September, October, and November Wrap Up!

Hello everyone! Long time, no see! I'm Genni, and though it's been a hot minute since I've written on this lovely blog of mine, I wanted to say hello and talk about all the books I read in the last three months. . I haven't been doing too great at reading for fun, and most of what I do read isn't on goodreads (articles, chapters, bits and pieces of texts), so I am behind on my goodreads challenge. Here's hoping that I can squeeze my last twenty books in during Thanksgiving and winter holiday breaks!

Without further ado, here are all the books I've read these past three months.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Romancing Mister Bridgerton is the fourth novel in Quinn's Bridgerton series, which I've been having so much listening to on audio. Though this one was fun, it was my least favorite so far, and I haven't picked up another in the series yet. However, I hope to begin listening to them again in the new year as I eagerly await Shonda Rhimes Netflix series! 

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell

Anyone who thinks kids books are just for kids needs to read this book. Maybe Tomorrow is such a heartfelt and wonderful take on grief and friendship. And yes, I cried while reading it (are we surprised?). 

Watch Over Me by Mila Gray

The semester is in full swing, which basically means that it takes me a super long time to read books now. But that was not the case for Watch Over Me, which I read in one day. I opened it up on my kindle app, as I received the e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, and was immediately drawn in. Once again, Mila Gray delivers a heartfelt, sexy, and tender romance.

10 Exceptional Summer Reads

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! Now that summer is in full swing, I wanted to give some recommendations to you. Below are 10 exceptional summer reads.

You might be thinking, "what really makes a book a 'summer read'?" Well, in my head, summer-y books usually have at least one of these attributes.

• Set in the summer or a summer-y location (beaches, pool, camp)
• People are given another set of circumstances different from their usual. For instance, a YA summer book isn't going to be about the set of characters studying for tests. No, these characters are worried about summer jobs and love lives. 
• The tone is light, and if the novel does have darker themes, there is humor to relieve some of tension.

This list is (obviously) not the "end all be all" of what requires a book to be a summer read. My list down below is contradictory, there's some books on here that match all these points, and some that match none. All of this is objective! If you are looking for a list of recommendations with moody tones and dark themes though, this list isn't for you. 

With all that out of the way, here are 10 reads that are perfect for the summer!

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

The Unhoneymooners has been raved about all over my Twitter feed, and for good reason. If you didn't know, Christina Lauren is one of my favorite authors, and they did not disappoint with their newest release, which is a hate-to-love romance that takes place in Maui. It's hilarious as well; I laughed out loud multiple times.

There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

I had the absolute pleasure of reading an e-arc of There's Something About Sweetie earlier this year, and I absolutely fell in love with the book. I wish I had this novel when I was 16, when I was so insecure about myself. Reading about a fat MC like Sweetie was so inspiring, and this is by-far my favorite book of Menon's to date. Just writing about this makes me want to go back and reread it!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I wouldn't be surprised at all if you've already heard of this book! Red, White, & Royal Blue was all over my twitter feed upon its release, and I was so glad it was getting all the attention it deserves. RW&RB is part m/m romance novel, part political drama, and part slice-of-life. I absolutely adore the novel, and there's definitely been times I've flipped through my copy just to read some of my favorite scenes.

BOOK REVIEW | The Red Labyrinth by Meredith Tate

Title: The Red Labyrinth
Author: Meredith Tate
Series? Seemingly so, but I can't find any information.
Pages: 352
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Flux Publishing
Source: I received an e-arc of The Red Labyrinth in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

The massive labyrinth was built to protect Zadie Kalver's isolated desert town. Unfortunately, living in the maze's shadow makes her feel anything but safe. Even without its enchanted deathtraps and illusions, a mysterious killer named Dex lurks in its corridors, terrorizing anyone in his path.

But when Zadie's best friend vanishes into the labyrinth-and everyone mysteriously forgets he exists- completing the maze becomes her only hope of saving him. In desperation, Zadie bribes the only person who knows the safe path through-Dex-into forming a tenuous alliance.

Navigating a deadly garden, a lethal blood-filled hourglass, and other traps-with an untrustworthy murderer for her guide-Zadie's one wrong step from certain death. But with time running out before her friend (and secret crush) is lost forever, Zadie must reach the exit and find him. If Dex and the labyrinth don't kill her first.

Goodreads

A Very Late March Wrap Up!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and well, I haven't been active too lately. Why, you ask? Well, my blog went to the wayside after being a full-time student and working two internships. Honestly, what was I thinking? This semester has been very rewarding, but exhausting as well. I'm looking forward to to when the semester ends this beginning of May!

Without further ado, here are the books I read all the way back in March!

I didn't read too much, only six books. In actuality, I probably read around 10 to 13, but a good portion are from my internship at Algonquin books. Since I am reading prospective manuscripts, I can't talk about those manuscripts. Also, I've been doing a ton of research for papers, but I've only been reading large chunks and chapters, not a complete book, so I couldn't count anything on goodreads.

There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

Goodreads

Right once I got accepted for an e-arc of There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon, I went ahead and read it. I didn't care that the novel was being published May 14, I was so read a YA romance with fat rep! As a person who is overweight myself, There's Something About Sweetie really spoke to me. I knew I would love the book right from the introduction letter, and I was not disappointed by the rest of the novel. I laughed, I cried, and I recommend. 

BOOK REVIEW | Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Title: Serious Moonlight
Author: Jenn Bennett
Series? No, Serious Moonlight is a standalone
Pages: 432
Publication Date: April 16, 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: I received an ARC of Simon Pulse in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Many thanks to the publicist for sending me the book!

After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately.

Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel.

In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where she waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel.

To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

Goodreads

AUTHOR GUEST POST | Kate Watson's Top 3 Greek Love Stories

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today, I'm going to let someone else take the reins of Ready, Set, Read! Give a warm hand to Kate Watson, author of Lovestruck, which is out now!

Sixteen-year-old cupid-in-training Kali is in an Olympus-sized mountain of trouble. Rule number one in arrow-toting matchmaking: don't stick yourself. But accidents happen, and Kali instantly falls hard for her indie rock, bass-playing target, Benicio.

The God of Love is going to kill her. Even if he is her dad.

Being the daughter of Eros isn't all it's cracked up to be. For one thing, a girl can get jaded when her parents have the most beautiful and fatalistic love story in history. For another, immortality royally sucks when the Oracle condemns you to eternity in the wrong profession. Do the Gods care that Kali wants to ditch the love stuff and be a muse?

Nope.

To reclaim her heart and her destiny, Kali is left with no choice but to defy the Gods, tempt the Fates, date the mortal love-of-her-life, and hope she doesn't lose her best friend, Hector, in the process.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble  

January Wrap Up!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be wrapping up my first month of 2019! In January, I read 12 books. I also started my second semester of my sophomore year at UNC. I'm enjoyed my classes so far, and it's nice to just take 4 instead of my usual 5 or 6. There's a couple more exiting life updates, and those I'll talk about more after the books.

Without further ado, here are the 12 books I read during January.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

 Goodreads

Is it even a wrap up if I don't include a Christina Lauren book? I think this is my 14th book I've read by her, and I'm almost 100% positive I've read at least one CL book or novella every month since July. Am I addicted? Yes. I don't know what I'm going to do once I get caught up on everything. Love and Other Words was beautiful, and definitely one of my favorites from the author duo.

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

Goodreads

Merry Inkmas was one of my least favorite reads of January. I tried finishing this before the end of the year, and even though the book was really short, I just couldn't do it. I really don't like insta-love, so when the main characters professed their love after a seemingly short time of knowing each other, I wasn't convinced. 

Gimme Some Sugar by Molly Harper

Goodreads

Is this blog just a romance blog now? I read a ton of romance this January, Gimme Some Sugar being one of them. Gimme Some Sugar is part of a contemporary romance series that focuses on different characters in a small town. I hadn't read the other books, but decided to give this one a go after seeing it on Netgalley. I really liked it, but I wasn't as connected to the story as I hoped.

November Wrap Up!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog, where I don't regularly post! First, I'd like to acknowledge my lack of posting recently. School has been very hectic with finals, but I just finished the semester! I'll have an extended break from the 15th until the first week of the new year. Hopefully I'll be writing enough posts to keep me afloat. :)

During November, I read 10 books! I am pretty proud of this number since I had so much going on. Here are the 10 I read:

1) The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson 

 Goodreads

 The Accidental Beauty Queen is a quick, light, rom-com about two twins doing the classic switcheroo ala The Parent Trap at a peagant competition. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but it was great to read during such a stressful time.

2) Hamlet by Shakespeare

Goodreads

I wrote a whole research paper about Hamlet, so I'm kind of done talking about it. Hamlet isn't my favorite Shakespeare play (honestly, I don't know what is), but I enjoyed it and understood it a lot more than I did three years ago on my first read. 

3) Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Goodreads

By reading Lord of Shadows this November I was able to finally catch up with the Shadowhunter chronicles. Since Queen of Air and Darkness just released, I am now behind the curve. LoS was a wonderful book, but it wasn't completely perfect. Still, it's one of Clare's best additions!

4) My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Goodreads

I love Christina Lauren, so I was ecstatic when I won My Favorite Half-Night Stand through a goodreads raffle. I will say, Lauren's latest release is not my favorite, simply because I felt uncomfortable about the catfishing scenario. Nevertheless, this author duo's writing style is spot-on again. 

5) This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada

 Goodreads

This Cruel Design is the sequel to one of my favorite books of last year, This Mortal Coil. Though This Cruel Design didn't live up to my ultimate crush on This Mortal Coil, I really liked the sequel and the plot kept changing course so many times. I'm eagerly anticipating the third novel! Emily Suvada here I come! 

6) Bro Code by Kendall Ryan

 Goodreads

 Ah, another romance novel. I mean, would this be a wrap up anymore if I didn't have a romance novel with a cringe-y cover on the list? Bro Code wasn't a new favoirte, but it was a quick read. I'll be looking up Kendall Ryan on Scribd and seeing what else I can read from here!

7) Macbeth by Shakespeare

Goodreads 

Oh, Macbeth...what a play. I really enjoyed both Hamlet and Macbeth, and much like Hamlet, I understood and enjoyed it much more than my first time. If you are new to Shakespeare, I would recommend this or Romeo and Juliet as a first read! 

8) Trouble Brewing by Suzanne Balstar

Goodreads 

I recieved Trouble Brewing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Much like all the romance novels on the list, Trouble Brewing wasn't the best thing ever, but it was entertaining. I also liked the feminist undertones as well. 

9) The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst

Goodreads 

The Marriage Bargain was definitely my least favorite of the month. I saw it on Scribd and thought, why not? I normally read romance novels that are recently published, but I wasnted to give Jennifer Probst a try since she's so popular. Unfortunately, this didn't age well. There's cliches after cliches, and the love interest isn't that great of a guy, even after his "redemption."  

10) The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

 Goodreads

I have heard such wonderful things about The Wedding Date! While my sister went crazy at the local mall on Black Friday, I got tired of shopping quickly and headed over to the Barnes and Noble and read half of the book in one sitting. I then listened to the rest of it via audiobook on Scribd, and really enjoyed myself. While I thought some of the actions from the love interest were troubling (reacts harshly and kicks/throws things when angry), it was pretty good. The dailogue could get pretty stilted, but I liked The Wedding Date enough that I'm planning on reading Guillory's other release soon, The Proposal. 

Life Updates!

Goodreads Challenge!

I completed my goodreads challenge this month! My goodreads challenge was set to 100 books, and I surpassed that easily this year. This surprises me because I've rarely reached my goal these last two years. Being in English classes at my university helps, because it makes me read books even when I'm busy, because it's homework! I'm not going to up my challenge, and instead just read what I want with no pressure at all. 

Her Campus Articles!

As I mentioned last month, I am a staff writer for Her Campus, which is an online collegiate magazine. There's chapters all around the world, and I work for the one for my university. 

#WomensHealthAwareness: The Truth About the Susan G Komen Foundation 

Why I Decided to Live Off-Campus

#Gratitude: 2018 Has Been Difficult. Here's How I'm Staying Thankful.

Romance Novels Aren't Guilty Pleasures

Well, that was my November wrap up? Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

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

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

October Wrap Up!

Hello everyone and welcome back to my post! I'm Genni, and today I'll be wrapping up what I've read in October!

Schoolwork got pretty hectic, so I only read 8 books this month. I'm glad I managed to get to any though!

Without further ado, here are the books I read this past October!

1) Before We Were Free by Julia Alverez

Goodreads

I don't have much to say about Before We Were Free. I think I'm all talked-out, considering my class discussed this novel for over a week. It was good, and I recommend it. That is all! 

BOOK REVIEW | Analee, In Real Life by Janelle Milanes

Title: Analee, In Real Life
Author: Janelle Milanes
Series? No, Analee, In Real Life is a standalone novel.
Pages: 416
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: I received an e-galley of Analee, In Real Life via Netgalley. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Ever since her mom died three years ago, Analee Echevarria has had trouble saying out loud the weird thoughts that sit in her head. With a best friend who hates her and a dad who’s marrying a yogi she can’t stand, Analee spends most of her time avoiding reality and role-playing as Kiri, the night elf hunter at the center of her favorite online game.

Through Kiri, Analee is able to express everything real-life Analee cannot: her bravery, her strength, her inner warrior. The one thing both Kiri and Analee can’t do, though, is work up the nerve to confess her romantic feelings for Kiri’s partner-in-crime, Xolkar—aka a teen boy named Harris whom Analee has never actually met in person.

So when high school heartthrob Seb Matias asks Analee to pose as his girlfriend in an attempt to make his ex jealous, Analee agrees. Sure, Seb seems kind of obnoxious, but Analee could use some practice connecting with people in real life. In fact, it’d maybe even help her with Harris.

But the more Seb tries to coax Analee out of her comfort zone, the more she starts to wonder if her anxious, invisible self is even ready for the real world. Can Analee figure it all out without losing herself in the process?

Goodreads

Books I Plan on Reading Over Fall Break!

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be talking about the books I'm going to be reading this fall break. My fall break isn't too long - it starts from 5pm on October 17th to 8am on October 22nd. Essentially, I have Thursday and Friday off. Even though it's only a four day weekend, I do have some reading plans!

Here are the books I plan to finish over fall break! 

1) Mr. Nice Guy by Jennifer Miller and Jason Feifer

I've been sitting around the 75-80 percent mark of Mr. Nice Guy for some time. I'm just not enjoying the book as much as I wanted to. I just need 30 minutes or so to finish this one up! I hope to finish this one Wednesday night so I can focus on books that I'm currently reading and enjoying a lot more.

2) Analee, in Real Life by Janelle Milanes

I've read almost 150 pages of Analee, in Real Life. The book is a little over 400 pages, and I know I can knock this one out. If I'm being ambitious, I want to finish this one Wednesday night. If I'm being realistic, I'll probably finish this one sometime Thursday.

Thoughts While Listening To...| My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Title: My Plain Jane

Authors: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Series? Companion series, second in My Lady Janies
Length:10 hours, 7 minutes
Publication Date: June 26, 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: I listened to My Plain Jane via Overdrive. 

You may think you know the story. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. There, she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love—and, Reader, she marries him. (!!!)

Or does she?

Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.

 Goodreads

TTT | Books on My Fall TBR!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's topic is "books on my fall TBR!" I always associate fall with school, so for me, fall has already begun! Nevertheless, here are ten books that I hope to read! Most of these are ARCs, simply because I focus on them during school!

10) The Raging Ones by Krista and Becca Ritchie

 

Goodreads 

I have an ARC of this, and I haven't started it yet! I haven't read sci-fi in a while, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the genre. To be honest, I don't know much about the book, but it has gotten pretty good reviews! The 4.12 average rating on goodreads is promising. 

9) Mirage by Somaiya Daud

Goodreads

I am determined to finish Mirage. I was about 60 percent of the way through before I moved into university. Mirage moves a bit slower than I'm accustomed, so I already wasn't making quick progress. when I moved in, I wanted quick reads, like romance novels, so I put this one on pause. I've really loved what I have read though, so I want to acutally finish it! 

July Wrap Up!

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be looking at what I read in July!July was a month of contemporary reads for me. No matter what, I was in the mood to read about romance, which is obvious in this wrap up.

Now, onto the 13 books I read this past month!

1) Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Ice Kissed is the second book in Hocking's Kanin Chronicles, which is comprised of three books. I wrote a review on the first book here. I didn't write a review of Ice Kissed, because I started to read the third and final book, Crystal Kingdom, right away. I thought Ice Kissed was okay, but not much in terms of conflict was accomplished. In fact, the plot became more complex and added more characters. This would have been fine if the series was four or more books, but it left a lot to cover in just one book. 

2) Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

Discussion

Whew, you guys, I'm sad to say: I did not like this one at all. The plot was okay, but the way Katie McGarry handled sexual assault was insulting and disturbing. McGarry regularly blames the main character, who experiences the assault. In this new age of paying attention and holding people accountable for sexual violence, I was shocked to see such blatant victim-blaming. Ugh.

BOOK REVIEW | Sanctuary by Caryn Lix

Title: Sanctuary
Author: Caryn Lix
Series? I couldn't find any information on a sequel, but there is room for another book. However, if the this could stand alone.
Publication Date: July 24, 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: I received an e-arc of Sanctuary via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. :)

Alien meets Alexandra Bracken’s The Darkest Minds in this thrilling debut novel about prison-guard-in-training, Kenzie, who is taken hostage by the superpowered criminal teens of the Sanctuary space station—only to have to band together with them when the station is attacked by mysterious creatures.

Kenzie holds one truth above all: the company is everything.

As a citizen of Omnistellar Concepts, the most powerful corporation in the solar system, Kenzie has trained her entire life for one goal: to become an elite guard on Sanctuary, Omnistellar’s space prison for superpowered teens too dangerous for Earth. As a junior guard, she’s excited to prove herself to her company—and that means sacrificing anything that won’t propel her forward.

But then a routine drill goes sideways and Kenzie is taken hostage by rioting prisoners.

At first, she’s confident her commanding officer—who also happens to be her mother—will stop at nothing to secure her freedom. Yet it soon becomes clear that her mother is more concerned with sticking to Omnistellar protocol than she is with getting Kenzie out safely.

As Kenzie forms her own plan to escape, she doesn’t realize there’s a more sinister threat looming, something ancient and evil that has clawed its way into Sanctuary from the vacuum of space. And Kenzie might have to team up with her captors to survive—all while beginning to suspect there’s a darker side to the Omnistellar she knows.

Goodreads

BOOK REVIEW | Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen

Title: Nyxia Unleashed
Author: Scott Reintgen
Series? Yes, Nyxia Unleashed is the second in a YA science fiction series.
Pages: 400
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Source: I received an e-galley of Nyxia Unleashed in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. :)

Getting to Eden brought Emmett and his crewmates one step closer to their promised fortune. But surviving Eden may be the biggest reward of all. Discover book two in the trilogy Marie Lu called, “a high-octance thriller.”

Emmett Atwater thought Babel’s game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn’t take long for him to learn that Babel’s competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.

Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population.

But Emmett and the others quickly realize they are caught between two powerful forces—Babel and the Adamites—with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it’s too late?

Goodreads 

BOOK REVIEW | Everless by Sara Holland

Title: Everless
Author: Sara Holland
Series? Yes, Everless is the first book in a duology.
Pages: 362
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: I checked out the audiobook of Everless from my local library via Libby. 

In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Goodreads