My Reading Routine 2021

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to post where I talk about what my reading looks like these days. A long time ago in 2017 I made a post called My Reading Routine. I feel like a lot has changed in the roughly 4 years since I have written that post. So, here is a little update!

When

This one actually has not changed too much. In my original post I mentioned that I mainly read on the weekends. This is still true, but that is because that is when I do my chores and listen to audiobooks. But, it is also when I have time to take a breath and set aside some me time. I have also started reading more at night, but it might not be a book. It could be articles, blog posts, or anything else. I just read what I feel like reading while I wind down for the day. I just need to make sure it isn’t too engaging because I will be up all night reading.

Where

In my original post I talked about how I like to read outside, which I still do. Nothing better than reading on a hammock when there is a light breeze in the air. I don’t so much go out in the summer time anymore though. I save outside reading for when it is cooler so I am not melting into a puddle.

Now, as far as reading inside I still read mainly in my room laying in bed. Like I mentioned earlier I have tried to make reading any form of media before bed. I don’t use my arm chair too much these days because my plant collection kind of gets in the way, but I forgive them because they are majestic and bring some beauty to my room. Since shifting away from using my chair, I now read quite often at my desk. I am not sure if it is because I have been working from home for so long or what, but I have found this space to break away from others and just focus. As for audiobooks, I listen to them while doing chores around the house so any and all rooms get utilized.

What I Need

When I first wrote this post I talked about wearing comfortable clothing, listening to classical or instrumental music, lighting a candle, and a comfortable blanket. A little has changed. I still love being comfortable when reading, especially if I plan on reading for quite some time. As far as background noise I have really taken to ambient ASMR, especially fire places and thunder storms. I don’t bother with candles in the same way that I did. I will light them from time to time, but it is few and far between. But, the thing I need the most and I can’t read without is a good book. Everything else I can do without.

Sign Off 2020 — Thanks for Reading! Sincerely, Luna

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Reviews

Someone Picks My Books | Bookish in Bed

February 23, 2020February 23, 2020 bookishluna10 Comments

Someone Picks My Books.jpg

Hello and welcome to the second post in this year long series! I am excited to be discussing a book that Reg over at Bookish in Bed picked for me to read this month. I was excited to see she picked a book by an author that was new to me. For me, this is the whole part of this series, discovering new books and new writers. So, without further delay, on to Little Children by Tom Perratta!

Book Description

Tom Perrotta’s thirtyish parents of young children are a varied and surprising bunch. There’s Todd, the handsome stay-at-home dad dubbed “The Prom King” by the moms at the playground, and his wife, Kathy, a documentary filmmaker envious of the connection Todd has forged with their toddler son. And there’s Sarah, a lapsed feminist surprised to find she’s become a typical wife in a traditional marriage, and her husband, Richard, who is becoming more and more involved with an internet fantasy life than with his own wife and child.
And then there’s Mary Ann, who has life all figured out, down to a scheduled roll in the hay with her husband every Tuesday at nine P.M.
They all raise their kids in the kind of quiet suburb where nothing ever seems to happen – until one eventful summer, when a convicted child molester moves back to town, and two parents begin an affair that goes further than either of them could ever have imagined. goodreads.com

Before I jump into this, I want to admit something, I was actually meant to read this book over a year ago and I never did because life got a bit overwhelming and it fell by the wayside. So, I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read it again.

So, now that I have finally finished this book, I can say that I generally enjoyed it. I think what stuck out to me the most about this book is that is a satire, but a sad one in my eyes. The characters that are talked about had different plans for their lives or they are slipping away in a manner. It really is a look into society and people and kept my interest for sure, I read it in four days.

Another thing that stood out to me is how this book is set up, you can tell the author did a great job laying out this novel. The characters seems very tangible and very likely to be real people in your own community. The characters seem to be facing issues that aren’t so unlike what you might see yourself or others you know deal with. The character development as well as the plot and how they interact with one another is well done. I will say, this book will also have to questioning the morals of others and society as well.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I feel like it is very out of my normal read for me. I don’t always enjoy books like this, but this novel did it well. I ended up giving it a solid three stars and I can see other people really enjoying it if the description interests you. I am really happy that Reg picked it for me, it was a nice change of pace in my reading this month.

Next month I am excited to be reading a book picked by Misty over at Misty’s Book Space. I very excited to read and reviewing the book she picked for me, I really feel like I am going to love it!

Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it or do you think you would enjoy it?

Sign Off 2020

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Down the TBR Hole | #3

November 20, 2019November 3, 2020 bookishluna5 Comments

Hello and welcome to another DOwn the TBR Hole post from me. I am going to be making these, at least for now, a bi-weekly thing here on my blog until I am able to get through my entire list and I might actually make it about 20 books instead of just limiting myself to 10 books, sorry Lia I am changing the rules! Anyway, on with the decluttering!

-The Rules-

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books. Of course, if you do this weekly, you start where you left off the last time.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

-The Books-

The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night by Jen Campbell

Added on Feb 12, 2018. This is actually a short story collection that appear to all be magical and possibly has the potential to turn dark. I feel like this might be perfect the Halloween time so I am going to be keeping this on my TBR.

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Added on Feb 17, 2018. This one I am going to say is me being a dummy, I added this book to my TBR without reading the first book or even owning it. I am going to be removing it for the time being and look into the first book. Oops!

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon

Added on Feb 17, 2018. I feel like this might be the grown up version of the animated Anastasia movie, but if I am being honest I just want to rewatch the animated series. So I am going to be removing this from my TBR.

Man-Eater: The Life and Legend of an American Cannibal by Harold Schechter

Added on Mar 04, 2018. I am going to be honest this was only added to my TBR because it was kinda interesting, I mean look at the title, and it was free on Amazon. Am I actually going to read it, most likely no. So I am going to be removing it.

Not Perfect by Elizabeth LaBan

Added on Mar 04, 2018. This is in the same category as the book above I picked it up because it was free and kinda sounds interesting, but honestly I am never going to be reading it. I am going to be removing it.

Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

Added on Mar 07, 2018. Okay, this just seems like such a powerful memior that I really need to read it. Please click through on the title to read it because I cannot do it justice. I am going to be keeping this book on my TBR.

Invitation to a Bonfire by Adrienne Celt

Added on Mar 14, 2018. I am going to be removing this book from my TBR because I have not really been in the mood to pick up a thriller as of late.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Added on Mar 19, 2018. I honestly have no idea why I added this to my TBR. I mean there must have been a reason, I just cannot remember at all. It is not my normal reading so I am going to be removing it.

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill

Added on Mar 28, 2018. I added this when I was really into retellings of fairytales and mermaids. I currently am not really into mermaid stories and I have also seen some negative reviews by people I have similar reading tastes to, so I will be removing this one.

Howards End by E.M. Forster

Added on Apr 05, 2018. After reading the description I can see that this would be an interesting look into society at the time, but I really do not see myself reading it. I am going to be removing this book.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Added on Apr 06, 2018. I have enojoyed the works of Wilkie Collins in the past and I am in the mood for a good murder mystery from time to time and I will be picking this up. I am going to be keeping this on my TBR shelf.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Added on Apr 06, 2018. This is a story I was really excited about, but put off buying for one reason or another. At this point I have heard that some people have not enjoyed it who have pretty much the same taste in books as I do. Due to this, I am going to be removing it from my TBR.

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada

Added on Apr 18, 2018. This sounds like a very interesting story revolving around living under the pressure of the growing Nazi party during WWII. I am going to be keeping this on my TBR.

Skin Deep by Liz Nugent

Added on Apr 21, 2018. I am going to be keeping this book on my TBR because I finally bought it earlier this year. I am really excited to be reading within the next month or so.

Moody Bitches by Julie Holland

Added on Apr 30, 2018. At this point I don’t see myself reading this book for a few reasons. The most important being I am not longer interested in reading about moodiness in women being caused by medicine. I am going to be removing this from my TBR.

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

Added on May 12, 2018. I am going to be keeping this on my TBR because I want to continue my reading of the Wayward Children series and this is the next one I need to read.

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Added on May 14, 2018. The only reason I am going to be removing this from my TBR shelf is due to the fact I don’t really have an interest in starting a new series that isn’t one I am really pulled into when reading the description.

When Einstein Walked with Gödel: Excursions to the Edge of Thought by Jim Holt

Added on May 28, 2018. While this is a very interesting topic, exploring more scientific theories and what not. Currently I do not have the time to read such a dense and time consuming book even though the content really interests me. I am going to be removing this book from my TBR.

Wild Embers: Poems of Rebellion, Fire and Beauty by Nikita Gill

Added on Jun 06, 2018. I have read multiple collections of hers and I have enjoyed them quite a bit, I am going to be keeping this one on my TBR to enjoy in the future.

soft in the middle by Shelby Eileen

Added on Jun 29, 2018. This is another poetry collection, but I don’t think I will be keeping it on my TBR at this time. I think I added this to my TBR because it met a challenge, but I read something else to meet it. I will be removing this from my list.

-Outcome-

Keep: 7

Toss: 13

Total Tossed: 24

Total: 136

Have you read any of these books?

Were there any you would have kept that I tossed?

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Hauls & Unboxings

Unboxing | Coffee and a Classic October 2019

November 10, 2019November 1, 2019 bookishluna5 Comments

Unboxing

Hello and welcome back! I am here to share another Coffee and a Classic unboxing with you today. I don’t know about you, but getting book mail, even if it is from myself, is one of the most exciting things. When I saw this on my doorstep I ran inside and had to open it right away, even if the lighting was bad, blog pictures be damned! Anyway, here is what I found inside.

The red colors used in this months artwork and bookish item really caught my attention. Also, as you can see this months book is the Scarlet Letter, so it makes complete sense.

This months coffee is a maple sundae flavored, which just sounds amazing to me. I have a huge sweet tooth, so I feel like I am going to very much enjoy this brew. I will say, I did switch next months box over to hot chocolate so I could see what fun ones they send as well as having a backlog of coffee from this box. It is all delicious, but I can only drink so much coffee!

Next is a pot holder with the quote, “We dream in out own waking moments, and wake in our sleep”, which is a quote from the book. It is a lovely quote, but sadly this is not something I would use in my kitchen since red would clash quite a bit.

The bottom two items I will talk about next.

As you can see a bit better in this picture, it was so hard to get the ceramic warmer to stop rolling over/away to take this picture. But, this mini warmer is powered by the cutest little tea light, which was provided by them. Also, they added some essential oil, which I think you just place in the top, I think you might have to mix it with water as well, not 100% sure. I do enjoy the smell of eucalyptus to this was a very nice treat to get. I also love lighting candles so having a little warmer use a tea light is just up my alley.

Last, but not least we have the classic of the month, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I read this a year or two ago, so this edition is not getting onto my TBR, win for the TBR! It is such a beautiful edition so I am happy to have it. I will admit, I did not love this book the first time I read it, but maybe if I read it again I will like it more. I have since read another book by this author and I started off not enjoying the style, then slowly got into it. I feel like I might appreciate the authors style more now. Funny how things like this change.

What is your favorite classic? Have you read The Scarlet Letter?

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Lists & Recommendations

Lists | Top 5 Books I Want to Read Before 2020

October 27, 2019October 10, 2019 bookishluna18 Comments

Lists

Hello everyone, today I wanted to take a moment to talk about the top 5 books I want to read before the end of 2019. We are officially into the last quarter of the year, which always goes by super quickly. It is a time to focus to meet my goals if I have not already. On top of that, there is one Beat my Backlist book that still needs to be read and I will have read all the books I bought before 2019. Anyway, on to the books!

The one I think I am most excited to get to would be The Institute by Stephen King. It is no secret that I really enjoy creepy/horror reads and I really enjoy King’s works. I am really excited to have my hands on his most recent release and I want to read it before the year is through.

Next in line would be It Would Be Night in Caracas by Karina Sainz Borgo & Translator Elizabeth Bryer. I am really excited to be reading a book set in South America. I don’t know about you, but it is not a setting I come across often in books and I would honestly like to read more.

Now, The Overstory by Richard Powers is one I need to read for my Reading Goals | Reading a Shortlist 2019 challenge so I really need to get my butt in gear. I have two books left to go and for some reason this one is the one I have owned the longest, but have not felt the need or want to read. So, I am hoping putting it on this list will really put my butt in gear. At this one I have the other from the library and plan on starting it within the week. *Update* I have read this since prewriting this post, I am updating this to the final book on this list I need to read, The Long Take by Robin Robertson. This is what happens when I prewrite posts too darn early.

Then, we have Middlemarch by George Eliot. I picked up this classic it sounds so interesting. I decided that I would read it over the summer when I was enjoying the weather outside… well. Summer is now over and I still have not read it. I would say that now my goal is to just read it before the year is finished. I feel like Classics are really good cold weather reads anyway.

Lastly, we have Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. I am really interested in this series, but I always out it off because it is digital. While I do enjoy reading on my kindle, I always find myself only really using it for library books not for my owned TBR books. I need to change this ASAP and read this. Also, it is the oldest owned book on my owned TBR. So, it is really time to get my butt into gear.

What 5 books do you want to read before the year is up?

Which one do you think I should read first?

Who things I will actually read all of these before the year is up? 😂

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Hauls & Unboxings

Unboxing | Coffee and a Classic September 2019

October 20, 2019October 19, 2019 bookishluna4 Comments

Unboxing

Hello and welcome to another unboxing of Coffee and a Classic! This month is something extra special since it is Halloween related. I know I am posting this a tad bit late, but better late than never! Anyway, I was so excited about this months pick because I have read the main tale that was sent out, and loved, but I did not read the “Other Stories” so I am excited to find more stories I adore. Anyway, on to the unboxing.

Here is the goodness I saw when I opened the box up. I do love that they really individualize every box to totally surround the box. It really adds to the experience for me.

Here are some of the goodies in this months box. I have to say I was so thankful to get the book light. Mine was starting to act funny and I was ready to go out and get a new one when my next paycheck came in, this could not have been more perfect timing! Also, this months bookmark is so adorable, I started using it right away. Plus, I can always find my books in the dark now with this glow in the dark potion.

I really loved the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, talking about the dual sides to each person and humanity as a whole. It is just as much as a monster story as much as a story about humans, which makes it even more eerie. Even though I really enjoyed reading this story, I for some reason have not picked up another one by this author so I am happy to see the & Other Stories on the cover of this beautiful edition.

Now, I think this is my favorite thing I have gotten from Coffee and Classic since being a subscriber. I took this pillow case and stuffed it full of teddy bear stuffing and put it right now my bed. It is a perfect little Halloween decorate as well as a literary one and that just makes my halloween book loving heart happy. Also, it is a pun and I LOVE puns.

Have you read this book?

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Reading Challenges

Challenges | Reading 64 Pages a Day

October 9, 2019September 21, 2019 bookishluna6 Comments

challenges

Hello everyone! Today I wanted to share a little challenge with you that I came across when I fell down the booktube hole instead of being a good bookworm and reading. I started reading Books and Lala’s video where she read the same number of pages each day, based upon her average for the previous month or so. If you would like to watch her video, you can find that here: reading 116 pages every day for a month. If you don’t know her channel, you are missing out she is one of the most creative youtubers I know of. Anyway, I really loved the idea and wanted to give it a try and see if this helps to keep my stress levels down while my life gets more chaotic.

Anyway, I did not want to just steal her number of pages a day, so I decided to do what she did. I looked at the previous month at the time of planning this, July 2019, and saw that I read a total of 1984 pages (hello George Orwell!) then divided it by 31 days, the number of days in that particular month. This simple little equation gave me 64 pages a day. So, I am planning on reading 64 pages a day for the first half of September! I am happy with this number, it is neither too much or too little.

-Reading/Page Log-

♣ = Completed on time, > = Read more, < =Read Less

♣1: 1-64 of Tin Man by Sarah Winman
♣2: 65-128 of Tin Man by Sarah Winman
♣3:129-192 of Tin Man by Sarah Winman
♣4: 192-224 of Tin Man by Sarah Winman, 1-32 of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
♣5: 33-96 of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
♣6: 1-64 of The Tea Dragon Society byKatie O’Neill
♣7: 97- 160 of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
♣8: 161- 224 of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
♣9: 225-270 of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, 1-18 of Coffey’s Hands (The Green Mile #3) by Stephen King
♣10: 19-82 Coffey’s Hands (Green Mile Part 3) by Stephen King
♣11:83-90 Coffey’s Hands (Green Mile Part 3) by Stephen King, 1-56 of The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix (The Green Mile #4) by Stephen King
>12: 1-96…oops I went over my 64 pages a day limit gah! Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill
13:(34) 57- 90 of The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix (The Green Mile #4) by Stephen King, (30) 1-30 of Night Journey(The Green Mile #5) by Stephen King
14: (60) 31-90 Night Journey(The Green Mile #5) by Stephen King, (4) 1-4 of Coffey on the Mile (The Green Mile #6) by Stephen King
15: (64) 5-68 of Coffey on the Mile (The Green Mile #6) by Stephen King

-Reflection-

Okay, even though I only did this challenge for half of the month, I feel like I have some interesting things I realized. Some of these were more of an impact than others, but they all were notable things. Some had to do with my sleep, productivity, and readalongs/buddyreads.

The first one was, some nights I had things I needed to get done so reading had to take a back seat. Sadly, this meant I ended up staying up late to do my required reading and I was not happy when I had to wake up early the next morning. Sometimes I don’t read for a day or so because life gets in the way and even though 64 pages isn’t a ton it feels like it when you start reading at 10 at night.

The second thing that this really affected was my buddy reads. I really had a hard time planning my reading ahead of time so I could read what I wanted to read, but also make sure I was prepared for my discussions and such. So, I kinda got stressed I was not going to be able to fit everything in, but also not read it to far in advance where I would forget everything.

Lastly, I would say it made me feel very productive. It was nice to check something off my check list all day that was a challenge, but kinda easy and very enjoyable at the same time.

I don’t think I would ever read like this again, but it was really interesting to see how I would do with reading my average every day.

Do you ever take part in a reading challenge?

What youtuber or book blogger inspires you?

Would you try a challenge like this?

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Down the TBR Hole | #1

September 18, 2019November 3, 2020 bookishluna9 Comments

declutter Hello everyone, welcome to another post. So, I went on to goodreads the other day and noticed that my goodreads TBR is kinda out of control for me personally, 159 books. I decided I would take a page from Lia from Lost in a Story and slowly go through my TBR and delete the books I no longer feel interested in.

-The Rules-

Go to your goodreads to-read shelf.
Order on ascending date added.
Take the first 5 (or 10 (or even more!) if you’re feeling adventurous) books. Of course, if you do this weekly, you start where you left off the last time.
Read the synopses of the books
Decide: keep it or should it go?

-The Books-

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

Added on October 1st, 2017. I feel like I added this book because of a youtuber, but I can;t remember why or who. This book sounds like it is a biblical battle over knowledge fought by a single adopted girl. I am not really feeling it honestly. So, I am tossing it.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Added on November 3rd, 2017. This has been on my radar for years and to this day I keep almost picking it up. I love a goof book with magic, so I don’t know why I have no picked it up already. After reading the description, I still want to read it one day so I am going to keep it.

Daughters Who Walk This Path by Yejide Kilanko

Added on November 19th, 2017. This book talks about the political and social atmosphere in Nigeria with a focus on women. At this time, I don’t think I would personally be able to handle the content if I am reading into the description correctly. I feel like in the future I may want to come back to it because it seems like a powerful read, but I can’t currently. I am going to toss this off of my TBR for now.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Added on November 19th, 2017. This book also has to do with women and the social atmosphere. I am really intrigued how this author sees the world if women were given a power to inflict pain. It sounds both dark and thought provoking. I am going to be keeping this on my TBR.

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Added on November 23, 2017. This novel seems like it is an emotional one, it might give me a good cry. It also seems like it might have a little twist to it since some people have it listed as fantasy. I think I am going to keep this one because sometimes I am in the mood for a good sad story.

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy Edited by Kelly Jensen

Added on November 25, 2017. This anthology allows those with mental illness to share how they live and how they feel about the label and stigmas placed upon them. For me, this looks like a very important read. I actually added it to my TBR because my aunt was diagnosed with mental illness and while she is no longer with us, I still want to read it and understand as much as I can. I am going to keep this.

The Collector by John Fowles

Added on December 17, 2017. This book has a very straightforward description and I wish more books did. It seems like the main character likes to collect butterflies, but then one day decides he was to also collect a woman he thinks he loves. I am very interested in this 1960s thriller, I am going to keep it.

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

Added on December 17, 2017. This is another thriller that deals with memory loss. I also have to say, this is written by Margaret Atwood, so I feel like it will be an amazing read just because of that. Since the description and author are both wonderful, I am going to keep it.

The Lies They Tell by Gillian French

Added on December 17, 2017. This thriller seems like a plot I have heard before, at least troupe wise. I don’t see myself ever reading this so I am going to be tossing it.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Added on December 18, 2017. So, this one I am torn about. I didn’t love the last book in the series too much, but this one is just a novella… Gah! I think I am going to toss it because if I am honest with myself I don’t really want to.

-Outcome-

Keep: 6

Toss: 4

Total: 155

Have you read any of these books?

Were there any you would have kept that I tossed?

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Wrap Up

#NEWTsReadathon | Wrap Up | August 2019

August 31, 2019August 31, 2019 bookishluna6 Comments

NEWTS 2019

Hello everyone, the time has come! The NEWTs are officially complete. I am happy to say that I was able to pass all of the exams that were requirement of me with the needed scores. You are not reading a post written by a Herbologist! Anyway, below you will find mini reviews and my overall scores on my NEWTs and what I read for each prompt. I did got a bit above and beyond.

-Mandatory-

Herbology

A: Audiobook: Supermarket by Bobby Hall
E: Between 350-390 pages: Bringing Down the Colonial by Patricia Miller
O: Flowers on the Cover: Everything Under by Daisy Johnson

Potions

A: Friends Fav: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman *cough* Jenna, Reg *cough*
E: Yellow on the Cover, Yay Hufflepuff!: The Colorado Kid by Stephen King

Care of Magical Creatures

A: Book that stars with A: The Alienist by Caleb Carr
~~E: Book under 300 pages: Ghosts of Acadia by Marcus LiBrizzi (Bonus Letter)~~
~~O: Read a book with a bird on the cover: The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost (Owl & Bonus Letter)~~

-Bonus-

Arithmancy

A: Ends in an even number: Needful Things by Stephen King
E: Standalone: Endless Night by Agatha Christie
O: A Book Longer that 350 pages: Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

Charms

A: Beautiful Cover: Smashed by Junji Ito
E: Read a book under 150 pages: The Inner Room by Robert Aickman

-Current NEWT Scores-

Herbology: O
Potion: E
Care of Magical Creatures: O
Charms: E
Arithmancy: O

-Reviews-

Endless Night by Agatha Christie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Agatha Christie is such a wonderful writer, her imagination is outstanding and I always kick myself for not reading more of her works. The pacing was wonderful and you can see the attention to detail within this book.

I don’t want to say more, but this is a standalone mystery and I don’t want to spoil anything. Only know, that this is a wonderful and I highly recommend.

View all my reviews

The Colorado Kid by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to say this work is very different from what King normally writes, but I enjoyed it so much. I think it was a combination of where I read this book and just the way it was presented. I feel like I will be thinking about The Colorado Kid trying to picture Stephenie today. Anyway, I am glad King look at those news clippings and thought of this story. It really is interesting and makes you think.

View all my reviews

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my second read through of this novel. For me personally I enjoyed it more the second time around. I don’t want to say much since it is the 4th book in a series, but if you liked the pervious books you will enjoy this one as well.

View all my reviews

The Inner Room: Faber Stories by Robert Aickman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short horror story was just the right amount of spooky that I needed. Even though it is such a short tale, it really was atmospheric and gave me The Haunting of Hill House vibes. If you want a quick little scare that will leave you a bit uneasy, I recommend.

View all my reviews

Ghosts of Acadia PB by Marcus LiBrizzi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting collection of ghost stories of this small island in Maine, which I am very familiar with. I really enjoyed hearing about stories from long ago and the sightings seen by many. The one thing I wish this book did was add more personal accounts, sometimes the stories were so vague and had little detail or real story to them. Overall, I enjoyed.

View all my reviews

The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I am giving this book 2.5 stars. I found this tale to be interesting, but at times I found the font to be a real pain in the butt to read (hand written notes in script and sometimes really messy handwriting). I also found that the description misled me a little bit, I thought it was going to focus mainly on one thing, but jumped around a bit. I will say I enjoyed the mixing of fiction and facts to create this story, it really added to the feeling of this book.

If you enjoy reading novels that are made up of a bunch of documents, alien stories, or stories following research I think you will like this.

View all my reviews

Middle Mark Books 2

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman, 4 stars
The Alienist by Caleb Carr, 4 stars
Supermarket by Bobby Hall, 1 star
Bringing Down the Colonel: A Sex Scandal of the Gilded Age, and the “Powerless” Woman Who Took on Washington by Patricia Miller, 4 stars
Everything Under by Daisy Johnson, 2 stars
Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito, 5 stars
Needful Things by Stephen King, 4 stars

Beat the Backlist 2

Current TBR: 33

Backlist TBR: 1

When traveling, I always adventure to new bookstores. oops.

What was your favorite book you read this month?

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To Be Read

My Owned TBR | June 2019

June 12, 2019May 27, 2019 bookishluna17 Comments

While I am putting the header of Annotating my Bookshelf, I am going to be talking the books I own and have not read as of right writing this. Earlier this month I shared my new bullet journal with you, Bullet Journal | June 2019, but I did not share a particular page. I decided to put my entire owned TBR into my bullet journal and I wanted to share that with you separately.

Above you will see my new Owned TBR layout. I am really happy with how it came out. As you can see I have a little key on the top for started, DNFed/unhauled, and read. You can see that applied to the square to the left of the title. On the right of the title you will see a larger rectangle. I am putting 3 possible symbols there, an A and audiobook available on audible, L for an audiobook available from my library, and an * for if I own the audiobook already. This way I can keep track of books that have audiobooks and such so I can sprinkle them into my reading. I always have an audiobook going since I listen to them in the car and while I am cleaning or doing chores.

One thing I am proud of is that my TBR fits on two pages with a bit of wiggle room. A few years ago my TBR was over 100 easily and I managed to get it down to about 40. My happy place with my TBR is 40 books or less so I am excited. Another plus is that there are no unread books that I have owned for more than a year. Everyone of these books U have owned for 11 months or less in most cases. Not something I was able to say in the past as well.

I am really happy with this spread, but also the books on my Owned TBR. Over the years I have really been able to pinpoint the types of books I really enjoy. A few years ago I was still all over the place and just picking up books that were familiar to me without really reading the descriptions. At this point I can happily and honestly say I want to read all of these books.