Friday, December 22, 2017

My Favorite Middle Grade Books of 2017


There were seriously so many awesome middle grade books that came out this year! Although I sadly couldn't get to them all (if only), there were still quite a few I read that I loved. Below, in no particular order, a few of my favorites from 2017. Keep an eye out for a future post of the middle grade reads that I'm most looking forward to in 2018!

My Favorite Reads

 

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh (published September 2017)
This was one of my favorite overall reads of the year. I loved the sensitive main character, Bea, as she navigated middle school, changing friendships, and understanding how to be yourself when all kinds of circumstances are pulling you in different directions. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy honest, introspective books that deal with emotions in a realistic way. 

Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers (published October 2017)
This book is a follow-up to Like Magic, telling the story of a character from that book as she moves to a new town and has a new best friend. Both girls have secrets and make assumptions that get in the way of their friendship, but they also go through amazing growth to learn how to be brave for one another and for themselves. A lovely book that confronts serious issues of families splitting up and adoption without sacrificing that brutal kid honest that makes a story ring true.

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng (published February 2017)
I think this book was another star of 2017, and will definitely resonate with anyone who loved Carl Sagan's Cosmos as a kid. This book follows a precocious kid named Alex, who wants to win a rocket building contest and ends up on a bigger journey with his dog, Carl Sagan, than he initially anticipated. The book is told through recordings that Alex is making for possible alien lifeforms who may discover his "golden iPod", making for a unique storytelling device as well as a quick read, as it is largely dialog. Still, Cheng manages to incorporate some gut wrenching emotional moments as Alex deals with living with a parent who has issues that he doesn't understand, and living without a deceased father that he knows little about. A funny but insightful read.

Other Notable 2017 Releases

 
To be honest, so many awesome middle grade books came out this year that I can't really include them all, but here are a few that I feel should be getting a bit more buzz.

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez (published August 2017)
Confession: when I was in middle school, I totally made zines and listened to punk music and scoffed at all things that I considered suburban and lame, so this book really speaks to me. A lovely, light book about self-expression, figuring out your identity, and determining what it means to feel like you "belong".

It All Comes Down to This by Karen English (published July 2017)
It's 1965 and Sophie has just moved to Los Angeles, where she finds herself on of the few African-American kids in an almost exclusively white neighborhood. Karen English blends the realism of growing up and dealing with shifting family dynamics and being the new kid, along with the historical events of the Watts Riots. A slower paced read that focuses more on the main character and her inner life that will appeal to historical fiction lovers.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar (published April 2017)
Inspired by the author's actual experiences growing up in 1960's New York City, this book follows Ruthie, a Cuban-Jewish immigrant who navigates a new culture, a new language, and a horrific car accident. A realistic, inter-sectional book for readers who appreciate character growth and inclusive storytelling.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (published October 2017)
And to balance out all of those realistic reads, a bit of magic. Morrigan Crow is fated to die when she turns eleven, but is instead swept away to a magical land by the mysterious Jupiter North for a chance to join the Wundrous Society. This imaginative, wonderful story will definitely draw in fantasy lovers who are Harry Potter fans or fans of other inventive worlds like those of Neil Gaiman. Plus it's always good to mix it up with a bit of the fantastic when reading all of these emotional middle grade books!

Side note: can we take a moment appreciate how awesome the cover art for all of these books is??? I love that middle grade is leading the charge for beautiful, engaging cover art. Anyway, that's all for now from me. I'll be assembling a few other best of 2017 lists for young adult and adult fiction, so keep a look out for future posts. 

Until then, happy reading!

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Review: The Science of Unbreakable Things by Tae Keller

Title: The Science of Unbreakable Things
Author: Tae Keller
Genre: Realistic Middle Grade
Release Date: March 2018
Rating: 5/5 Stars

I feel incredibly lucky that the past few books that I've read have been super good, and The Science of Unbreakable Things by Tae Keller thankfully did not break the pattern. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't really write a review right away, I had to take a little while to process what I liked so much about this book. Basically, it follows seventh grader Natalie via the science log book that her teacher, Mr. Neely, has his class keeping for the school year. Natalie is smart, but can't really connect with science at the moment because she's distracted by the fact that her mother won't get of bed or go to work, and her father, a therapist who loves talking about feelings, won't tell her what's going on. Luckily, Natalie has her best friend Twig, who is unapologetically weird but a loyal friend nonetheless, and a possible new friend in Dari, the class science whiz. Mr. Neely suggests that Natalie compete in an egg drop competition for her year long project, and Twig and Dari get drawn into her plan to use the egg drop money to do something for her mom that she thinks will bring her old self back.

Needless to say, this book gives you all the feels. It's wonderfully written and some parts are so true I couldn't help but connect with Natalie. Her father is half Korean, but he isn't very interested in his heritage, often dismissing his Korean mother's cooking or traditions. Natalie, meanwhile, longs to connect with this side of herself. She mentions that she feels like she's not a very good Asian because she doesn't know much about her Korean background, and as someone who is half-Asian, I thought that her feelings about being multiracial rang incredibly true. This book is full of all sorts of little moments of honesty that I feel that readers of all ages could connect with. It also deals with depression in sensitive but truthful way, as well as emphasizing the importance of having a support network when you are dealing with mental illness, either first hand or through a loved one. This debut book really won me over and I would recommend it to readers of books like See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng, who enjoy realistic middle grade that is at times funny, at times sad, but always completely sincere.


Accurate depiction of me reading this book.
This book is definitely a must-read when it comes out next March, and I'm straight up loving all of the STEM-centered stories that have been coming out in the middle grade world. I'm working on doing a post on my favorite middle grade reads of 2017, since I've been reading a lot in that genre, as well as the new releases I'm most looking forward to in 2018. Stay tuned for more middle grade in future posts!

Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Review: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: The Belles
Author: Dhonielle Clayton
Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult
Release Date: February 2018
Rating: 5/5 stars

The Belles is a rich, engrossing fantasy story set in a French-inspired nation called Orléans, where Beauty is a goddess to be worshipped and blessed beings known as the Belles bestow her beauty amongst the rest of society. In the creation myth of this world, humans were cursed after Beauty was accused of caring for them too much, and they were turned into the Gris, with gray skin and devoid of traditional marks of beauty. The story follows Camellia, who is just graduating from her Belle upbringing to begin working to make people beautiful. Camellia is a sort of over-achiever, and longs to be the favorite of the royal family and be stationed as the official palace Belle. However, she finds that life at court is not what she thought it would be, and she's faced with choosing between following the strict rules of society and being an agreeable Belle, or finding what she truly believes in and standing up for herself.

How I pictured the world, except with less white people
What I loved about this book was definitely the beautifully imagined world that Dhonielle Clayton created. Every detail is richly described, and I was immediately transported into the world. The world-building was excellent, and the magic system, known as the Belle's arcana, was unique and well-done. The Belles is not a particularly short book, but it's highly addictive and definitely draws the reader in with its' beautifully rendered world, high-stakes drama, and strong, kind heroine, Camellia, as well as the supportive side characters such as her sister Belles and her servant, Bree. There are a lot of complicated women in this story, which makes it even more interesting. At times I thought that the villain was a little much (think Marie Antoinette meets Joffrey from Game of Thrones), but her actions didn't hinder the storytelling at all. Overall, an excellent start to the series and I can't wait to see how these characters evolve as the story continues!

Note: I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Review: Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann



Title: Let's Talk About Love
Author: Claire Kann
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Young Adult
Release Date: January 2018
Rating: 4/5 stars

This book has been getting quite a bit of buzz on book Twitter as the lead is black, female, and biromantic asexual, which is not typical of the leads of most romance books. I thought the premise itself sounded interesting (I always love a good contemporary romance), and once I saw the cover, I was sold. Let's Talk About Love follows Alice, who is nineteen and a sophomore in college, right after her girlfriend breaks up with her because of the lack of sex in their relationship. Alice hasn't exactly come out as asexual to the world (only her two best friends, who are also dating, know), and she fears that she'll never find the romance that she craves because of who she is. Shortly afterwards, she meets Takumi, who is beautiful and kind and understanding, and she begins to question what she wants out of a relationship and if Takumi might be the one for her.

At its' core, this book is a romance but it's also a whole lot more. Alice is not only dealing with relationship stuff, but she's also struggling with her identity in other ways; she worries that her friendships won't survive adulthood, she struggles with the career path that her parents want her to follow versus discovering what she's truly passionate about, and she's still trying to figure out how to adult and be a good person. Meanwhile, Alice remains funny and endearing (despite her faults) and goes through some real growth throughout the story. The characters are bit older than most in YA romances (her love interest has just finished getting his teaching credential, and her best friends are planning to get married), but I think many teens enjoy reading about characters who are a few years older than them but who still haven't figured out who they are and who they want to be. Let's Talk About Love is a really good balance of squee-worthy romance and some coming-of-age character development. Definitely recommended, especially for readers who enjoyed Maurene Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love or who are looking for some diverse rep in their contemporary romances.

Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Monday, August 28, 2017

How to Recover From a Reading Slump!


It's been a few months since I've posted anything, and a large part of that is because the reading slump is real, y'all. Also, life stuff: I quit my librarian job, moved to L.A., and am starting a new librarian job shortly, so basically time for reading has been cut short. I spent a lot of the summer apartment hunting, packing up all of my worldly belongings (including many, many books), relocating, and job hunting. Luckily the job hunting part has panned out so I can take a break from writing cover letters and resumes and get back to reading and, hopefully, blogging about books. And, since I had such a long summer with barely any books read and Goodreads is yelling at me for being behind my goal, I thought I would share my thoughts on the infamous reading slump and how, hopefully, to recover from said slump.

What is a Reading Slump?

What booknerds dread most, the reading slump, is when you either don't have time to read anything or you aren't motivated to start a new read or you just can't get through a single book to save your life. For those of us who love learning about new worlds, reveling in transportive storytelling, or contemplating the human experience through our love of books, the reading slump is like anti-self care. I always feel a bit off when I haven't read a book that I've enjoyed in awhile, like something is missing. I'm a little grouchy, I feel less motivated overall, and I can feel the stress levels in my body rising. Personally, I like reading because it is my me-time, it is my self-care, and when I don't get to set that time aside for myself, I feel the negative impact throughout my daily life.


Typically, I read about 10-12 books a month. I don't say this to brag about how many books I read, but basically to explain the only way I can make it through my TBR (which is constantly growing), keep up with new releases, and revisit old favorites. I also read lots of different kinds of books that range in length, format, and time investment, so I try to set aside as much reading time possible and make it a priority so I can read the wide variety of books that make me happy. For a bit of perspective in how my summer reading slump has gone, in June I only read 5 books, and in July I only read 3. Books I borrowed from the library and was excited about languished on my shelf. My Book of the Month books, which are awesome new releases that I was super stoked to read, were packed up in boxes. The last book I finished in July was Bitch Planet: Vol. 2 and I just didn't feel motivated to start anything new, despite having a Kindle full of unread books. It was not a good feeling. But in August, after I started getting settled in my new city, I worked my way out of my funk.

Tips for Getting Over It

Tip #1: Read an audiobook

I fully embrace audiobooks as being the same as traditionally reading a book, and honestly think it's a bit ableist to say that it is somehow lesser to listen to a narrator rather than read the print or e-book yourself. You are still investing your time and interest in the story, and that is the most important part of reading in my opinion. An audiobook really helped me get out of my reading slump because as I was unpacking and cleaning my new apartment, I could still read and get done what I needed to get done. The book I chose was The Eyre Affair, because I had listened to an audiobook by the narrator before and really liked her narration style, and I knew it was kind of a light, fun book that would be perfect to read while doing chores. And I finished it! It was one of the first books I finished in August.

Tip #2: Pick up genre fiction

Some readers only read genre fiction and some readers read none but if you are in a reading slump, I highly recommend picking up a fast-paced mystery or romance to get your reading gears turning as opposed to, say, slogging through a 19th century classic to get yourself back into reading. In August, I read Radio Silence by Alyssa Cole (love her writing and, hello, apocalyptic romance) and A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett (it's got crafts, it's got murder, it's got it all), and both books really helped me get back into my reading groove. Usually romances and mysteries read quickly because you want to find out what happened next, so they are good motivators for taking time to read and finishing a book. I stuck to two books that were a bit shorter in length, as well, because when I finish a book it motivates me to read another.

Tip #3: Read a book that you've seen the movie version of already

Sometimes I get distracted starting a new book if I can't visualize the setting or the characters, and I start checking out. However, if I read a book that I've seen the movie version of, I have a starting place and I can start to focus more on the story and the character development. I already know what is going to happen, but I can immerse myself in the detail that the book can provide that the movie just can't. In my case, I read The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan, having already seen the Sofia Coppola-directed film version and really enjoying it. Being able to read the book and think about the differences between the book and the film, and reading not to find out what happens next but to really get to know the characters, was a good start for helping me get over my reading slump.

Tip #4: Find your niche and go with it

Every reader has their special book catnip; find the book that ticks all your boxes and dive in! Personally, I love academia, history, and the occult, so I picked up the book The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark on a whim and ended up devouring it, and its' sequel. The book includes all of the things I love; the main character is a professor, there's witches, there's faeries, there's a hot incubus and steamy love scenes, and it takes place in a remote, small town on the East Coast. These things helped immerse me in a world that is so unlike my own that it really sucked me in and made me stick with the book from start to end. So whatever you are into, whether it's historical fiction set with strong female leads or books with werewolf detectives or stories about generational families dealing with their pasts, find that book and take an afternoon to dedicate your time to it. If you're not sure how to find that book, go to your local library and ask a librarian to help you, or check out the different Listopia collections on Goodreads, or even turn to Twitter and ask your fellow readers if they have a recommendation. There is a book for everyone, and if you find one that can appeal to your interests, you'll be more likely to dedicate the time you need to read it.

Tip #5: Don't let the Goodreads Reading Challenge bring you down

I admit that seeing that I am 9 books behind my challenge stresses me out a little bit. Nonetheless, I don't take that little meter too seriously. Reading is more than just completing a challenge; it's about finding books that speak to you and connecting with the story or the information contained within them. So if you are in a reading slump, don't worry about your reading challenge or whatever other challenges you started at the beginning of the year. Just bring it back to basics and start off slow; read because you enjoy it, not because it is something that you "have to" do.

Now go forth, and read!


Saturday, June 10, 2017

May Reading Re-Cap


For some reason, May is always the month when my reading kicks into high gear. It also helps to start reading a series that has tons of books in it so that I can just keep reading and requesting the next book in the series from the library. Basically, in May I read a good amount of books but none of them were particularly heavy or intense like some of the books I read last month, and they were a good palate cleanser as I plan to dive into some more serious works in June. Below, a wrap-up of my reading in May!

Historical Mystery
https://www.bookdepository.com/And-Only-to-Deceive/9780061148446  https://www.bookdepository.com/Poisoned-Season-Tash-Alexander/9780061174216?ref=pd_detail_1_sims_b_p2p_1  https://www.bookdepository.com/Fatal-Waltz-Tash-Alexander/9780061174230?ref=pd_detail_1_sims_b_p2p_1
https://www.bookdepository.com/Tears-of-Pearl-Tash-Alexander/9780312383800?ref=pd_detail_1_sims_b_p2p_1  https://www.bookdepository.com/Dangerous-Know-Tash-Alexander/9780312383817?ref=pd_detail_1_sims_b_p2p_1 
So I kind of lost my mind reading the Lady Emily mysteries in May. I had added the first book, And Only to Deceive to my TBR list long ago and randomly decided to read it after reading the second Veronica Speedwell book last month. I actually had planned to read the Lady Julia Grey mysteries by Deanna Raybourne but the hold list was longer so I ended up with this book instead. And I was instantly hooked! In book one, Lady Emily Ashton is an intelligent, curious woman in Victorian England who recently lost her husband while he was on a hunting trip with his friends, and is now navigating life as a widow in London. Emily barely knew her husband before they married, and he died so soon after they wed that she didn't feel much remorse for him, until she begins reading his journals and learning more about his inner life. She becomes immersed in Classical studies, her husband's former passion, and begins to enjoy the independence she has a wealthy, titled widow. She eventually falls into solving mysteries, and the subsequent books in the series take Emily from England and France to Turkey and Greece, and they are overall excellent escapist novels filled with rich atmosphere, unique characters, and engaging mysteries. They have mixed reviews on Goodreads but I can't help but love them. I really enjoy Tasha Alexander's writing style and feel very protective of Lady Emily. Book 6 is on my Kindle currently, waiting to be read.

Historical Romance
https://www.bookdepository.com/Cold-Hearted-Rake/9780062371812  https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Disguise-Langley-Sisters-Book-ebook/dp/B00G88MQQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496960064&sr=8-1&keywords=lady+in+disguise  https://www.bookdepository.com/Scandalous-Desires/9780749954505  https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Trickery-Thief-takers-Alissa-Johnson/dp/1492620505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496960101&sr=8-1&keywords=a+talent+for+trickery 
In May, I wanted to get caught up with my Historical Romance Challenge, and read a good range of romances, including a pirate romance which was one of the categories to fill! That book, Scandalous Desires, sadly did not work for me and it was actually the lowest rating I've given to a book this year! I feel kind of bad because I know that everyone loves the Maiden Lane series, but I just could not get into it and I think pirates are just not for me. Lady in Disguise was also kind of a meh book for me, although the initial premise is intriguing: an upperclass woman whose family has fallen on hard times after her parents' death turns to disguising herself as a highwayman and robbing her rich neighbors to support her sisters, then accidentally robs her teenage sweetheart who has just returned to the village and happens to be super rich and handsome. Unfortunately the characters just didn't draw me in. I did enjoy A Talent for Trickery, however, which featured an ex-thief heroine helping a private investigator hero solve a series of coded letters that may be connected to her deceased father, who was an infamous thief as well as police informant. Cold-Hearted Rake was also pretty good, as Lisa Kleypas' writing is always beautiful and her stories well-crafted. I wasn't super in love with the heroine in the book, though, and didn't enjoy it quite as much as the books I've read by her in the past.

Contemporary Romance
https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Our-Breakup-Playlist-1/dp/1532903146/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496960117&sr=8-1&keywords=songs+of+our+breakup https://www.amazon.com/Haven-Beards-Bondage-Rebekah-Weatherspoon/dp/1545487278/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496960138&sr=8-1&keywords=haven+rebekah+weatherspoon
I read Songs of Our Breakup and Haven as part of the Contemporary Romance Challenge, and enjoyed both of them! I now need to pick up some of Rebekah Weatherspoon's backlist because I loved her writing style and her characters, and will probably read the other books in Jay E. Tria's Playlist series as well. Overall, I enjoyed the contemporary romances I read in May quite a bit more than the historical ones.

Graphic Novel
https://www.bookdepository.com/Bitch-Planet-Volume-1-Taki-Som-Robert-Wilson-Valentine-De-Landro-Kelly-Sue-Deconnick/9781632153661?ref=grid-view&qid=1496960160537&sr=1-1 
I finally read the first volume of the trade edition of Bitch Planet and I really liked it. I loved the art and overall style; I've seen the artist Valentine De Landro speak at last year's Book Riot Live, and he was awesome, so I knew I had to pick this series up eventually. I don't read a lot of graphic novels, although I loved them when I was a teen. I thought the characters were really cool and I would love to see this as a television series, as long as producers don't ruin it, which is often the case in TV adaptations. I just thought this title was super relevant to the times and if you haven't picked it up but like feminist works with retro throwbacks, this is a must-read.

Summer Reading
Now that June has begun and it is officially Summer Reading season, I'm planning to switch up my reading life a bit and add in more literary fiction and contemporary fiction. I definitely go through reading phases and, with all of the genre fiction I read this past month, need to mix it up a bit as summer begins. Basically May was kind of a junk food array of books and I want to focus more on books that may not read as quickly but that have a lot of impact. At the same time, I'm (as usual) super behind on my reading challenges and still have some TBR catch-up to do. In summer, however, I like to let my mood guide my reading and not take things too seriously. What are you planning to read this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy reading!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Review: The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford

Title: The Darkness Knows
Author: Cheryl Honigford
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: August 2016
Rating: 4/5 stars
 
Although I’m not a big mystery reader, I am a big fan of 1930’s film noir and detective stories, so when I learned about The Darkness Knows, which centers on a radio star in 1938 Chicago solving a mystery, I knew I had to pick it up. If you’re a fan of old-school detective stories but yearn for a female lead, this book does not disappoint. Vivian Witchell, a rising star at a Chicago radio station, is trying to make it in the industry and find independence from her life of wealth and privilege. Meanwhile, a murder, a mysterious fan note, and a handsome P.I. interrupt her career path and turn her into a makeshift sleuth. Vivian works with Charlie Haverman, the P.I. consultant on her detective serial radio show, to solve the murder of a well-known but not well-liked colleague at the radio station. In an industry where would-be stars will do anything to get ahead, there seem to be enemies everywhere, but Vivian is smart, capable, and observant, making her an excellent amateur sleuth. I also appreciated that Vivian wasn’t a prude or judgemental about sex, which I always enjoy in a leading character.  

Besides Vivian’s plucky attitude and strong personality, I also enjoyed Charlie’s character. He’s tough, but is willing to listen to Vivian’s feedback and ideas. He also appreciates that she’s a modern woman and not looking to dumb herself down to appeal to a man, and he has the tough guy appeal without coming off as an alphahole. I found him to be an appealing lead, and was rooting for him and Vivian to get together in the end. This book, the first in a series, is subtitled a Viv and Charlie Mystery, so hopefully I can look forward to future sleuthing with this likeable pair.

In addition to the well-written leads, the side characters were also a lot of fun to read about. There were some of the stereotypical noir-ish characters, but I enjoy that; the femme fatale, the dashing but fame-obsessed male lead, and everyone has a mysterious past. I did think that Viv’s best friend, Imogene, could have gotten a little more screen time and been fleshed out more. She seemed like an important part of Viv’s life, but we barely got to know her. This book does take place over a relatively short period of time, however, so that may be why.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere of 1930’s Chicago really came through in the storytelling. The author clearly did her research, and you could easily visualize the places that the characters visited. If you are a fan of The Thin Man series or any late 1930’s films, you could easily picture the clothing and the glitzy nightclubs, plus the seedy Chicago backstreets as well. Chicago played a big role in the appeal of the story, and the reader is rooted in that era throughout the story. Overall, this lends a light, escapist tone to The Darkness Knows, and I could easily see this being developed into a television show a la Miss Fisher’s Mysteries.

As far as the mystery aspect goes, I admit that I haven’t read a lot of mysteries (unless you count Nancy Drew books as a child), so maybe I’m a little easier to please than die-hard mystery fans. There were some good twists to the mystery, and good pacing to keep the excitement level up, but I did think that the mystery would have been much simpler to solve if a few characters (not naming names) had spoken up and connected the dots a bit earlier. Plus, Vivian seemed to be telling everyone anything and maybe shouldn’t have revealed all of her cards to so many people. It seems like more could have been done to complicate the mystery while still making it believable and readable. Still, any flaws with the mystery aspect didn’t take away from how much fun I had reading this story. If you need a book that is escapist and engrossing, I definitely recommend The Darkness Knows, and look forward to reading the second installment at the end of the year!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Why I Love Reading Backlist


Although the online bookish community is often focused on new releases or the latest volume of a series, I find that most of my favorite reads lately have been backlist titles. Backlist, as opposed to the frontlist, or new releases, are less recent titles and sometimes get a little left out when booknerds are discussing their TBR lists or reading wrap ups. They're not quite as shiny and new, and they've already been read and reviewed so often they get overlooked. I think this is a mistake; I love going back to the start of an established series and seeing where the characters came from, or picking up an early book by an author who only releases a novel once every five years or so. Below, a few of my reasons for reading backlist as well as some of my recent favorites that I'm newly discovering, even if they are only new to me.

Let's Go Backlist

1. They're easier to get a hold of

With many backlist books, they hype has died down and it is much easier to find a copy on the shelf of my local library, or in paperback on the shelves a bookshop. I don't have to worry about lengthy hold lists, or copies selling out due to some crazy demand after it blows up on the internet or something.

2. Paperbacks > Hardcover

Although hardcover books can be quite beautiful, and I admit that sometimes I will be a hardcover book partially for looks, I would much rather hold and read a paperback copy. They're easy to toss in my bag, they're lighter so I can carry a few at a time, and I don't have to worry about the dust jacket slipping around or getting bent. I love paperback books and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

3. You get to see how an author (and sometimes their characters) have evolved

I love reading an author's latest release, but there is also something to starting at the beginning and watching how their writing changes over the course of a few books or, if it is a series, how a cast of characters evolves over a long story arc. Plus, sometimes authors don't release books every year and they don't have a latest book to read, so picking up backlist titles is the only way to stick with that author's voice consistently.

4. I'm a rebel

When it comes to doing what everyone else is doing, I'm a bit of a brat and a rebel. If there is a new release of a series that everyone online is talking about, I'll usually pass on it until the fuss has died down. If everyone says they love a book, I may pick it up later and read it with the most enthusiastically critical and bitter eye known to man. To put it simply, I like to read what works for me, not necessarily what is being hyped and gushed about by other readers. I think it's because I'm an Aquarius.

5. More books to read

Reading backlist means you're expanding your TBR potential exponentially! If a series that came out like 10 years ago has that many books in it, then what an awesome time to start from book one. You have your next read lined up without having to even think about it! Not like my TBR list is wanting, but I love being able to discover an older series and find out that I'm in love with it and have a whole line of books to look forward to. Plus, if the series is complete, I won't be left waiting for a resolution at the end while the author is still writing it. It's a win-win, really.

Backlist Recommendations: Series


Lady Emily Mysteries by Tasha Alexander
First book originally published: 2009
Genre: Historical mystery

The Others series by Anne Bishop
First book originally published: 2013
Genre: Urban fantasy
All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
First book originally published: 2011
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas
First book originally published: 2004
Genre: Historical romance


Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
First book originally published: 2010
Genre: High fantasy

Craft Sequence series by Max Gladstone
First book originally published: 2012
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Hopefully those are a few backlist titles starting off some complete (and a few ongoing) series to add to your TBR. I love finding a well-established series to dive in to and binge read (as you'll see by my next reading wrap-up). I may pick a few standalone backlist titles to recommend in future posts. Until then, happy reading!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Review: Songs of Our Breakup by Jay E. Tria



Title: Songs of Our Breakup
Author: Jay E. Tria
Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
Release Date: August 2015
Rating: 4/5 Stars

The first book in the Playlist series, Jay E. Tria's Songs of Our Breakup follows Jill, a musician and songwriter, as she recovers from her breakup with bandmate Kim, and begins to navigate her feelings for an old friend, Shinta. I went into this book expecting a cute, light contemporary romance read and was pleasantly surprised that the story is a lot deeper than that, addressing how we grow apart from people that we love as we age, the rough emotional period in your early twenties when you're torn between what you want for the future and reluctance to grow up, and depicts a healthy breakup before jumping in to a new relationship.

Taking place in Manila, Jill and her band, Trainman, are making it on the indie music circuit, playing festivals and releasing EPs of original material. Jill is the only girl in the band, and had previously dated the band's leader, Kim, for seven years. When we meet Jill, she and Kim have only been broken up for a few months and, according to her best friend and bandmate, Miki, she is living in the three month recovery period after a breakup. Jill thinks he means that's how long it should take to get back together, but in truth it is the time she needs to decide to move on. The story flashes back to period of Jill and Kim's relationship, both the good and the bad, and to the present, as she tries to figure out how to stay in a band with an ex, and also recognizes that she may have feelings for Shinta, a friend of their group who is a successful, handsome actor in Japan.

Literally me while reading this book
What this book does really well is realistically depict a long term relationship and what it takes to recover from that kind of breakup. The vignettes of Jill and Kim's relationship are nostalgic and relatable, and it makes it easy to see why Jill would have trouble moving on even if she has a handsome friend who has long had a crush on her. I also enjoyed that Jill and Shinta have a backstory and have always gotten along, instead of a meet-cute or a enemies-to-lovers situation that can be so common in these types of stories. The factor keeping them apart is that neither Jill nor Shinta want to rush into a relationship before they are ready, and instead acknowledge the work they need to do before they could be ready to be together. I also loved that Jill is a songwriter, and the lyrics to he band's songs are featured throughout the book. This is the kind of story that is perfect for a beach read, or to read during a road trip. Jay E. Tria's writing is heartfelt but funny, nostalgic but sarcastic, and is so much fun to read. You really feel like you are hanging out with this group of friends when you're reading. The only aspect it lacks, in my opinion, is I wish Jill had female friends as I feel that is an important part of breakup recovery, although Jill is still growing so maybe that'll be part of her future!

Please give me all the books with hot Asian leads
Book 2 in the series focuses on another band member, and book 3 returns to Shinta and Jill's relationship. I'm a little nervous to read it because I only want the best for them! At the same time, I enjoy Tria's writing so much that I feel I need to read all of her other books ASAP. Basically, if you like romances that go beyond a present-day pairing and instead allow you to get to know the lead's past and watch them grow, or if you like musician-themed romances, or if you have yet to pick up a book by one of the many amazing Filipina romance authors, definitely check out this series! I'll be compiling a list of my favorite contemporary romances from the Philippines that are perfect summer reads and you best believe this series will be on it.

Until then, happy reading!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Review: Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon



Title: Haven
Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Release Date: April 2017
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This book, y'all. This. Book. Okay, to start, for some reason this is my first Rebekah Weatherspoon, and after reading it I realize I need to get caught up and read her backlist. I read it really quickly, I was super invested, and I'm really hoping for another book in this series which, awesomely, is named Beards & Bondage. Let me back up and give a quick summary of what Haven is about before I fangirl too much. At the same time, I don't want to give too much away because the first few chapters really draw the reader in and if you know too much going in, it might spoil that feeling for you. So basically, there is a hot, bearded, introverted nature photographer named Shep who lives in a cabin in the woods in Northern California. Shep is into BDSM, and hasn't been able to find a partner in his tiny town who shares his interests, so he has to travel to a BDSM club for an annual sex vacation. Then, we have Claudia, who is a successful New Yorker by way of the Caribbean working in the fashion industry. They meet during a traumatic event and, both finding it difficult to recover, turn to each other for comfort.

Accurate depiction of how you'll feel reading this book
Now, what I liked about the book: first of all, Shep. He is one of my favorite heroes I've read in a long time. I like that he is introverted and thoughtful, but still really strong. He's just an overall good person, and exactly the kind of partner you would want if you had something major happen in your life that you were trying to navigate. I also really liked Claudia; she's funny and she has a backbone without being the tropey version of an independent woman. Their relationship feels very real, as a lot of their day that isn't filled with steamy sex is just like them watching Netflix and stuff.

Side note: this book is really funny. One of my favorite scenes is when a box of sex toys and floggers and stuff arrives in the mail and Claudia is like, "Should we do a haul video?" and Shep just says, "What?"; I died. Other stuff I liked about the book: um. This book is like off the charts in the steaminess department. Definitely not a book I would recommend reading at work or on a train or something.

But, unlike some erotica books I've read, the writing is really solid and the plot and the characters are so well done that it isn't just like smuttiness surrounded by a few pages of story. It's actually a really lovely story about recovery and finding the right person after you've already done some work on yourself, and the timeline for their relationship is appropriate so you don't have to read about people saying I love you within the first few chapters. Instead, I felt really invested in the characters and really enjoyed watching them grow and evolve throughout the book.

It's just so good, you guys. So if you are looking for a steamy contemporary romance that is funny and well-written and a little kinkier than your average read, definitely read Haven. It will have you daydreaming of meeting a sensitive mountain man of your own, for sure. Now, excuse me while I go find all of Rebekah Weatherspoon's other books and read them all.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Reading Challenge Check-In



Since we just passed the first quarter of 2017, it seems like a good time for a reading challenge check-in! 2017 has been an odd year so far, both reading-wise and just all around-everything-is falling-apart-wise. But anyway. Back to reading. I'm trying to read even more widely this year than last year, read more, and read authors I've never read before. I'm taking part in a few challenges, some of which have fallen a bit by the wayside, but I'm still feeling good because I've been reading what makes me happy and that's always the best approach to deciding what to read next, in my opinion. Now, on to my reading challenges!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

April Reading Re-Cap


I definitely got hit with a reading slump this month, somewhat because I was busy with work stuff and social life stuff and didn't have a lot of solo reading time, and also because I didn't know what to read to start off the month. I also came to the realization that I don't want to make TBR lists anymore (I may do a post about this), and instead want to let my reading list develop organically based on my mood, what holds came in at the library, and what books I get in my subscription boxes. I think this will help me make my reading life more fun and easy, instead of feeling like I'm falling behind if I'm not reading books on my TBR list right away. Now, onto what I read in April!

Literary Fiction
https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-State-Roxane-Gay/dp/0802122515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493841332&sr=8-1&keywords=an+untamed+state   https://www.amazon.com/Difficult-Women-Roxane-Gay/dp/0802125395/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
It was Roxane Gay month for me in April, apparently, and I read An Untamed State, her debut novel, as well as Difficult Women, which is her most recent collection of short stories. I read Bad Feminist last year and really enjoyed her writing, so I knew I had to read more from her. If you've never picked up one of her books before, I highly recommend them. Her writing has a lot of presence and even though she addresses uncomfortable scenarios and subjects, I cannot put her books down. They demand your attention and I think they are must-reads. 

Mystery

https://www.amazon.com/Perilous-Undertaking-Veronica-Speedwell-Mystery/dp/0451476158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841364&sr=1-1&keywords=a+perilous+undertaking
I feel so proud of myself for not just reading one book in a series and then stopping! I'm really terrible at finishing a series, but I was happy to pick up the second Veronica Speedwell mystery by Deanna Raybourn. Like the first, this was another fun historical romp with Veronica and her assistant/friend Stoker. Stoker, who wears an eyepatch and is a taxidermist but also a historian and really hot, is my favorite character. I did feel this book threw in way too many Victorian cliches and there was an instance of Veronica dressing up like a Chinese servant that made me cringe, but overall I enjoyed the book and spending more time with these characters.
 
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
https://www.amazon.com/Binti-Home-Nnedi-Okorafor/dp/0765393115/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841498&sr=1-1&keywords=binti+home    https://www.amazon.com/Written-Red-Others-Anne-Bishop/dp/0451417909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841510&sr=1-1&keywords=written+in+red    https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Crows-Others-Novels-Bishop/dp/0451466160/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841522&sr=1-1&keywords=a+murder+of+crows
These were probably my favorite read of the month. I read Home, the second in Nnedi Okorafor's Binti series, and I finally picked up the first two books from Anne Bishops's the Others series. I don't know why I hadn't read these books sooner! They were so good! I don't know why but I like a lot of mundane details in my urban fantasy, and these books both delivered on that, as well as a unique world, compelling characters, funny dialog, and a good dose of action to mix up the daily activities of Meg Corbyn, an escaped blood prophet, hiding out in a town of vampires, shifters, and other supernatural beings known as the terra indiginae. Basically it reads like a smalltown romance but with really unique urban fantasy elements. I'm reading the third book in May as it just came in at the library.

Young Adult


https://www.amazon.com/Falconer-Book-One-Trilogy/dp/1452128774/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841544&sr=1-1&keywords=the+falconer    https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Im-Sharon-Flake/dp/1423103858/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841572&sr=1-1&keywords=the+skin+i%27m+in 

 
The two YA books I read this month are very different, and I enjoyed both of them in different ways. The Skin I'm In is one of those kind of classic coming of age books that I think every teen should read and adults that work with teens should read. The main character, Maleeka, has a very real voice and the book deals with issues of identity, interpersonal relationships, and just what it's like to grow up as a girl. The Falconer, meanwhile, is a steampunk-ish historical fantasy about a 18-year-old girl named Aileana who hunts faeries in Victorian Scotland. It was pretty good, but I would have liked more world building and more backstory about the characters. The dialog was really funny, though, and the author did a great job balancing action and drama with humor. I was a bit annoyed with the ending, but I don't want to give too much away!


What I'm Reading Now...
https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Eye-Devils-West/dp/148142971X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841585&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cold+eye    https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Trickery-Thief-takers-Alissa-Johnson/dp/1492620505/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493841608&sr=1-1&keywords=a+talent+for+trickery 
The Cold Eye by Laura Anne Gilman is the second book in her Devil's West series. The books feature a young woman protagonist who becomes the left hand of the Devil, patrolling his territories and encountering mysterious evils. It's like a supernatural folk tale with Western vibes, and I really enjoyed the first book so I was happy to pick this one up. I'm almost done reading A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson, which will count towards my Historical Romance Reading Challenge. This book features an ex-thief heroine, Charlotte, and a private investigator who needs her help to solve coded letters left behind at several crimes, one of which was the murder of someone that Charlotte knew since childhood. It has a lot of witty banter back and forth and I like the heroine, plus the hero is strong but not a alphahole. The ebook is a great deal if you are looking for a historical romance that isn't between two nobles! 

As you can see, I'm getting rid of the obligation have a TBR for May. I'm going to just read what I have checked out from the library and a few books I own that will apply to some of my reading changes. I want more flexibility out of my reading life and to not feel like I need to force myself to read something that I'm not in the mood for. So here's to a fun, non-comittal reading month in May!

Happy Reading!