Book three of a charming series about a found family that works to help others. This one features Graham, a child acrobat who dreams of meeting a princess. He meets her want to be guard instead. Kuni is trying to prove she is up to being part of the Royal guard and meets the Wild Wynchesters. Though a bit slow paced, still a very cute fun read. 4⭐️

I‘m bailing on this one. I am just not liking the characters and unpleasant edge to the story. May just be my mood.

This little novel has beautiful writing, but I struggled following it. I recommend NOT reading this on audiobook, the narrator didn‘t differentiate characters well so it was difficult to follow. A well crafted Chinese fairy tale in a pretty little book. 4⭐️
#NoShameReadathon2023 - lesser know fairy tale or non-European fantasy
#FabulousFebruary

I loved this! I was fortunate to snag the Sanderson Kickstarter so I received this on audio as well as a beautiful hardcover edition. This YA fantasy adventure is a twist on Princess Bride which asks what would happen if the girl goes to save the boy? Tress goes on an epic adventure which involves pirates, talking animals, and more unique characters I do not want to spoil.⬇️

Here is my #bookspinbingo card for my #FebruaryTBR
1 book already read and a 5⭐️read as well!

My #bookspin pick is Fire in the Blood by Ruby Dixon

My #doublespin pick is Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, which I‘m currently reading and loving it.
Thanks as always to @TheAromaofBooks for organizing!

Another fantastic installment in the Innkeeper Chronicles. This is a bound volume of serialized stories, so it feels like 2-3 stories in one. However, it works really well and we are introduced into even more wondrous characters and creatures. I highly recommend this series, though it could possibly be read alone, I recommend starting at the beginning because it‘s so good! 5⭐️

Very excited about my #botm pick!

My favorite read of January was tagged. I‘m still think about this dark atmospheric horror. A perfect creepy winter read. #2023ReadingBracket

Thanks to @chasjjlee for the cool graphic!

I really did not enjoy this, which is a big bummer as I really liked the first book in the series. Also the cover is super pretty. I just did not like either of the characters, I would also classify this more as erotica than romance, as there isn‘t much romance in here but a lot of steamy scenes. There was so little connection between the characters though so I was bored…2⭐️

Here are all of my #Januaryreads! A big reading month thanks to vacation. 5⭐️ Reads were: Near the Bone by Christina Henry - super creepy, dark monster horror, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb - fantastic epic pirate fantasy, Witch Hat Atelier Vol 3 - beautiful, cute manga, My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones - fantastic twist on slasher horror, Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan - very emotional romance

A very fun second book in the 2nd era Mistborn series. In this one we get a lot more callbacks to the original, so if you are thinking about reading this, you definitely want start at the beginning with era 1 the original Mistborn. I don‘t want to say too much, but all of our characters are back and this is a lot of them figuring out their place in this world. I look forward to the next book in the series! 4.5⭐️
#20in4 #Readathon

A highly entertaining grim dark fantasy tale of revenge. Like the First Law trilogy, this is very much a character driven tale with a meandering plot, yet action packed and at times very funny. If you like revenge thrillers you‘ll definitely enjoy this one. Connected to the First Law trilogy but can be read as a standalone. 4.5⭐️
#bookspinbingo - board done!
#ChunksterChallenge2023 - 639 pages
#20in4 #Readathon

DNFing for now. I may come back to it, but I am not in the mood for New Adult college age characters at the moment. I also may want to reread the first book before diving back in again, as it totally takes off from where book 1 left off with no style of recap.

Battling a cold so I fully anticipate getting a good amount of reading done after a very busy work week. Here are my #20in4 #Readathon goals:
Finish Best Served Cold - my final January TBR read
Also in Progress Hell Bent & Nobody‘s Princess
Then up next Shadows of Self & I have a NetGalley ARC of Mortal Follies

This a very cute young adult fantasy featuring a 14 yo baker who also happens to be a wizard. She discovers a dead body in her bakery and a evil plot in the kingdom is discovered. If you like the cozy fantasy trend, if you like cute companions, you will enjoy this book! This is on the younger side of YA, would probably work for a more mature middle grade reader. T. Kingfisher is officially a must read for me! 4.25⭐️

Congratulations @BennettBookworm on your milestone! What a great idea, sharing favorite bookstores. I have many I have visited. Unfortunately, I don‘t have any indi bookstores super close, but I really like Read Between the Lynes in downtown Woodstock, IL. #20kGiveaway

Day 6 #NoShameReadathon2023 recommendations:
Podcast inspired
Here are 4 I‘ve read and enjoyed!
Stay Sexy & Don‘t Get Murdered - basically the podcasters rambles in a book, but a fun quick read
The World of LORE - there are several books collecting the tales of horror on the podcast
Welcome to Night Vale - direct transcripts of the podcast in print
Sadie - a fictional story of a podcast obsessed girl solving a crime

Here is my #FebruaryTBR for #bookspinbingo #bookspin & #doublespin

Lots of romance, fantasy and love stories. Looking forward to another good month of reading and also checking off some #NoShameReadathon2023 reads and sharing suggestions!

Day 5 #NoShameReadathon2023 recommendations:
Fantasy Chunkster
I love a big epic fantasy here are some favs and some on my TBR.
The Stormlight Archive series -Brandon Sanderson-my longest reads 💯 worth the time
The Liveship Traders trilogy -Robin Hobb- I have read the first one this year and hope to finish the trilogy this year.
On my TBR -heard good things- Engines of Empire & The Grace of Kings

This was a very cute rom-com with genuine body positivity/acceptance. Our main character is a fitness and body positivity influencer. One day at her gym she meets a seemingly cocky man who steals her equipment. This begins a delightful enemies to friends to lovers story. For as positive as this story is, there is online bullying involved. Also, I didn‘t 100% love the third act conflict. I still definitely recommend. 4.25⭐️

Yes! I have a long standing monthly book club with a group of friends. Sometimes we have 4 people, sometimes 10, it is always fun to get together and talk books and other things.
If you‘ve ever thought of starting one, go for it!
#SundayFunday

This was a very fun romp of a book. Though it does not have the depth of era 1, it is action packed and a great introduction to our new cast of characters. This could be read without reading era 1, but it would not resonate as well. I look forward to continuing era 2 Mistborn series! 4.5⭐️
#bookspinbingo 2 bingos and just one book left for a blackout!

Day 4 #NoShameReadathon2023 recommendations for Vampires prompt.
These are vampire (or have vampire characters) books that I‘ve really enjoyed that are not Anne Rice, True Blood or Twilight.
Empire of the Vampire -Jay Kristoff - giant chunkster fantasy with dark vampires, not everyone loved this one but I liked it
Dowry of Blood - ST Gibson - lgbt horror romance Dracula retelling - also can use for TikTok prompt ⬇️

Wow what creepy, at times cringy but delightful read. The story of a pair of siblings who basically hate each other who must deal with their dead parent‘s estate. And there are creepy dolls and VERY creepy puppets. Some content warnings below - typical of horror. 4.75⭐️

Here are my February #Roll100 picks!
Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Day 3 #NoShameReadathon2023 today are suggestions for Non-European based fantasy. Here are some favorites:
Black Sun -Rebecca Roanhorse -Pre-Colombian Americas inspired
The Bone Shard Daughter -Andrea Stewart -Imperial Chinese inspired
Daughter of the Moon Goddess -Sue Lynn Tan -Chinese fairy tale also counts for Lesser Known retelling
Raybearer -Jordan Ifueko -African inspired fantasy
The Poppy War -R.F Kuang -historical China

Day 2 #NoShameReadathon2023 recommendations!
My dog Lute is very unsure of these books!
For Manga Horror:
Uzumaki by Junji Ito - really anything by this author qualifies. Can also double as Lovecraftian square! Serious body horror.
Hellsing by Kohta Hirano - can also double as vampires! This one is more supernatural horror.
Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba - demonic horror and definitely the most popular of these three.

This was a very sweet book about a cleaning woman who befriends an octopus. There is a solid family drama/mystery within as well. I guessed it quite early, which made sections drag a bit, but overall enjoyable. 4⭐️
#bookspinbingo
#bookclubpick

I‘m beginning a series of posts of suggestions for #NoShameReadathon2023 prompts. First up - Rom-coms by BIPOC authors. Here are some of my favorites, all 4 or 5⭐️ reads. I will also note the steamier reads.
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria -steamy
Her Big City Neighbor by Jackie Lau - steamy
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris -Adrienna Herrera mild steam
Weddin Crasher -Mia Sosa mild steam
Act Your Age, Eve Brown -Talia Hibbert steamy ⬇️

This starts as a very intriguing genre bending tale. A 17 yo girl and her mother are followed by bad luck everywhere they go. Her grandmother lives in a creepy house and famous for writing a book of dark fairytales that no one can find. The set up is very fun, as is the first third of the book. However, as the mystery unravels it becomes a bit of a slog and just less fun. The ending also seems a little rushed and easy for all of the build up. 3⭐️

Looking for ideas for the #NoShameReadathon2023 Category romance square? Fated mates podcast is talking all about them this week!

#Two4Tuesdsy

1. Somewhere with cozy seating, a fireplace, and a beautiful view of snow capped mountains.
2. A variety-a wintery thriller, a chunky fantasy and some romance.

A genuinely scary thriller/horror story, with a mysterious abused woman and mysterious creature in the woods. The question is who is the real monster in the story? It is best to know very little going into the story, but note strong content of abuse (not a spoiler as it happens within the first chapter). A genuine page turner that I finished in one day. 5⭐️
#bookspinbingo - bingo!
#JoyousJanuary
#NoShameReadathon2023 Lovecraftian horror

This was a charming, melancholy, sweet and beautiful book. A cozy Sci-fi Pinocchio reimagining, that also has hints of Wizard of Oz.
Our main character Victor lives in a lovely wooded tree house with his father Giovanni, who happens to also be an android. They have two delightful robot companions as well. On a scavenging expedition Victor discovers a new android that will unravel his world and unlock the mystery of this world.⬇️

Not a full review do to the ongoing Harpercollins strike. 5⭐️
#chunksterchallenge2023 - 880 pages
#bookspinbingo - bingo!
#NoShameReadathon2023 - Fantasy Chunkster
#JoyousJanuary #Readathon

Yay for 5 great years on Litsy!!
@HappyLitsyversary

This manga series continues to amaze me with incredible artwork and an intriguing story. I highly recommend to fantasy fans! 5⭐️

#bookspinbingo #JoyousJanuary #Readathon

DNF, just not for me. I may try it again when I‘m in the mood for silly. Just too slapstick and immature for me at this time.

#bookspinbingo #JoyousJanuary #Readathon

DNF, I am finding the story quite dry and it is not catching my attention. It may be I‘m not in the mood for this storytelling so I would not necessarily discourage others from reading.

#bookspinbingo 2 bingos!

This is an excellent original historical romance by a favorite author of mine. This is her first foray into historical romance and I look forward to reading more of this series. Both main characters are lovable and well paired. My only criticism is the miscommunication, which is my biggest romance pet peeve.. However, I really did enjoy the time period, the love story and the cultural aspects to the story. 4.5⭐️
#12bookschallenge #bookspinbingo

This is book 2 of a time travel/suspense/romance. Book 1 was a lot of fun and very suspenseful. This book is much more of a romance. The story wraps up great, though early in the book I guessed the main mystery. Overall I do recommend this duology (there are more books in the series but it‘s about other characters). ⬇️
#bookspinbingo

My #BookReport for Jan 1-8
📔A Merry Little Meet Cute 3⭐️
🎧Before I Let Go 5⭐️
📔The Kaiju Preservation Society 4⭐️
🎧The Hacienda 4⭐️
📔Parallel 4⭐️
🎧Sign Here 4⭐️
🎧My Heart is a Chainsaw 5⭐️
📔Fullmetal Alchemist Vol 10
🎧A Hard Day for a Hangover 4.5⭐️
#WeeklyForecast
In Progress:
📖Intersect 50%
Up Next:
🎧A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, Ship of Magic
📚Kaikeyi, In the Lives of Puppets
My winter break is ending so slower reading coming.😫

Such a fun new entry in the Sunshine Vicram series. It picks right up where the previous entry left off. Now that a big secret has been revealed, what will the fall out? This series has a delightful cast of characters and so much banter. I do recommend starting with book 1, these do not really work as standalones. It is a total screwball mystery, so know that going in. 4.5⭐️
CW below
#bookspinbingo #noshamereadathon2023

Another solid installment in the FMA story. 4⭐️
#bookspinbingo

I really enjoyed this homage to slasher movies. Jade is obsessed with classic slasher films, which also makes her a bit of an outcast in her town. A new girl starts at her school and she identifies her as the perfect final girl. When deaths begin, Jade tries to prepare the new girl for her role. This absolutely is written for slasher movie fans. ⬇️

Here is my finished 2022 Reading Bracket. My top read of the year was Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. It was also the longest book I read at well over 1k pages. It was a great year of reading!

Thank you @chasjjlee for creating this great bracket!

This debut novel is part mystery, part paranormal comedy and part family drama. I enjoyed the sections involving our main character Peyote Trip, a demon trying to finish collecting one more soul from the Harrison family. The less entertaining parts were from the perspective of the Harrison family. I don‘t want to go much deeper into plot as I think this is best enjoyed without knowing much.
⬇️

There are things in this book which would make me typically dnf a book. Yet I could not stop reading this, and of course it is a two part story so I had to immediately download book 2. The story is Quinn, a woman about to get married to her partner of 6 years, she has a job she barely tolerates and some good friends. She also has dreams of a totally different life and a true love of a lifetime.
⬇️

Here are the big books on my main yearly tbr. There be more big books (especially pending the Sanderson mystery project books) but these I definitely want to get to for #ChunksterChallenge2023

-Almost a Chunkster - The Grace of Kings, Engines of Empire, Best Served Cold
-Chunkster Mini - Ordinary Monsters, The Black Prism
-Chunkster - Ship of Magic

No Super Chunksters yet!

This was a slow, creepy, gothic horror with a touch of a love story - not a romance. It has a setting of post revolutionary Mexico, and the added in historical and cultural elements were excellent. It definitely was slow moving the first half, which built a proper sense of doom yet also lost my interest at times. Our heroine Beatriz starts as a bit of a weak character, but toughens up and becomes more interesting as the story continues.⬇️