Uglies

Uglies

Scott Westerfeld

(2.5 stars)

For some reason, while I was reading this book I got a serious case of deja-vu that I had read something so so similar and just couldn't put my finger on it. Either way, it felt almost non-original and rushed. The concept was definitely interesting, the main character just frustrated me.

Stardust (#1)

Stardust (#1)

Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess

This just seemed a little too 'fairytale-esque' and not enough to keep me interested. However, I loved the illustrations! (The reason I picked this up in the first place not realizing it was 1 of 4)

Words of Radiance

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson

I loved this so much, but reading it made me so anxious! I had to renew it from my library about 5 times and still barely finished it in time. I wish that these monstrosities were broken in half just to ease the read.

Broken Harbour

Broken Harbour

Tana French

I'm still loving French's writing style and this series, but I was already weary about reading from Scorcher's POV, and I was right to be.

The Way of Kings

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

There was a lotttt of info to get through in this one, but I think I might actually enjoy the series more than Mistborn (which surprises me)

Rebel of the Sands

Rebel of the Sands

Alwyn Hamilton

(3.5)

I felt like just when I was really starting to feel this book, it took a nosedive.

Vicious

Vicious

V. E. Schwab

I'm a sucker for the anti-hero and this book is filled with 'em.

Legendary

Legendary

Stephanie Garber

(3.5)

I'm not sure why, but I thought this series was just going to be a duology and that this would be the end so it was a little disappointing to not have a concrete ending, but I can't really complain that the magic will continue, I just hope that it keeps with the Caraval theme.

Winter

Winter

Marissa Meyer

I'm a little torn, so we'll say 3.5 rounded to 4

There were things I really liked about this series conclusion, and things I wish were a bit different but I did enjoy most of the book, and the series in general. What held it together for me were the characters and the fairy tales weaved through all of them.

Children of Blood and Bone

Children of Blood and Bone

Tomi Adeyemi

I enjoyed certain things about this book, but it felt a bit unoriginal.

The Black Witch

The Black Witch

Laurie Forest

I remember when this book first came out it was surrounded by controversy and people were taking sides as to whether the book was truly bigoted, so I wanted to give it time to cool off before I read it barring any judgment.

Muse of Nightmares

Muse of Nightmares

Laini Taylor

As always, Taylor blew me away with this one. It wasn't at all what I was expecting, but still fantastic either way.

2019 Resolutions

I didn't make my goal of 85 last year, but that's okay! I'm giving myself a break seeing as how I lost a job, bought a house, and got a new job in such a short amount of time that I haven't had time to breathe let alone read.

Even though I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, I read most of the books from my resolution!

The books I hope to read in 2019 are:

(carrying over from 2018 resolutions)

- Legendary, Stephanie Garber

- Rebel of the Sands, Alwyn Hamilton

(new)

- Muse of Nightmares, Laini Taylor

- Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo

- Winter, Marissa Meyer

- War Storm, Victoria Aveyard

- The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson

- The Shadowglass, Rin Chupeco

- The Tudors, G. J. Meyer

re-reads of Harry Potter and The Name of the Wind

2018 Favorite Reads

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(A LITTLE LATE)

As always, not including re-reads, here were some of my favorite reads of 2018:

- Strange the Dreamer, Laini Taylor

- Days of Blood & Starlight, Laini Taylor

- Dreams of Gods & Monsters, Laini Taylor

- Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

- Golden Son, Pierce Brown

- The Heart Forger, Rin Chupeco

- Vicious, V.E. Schwab

- Obsidio, Amie Kaufman

and honorable mentions

- Cress, Marissa Meyer

- The Likeness, Tana French

As for my original reading resolutions, I read a decent amount!:

- American Gods, Nail Gaiman
- Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
- finish the Outlander series
- The Demon King, Cinda Williams Chima
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson
- Gemina, Amie Kaufman
- Golden Son, Pierce Brown
- Siege and Storm, Leigh Bardugo
- The Heart Forger, Rin Chupeco
- The Likeness, Tana French
- Vicious, V. E. Schwab
- Strange the Dreamer, Laini Taylor

and the two I didn't get to that will carry over:

- Legendary, Stephanie Garber
Rebel of the Sands, Alwyn Hamilton

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give

Angie Thomas

I've been so busy lately with a new house and a new job that I haven't had much time to read, but I made time for this one.

Strange the Dreamer

Strange the Dreamer

Laini Taylor

I thought I loved everything about Taylor's other series, but this book was just a masterpiece.

Kingdom of Ash

Kingdom of Ash

Sarah J. Maas

What a worthy ending to an overall entertaining series.

*SPOILERS BELOW*

Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess

Cassandra Clare

Honestly, this book had me questioning why I bothered and actually seemed to like the previous 2 books of this series. I'm not sure if it was bad timing (trying to rush through to bring back to the library in order to keep going with ToG now that I got Kingdom of Ash), or if I really just disliked everything in this book and what it stood for.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Laini Taylor

I really need to start taking notes as I read, especially monster sized books such as this (pun intended). I loved the ending so much that I really feel like I loved the whole thing, but I don't really remember everything that happened. I'm also wondering if there will be a sequel at some point? :)

On a more personal note...

On a more personal note...

Today is my last day after 3 years at my current job. My sister worked for the company and made me aware of a temporary full-time position making decent money while I was going to school. Even though I knew that the plant would be closing, I was hired on the spot with a one year contract which then was extended to another year and eventually the company hired me outright to ensure that I would have benefits and a severance package once our time here was complete because they knew how hard I worked and how much I did every day. Most people at the plant have been working here for 30+ years, and even though I didn't get to know everyone here and even though we all knew that this day would come, it is beyond depressing. As each person makes their rounds to say goodbye and good luck, all I can think about is how bitter I am.