Even though I had a serious book slump at the beginning of the year, I surpassed my reading goal of 50 books by reading 59! now I did have a few "cheat" books toward the end of the year so here is a break down of what I read!!!
Physical books:
Caraval: Stephanie Garber
The Proposal: Jasmine Guillory
The Wicked King: Holly Black
The ruth about Happily Ever After: Karole Cozzo
Rush: Maya Banks
Fever: Maya Banks
The Warrior Maiden: Melanie Dickerson
Dumbo: Kari Sutherland
Be More Chill: Ned Vizzini
The Sister Grimm Series: Michael Buckley
Aladdin: Elizabeth Rudnick
Geekerella: Ashley Poston
The Princess and the FanGirl: Ashley Poston
Stain: A.G. Howard
The Key to Happily Ever After: Tif Marcelo
The Wedding Party: Jasmine Guillory
Fix Her Up: Tessa Bailey
The Wicked Queen: Gena Showalter
Capturing the Devil: Kerri Maniscalco
American Royals: Katherine McGee
A Tale of Magic: Chris Colfer
Conceal, Don't Feel: Jen Calonita
A Map of Days: Ransom Riggs
Looking for Alaska: John Green
An Abundance of Katherines: John Green
Audio books-via Hoopla
After Alice: Gregory Maguire
Legendary: Stephanie Garber
The Shadow Queen: C.J.Redwine
The Wish Granter: C.J. Redwine
The Traitor Prince:C.J. Redwine
The Blood Spell: C.J. Redwine
Heartless: Marissa Meyer
Pretty in Punxsutawney: Laurie Boyle Crompton
Banished: Betsy Schow
The End of Oz: Danielle Paige
A Dance of Silver and Shadow: Melanie Cellier
A Tale of Beauty and Beast: Melanie Cellier
A Crown of Snow and Ice: Melanie Cellier
A Deam of Ebony and White: Melanie Cellier
"Cheat" books
The Hidden Power of Fucking Up: Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang
Dad Jokes: A. Grambs
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Offical Black Spire Outpost Cookbook: Insight Editions
Little Moments of Love: Catana Chetwynd
What's Your Poo Telling You?: Josh Richman
Wookie Cookies: a star Wars Cookbook: Robin Davis
The Wizard's Cookbook: Aurelia Beaupommier
Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth: The Offical Touring History: Skip Daly
The cheat books were all comics/cookbooks my husband and I received for Christmas, and yes, I did get my Husband the dad jokes book. I'm excited to see where my reading will go this year. I'm hoping to complete some series and continue with ones that are still going strong. I also created a shelf on GoodReads for my daughter's books so I can keep track of them when I'm out and about shopping.
I hope everyone has a fantastic reading year! let me know what you read!!!
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Monday, January 6, 2020
Life Update!!!!
It has been over a year since I have posted and I know, I suck. but here's a brief glance at my last year:
Tyler and I had a baby!!! We found out we were pregnant right after the start of the new year last year. I had a very hard first 20 weeks with severe morning sickness and migraines. in July, we had a small scare where I had not felt our daughter move in close to a week, this resulted in us having to have an NST (non-stress test) once a week until she was born. I was induced on September 25th after three weeks of unbearable pain, so bad I had to leave work and go to the hospital for them to send me home after 2 hours as I wasn't dilated enough for them to do much. my water broke on September 26th at 12:30 AM and Octavia Ellen was born at 3:25 AM. A very quick birth with no medicine other than a small numbing agent for an episiotomy. In addition to the baby, we also bought a house in June. Shockingly enough, we are still unpacking.
I also surpassed my reading goal for the year at 59/50 books! I had a very slow start as that morning sickness took a lot out of me and I was very restless and couldn't sit still long enough to actually read. I will have a breakdown of my 2019 in books soon.
I promise that now have my baby and I am back at work, I won't let this slip away again. Fingers crossed 2020 ends up just as amazing and rewarding as 2019!!
xoxo, Josi
Tyler and I had a baby!!! We found out we were pregnant right after the start of the new year last year. I had a very hard first 20 weeks with severe morning sickness and migraines. in July, we had a small scare where I had not felt our daughter move in close to a week, this resulted in us having to have an NST (non-stress test) once a week until she was born. I was induced on September 25th after three weeks of unbearable pain, so bad I had to leave work and go to the hospital for them to send me home after 2 hours as I wasn't dilated enough for them to do much. my water broke on September 26th at 12:30 AM and Octavia Ellen was born at 3:25 AM. A very quick birth with no medicine other than a small numbing agent for an episiotomy. In addition to the baby, we also bought a house in June. Shockingly enough, we are still unpacking.
I also surpassed my reading goal for the year at 59/50 books! I had a very slow start as that morning sickness took a lot out of me and I was very restless and couldn't sit still long enough to actually read. I will have a breakdown of my 2019 in books soon.
I promise that now have my baby and I am back at work, I won't let this slip away again. Fingers crossed 2020 ends up just as amazing and rewarding as 2019!!
xoxo, Josi
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Don't Break the Rules, Change 'Em
Puddin': Julie Murphy
In my first audiobook read, Puddin' kept me hooked from start to finish. The companion novel to Dumplin', tells the story of Millie and Callie and how they are thrown together; When Millie's family gym pulls its sponsorship of Callie's dance team, she and the team take revenge on the gym by vandalizing it. When Callie is the only one that is identified, she is forced to work there to pay off the damages and becomes friends with Millie. As they both grow closer they learn that appearance doesn't matter as much as true friendship does.
This was one of my first audiobook reads since the Harry Potter series and I quite enjoyed it. I was very interested in the concept of the spin-off novel with the two minor characters but, WOW, was it so well written and well told that I felt like I was really there with them every step of the way. I would listen on my way to and from work and would stay in my car to keep listening. I think the only thing I would like more is another spin-off of more characters from the Dumplin' universe.
Pros:
Extremely immersive
Cons:
Could've been a little shorter
In my first audiobook read, Puddin' kept me hooked from start to finish. The companion novel to Dumplin', tells the story of Millie and Callie and how they are thrown together; When Millie's family gym pulls its sponsorship of Callie's dance team, she and the team take revenge on the gym by vandalizing it. When Callie is the only one that is identified, she is forced to work there to pay off the damages and becomes friends with Millie. As they both grow closer they learn that appearance doesn't matter as much as true friendship does.
This was one of my first audiobook reads since the Harry Potter series and I quite enjoyed it. I was very interested in the concept of the spin-off novel with the two minor characters but, WOW, was it so well written and well told that I felt like I was really there with them every step of the way. I would listen on my way to and from work and would stay in my car to keep listening. I think the only thing I would like more is another spin-off of more characters from the Dumplin' universe.
Pros:
Extremely immersive
Cons:
Could've been a little shorter
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
We're going to need more than a few tubes of lipstick...
Beauty Queens: Libba Bray
It's been a hot minute since I first read this book. I read Beauty Queens when it first came out in 2009, but haven't really given much thought since then until I found a copy at my local bookstore for dirt cheap. Obviously, I bought it, took it home and immediately fell right back into the story I remembered. On their way to the Miss Team Dream Pagent, a plane full of teen beauty queens crashes on a deserted island. The surviving queens must figure out how to survive until they are rescued. Miss New Hampshire, a budding journalist buts heads with Miss Texas, who was the ringer to win, over leading the girls; Miss California and Miss Colorado form a rivalry turned friendship after realizing they are the only girl of color left alive after the crash; Miss Arkansas, a proclaimed " Wild Girl" who just wants to be a pirate queen and fall in love; And poor Miss New Mexico with a tray table stuck in her head. Filled with Pirates, a corrupt Corporation and secret arms deals, Beauty Queens is a hilarious read that will make anyone feel better about themselves.
I always thought this book was funny when it would think about it and now reading it again years later, it still holds up. The idea to the Corporation seemingly running the country through a CW type programming network and beauty/health items doesn't seem super absurd until you realize they are behind the plane crash, the arms deal, a plan to start a war, and take over the country. With carefully planned "commercial breaks" and footnotes to explain Corporation products, such as Lady 'Stache-Off, a hair removal cream, really ties into how much anyone can willingly bend to a company if they ask. The footnotes themselves try to omit point of the story and in the contestants' applications to make them seem more conservative or mold them to what they want them to seem like. Who does that remind you of?
Pros:
Absolutely hilarious
Cons:
Somewhat juvenile at times
It's been a hot minute since I first read this book. I read Beauty Queens when it first came out in 2009, but haven't really given much thought since then until I found a copy at my local bookstore for dirt cheap. Obviously, I bought it, took it home and immediately fell right back into the story I remembered. On their way to the Miss Team Dream Pagent, a plane full of teen beauty queens crashes on a deserted island. The surviving queens must figure out how to survive until they are rescued. Miss New Hampshire, a budding journalist buts heads with Miss Texas, who was the ringer to win, over leading the girls; Miss California and Miss Colorado form a rivalry turned friendship after realizing they are the only girl of color left alive after the crash; Miss Arkansas, a proclaimed " Wild Girl" who just wants to be a pirate queen and fall in love; And poor Miss New Mexico with a tray table stuck in her head. Filled with Pirates, a corrupt Corporation and secret arms deals, Beauty Queens is a hilarious read that will make anyone feel better about themselves.
I always thought this book was funny when it would think about it and now reading it again years later, it still holds up. The idea to the Corporation seemingly running the country through a CW type programming network and beauty/health items doesn't seem super absurd until you realize they are behind the plane crash, the arms deal, a plan to start a war, and take over the country. With carefully planned "commercial breaks" and footnotes to explain Corporation products, such as Lady 'Stache-Off, a hair removal cream, really ties into how much anyone can willingly bend to a company if they ask. The footnotes themselves try to omit point of the story and in the contestants' applications to make them seem more conservative or mold them to what they want them to seem like. Who does that remind you of?
Pros:
Absolutely hilarious
Cons:
Somewhat juvenile at times
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Dear Evan Hansen, Today's Going To Be A Good Day and Here's Why...
Dear Evan Hansen: Val Emmich
There are so many quotes I want to put in this review but I know I can't make them all work. When it was announced that Val Emmich was doing a novelization of the hit Broadway musical, I was so excited as this was the closest I was ever going to get to seeing the show as the tour has already been here and gone in Chicago. After being tasked by his therapist to write letters to himself, anxiety-ridden Evan Hansen writes one that is taken by outcast Connor Murphy. When Connor commits suicide with Evan's letter still in his pocket, his family assumes that they were friends. Unable to tell them otherwise, Evan pretends that they were and makes fake emails from him to Connor and back for his parents and sister. When things get out of hand, Evan starts to unwind and admits to everything.
This Novelization was so spot-on, I couldn't ask for more. With the addition of actual quotes and lines from the show being placed in it still felt like its own telling but still showed how close tot he source material it was. With an incredible message of "No one deserves to be forgotten", Dear Evan Hansen is the book to pick up if you ever feel alone.
Pros:
No One deserves to be forgotten
Cons:
KINKY!
There are so many quotes I want to put in this review but I know I can't make them all work. When it was announced that Val Emmich was doing a novelization of the hit Broadway musical, I was so excited as this was the closest I was ever going to get to seeing the show as the tour has already been here and gone in Chicago. After being tasked by his therapist to write letters to himself, anxiety-ridden Evan Hansen writes one that is taken by outcast Connor Murphy. When Connor commits suicide with Evan's letter still in his pocket, his family assumes that they were friends. Unable to tell them otherwise, Evan pretends that they were and makes fake emails from him to Connor and back for his parents and sister. When things get out of hand, Evan starts to unwind and admits to everything.
This Novelization was so spot-on, I couldn't ask for more. With the addition of actual quotes and lines from the show being placed in it still felt like its own telling but still showed how close tot he source material it was. With an incredible message of "No one deserves to be forgotten", Dear Evan Hansen is the book to pick up if you ever feel alone.
Pros:
No One deserves to be forgotten
Cons:
KINKY!
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Not The Love Story You Were Expecting
The Love Interest: Cale Dietrich
Well that was, different. I went into this book with some pretty decent expectations, really thinking I was gonna get a typical love triangle trope but, wow was I thrown for a pretty obvious loop. Raised in the LIC (Love Interest Center), Caden is chosen to be a Nice, a spy of the boy next door type, to win over young scientist Juliet. He is up against a Bad named Dyl who he is competing against, whoever Juliet picks in the end lives, the other dies. When Caden begins to develop feelings for Dyl, he puts a wrench into the entire operation, to the point where both of them plus Juliet, New friend Trev and former Love Interest Natalie on the run to bring down the entire company.
I assumed going into the story that it was a typical love triangle with two boys liking the same girl and she'd have a hell of a time picking one over the other, but as soon as Caden and Dyl were en route to start wooing Juliet, it was pretty obvious where the story was going. Not that that's a bad thing but pretty obvious and I could tell where the story was going from there. It was a pretty easy read and had a pretty violent climax but overall, I don't think I'd read it again.
Pros:
a new twist on love triangle trope
Cons:
pretty obvious twists
Well that was, different. I went into this book with some pretty decent expectations, really thinking I was gonna get a typical love triangle trope but, wow was I thrown for a pretty obvious loop. Raised in the LIC (Love Interest Center), Caden is chosen to be a Nice, a spy of the boy next door type, to win over young scientist Juliet. He is up against a Bad named Dyl who he is competing against, whoever Juliet picks in the end lives, the other dies. When Caden begins to develop feelings for Dyl, he puts a wrench into the entire operation, to the point where both of them plus Juliet, New friend Trev and former Love Interest Natalie on the run to bring down the entire company.
I assumed going into the story that it was a typical love triangle with two boys liking the same girl and she'd have a hell of a time picking one over the other, but as soon as Caden and Dyl were en route to start wooing Juliet, it was pretty obvious where the story was going. Not that that's a bad thing but pretty obvious and I could tell where the story was going from there. It was a pretty easy read and had a pretty violent climax but overall, I don't think I'd read it again.
Pros:
a new twist on love triangle trope
Cons:
pretty obvious twists
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
The Carls Just Appeared
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing: Hank Green
Hank Green may be playing the role of little brother copying big brother, John Green, but he did so well! I really enjoyed his debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and am still living on the cliff he left me hanging on. April May is a 23-year old art school grad who is living her life the best she can with her girlfriend Maya and pal Andy. When she sees a mysterious statue on her way home one night, she calls Andy and the two of them make a Youtube video interviewing the statue they have named Carl and it goes viral. Everything starts to snowball for April as she starts getting weird dreams that involve Carl and a Wikipedia post that continues to have typos that spell out some kind of message. With the help of Andy, Maya, and new friends, Miranda and Robin, April May learns she was chosen by the Carls and must overcome an addiction to the internet and save the world.
I finished this book literally 4 hours ago and I am still reeling! Hank really uses his platform as a Youtuber to relate to his target audience by inserting modern slang and websites into his character's lives and personalities. For instance, April, Maya, and Andy use Wikipedia to find the first clue from Carl, they also use Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to communicate with others in the world who are experiencing the same dreams they are to solve each sequence, even going so far as to make an app. For anyone that wants to read something that is going to grab them by their shirt and won't let go until the end, I highly recommend Hank Green's An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.
Hank Green may be playing the role of little brother copying big brother, John Green, but he did so well! I really enjoyed his debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and am still living on the cliff he left me hanging on. April May is a 23-year old art school grad who is living her life the best she can with her girlfriend Maya and pal Andy. When she sees a mysterious statue on her way home one night, she calls Andy and the two of them make a Youtube video interviewing the statue they have named Carl and it goes viral. Everything starts to snowball for April as she starts getting weird dreams that involve Carl and a Wikipedia post that continues to have typos that spell out some kind of message. With the help of Andy, Maya, and new friends, Miranda and Robin, April May learns she was chosen by the Carls and must overcome an addiction to the internet and save the world.
I finished this book literally 4 hours ago and I am still reeling! Hank really uses his platform as a Youtuber to relate to his target audience by inserting modern slang and websites into his character's lives and personalities. For instance, April, Maya, and Andy use Wikipedia to find the first clue from Carl, they also use Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to communicate with others in the world who are experiencing the same dreams they are to solve each sequence, even going so far as to make an app. For anyone that wants to read something that is going to grab them by their shirt and won't let go until the end, I highly recommend Hank Green's An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.
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