Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: October

                Hello happy readers!  So there were a few changes made at work last week that changed some of my normally scheduled plans, i.e. formatting and posting from work in slow times.  No more social media access including blogs from the computer during shift so I had to do all this at the house which is taking some adjustment but I will push through.  That and I also forgot about to post this when I posted my movie corner I was focused on movies and Kingdom of Ash. So this wrap-up will focus on everything finished to the 28^th!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 52

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 7

No progress this month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 13 (almost there!!!)

What I’ve Read:

Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 18

What I've Read:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34!!!  COMPLETE

What I've Read:

Check, Please! (#Hockey  Vol 1) by Ngozi Ukazu (review)
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5) by Christina Bauer (review)

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  30 COMPLETE!!!

What I've Listened:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

                So I’ve knocked out 2 whole challenges with 2 months to spare!  I am getting close to my series ender and debut challenges which are goals now the others are not looking good but still hope to get higher on the list!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: September

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!  I am also having an extra two fosters for a short time while their normal foster is out of town and yeah I have been spoiler Bella is perfectly laid back for me but these two have crazy energy!  Plus 1 to 3 is huge and I love them but glad it's temporary I might have to ease on up to more!  Anywho here is my September wrap-up! 

One of the temps Texas (left) siting with Bella watching
Jackpot (not pictured) run in circles

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:46

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  8

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 10

What I’ve Read:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 17

What I've Read:

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 29

What I've Read:

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 26

What I've Listened:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

                So some are doing pretty solid and others not so much.  I hope to get a surge here towards the end and finish a few of the challenges at least!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: August

Bella with her cookie!

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!  I'm a bit later than normal but I forgot today was the 25th until I was at the adoption event.  My first one as a foster of the beautiful Bella was great she did well but still came home with me but I'm not complaining!  

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 43

Not looking the best as I'm not halfway there but I still hope to finish strong!

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 6 

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

 Nothing new...though when I started it I thought In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) was the last one but I was wrong...

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At:

What I've Read:

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At:  27

What I've Read:

Star-Touched Stories (The Star-Touched Queen # 2.5) by Roshani Chokshi (review)
Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi
Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons #3) by Sarah J. Maas

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  23

What I've Listened:

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi AdeyemiCatwoman:  Soulstealer (DC Icons #3) by Sarah J. Maas
In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

                I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: July

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 39

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Nothing new to report yet.  But next month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

I’m lacking but working on it.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 15

What I've Read:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)
By Your Side by Kasie West (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 24

What I've Read:

A Study in Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete (review)
Being Alpha (Alpha Girl #7) by Aileen Erin (review)

Cradled (Beholder #) by Christina Bauer

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 21

What I've Listened:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout
By Your Side by Kasie West

                I've got some serious catching up to do.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Always and Forever, Lara Jean

                Hello happy readers!  I am excited for the weekend, mostly because I'm off and don't have to work.  I also no longer have to worry about mowing or vacuuming which were on my to-do list because my chiropractor said don't do it and I have to listen to his orders.  Which means he wants me to rest and relax so I hope to get some reading/listening down and that is always a win!  Last weekend was very fruitful as I was able to finish up two audiobooks.  One of which is the final book in a series I have read this year, Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han.  I reviewed the previous books here:  To All the Boys I've Loved Before  and P.S. I Still Love You. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                We left off Lara Jean and things are good.  She is in her senior year with everything going great from school, prom, trips, her father finally found someone who makes him happy again, and oh yeah her boyfriend Peter is amazing.  She has plans to go to her dream college which is close enough she'll be home on weekends never going far from the family.  She has everything planned out.  Until the unexpected happens and the girl who doesn't like change has to rethink her future plans that cause her head and her heart to go in different directions. 

                So Lara Jean and Peter found their way back to one another and now they are stronger than ever.  Peter is so amazing.  Seriously I had my doubts at one point but he gets Lara Jean in a way others don't.  He can tell when she needs an out or just needs some support.  He knows how much her family means to her and works to be there for them too and to me that just makes him for me.  They are so normal and sweet.  High school sweet hearts who have so much going for them and wanting to make it work but as life starts to pull them in different directions they have to work harder to keep to their plans.  So many couples in high school face the option of doing long distance or ending things and it felt so normal to have this struggle. 

                The struggle of course is only compounded by their own unique circumstances.  Lara Jean never saw herself leaving home.  She loved her family and wants to continue to be super close with them and be there for her youngest sisters firsts as she grows up.  I loved that the idea of going to a college further away was a struggle but not just over a boy.  While love can make it a tough decision it had more going for it.  She has her family to think about and her own levels of comfort.  She would be somewhere completely new all alone and that can be scary for anyone.  Lara Jean is a lover for sure but she has much more going for her and considers everything.

                The in and out of the sisters and how they are dealing as life continues on with Margo coming to visit and seeing all that has changed.  Family dynamics change as new people come and go from our lives.  I think this was a beautifully rounded story about the every changing moments of our lives and the choices we make giving the risks, struggles, and rewards of it all.  It was so full of love, heart break, friendship, excitement, and growth.  Lara Jean and Peter have come a long way.  He has really been a catalyst for her to grow into the woman she was meant to become.  Seeing the world through her eyes was so much fun and experiencing all the huge senior moments with her was icing on the cake!

                This was a wonderful heartfelt series I just adore.  I was so happy I could listen to all of them pretty quickly without waiting.  I was happy to connect with Lara Jean and her crazy passionate life!  I am even more thrilled that I finished them before the movie comes out as I keep seeing trailers for it pop up on all my social media!  Now I can sit back and enjoy in a different format!

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: June

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 34

So according to my bar I’m 14 books behind schedule…..yikes.  Need to get on this!

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson (review)
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 14

What I've Read:

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 21

What I've Read:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard

Goal Keeper: A Pearson Players Novel by Sarah Nego (review)
Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 19

What I've Listened:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

                Still have a ways to go but I'm still proud of the progress!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

War Storm (Red Queen #4)

                Hello happy readers!  So I finally finished the final book in the Red Queen series War Storm by Victoria Aveyard.  Now you may remember that I went to a signing for this book last month and got to meet so many amazing people, including Beth Crowley who writes original music based on books she read and this one for Freysand of ACOMAF is stuck in my head!  Anywho at the event Victoria mentioned that people seemed to be split down the middle about her final book they either love it or hate it.  I was a bit concerned by that but now having read it I kind of get it.  I took a bit of time to process after finishing before I could sit down and articulate my thoughts.  But here they are fully digested and ready to share, spoilers for the previous books in the series.  Reviews to previous books:  Red Queen, Glass Sword, & King’s Cage. 

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                When we left  off things were not in a happy place.  Not like book two where Mare is taken captive bad but Cal just agreed to marry Evangeline and basically just broke Mare's heart choosing a crown over her.  So not a happy place.  Plus he messed up Evangeline's happiness which thanks to book three I now want.  But on more important news Cal's decision to fight for the crown has caused a hidden split with his Red allies as they don't plan to put another Silver in charge of them again.  But first they must remove the current king and go from there meaning Mare must continue to work with the boy who broke her heart.  Maven is a force but he is driven by an obsession deeper than any realize as he and his brother have more in common than they realize.  Allies that want to overthrow them.  It is all out war involving Silvers and Reds alike both on the same side and against one another.  Who will win?  Who will make it out the other side alive?  What will Norta end up?

                So this is a story of split war.  I loved that we got so many new POV's.  As I mentioned I was a bit leery of Evangeline getting a POV in the last book as I hated her but then I went and grew to like her.  I didn't full on love her like some of my others as she was still kind of a witch but I understood her so much better.  I even grew to want her to find a way to win, though only if she didn't mess with any of my others!  Which is huge progress from the first two books.  I looked forward to her story and seeing what was happening.  I felt bad for her and the whole love situation she was in, seriously I almost cried at some parts.  It was so messed up.  She ended up being one of my favorites of the series so huge kudos to the author for making that even possible!  We also got a new POV in Iris, the Lakelander princess / Maven's new wife.  That was very interesting to see how things are on her side, we got both the Lakelander perspective as well as one so close to Maven seeing him with a new outside light.  I liked getting to know more about the Lakelanders as they have been background for the first few books with new information constantly coming up.  She/they were also a villain different from Maven and seeing the pair side by side was very interesting. 

                And for other new surprising POV's that don't happen much and start late we do get a couple chapters from Maven himself!  I nearly swerved when the audiobook chapter stated "Maven" as the POV like what when did this happen???  The chapters while brief and limited are very enlightening.  His mind, warped as it has been from childhood is a very captivating place to me.  I can understand why the chapters are placed sparingly as too much from him would have taken away from him.  Small glimpses was a treat and more than enough to see just what has been hinted at.  On the flip side we also get to see a few chapters from Cal's POV which I enjoyed though as much as I enjoyed him, I didn't find them as fascinating as Mavens.  They didn't offer as much new insight for me.  I understood his reasons well enough as he is an open type of person who shares and is readable.  I already knew his reasons and motivations he was easier to read.  Still it was nice to have his own thoughts of his mother and brother that was a nice balm to the crazy going on.

                Of course we have Mare as the main POV.  I have some slightly mixed feelings on her.  I did feel at times she could be a bit wishy washy but she made a choice and she stuck with it.  She never wavered.  She hoped for a difference and took time for her when possible but she didn't waver in the overall choice.  I respect that.  She had some bad choices throughout the books sure but I think she held firm on the important parts.  I was with her in this, even as she struggled with her broken heart, her PTSD, and more she kept pushing forward.  That is impressive no matter what anyone says.  I enjoyed as she got to know more Newbloods like herself.  Knowing she wasn't the only one was a sweet moment not only in solidarity but in that they can teach her more of herself. 

                There are so many side characters who really came to life in this story.  Some stepped into new lights like Jullian.  We got to see more of Evangeline's family which again is crazy and Cal's granny.  We also got to see more from the Premiere and the world he lives in and wants to help spread.  The world we want!  The time spent there was beautifully written and impacted so much.  And of course General Farley was up front and center because she has come a long way since we first met her and she has struggled through so much on her own.  I really wished we had a few chapters from her.  Some of the others we spent so much time with in previous books were less focused in this one like Cameron and Kilorn to name a few. 

                Overall the story was well done for me.  There was action and intrigue as we expect and lots of political espionage happening in all corners.  The character building and even world building as we tear down one part.  It had a lot going for it in this book and series overall.  The end had parts I expected and parts that shocked me.  I was unsure how I felt at first having finished it just in shock of it all but it makes sense.  It won't be a perfect happily ever after for anyone there was just a massive war both internal and external so lots happening there.  That can't be solved or wrapped up in a little bow.  It gave the open ending we needed to believe it was possible.  Some relationships were broken but some have the possibility of rebuilding just like the world and I love that.  I love the parallels there.  At first I wanted a quick instant fix but then I realized that wouldn’t have fit with the epic journey we had just finished.  So I am very satisfied with the ending.  Even if I wanted more as soon as I finished!

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: May

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:27

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross (review)
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 6

What I’ve Read:

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton (review)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 12

What I've Read:

King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 16

What I've Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas (review)
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton
Moonlight & Midtown (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1.5) by Christina Bauer (review)

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 14

What I've Listened:

         
The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas
King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton

                I have a few more I’m enjoying including the new War Storm which will count for several challenges so even better!  I also have some ARC’s to dive into so lots to keep me busy!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!