2017 End-Of-Year Survey

I cannot believe 2017 is coming to a close already. And what a mess this year has been. Yikes. I am beyond ready for 2018. But, if you're reading this, just remember you survived the garbage fire of 2017!!!!!!! We did it, friends. In my personal life, this year has been a disaster, but it has opened up the gates of opportunity, setting me up for an excellent 2018.

Anyway, here's how my year was in books and blogging.

Number Of Books You Read: 44
Number of Re-Reads: 5
Genre You Read The Most From: Contemporary

1. Best Book You Read In 2017?

Yeah, I'm going to have to ask you to refer to the list I made of my favorite reads of 2017. I ain't picking just one.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?


Geekerella by Ashley Poston | Don't get me wrong--I still really enjoyed this book! It was cute and fun, but I expected it to be among my favorites this year (like it was for many others), but sadly it just barely missed the mark. No worries, I am still a total Ashley Poston fangirl and she is on my auto-buy list.




3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally | I've read a few of the previous books in this series and they were very middle-of-the-road reads for me. Forgettable. But I enjoyed this one a lot! This novel managed to give me the fluffy, romantic fix I needed, along with depth and characters I ended up becoming very invested in.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Caraval by Stephanie Garber | My book pushing habits were a bit wilted this year, but I know I encouraged many a-people on Twitter to pick this gem up, which is funny because people on Twitter are the reason I read it myself.





5. Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?

I actually started quite a few series this year, which is new for me. The best series I've started this year goes to Caraval by Stephanie Garber (buckle in, kiddos, because this book is going to be my answer to a lot of questions). The best sequel goes to Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. And I haven't really read any series enders because I suck at commitment, okay. I can't remember the last time I finished a series.


6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017?

I read so many new-to-me authors this year and I can't pick a favorite, so stay tuned for this upcoming Top Ten Tuesday when I'll discuss all my favorite new-to-me authors.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Even though one of my goals for the year was to read out of my comfort zone, I didn't. Like, at all.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | This novel, just like its predecessor, kept me on my toes literally the entire time. I could not wait to see what insane situations these characters would find themselves in next. This series is wild, my dudes.





9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer | This was the first book I read in 2017 and one of my favorites. It has been nearly a year since I read it and I'm having withdrawals. I need to pick it up again and rediscover its charm.





10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?

Caraval by Stephanie Garber | Every iteration of this book is beautiful. The US edition, the UK editions. And while it's gorgeous on a computer screen, the cover is even more stunning in its physical form.





11. Most memorable character of 2017?

Jest from Heartless by Marissa Meyer | Trust me, I will NEVER forget.







12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017?

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh | This novel is brimming with lovely descriptions. Ahdieh sure knows how to paint a picture with her words.






13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?

Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba | Not particularly life-changing, but it was thought-provoking. Not only because it made me ponder the important moments of my life, both big and small. Also, it made me wonder what the heck certain aspects were supposed to mean.





14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read?

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | It started off a bit slow and confusing, but when it took off, IT TOOK OFF. I fell in love with the characters and the book's style. It is riveting and emotional and ALL THE GOOD WORDS YOU CAN THINK OF. I'm so mad that it took me so long to join this party.




15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017?

I shall repeat last year's answer: I am 100% too lazy to go find an answer for this. 

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017?

Shortest: Lackadaisy by Tracy J. Butler (graphic novel) | 96 pages
Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction by Benjamin Percy (essay collection) | 173 pages
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (novel) | 176 pages
Longest: Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | 659 pages

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | This novel was unlike anything I'd ever read before. I also kind of went into it blind. I knew it was a sci-fi novel, but not much else. I was never prepared for any of the twists and turns this novel brought.





18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

First of all, I feel personally attacked because there are a lot. But. I'm gonna go with Marko and Alana from the Saga graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples | When the series begins, they already have an established, solid relationship. Throughout the series, their relationship faces many a challenge, but the pair proves that their love for one another is enough to conquer any obstacle.



19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Lina and Howard from Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch | They began as strangers and developed such a sweet father-daughter relationship, despite certain circumstances that could really hinder the progress of their relationship. As a total daddy's girl, I adored seeing the two grow more affection for each other.




20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Once and for All by Sarah Dessen | I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it until the end of time: Sarah Dessen is my queen! Her latest novel had everything I love in a Dessen novel (summer, romance, family) and was also somehow different than all her other works.





21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum | Someone on Twitter said this book was a must-read and I had just won it in a giveaway. I knew nothing about it. I wasn't even that excited about it. But it is INCREDIBLE. Seriously, everyone should read this.






22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017?

Okay, again, attacked because I have many many many many. I kinda wanna make a post about this, though, so I shall leave you with only one: Nik Malikov from Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. He is one of the newest of my fictional crushes.





23. Best 2017 debut you read?

Caraval by Stephanie Garber | This might actually be the only 2017 debut I read this year, but I'm fairly confident it would still be my favorite. If you couldn't tell, I loved this book.






24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer | Everything was so whimsical and fantastical and I was absolutely sucked into this world of nonsense. The excellent world building is one of the many reasons I am so in love with this novel.





25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate | A CAPPELLA!!!!!!








26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017?

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson | No matter how much I prepared myself, I was not nearly prepared enough for the mess of emotions this book evoked. Morgan Matson is a true genius with character and I was probably wayyyy too invested in these characters' lives.





27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum | I need to hear more people talking about this novel. Somehow this book managed to break my heart and put it back together again. I love this book.






28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer | There's a reason this book is called Heartless and it's because Marissa Meyer is cruel and ripped my beating heart right out of my chest. And I adored every second of it.






29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017?

The Saga graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples | Everything in this series is so imaginative. The images are vivid and the world is creative as heck.






30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The One by Kiera Cass | Listen, I devoured the first three books in this series in like 2 days. They were so addictive and easy to get lost in. HOWEVER, this series makes me angry because there's legit no reason for it to have so many books, aside from the fact that the protagonist is an indecisive, blathering excuse of a human.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017?
I haven't read any book blogs in months, unfortunately.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?
Yeah, what an easy decision. Definitely. 

(I'm lying)

Here are a few I like: 

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?
I feel like, for a little while at least, I really stepped my game up this year with discussion posts and other non-review posts. I always strive for creative content and to talk about things that other people might not be talking about right now. That said, I have several discussion/non-review posts that I am quite proud of. Sorry, but not really.

A discussion on backlist books

7 Reasons Book Lovers Are Actually Masochists

8 Ways to Spread Positivity in the Book Community

A discussion on doing it all in the book community

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
Um, to be honest, I didn't really participate in anything this year.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

When I was blogging consistently, I loved all the comments I was getting on my discussion posts and all the creative ideas I was having. 

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

The same thing I struggle with every year: Reading and posting during the school semester. I'm just not capable of focusing on my blog or pleasure reading while also focusing on school. It's simply not possible for me. 

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
My list of the Top Ten Anticipated Reads in the Second Half of 2017 got a good amount of views and comments. (In case anyone was wondering, I've literally only read one of the books on the list)

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
From the Page to the Stage #1: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Literature/Writing Classes I Wish I Could Take

The Eclectic Corner #7: Song Lyrics

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I've been a bad little blogger this year, okay. I feel like I've been so removed from the community for most of the year and not focusing on the bookish side of my life.

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I had several resolutions that I set forth for myself at the beginning of the year, and while I did a mediocre job living up to many of them, there are a few I feel I accomplished: 

1) Read more series. I'm still not a series-reading machine, but I'm working on it. 

2) Read more popular books/new releases. Of the 44 books I read this year, 14 of them are 2017 releases. Out of the books that are not new releases, 12 of the books I read are fairly popular novels (and that's excluding my re-reads). Sounds good to me. 

3) Strive for quality. Like I said earlier, I've produced a lot of posts I'm really proud of this year, so I consider that a win. 

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I got an eARC and I STILL HAVEN'T READ IT. Why, you ask? I have no idea, but I need to!!!!!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)?
Okay, wow. This is a tough one.

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?
Admittedly, school took me away from the book community for awhile, so I'm not tuned into the hype surrounding next year's debuts. However, I have heard wonderful things about American Panda by Gloria Chao, and the premise sounds really compelling!

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff | AHHHHHHHHHH.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?
I'm hoping to be more consistent with my reading habits (I say for the millionth year in a row. It never happens). Also, while I want to keep this a book blog, I want to incorporate more lifestyle elements and more writing.

6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

None :(

Oy. What a year. Admittedly, I read some pretty wonderful shit. I'm definitely lucky in that regard. So here's to 2018 and hoping that it's full of delightful reads for all of us!

What do you think of my selections? How was your bookish and blogging life in 2017??

Schoolyard Treasures #3

This is a feature I thought of in class, when I was supposed to be doing something that was not thinking of blog posts. Basically, since school started back up, I know I won't be doing much reading for pleasure, but, as an English major, I will be doing a ton of reading. I wanted to share with you all some of the new authors/stories/etc. I've read for a class and really enjoyed. I love that this gives me a space to talk about classic literature and short stories, which I usually don't talk about.

This past semester, I was in a graphic novels class, which I loved. For the first time in my college career I actually did pretty much all the reading for a class--and some of it I did in advance, which I can assure you has never happened before. 

I got to read a ton of interesting graphic novels and learn about a ton of interesting graphic novels that I want to read. But today I'm here to share with you my favorite graphic novel that I read for class, which I'd never even heard of before. 

Daytripper by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba
(standalone)
Published: February 8, 2011 by Vertigo (DC Comics)

Summary from Goodreads:What are the most important days of your life?

Meet Brás de Oliva Domingos. The miracle child of a world-famous Brazilian writer, Brás spends his days penning other people's obituaries and his nights dreaming of becoming a successful author himself—writing the end of other people's stories, while his own has barely begun.

But on the day that life begins, would he even notice? Does it start at 21 when he meets the girl of his dreams? Or at 11, when he has his first kiss? Is it later in his life when his first son is born? Or earlier when he might have found his voice as a writer?

Each day in Brás's life is like a page from a book. Each one reveals the people and things who have made him who he is: his mother and father, his child and his best friend, his first love and the love of his life. And like all great stories, each day has a twist he'll never see coming...

In Daytripper, the Eisner Award-winning twin brothers Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá tell a magical, mysterious and moving story about life itself—a hauntingly lyrical journey that uses the quiet moments to ask the big questions.

 This graphic novel has won some major awards and has been on the NYT bestsellers list, I'm pretty sure, so it's not like it's unknown or underrated or anything, but I've never heard of it before and I'm a little uncertain as to why. Maybe because it came out in 2011? I don't know.

Either way, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Not only is it beautiful, but it's an interesting, kinda mind-fucky story. If you're a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one. And if you're not a graphic novel person, I seriously recommend this one.

HAVE YOU READ DAYTRIPPER? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, DOES IT SOUND INTERESTING TO YOU?

My Favorite Books of 2017

I know, I know. We still have a couple days left of 2017 so I could potentially still discover a new favorite to add to the list, but I don't know how much reading I'm going to be doing, so I figured I'd take my chances. Here are my top ten favorite books of 2017 (in no particular order).

1) What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum | (MY REVIEW) - This books gave me so many emotions. It was sweet and heartbreaking all at the same time. This is a beautiful contemporary novel and features a character on the autism spectrum. ★★★★½

2) Caraval by Stephanie Garber | (MY REVIEW) - This was an absolute roller coaster of a read. It had my emotions ALL OVER THE PLACE. And it certainly kept me on my toes. It was a wild, all-consuming ride and I loved every single second of it. ★★★★★

3) Noteworthy by Riley Redgate | (MY REVIEW) - A SINGING BOOK!! And a good one at that. This novel was so fun and explorative, a novel that stands out among the trillions of YA contemporary books at our disposal. ★★★★¼

4) Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - Holy shit this book (and its predecessor) is such an exciting, crazy read. It starts out a little slow, a little confusing and then it picks up speed and flies. I could not turn the pages fast enough. The characters are great and it's told in such an interesting format and I cannot wait until book 3. ★★★★★

5) Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin | (MY REVIEW) - This one certainly took me by surprise! It's a bit gritty and complicated and left my feelings all sorts of confused. It alternates between standard formatting and play formatting, between past and present. It was a truly wonderful reading experience. ★★★★★

6) Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - Morgan Matson is an expert at characterization. I fell in love with all the characters in this novel and cried so many tears. Everything she writes is beautiful and relatable and speaks to my heart. ★★★★

7) Heartless by Marissa Meyer | (MY REVIEW) - I fucking love this book and I will never stop loving this book. It was so fun and interesting and exciting until it broke my heart into five gazillion pieces. Freaking incredible. ★★★★★

8) Once and For All by Sarah Dessen | (MY REVIEW) - Sarah Dessen is the queen of all queens, okay. This book was both lovely and tragic. And very Sarah Dessen. Let's just leave it at that. ★★★★½

9) Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples - I read the first half of this graphic novels series last year, but I re-read it this year and continued on and it's SO GOOD. The art is incredible and the story is addicting and the characters are so bad ass. ★★★★★

10) Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett - This book is very much in the vain of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson, so of course I adored it. It's cute and emotional and so real. ★★★★

Those are my favorites of 2017. WHAT ARE YOURS? DO WE HAVE ANY  IN COMMON?

The Eclectic Corner #8: My Unrealistic Christmas List

The Eclectic Corner is a feature on The Left-Handed Book Lover in which I talk about basically anything I want. A whole variety of topics! This is kinda like my chance to talk about non-bookish things. I came up with this idea because I really wanted to incorporate my love of TV shows and music somehow. This gives me a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers beyond similar taste in books.

I did my very first Eclectic Corner post almost exactly two years ago, and it was MY UNREALISTIC CHRISTMAS LIST. Last year, I decided to bring it on back. So, here I am for year three!! 

So basically on this list are going to be things I really want but would never ask anyone to get me because MONEY (or because they're just not feasible wishes). This year it has been a bit tougher to decide because my situation is VASTLY different than it has been in the past 2 years. Beside straight up money, there's not a whole lot I need, but here we go! 

I'm something of a clothes addict, and ya girl has not purchased any new clothes in a hot minute. It's torture, I tell ya. TORTURE! But with the onslaught of adulthood comes bills and grad school application fees and other less-fun things I have to spend money on. So, if someone could just take me into a store or two and be like, "Hey girly, buy everything your little heart desires," that would be ideal, thanks. 

Speaking of grad school applications, I really wouldn't mind if someone handed me an acceptance letter or two. Applying has been an exhausting, nerve wracking process, and I'm not even close to being finished yet. Also, am very much convinced that I'm not going to get accepted anywhere so I'd like it if that, you know, weren't the case. 

Listen, I don't like country music, but Shania Twain is my queen. My goddess. MY PRESIDENT. I am literally obsessed with her and this little last hurrah tour she's doing would be my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her live, which is basically the dream. Funny story, though, I'M GOING TO BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHEN SHE'S TOURING so I guess the caveat to this wishlist item would be that I get tickets and meet & greet passes during a time when I'd actually be able to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be bitter about this until the day I go, just so everyone is aware. 

So I have a slight tattoo problem. I currently have 7 and want at least a billion more. Problem is, they're expensive. I just don't see anyone in my family paying for me to get more anytime soon. Let's just say I'm pretty much the only ink enthusiast in my family. 

WHAT IS ON YOUR UNREALISTIC CHRISTMAS LIST?

Jingle All the Way Book Tag (Year 2)

This is a Christmas book tag I created last year and so I figured I'd bring it on back for round two.

JINGLE BELLS

A fun, light-hearted book/series 

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Okay, so this novel isn't ENTIRELY sunshine and unicorns, but it's really heckin' fun and cute.

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUSE

A book/series with a scandalous romance

The Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

This entire graphic novel series basically hinges on their scandalous relationship and their even more scandalous child! Now Everybody and their frickin chinchilla is hunting them down and all we can do is hope that their love (and their lives) can stand the trillion trials and tribulations they undergo. 

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

A book/series you are determined to re-read

Shatter Me series by Tahareh Mafi

I've been wanting to re-read this series for a while now, and with the new book (!!!!!!!!!!!!) coming out, I absolutely HAVE to re-read it. 

SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN 

Your most anticipated release of 2018

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This was incredibly difficult because there are so many books coming out in 2018 that I need in my life (more than usual, it seems--maybe because I've read more new releases this year so I gotta get the sequels in my hands stat), but I picked Obsidio mostly because I finished Gemina like a week ago and it was incredible. I need to know what happppppppens. 

SILENT NIGHT

A beautiful book/series that everyone knows

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

This book is obviously beautiful to look at, but the writing is beautiful and the characters are beautiful and I'm in love with this book. Feel free to check out my review from earlier this year!

WINTER WONDERLAND

A book/series with great worldbuilding

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

This is the first book I read in 2017 and it remains one of my absolute favorites (Take a gander at my lil review if you want to read all my nonsensical gushing). One of the reasons it was so utterly captivating and magical is because the world that Marissa Meyer gives us is quirky and, yeah, based on Lewis Carroll's world, but also completely her own. 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

An underhyped book/series that is so great you want to tell everyone about it

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

I wasn't really sure what I was getting into with this novel, but I fell in love with it. It's a romance but it's more than a romance. And it has autism rep. It broke my heart and sewed it back together. I cannot understand why more people aren't talking about this novel (but you can totally read my review if you wanna know more about it).

I SAW THREE SHIPS

Favorite trilogy

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

All right, well, fuck me because I have read very few trilogies in their entirety. This was tough because Delirium is one of my all-time favorite novels, but I'm not as fond as the rest of the books in the series. I mean, they're not horrible or anything, but they are by no means on the same level as the trilogy's first installment.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

A book/series with an underdog protagonist who rises up

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

When I think about this trope, I don't usually think about contemporary novels, but in a way, most contemporary books fit this description. Noteworthy has excellent character development, and I really loved to see how Jordan, the protagonist, started from the bottom and rose to a whole new level of happiness and talent and awareness. (My review for anyone interested.)

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

A book/series that helped you get through troubling times

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Okay, this is the only answer I'm keeping the same as last year, because this will always be my answer to a question like this. I could write an entire post about this. In fact, I have! Check out the guest post I did over at Book Nerds Across America if you're curious how deeply significant this book is in my life.

And that's all for the Jingle All the Way book tag! I'm not going to tag specific people, but I encourage you to do this if you think it sounds fun!!! 

Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings Me

CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Okay, sorry, I just really love Christmas. I'm calm now.

That said, I present to you the books I wish Santa would bring me (but like prolly not because I never get books for Christmas, as sad as that is).

1) Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley - Crowley's Graffiti Moon is one of my all-time favorite books and so I was pumped as heck when I saw she was releasing this one. It was one of my most anticipated releases for the year. It sounds so cute and yeah I just really wanna read it.

2) There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins - Another one of my most anticipated releases.

3) The Magicians by Lev Grossman - I'm obsessed with the TV series and it doesn't feel right to love it so much without having read the series.

4) Saga, Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staple - This is the only book I actually asked for for Christmas because I am obsessed with this graphic novel series and graphic novels are v expensive.

5) Now I Rise by Kiersten White - Annnnd another of my most anticipated releases of the year (see a trend here?). I've made no secret of my love for And I Darken, the first book in the series and I cannot believe I haven't picked this one up yet.

6) Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - I just finished Becky's most recent book and really enjoyed it, and with the movie coming out soon, I need to read this one!! (Plus, NICK ROBINSON my love)

7) Into the Black by Ava Jae - I adored the first book in the series and the sequel's release snuck up on me without me even realizing it.

8) The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee - I have heard nothing but fabulous things about this one! It seems like the kind of fun I've been craving since My Lady Jane.

9) Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire - Another book I've heard a ton of buzz about and it sounds incredibly interesting.

10) Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco - I'm going to be reading the first book in the series very soon so it would be nice to have the sequel on hand the moment I finish.

7 Books I Need To Read Before The End Of The Year

All right, lads and lasses. We are two weeks (!!!!) away from the New Year, and if ya girl wants to complete her Goodreads goal of 50 books, I need to read 7 more books before this year comes to a close. And ya girl wants to reach her goal. I've actually never reached my Goodreads goal before, but by the grace of graphic novels, I'm closer than ever this year, and I gotta cross that finish line.

A book every two days. I can do that. Easy peasy??????

Here are the 7 books I plan to read, selected from the few books I brought to Florida with me and the books that are on my kindle.

1) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

I've heard truly marvelous things about this book and its sequel. I've had this book sitting on my shelf since its release and grabbed it on a whim before leaving for vacation. Also, after a writing project for school I've been especially interested in Jack the Ripper, so it seemed like a perfect read to take with me.

2) To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

This is a book I've been wanting to re-read for quite some time because I wanted a refresher before cracking open the series' newest addition. Plus, I know it will be quick and light and fun. A good time guaranteed. 

3) The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert 

I don't know much about this one, but I feel like I've heard some positive reviews and I have an eARC so, ya know, might as well.

4) A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

Again, I don't know much about this one but it's on my kindle and it is fairly short.

5) The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

This is one of the longer novels on my list, but this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I got an eARC and I never read it and so I'll be very disappointed in myself if I don't finish this one by the end of the year.

6) Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider

This is really short and sounds cute. Plus, judging by the cover, it's fairly winter-y and it takes place in New York and it sounds like the perfect recipe for a quick, cute contemporary, which we all know I can't get enough of.

7) Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne

Another book I got from NetGalley and have yet to read (I suck, I know). But after re-reading the summary, it sounds interesting as heck and I can't wait to read it.