10 Feel Good Reads to Ease Your Anxiety

With all the news swirling around about COVID-19, I know that many of us are feeling anxious, including myself. Plus, with professionals suggesting we distance ourselves socially, loneliness will surely creep in. To help alleviate some of the anxiety and loneliness many of us are feeling, here are 10 reads that will hopefully ease your anxiety and transport you into a simpler world of happy endings.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

 Goodreads | IndieBound

Crazy Rich Asians is one of my most recent reads, and I had such a fun time reading it! After watching the movie a couple years back, I always wanted to read the source material, but I never got around to it. This semester, I am taking a class about book to movie adaptations, and was required to read Crazy Rich Asians! I had such a fun time immersing myself into this high-drama, extremely capitalist world where no one is good enough unless your the richest of the rich. It's nothing like my world, and I quite enjoyed escaping to another!

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

 Goodreads | IndieBound

Nothing to See Here is such a delightful read. The novel follows Lillian, a 20-something year-old whose life is off-track. When she's asked to become a caretaker for two children who combust into flames when they get agitated, she decides to go along with it. Nothing to See Here is bizarre, hilarious (I laughed out loud multiple times), and heart touching.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

 Goodreads | IndieBound

If you would rather read a YA novel, then feast your eyes (and your food desires) on Tweet Cute, a 2020 re-imagining of rom-com classic You've Got Mail. The chemistry between the two leads, Pepper and Jack, is spot on, filled with banter, awkwardness, and a strong bond. 

Series I Won't be Continuing

Hi everyone and welcome back (or to!) my blog! I wasn't sure what to post today, but I have seen some other posts around similar to this one, and decided to add my two cents in. I've been feeling under the weather recently, but hopefully I'll be able to get my posts up in time! I have a pretty bad headache from all my congestion, which has allowed me to just relax, color, and listen to some audiobooks though, so that's my silver lining! 

Without further ado, here are some series I won't be continuing (as of now). I'm a mood reader, and though I'm pretty certain in my choices today, I just might feel an urge to pick the series back up down the road. 

1) The Edge of Everything Series

I enjoyed The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles enough, but I don't feel compelled to continue on with the series. This seems to be a duology, but I don't want to read a book just for the sake of finishing a series. 

2) Southern Reach Trilogy

I have very mixed feeling on Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation. Man, these Jeff's aren't pulling through, haha! :D There were times when I was invested in the plot, but I didn't like the narrator's voice. While my sister is going to be continuing with the series, I didn't enjoy the first book enough to warrant reading another two. I'll just learn what happens in the next two books from her. 

3) Unblemished Trilogy

Don't get me wrong, Unblemished by Sara Ella wasn't a bad book. In fact, after getting through the exposition, I enjoyed myself. But I don't feel any pull towards reading the sequels, and I know that if I do, I'll just be adding a less than raving review on goodreads. 

Matching YA Books with Taylor Swift's Reputation

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'm going to be finding a book that goes hand in hand with the songs from Taylor Swift's newest album, Reputation. I've been a long time Swiftie, so I wanted to give a Taylor Swift spin to my content here at Ready, Set, Read!

Each song from Reputation will be matched to a book, and I'll also be putting the lyrics from the song that best correlate to the book! There are 15 songs in the album, and therefore 15 books on this list!

Lyrics

I-I-I see how this is gon' go

Touch me and you'll never be alone

I-Island breeze and lights down low

No one has to know

Why?

Nantucket Blue follows main character Cricket, and her secret summer romance with her best friend's brother. During the summer, she is on Nantucket Island. I thought the lyrics about the island breeze and no one knowing fit well with the general plot! 

Goodreads 

Mangas I've Read + Give Me Recommendations!! (PLS)

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today we are talking about manga. I've always wanted to talk about manga more on my blog, but I just haven't because I have a dilemma: I can't find manga that I am really interested in! So, I figured all of you could (hopefully) help me out! Give me some recommendations if you have them. Down below are the manga I've read and finished, and what I though about them so you'll get a feel for what I like. At the end I'll mention some manga that I never got around to finishing. I wouldn't be opposed to finishing them, they just don't grab my attention as much as I want them to!

Finished 

Cat Street by Yoko Kamio
This was good, but it wasn't stand otu. I read it, I liked it, and I quickly moved on. Unlike some others in this list, Cat Street didn't really leave me with a lasting impact. every now and again it'll randomly pop in my head, but I didn't LOVE it.

Marmalade Boy
Marmalade Boy is one of my favorite mangas of all time. That's not saying much because I haven't read a ton (as you can see) but I just love this with all my heart. I don't know which one  I like more, Fruits Basket or Marmalade Boy. Both of them are my loves. :D

TTT: Best Contemporary Books of 2016!

Hey everyone and welcome back to blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. This weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic is " Top Ten Best Books Of 2016." 

Since I am going to be doing a later post about my all around favorites of 2016, I am going to be showing all of you my favorite contemporary books I read this year! Throughout 2016, I got a lot more into fantasy, but I still love some good old contemporary!

None of these are in particular order, and not all of these are young adult! The books with links to them are links to my reviews.

10) The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson has not once disappointed me with her contemporary novels. I know that this book was most people's least favorite of hers, but this is actually my favorite! The relationships were so well done and I loved how raw everything felt. This book cemented Matson as one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. 

  9) The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle
If I had two words to describe Hammerle's debut novel they would be quirky and fun. Kiki, the main character, was so hilarious. I really loved reading from her POV, which made up for the romance, which was just a tad lackluster. The ending was so well done, and I'm Hammerle is on my radar!

TTT: Sci-Fi Books I've Added to My TBR

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top Ten Tuesday. TTT is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week our topic was "Ten Books I've Added To My To-Be-Read List Lately." If you didn't know, I'm participating in Sci-Fi month. Because of this, I'm going to put a little science fiction twist on this post.

T5W: Gateway Books to YA Contemporary

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be participating in Top 5 Wedensday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes. Lainey from Gingerreadslainey is the founder of Top 5 Wednesday. This week's topic is Gateway Books to Your Favorite Genre. To be honest, I don't have a favorite genre. I try to read an array of genres, so I just decided to pick one and roll with it. 

I'm going to be focusing on YA contemporary, but ones that have darker themes. While I adore the happy go lucky contemporaries, I tend to enjoy contemporaries that deal with heavier subjects more. Here are five gateway books to YA contemporary:

5.) Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Leaving Paradise is one of the first YA contemporaries I read that dealt with darker material. Maggie now permanently walks with a limp after she was hit by a car by her next door neighbor Caleb. Both teenagers are outcasts, and they eventually find solace in each other, but their past is very messy and leads to heightened tensions. 
 
4.) Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Twenty Boy Summer wrecked me when I first read it. The novel follows Anna and her friend Frankie. They dare each other to see who can kiss 20 boys within the summer. What makes this different from a light contemporary is the fact that Anna was secretly dating Frankie's older brother, Matt, before his death a year ago. Frankie never knew, and seeing Anna dealing with her grief, lying to her friend, and coming to terms with Matt's death is heartbreaking and bittersweet and ugh SO. GOOD. 
 
3.) The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Nelson is known for her hard-hitting contemporaries (I'll Give You the Sun is extremely popular). When I read The Sky is Everywhere a few years back, I was a mess. The novel focuses Lennie and how she deals with the untimely death of her older sister. This book hit me so hard because the relationship between Lennie and her sister is much like that of my own. If you've only read I'll Give You the Sun, I urge you to pick this one up!!
 
2.) The Running Dream  by Wendelin Van Draanen
Jessica's dreams are seemingly shattered when she loses one of her legs due to a car crash. She struggles with accepting that her future is changed, as well as being a social outcast. Jessica's character growth is great here; she befriends Rosa, a girl with CP that Jessica dismissed before her accident. I loved the ending, and writing about it is making me want to read the book again!
 
1.) Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Yoon's debut novel Everything, Everything was one of my favorite books of last year. Maddie has a rare disease that is commonly known as the 'bubble disease'; she needs to live in a sterile environment and has no interaction with any humans besides her mother and her caregiver, Carla. The latter changes when she meets Olly, her new next door neighbor. Everything spirals out of control, and the plot twist was fantastic.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Most Anticipated Fall Releases!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be showing what books I am most excited about this fall. There are a lot of great books coming out the remainder of this year, and I know I won't be getting to all of them! A girl can hope, though!

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Publication Date: Sept. 20th
Why? I haven't read a book about witches in such a long time, and I want to get back into it! Henrietta is the first female sorcerer, and I love some female power. Hopefully the male sorcerers won't be too bigoted and ignorant!

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Publication Date: Sept. 20th
Why? Three kickass sister witches that are supposed to fight to the death? Yes, please! Add in the fact that two of the three sisters don't have powers, and I'm sold. I'm interested to see what Kendare Blake has in store. Her Anna duology wasn't one of my favorites, and I'm hoping that this will pique my interest more.

Top Five Wednesday: Books I Wish Had Sequels!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! Today I participating in weekly meme Top 5 Wednesday, which is hosted by Sam from Thoughts on Tomes. If you want to participate, check out the goodreads page here! The prompt for this week is the five books that we wish had sequels. I actually had a pretty hard time finding five books, because I am pretty happy with how the books I've read have ended! If you participated this week in Top Five Wednesday, make sure to link your post down below! :) My list is in no specific order.

Top 5 Wednesday: Summer Reads

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! Today I'll be taking part of the weekly meme Top 5 Wednesday. This is hosted by Sam from Thought on Tomes over on youtube. I know, two blog post in one day! Who would've ever thought that would be possible? :D

This week's topic is top 5 summer reads. Here are my picks for the week, in no particular order!

5.) One Paris Summer by Denise Grover Swank
I just recently read this through Netgalley and this will be the perfect read for the upcoming summer season. Not only is the setting in summer (and Paris), but the novel is fun and quick paced, just like I'm sure we wish all of our summers to be. Though this isn't the perfect book, I had such a great time reading it. Read more of my thoughts in my book review here!

4.) Boys Over Flowers by Hana Yori Dango 
Okay, I've only read the first six novels in this manga series, but I am going to be reading more of it hopefully this summer. The plot of the series is so much fun and the unique cast makes it a perfect read for the summer. 

3.) Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill 
Meant to Be is a classic YA contemporary novel. I forgot if it's set in the summer (I read it Dec. 2014!), but even if it isn't the book is perfect for the summer. This is similar to One Paris Summer in that our main character travels internationally and falls in love with someone that gave off a bad first impression. I want to read more by Morrill because her books are like candy: short and sweet. 

2.) Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
New Adult screams summer to me. I was trying to put a new adult novel here that isn't by CoHo, but her books are perfect for summer and can't be compared. To be honest, I'd recommend any of her books that I've read by her for summer besides Ugly Love. Maybe Someday is Hoover's lightest book so far and for that reason, it's the best to read during the season. Check out my review here. 


1.) Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Last but not least is a book that I'm sure will end up on so many lists this week. Since You've Been Gone is the epitome of a summer read. Not only is it set in the summer, but it has a fun unique plot. While it is long for a contemporary, it flew by so quickly. 

And that is my T5W for this week! What books come to mind when you think of summer?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! Today I'll be participating in a weekly meme that I've been neglecting: Waiting on Wednesday. This meme is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Each Wednesday, the participants showcase an upcoming read that we are excited about. This week I chose...

United by Melissa Landers!

Here is the goodreads blurb: *WARNING FOR SOME MILD SPOILERS*

After thwarting a deadly coup and saving the alliance between their worlds, Cara and Aelyx have finally earned a break. Their tiny island colony is everything they dreamed it would be―days spent gathering shells on the beach and nights in each other’s arms.

But the vacation is short-lived.

The treaty between Earth and L’eihr has awakened an ancient force that threatens to destroy them all. The Aribol, mysterious guardians charged with maintaining interstellar peace, deem the alliance a threat to the galaxy. They order a separation of the races, decreeing humans and L’eihrs must return to their own planets within the month or face extinction. In fact, they already have agents in place on Earth, ready to begin.

With the clock ticking, Aelyx and Cara assemble a team of colonists and race back to Earth, where they unite with old friends to solve the mystery of who the Aribol are, what they want, and the real reason the alliance has provoked them. As tensions build to a full-scale war, Aelyx and Cara must fight harder than ever―not just for their future, but for the survival of both their worlds.

I'm so excited for this book for so many reasons! There was a time this series was just going to be two books, and I'm elated that there will be a third and final book. Everything wrapped up quite nicely in the previous novel, except for one plot line. 

Aelyx and Cara are such great characters and I cannot wait to explore their story again in this final novel. United releases on August 2, 2016!

What's your pick for the week?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I've Picked Up on a Whim

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I will be participating in Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish. I haven't done this meme in a while, and I'm glad to be back at it!

This week's topic are books that we picked up on a whim. I interpreted this as books I had picked up that I did at a random time for no reason, or those that I started reading that I heard nothing about. I have read all the books down below. 

1.) The 100 by Kass Morgan
The reason the 100 is on this list is not because I never heard of the series (I'm a big fan of the tv adaption!), but because I had no plans to read this series. But when the BELLARKE ship looked like it was sinking, I randomly checked out the series on my overdrive account. Let's just say that I'm happy that Bellamy and Clarke are canon in the books!

2.) Defy by Sara B Larson
I was looking around the Overdrive app when I saw this fantasy that I heard nothing about. It's actually a pretty popular series and I'm surprised I didn't hear about this trilogy before I started the series. The synopsis and cover drew me in and I marathoned the whole trilogy! I also reviewed the whole trilogy as well here.

3.) V-Card by Alicia Michaels
Here's the thing: books on the wattpad app are addictive. I was looking for another read on the app, and decided to pick up the V-Card instead. I hadn't heard about or seen it beforehand, but immediately dove right in. V-Card is a lot more complex than the synopsis and title makes it out to be and I was pleasantly surprised with it.

4.) Together With You by Victoria Bylin
The whole reason I read this book was because I wanted to expand my reading horizons. I never read an adult romance before, but this one didn't impress me. The pacing was too slow for me and I didn't care for the two leads. However, it focused on a really important subject: fetal alcohol syndrome and disease, and it made the read worth it.

5.) Dawn of the Dreamer by H.J. Higgins
One of my goodreads groups had Dawn of the Dreamer available for read to review opportunity. I picked it up along with some other members and while I didn't love this book, it was an entertaining read. I had heard nothing about the book or author beforehand, but I'm glad I gave the book a shot! Here is my review for it.

6.) Breathe Into Me by Sara Fawkes
Breathe Into Me is a new adult read that I bought from BookOutlet on a whim. I heard nothing about it but was really wanting to read a new adult book. I'm so glad I decided to buy this book because I absolutely adored it. It was such a fun and fast paced read. You can learn more about my thoughts in my review here!

7.) The Beginning of Never by O.E. Boroni
I also read The Beginning of Never due to a read to review opportunity in one of my goodreads groups. Though I can't say that I necessarily liked this book, (it was entertaining though!) I'm still happy I read it. I read the second book after this and really liked it, and now I can't wait for the time that I read the third and final book in this contemporary trilogy.

8.) No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss
I had never heard anything about this novel when I saw this at my local library. The cover drew me in, and I just decided to go for it. While it's not my favorite book and I did have some faults with the plot, I still appreciated it. The book did leave a lasting impression on me.

9.) Every Last Promise by Kristin Halbrook
Every Last Promise is a dark contemporary read that I picked up from my local library. I wanted to read a contemporary novel, and I just saw this one and decided to check it out. This was such an amazing book. I would recommend reading this but only if you are in the right mindset to read a book about abuse and rape.


10.) Cat Street by Yoko Kamio
Last but certainly not least is Cat Street by Yoko Kamio. I read all 8 volumes of this manga series in one weekend, and I really enjoyed it. The last two volumes were by far the strongest and I am so glad I read the series. Though it didn't speak to me as much as I wanted, but it was fun while it lasted.  

If you did a TTT, make sure to link it down below!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

T5W: Rainy Day Reads

Hey guys and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni and today I will be participating in Top 5 Wednesday. Lainey from gingerreadslainey on youtube just passed the torch of moderator to one of my favorite booktubers, Sam from Thoughtsontomes.

This week's topic is our top 5 rainy day reads. If you want to check out more about the group, visit our goodreads page!

For this, I'm going to be showing you some fun and fast paced books perfect for a day where you can't really get out. Here they are!

5.) Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame
Did I Mention I Love You? (or DIMILY) for short, is the epitome of a quick read. It's super addicting and it'll make you need to pick up the next book ASAP. DIMILY is a young adult contemporary read, but it doesn't just touch on the romance. Check out my mini review here.

4.) Forbidden by Kimberely Griffiths Little
Forbidden is the opening novel of a historical fiction fantasy set in the Mesopotamian desert. The book is pure entertainment with a quick pace. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, which is out now. If you want to know more of my thoughts on the book, visit my review!

3.) The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Armentrout is a master at writing addicting reads perfect for a rainy day. The Dead List takes the cake though! This thriller novel can actually be found on the wattpad app for free. The novel does take a dark turn or few, but it was so much fun to read. I wrote a full review for this one as well, so feel free to read it here!

2.) Defy by Sara B. Larson
Defy is yet another opening novel to a trilogy. The book follows Alexa, a girl who crossdresses as a male in order to be part of the prince's guard. The story kicks off in the first fifty pages when Alexa is taken hostage along with the prince and her best friend.  While I didn't love the first book, the series as a whole is so good! If you want to know more about my thoughts on this book or the series as a whole, check out my spoiler free series review.


1.) The Pact by Karina Halle
Last but not least is (new?) adult romance. The novel chronicles the love story of Steph and Linden, two best friends who love each other but don't have the guts to tell each other their feelings. The plot is simple enough, but I couldn't get enough of the characters! A long, long time ago I did a review of this book. You've been warned. It was in my early days when I wasn't sure how to actually write a review. :D

So that was my T5W! What are some of your rainy day reads you would recommend? 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!