books
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Why You Shouldn’t Make New Year’s Resolutions
Year after year, we find ourselves persuaded into making New Year’s Resolutions. That January 1st means a clean slate; new year, new you. Year after year, we forget about them by the end of January, if not sooner. We’ve been doing it wrong! In my opinion, resolutions are too general, and not easily measurable. In 2019, I am making GOALS! Smart goals are well thought out, easily measurable, and have a specific end result. By making goals instead of resolutions, you’ll be able to set a clear path to success, and be able to track your progress throughout the year. I’d now like to share a few of my goals…
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The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson is a psychological thriller with so many twists and turns. Ted Severson meets a mysterious woman at the airport bar named Lily. He tells her about how he’s just caught his wife, Miranda, cheating on him with their contractor, and how much he wishes she were dead. He was obviously speaking under the influence but Lily takes his wishes to heart and devises a plan. This was the premise given to me, that pushed me to pick up this book. With thrillers, I like to go in knowing as little as possible. However, Goodreads has a much more detailed explanation if you needed…
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Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is the second book in the Illuminae Files series. I have done a post about the first in the series, Illuminae, and recommend reading that post first so you are not spoiled in anyway for the series if you haven’t read the first book yet. This fast-paced, science fiction (with a hint of horror vibes if you’re a scared-y cat like me) series that began with Illuminae, now continues aboard the Heimdall, where our two new main characters prepare for BeiTech’s next attack. Hanna is the spoiled daughter of the station’s captain, with a surprising amount of war and combat training. Nik is…
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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor is a whimsical young adult fantasy, the first in a duology. You’re following Lazlo Strange, an orphan raised by monks, now a junior librarian, with an obsession with the lost city of Weep. Weep is not the real name of the city, but a word which replaced the name in everyone’s minds when Lazlo was a child. It’s Lazlo’s life mission to rediscover this lost city; he learns all there is to know. One day, a caravan arrives from across the desert, recruiting experts in their field, such as alchemists and engineers, to help the citizens of Weep “solve a problem.” Lazlo, being the…
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A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab
A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab is the second book in the Shades of Magic series. I have done a post on the first in the series, A Darker Shade of Magic, and recommend reading that post first so you are not spoiled in anyway for the series if you haven’t read the first book yet. Four months have passed since the events in the first book; since Rhy was injured, the Dane twins defeated, and Holland sent to die in Black London with the obsidian stone. Kell is getting bored, having given up his smuggling habit following their catastrophic consequences. Red London is preparing to host the…
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Up To I Do by Samantha March
Up To I Do by Samantha March is the light hearted chick lit, chock full of wedding planning, that I needed to ease my stress while planning my own wedding. Emerson Sinclair is a wealthy hotel heiress, who thinks of herself as a sort of celebrity, despite living in a small New Hampshire town. A besides, she’s about to marry a Worthington don’t you know? She expects her wedding to air on television, to be made a priority in every one’s lives for the entire year leading up to the wedding. No expense is too great for the wedding of the century. Emerson begins to lose herself in the stress…
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Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is an action-packed young adult, science fiction novel, bordering on horror-ish, depending on how much of a scaredy cat you are (I’m a BIG scaredy cat). The year is 2575. We’re following Kady and Ezra, a couple of teenagers who recently broke up. And by recently, I mean hours before their small planet is attacked, and they’re forced to run for their lives. Lucky for them, a fleet of spaceships were close enough to answer their distress signals and save many of the citizens. The enemy warship stay hot on their heels as they race across space, looking for safety. But wait, there’s…
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The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee is a young adult historical fiction novel. Henry “Monty” Montague is a selfish, troubled teen struggling with the expectations of being a Lord’s son, as well as with his sexuality. Monty is in love with his best friend Percy, who is a POC. Percy, Monty, and Felicity, Monty’s younger sister, go on a Grand Tour across Europe to have their final hurrah before settling down into their duties at home. Monty plans to use this year abroad to find out if there really is anything romantic between him and Percy. However, his forever reckless behavior puts all three of them…
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To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han is about Lara Jean, a teenage girl who’s been in love many times before. To each of her loves, she writes a letter; signed, sealed, stamped, but never to be delivered. It’s her way of saying goodbye; of letting go of her crush. One day, Lara Jean discovers that her box of letters have been mailed out ‘to all the boys [she’s] loved before.’ I was committed to finishing this book! It was due back to the library when I had 40 pages left so I took pictures of the rest since the wait list for it, now that the…
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Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman is the second book in the Arc of Scythe trilogy. I have done a post on the first in the series, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, and recommend reading that post first so you are not spoiled in anyway for the series if you haven’t read the first book yet. Rowan, now a vigilante, taking in upon himself to burn away the corruption in the Scythedom. Citra, now an ordained Junior Scythe, working alongside Scythe Curie, is trying to influence change from the inside. Will the Thunderhead intervene? This second installment was action packed! We were introduced to multiple new characters, most of which I liked and…
