A Chilly February Reading Update

I thought I would give a little reading update today. Mostly, I haven’t been reading much at all. I’m barely even reading a chapter a night. The last of January …

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo Review

I finally read Siege and Storm. I’ve wanted to move on with this series for a minute, but I kept procrastinating. Unfortunately, after reading Siege and Storm, I’m not sure if I want to continue this series. Let’s get into my review.

Alina and Mal have fled the Fold, but darkness still haunts them. The Darkling survived that monumental day on the Fold and brought a new power with him. With the help of a charming privateer, Alina chases her new destiny. As her power grows, her connection to Mal suffers. She will have to decide if she wants to save her country, or lose everything she has ever loved.

Ugh, the angst. The whole book was focused around the angst between Mal and Alina. Even during major events. Mal was almost never off of Alina’s mind. Plus, there is a possible love triangle, or square, developing. Let’s just say Alina has a lot of options. It was all very dramatic.

After getting past the angst, the story is mostly filler. A few new characters and plot points were introduced, but it mostly felt like filler to start the next book.

I was disappointed by this. It didn’t give me the sequel I wanted. I loved Shadow and Bone, but Siege and Storm wasn’t great. But it did set up an interesting power change for the last book. I might continue on with the series just to see how it plays out.

My Rating: 2/5

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The Birthday Book Tag

Today is my birthday! It’s a rainy, cold day here in Alabama. It would be a great day to stay in. We even had a chance of snow in the …

January 2021 Bullet Journal Spread

I love bullet journaling. I’m new to this. I’m obviously not a professional, but I love creating. For Christmas, my husband gifted me a watercolor set so my goal this year is to learn how to use it. I decided my bullet journal would be a great place to start. So this is me documenting my progress on a new skill. This is month one, so here we go! Check out my January 2021 bullet journal.

Cover Page/TBR List

This is where my journey began. I decided to do a zodiac/galaxy theme for January. I’m a Capricorn baby and I wear that badge proudly. I decided to do this fun little galaxy-inspired wash of color. This is also where I learned my first watercolor mistake. When it dries the colors are more muted than when you begin. It was a beautiful gradient, but then it dried down dull. My friend who watercolors said layering is key. Even with the mistakes, I’m happy with the results.

The next page is my tbr list. It is just a much simpler wash of blue. I used rubber stamps and ink to do all the headings, and I like the look of it. My tbr list is slightly over-ambitious. I haven’t even made it halfway through Needful Things, but here’s to hoping. My January 2021 TBR post on the blog is slightly more manageable.

Review Page/Book Bought Page

I continue the wash of color throughout my spread. I decided to alternate from blue to purple. The next page is pretty simple. This is where I keep track of all the books I need to review.

My books bought page is where I keep up with how much money I spend on books. It keeps me accountable. I like to think that I won’t buy any this month, but it’s my birthday month. I’m definitely going to buy a few.

Books Read Page/ Wrap Up Page

My books read page is where I keep up with how many books I’ve read. I also like to keep up with the number of pages I read. This number really means nothing, but I still like keeping track of it.

Lastly, my wrap up page. This page is the most important at the end of the year because I use it to quickly figure up my totals.

So that is my January 2021 bullet journal. I really had fun creating this. I know it’s not perfect, but its a work in progress. I look forward to seeing how much my technique changes over 2021.

My 2021 Reading Goals

Today marks the first day of 2021. It’s time to set our intentions and follow them. I love setting goals. It gives me a bit of adrenaline rush to check things off my list. It must the Capricorn in me. Let’s get to my 2021 reading goals!

2021 TBR

• A Court of Silver Flames
• The Desolation of Devil’s Acre
• Lore
• The Wife Upstairs
• Survive the Night
• Empire of the Vampire

2021 Goals

• Complete Goodreads Challenge: 85 books
• Finish the Uncorked Librarian Challenge
• Complete the Book of the Month Challenge
• Buy more used books
• Spend less money
• Finish library

Goodreads Challenge Spread

This is my Goodreads Challenge spread. I decided to use this tree to keep track of it. When I’ve read ten pages I will color in each limb. The goal is to have a completely colored in tree by the end of 2021.

Uncorked 2021 Reading Challenge

The Uncorked Challenge is the perfect challenge for me. It is broken up into months, so that makes it manageable for this mood reader. The prompts are also specific enough to make me branch out. I look forward to completing this!

So those are my 2021 reading goals. What goals have you planned this year?

Check out my 2020 wrap up!

My Winter Anticipated Releases

Happy Winter Solstice! It is time for My Winter Anticipated Releases. There are several books that I am super excited about, so let’s jump in! Lore Synopsis: Every seven years, …

Graphic Novels for Beginners

I’m new to graphic novels. I just started reading them last year. I’ve read some really good graphic novels, but I’ve also read some really bad ones. Today, we are going to focus on the positive. I’m going to share a few that I have enjoyed. Obviously, it’s not a large selection because I haven’t read many myself.

It’s a great time to get started with this format. As I shared in my Beat Those Reading Challenges post, graphic novels are a great way to reach those goals. But I know jumping into the world of graphic novels can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many to choose from. Hopefully, you can find a few from this list that you will enjoy.

The Grimm’s Fairytales

Synopsis:

For over two hundred years the powerful stories of the Brothers Grimm have enchanted millions around the world, but there has never been an adaptation as intriguing or provocative as this. Grimm Fairy Tales explores a much darker side of the infamous fables you heard as a child as these classic tales are retold and re-imagined with a terrifying twist you’ll simply love as an adult.

This collection is a fun retelling of the classic Grimm’s Fairytales. They use the fairytales to teach modern day characters some horrifying lessons. It is such unique take on the fairytales, plus the artwork is beautiful.

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The Tea Dragon Society

Synopsis:

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes THE TEA DRAGON SOCIETY, the beloved and charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives–and eventually her own.

This is the cutest thing that I have ever read. It’s very, very short. I read it in 15 minutes. There is not a huge plot, but it is so cute. The tea dragons are adorable. It will make any bad day better. You need to read this.

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Aquicorn Cove

Synopsis:

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she’s missed the ocean–and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahorse-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured Aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she’s willing to admit. But when a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

This is by the author that wrote The Tea Dragon Society. It’s just as cute and fun, but it is a little more developed. This one really focuses on the environment of our oceans. It helps spread the word about environmental issues while still being completely adorable.

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The Witch Boy

Synopsis:

In thirteen-year-old Aster’s family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn’t shifted . . . and he’s still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.

When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help — as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.

This is another adorable story. It’s actually a middle grade graphic novel, but I think anyone would benefit from reading this.

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So those are a few of the graphic novels that I have read and loved lately. They are easy, fun reads that will help you get acclimated to the graphic novel world. Obviously, since I’m new to the format, I could use some graphic novel recommendations myself. Leave some in the comments below!

We Must Save Jepson by Mark Petersen Review

I received a copy of We Must Save Jepson in exchange for my honest review. It was a fun concept, so let’s jump into it.

H.R. Huxtable is off to save Jepson. His crew is a bit odd, but yet they persevere. Will they save Jepson?

My Thoughts

First, I love the formatting. This book is a collection of letters from and to H.R. Huxtable. It was a great way to tell this story. It felt like the reader was included in the adventure.

Despite my love of the letters, the plot fell flat. It was titled We Must Save Jepson, but I don’t really even know who Jepson was. I also don’t really know why he needed saving. Plus, how did a librarian become the head of a search and rescue group? There was a lot that wasn’t really explained, or if it was I completely missed it.

This book is quite clearly satire. I mean it does say it on the cover. The humor is overblown, but I expect that from a satire. There were several humorous moments. However, there were some bits of humor that didn’t work for me.

Overall, I don’t think this book is for me. But it was still a quick, easy read with a fun format.

My Rating: 2/5

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Things I’m Thankful For

Let’s face it. 2020 has been hard. This is quite possibly the hardest year that I’ve ever experienced. I know many people that feel the same way. But tomorrow is …

The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny Review

The Butterfly Effect is out of my normal comfort zone, but it was what I needed in the moment. I jumped in after reading Darkdawn and it felt like a breath of fresh air. Let’s get to the review.

Greta Oto is not a social butterfly. She is nowhere close. She tends to prefer the company of bugs to humans. When her twin brother Danny is hospitalized, due to an aneurysm, she has to give up a lifetime research gig. When she comes home she has to face the people she has been avoiding for years. Through it all, Greta works on completing her dissertation, and she might even learn a little about the people in her life.

My Thoughts on The Butterfly Effect

Let me start by saying, Greta is the most infuriating character that I have ever met. But don’t let that scare you away from The Butterfly Effect. This book brings out so many emotions, especially anger. As annoying as Greta was, I could feel the hidden depths of her emotions. Greta had been hurt many times in the past, so she used her personality as a defense mechanism. It doesn’t excuse her behavior, but it made me understand it.

Another thing I enjoyed was the depiction of a family health crisis. My family has been through some health problems and it can feel isolating at times. It was interesting to watch how the characters reacted to similar situations. Everyone handles things differently and I enjoyed seeing a new perspective.

Lastly, Greta’s character growth is great. Toward the end you can tell she is trying to improve herself. I really appreciated that part. I also liked the slight hint of romance. It was refreshing.

All in all, this was a great read. It was real. It was raw. And it was what I needed in the moment.

My Rating: 4/5

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Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of The Butterfly Effect in exchange for my honest opinion!

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