referral code: c2c277e5792a7a0ab

Sign ups for Literally Bookish's Great Christmas Card Exchange started today!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1208628009497556/?ref=share
#bookreviewsofinstagram #christmascards #penpals #bookmail #cardexchange #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #holidaycards #bookswap #elfster #secretsanta #snailmail #bookgiveaways #bookfun #funwithbooks #bookpals #cardswap #booksbooksandmorebooks #booksandcandles #bookclub #hallmarkchristmasmovies #christmas

😍We still have LiterALLy BOOKiSh 2023 challenge and group bookmarks available for purchase! Please refer to the pinned post in group for details:
LiterALLy BOOKiSh (Book Club on Facebook)

#bookmarks #2023readingchallenge #bookmark #sale #merch #merchshop #groupmerch #bookstagram #readingchallenge #readingprompts #readathon #booksubscriptionbox #hotcocoa #booksandcats #booksandtea #booksandcoffee #reading #novels #library #freelittlelibrary

My rating teetered between a 3 and 4 throughout this book, but the ending tipped it over to a 4. The characters were well thought out. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style but there were times when it was clunky with a poor choice of words. Most of the chapters that took place in the past fell flat for me, and seemed to hinder the progression of the plot due to long-winded events. The conclusion of the story was very redeeming.

This was a unique and well written story. I enjoyed the character development and world building. The main character was very relatable, and you could feel how much she grew and learned by the end of the story. I'll be on the look out for future work from this author. Thank you to Bookish First for offering this title in their catalogue.
https://www.bookishfirst.com/
My referral code: c2c277e5792a7a0ab
#bookishfirst

Wake the Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I absolutely loved the writing style and the creep factor. The storyline held my interest immediately although parts of it jumped around, and some actions of the characters seemed inconsistent. Overall, this story is exactly the type I love so I'm rating it 4 stars.

(Bookmarks from SJwonderlandz)

#wakethebones #ya #youngadult #bookmail #bookmarks #bookstagram #debutauthor

Aren't these book sleeves from CAM Creations Booksleeves & More adorable?!?! They're very well made, too. Find CAM on Facebook. ❤️

#booksleeves #booksleeveshop #bookshop #bookishshop #BookAccessories #strangerthings #HocusPocus #nsync #nkotb #thenightmarebeforechristmas #bookstagram

Ordered a Halloween box and extra bookmarks from SJWONDERLANDZ. So cute!
#sjwonderlandz #bookmarks #hocuspocus #bookshop #smallbusiness #swap #fallvibes #halloween #subscriptionbox #bookmail

This book can be very useful for people who suffer from anxiety, and people who want to understand anxiety better.

Thank you to Bookish First for offering this book in their catalogue. Sign up with my referral code: c2c277e5792a7a0ab

I re-read The Raven Boys and loved it all over again* Join LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook for our discussions of the series.
#theravenboys #theravencycle #maggiestiefvater #favoriteauthors #favoritebooks #bookdiscussion #readathon #bookstagram #bookaesthetics #bookblog #bookrecommendations #bookreview #instabooks #igbooks #fallbooks #bookish #booklife #bookishlifestyle #fantasy #fiction #mykindabook #reread #read

⭐️⭐️/5. I have mixed feelings about this book. I had really hoped to like it more considering the blurb sounded so interesting. I loved the strong, resilient and clever main character. The world building was just okay, and most of the characters felt one-sided or flat. The writing was mediocre, and the core premise of the story has been used many times. Cont...

We're into the last week of giveaways in LiterALLy BOOKiSh (Facebook book club). Our sponsors are donating all kinds of awesome bookish goodies - book sleeves, stickers, mugs, candles, bookmarks, shirts, signed books, e-books, & more! Don't cha just love the background of this graphic? It's a book sleeve fabric offered by one of our sponsors, CAM Creations Booksleeves & More (also on Facebook).

#giveaways #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #bookmerch

A very good month for me!
(From most liked to least.)

#wrapup #monthlywrapup #bookstagram #bookstaging #bookstack #booksofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #tbrpile #mybooks #myreads #bookclub #bookcommunity #instabooks #igbooks #booksocial #bookmail #favoritebooks #booktok #bookish #booklife #bookcart #bookmerch #goodreads #storygraph #litsy #bookswap #bookworm

This book was not what I expected after reading the summary. I thought the story was going to be action and plot driven but the characters were surprisingly interesting and complex. I was absolutely invested until about halfway through when the story slightly lost its footing as the details of the different characters became confusing and muddled. The writing was great and I was extremely impressed with how engaging and beautifulit was.

My April wrap-up. Small Favors, Only a Monster and Lady Rogue were definitely my top 3.
Not my best editing. But this is the most books I've read in one month in years.

#wrapup #monthlywrapup #aprilwrapup

🎉𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗼! 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗕𝗥𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆!🎉
Head over to LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook to play!

#bingo #monthlybingo #bookgame #bookclub #bookcommunity #kindle #reader #barnesandnoble #bookstore #bookmail #favoritebooks #bookprizes #bookgames #readinggames #readingchallenge #bookstagram #bookgirl #booksbooksbooks #tbrpile #bookish #goodreads #storygraph #litsy #library #bookhaul #newbooks #bookfriends #bookpals

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm a big fan of Jenn Bennett and have loved (or almost loved) all of her books so far. While this one was good, it fell a little flat for me. It dragged in parts and didn't pack the emotional punches that I'm used to from this author. The blurb contains the biggest spolier, which is a major bummer. Still a worthwhile read.

Happy Library Week! Which books did you grab from your library?

#bookstagram #library #publiclibrary #libraryweek #ilovethelibrary #libraryhaul #librarybooks #goodreads #bookishlove #bookcommunity #booksocial #bookapp #nonfiction #booksandcats #bookmugs #booksandcandles #bookhaul #newbooks #reading #bookish #booklife #bookishlifestyle #librarylife #mylibrary