Top Ten Tuesday: The First Ten Books I Reviewed

GoodeyReads8 Comments

Once upon a time, before I started a blog and an Instagram, I began writing tiny reviews for books I had read.

And thus, my obsession began.

I scrolled back through my Goodreads to find these baby reviews and thought it’d be funny to show them along with the Top Ten Tuesday’s theme.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

My review: ☆☆☆☆

I liked this book! Definitely one of those “finish in a day” types. I thought the story was inventive and it took me awhile to grasp what exactly was going on. Not something I would normally choose, but glad I did for a change of pace. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

Little Women (Little Women #1) by Lousia May Alcott

My review: ☆☆☆

** spoiler alert ** I can’t get over the fact that I felt it should have been Jo and Laurie who ultimately ended up together. I didn’t think this book was anything spectacular. I enjoyed some of the funny quirks from the author through different characters, but I grew tired of the randomness of the stories and chapter and chapter of how they’ll do better next time!

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

My review: ☆☆☆

While I LOVE all of the other Amy Harmon books I’ve read, I felt this one was almost too much drama. It was one thing after another and I could see each one coming. I’ll still read her books, but for this one I definitely wasn’t as big of a fan as I have been of her others!

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

My review: ☆☆☆☆

If there’s one thing you can count on from Schwab, it’s that she has no problem killing off characters. Which I actually like because it’s different from how most authors write. Now, I wouldn’t want it this way ALL the time, but it’s nice when there’s a dark side. 😉

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good ending to the duology. I will definitely continue to read Schwab’s books! It was evil, and filled with internal struggles that gave the characters more depth from the first book.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

My review: ☆☆☆☆

I really enjoyed this book! It as a good historical fiction novel. Kinda Great Gatsby-esque. I loved the way it was narrated (after I got use to it, haha). The characters were intriguing and unique.

Outliers: The Story of Success

My review: ☆☆☆☆☆

Phenomenal book! My husband and I both enjoyed reading this over the weekend and discussing all of the topics. It really makes you think.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My review: ☆☆☆☆☆

I had originally shelved this book as ‘eh, I’ll read that eventually, but I’m not really feeling it right now…”. I’m so glad I finally picked it up because it was SO GOOD. It was heartbreaking, yes, but also told beautifully. I actually enjoyed the way it was narrated, it added an additional layer to the story. All should read!

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brenè Brown

My review:☆☆☆☆☆

I love reading Brene Brown’s books! I always think they’re insightful and current. She keeps me interested by adding stories to the data that helps drive the point home. I often think ‘oh goodness, that IS me!’ over and over when I’m reading. Definitely recommend!

The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

My review:☆☆☆

I really just couldn’t get into this book. I did finish it still because I was intrigued enough to know what happens at the end, but I felt there were a lot of flaws. It drove me batty that she kept going back and forth incessantly about whether or not she loved her father. I get the author was trying to convey the struggle, but it just came off annoying to me. There’s more reasons I could list, but I definitely think I should have just borrowed this book rather than bought it. Oh well, on to the next!

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renèe Ahdieh

My review:☆☆☆☆☆

SUCH A GOOD BOOK. I love a good plot twist. Why do I have to wait for the sequel!?!?

There ya have it! The first 10 books I reviewed. Wow, how time (and practice) can make things better! Have you read any of these? Lets talk in the comments!

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Book Review: Age of Myth (The Legends of the First Empire #1) by Michael J. Sullivan

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 432 pages
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: June 28th, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Age of Myth inaugurates another six-book series set in Elan.

Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever.

Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun.

I’M INVESTED NOW.

I picked this up because of a recommendation from a friend on Bookstagram. She had mentioned if after seeing how much I loved the Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson. Y’all, she was right. This is definitely another great fantasy.

I wouldn’t say [at this time] that it’s on par with Sanderson, but I am not disappointed in what I read. I feel invested in this story now.

What was interesting is that these are all older characters. And I loved that! It was different from the my usual (since I’m a big reader of YA). The characters already came in with experiences and I amazed at how much I enjoyed each one. Persephone is a stunning, brave woman who holds her own among the men who claim she can’t handle her position. UGH, MEN.

Honestly though, that was only a handful. Raithe and Malcom? YES PLEASE. I love their bro-ship. They are so different and are great budding friends. I am obsessed with Raithe. He’s the brooding warrior type I’m always attracted to in books. I’m so pumped to see what happens in book two. Malcom is that witty side character you want to be friends with. He’s there at the right time, saying the right thing, and I loved his comical breaks in a somewhat heavy plot line.

“The worst that can happen is you’ll die.”

In a weird way, a lot happened, but didn’t happen. It’s definitely a first book. A lot more set-up, world-building and politicking happens then actual action scenes. While I minded a little, it was still such an enticing read. I constantly wanted to pick it up and see where the story was going next. The larger plot line was left open while a few ones this book focused on were wrapped up well.

Arion’s POV was the only one that took time to grow on me. At first I was wondering why she was even present. Luckily her story-line wove into the main plot and she definitely has a bigger role to play as these two worlds collide.

I absolutely adored Suri. As the only young main character in this book she was fantastic. Witty, intelligent, a little odd. It was a great mix. Her and Minna (her wolf) made me smile and cheer for them often.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: I think b*tch was used twice, that was it
  • Violence: knives, falling off cliffs, swords, animal attacks, magic, mauling by bears, all things are a bit gory

Bookish Discussion: The Lowest Rated Books On My Goodreads

GoodeyReads11 Comments

Scrolling through the pages I follow I saw that Ally Writes Things had posted about the lowest rated books (on Goodreads) and what she rated them.

Y’all. THIS WAS A BRILLIANT IDEA.

So here I am, definitely doing this. Let’s go. This will be a handful of the lowest rated books based off of Goodreads and then what I ended up rating them. I hope to do one with the highest rated books from my GR as well, future post alert!

Things I’d Rather Do Than Die by Christine Hurley Deriso

Goodreads Rating: 3.25 || My Rating: 2.50

You can actually find my review for this here. Though please pardon the baby blog formatting as it was one of the first Netgalley reviews I ever did. I could not believe this book at all. It tried way too hard to create drama and purpose, but not. Just no.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (original story from Jane Austen)

Goodreads Rating: 3.29 || My Rating: 4.00

I can’t help it, I thought this book was fun. I even loved the movie (and that never happens!). It’s quirky, ridiculous, but that’s the whole point if you ask me.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Goodreads Rating: 3.39 || My Rating: 2.00

Granted, I read this in high school so it probably deserves a re-read to get a new rating, but I have NO DESIRE to do this.

The Dysasters (The Dysasters #1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Goodreads Rating: 3.41 || My Rating: 2.00

If you want to see a rant filled review: click here! My first physical ARC was unfortunately…an absolute dud. Really, a dud. *sigh*

Beowulf by Unknown (Seamus Heaney — Translator)

Goodreads Rating: 3.43 || My Rating: 3.00

This was another read in high school. I remember thinking it was fine overall. Interesting enough.

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

Goodreads Rating: 3.45 || My Rating: 3.00

Tried my best to enjoy this because I thought the story was amazing, but unfortunately the way this was portrayed I couldn’t get into the story. I hardly remember it now because I scanned so much of it.

Evenfall (Shadowfire #1) by Gaja J. Kos & Boris Kos

Goodreads Rating: 3.51 || My Rating: 4.00

This was my version of a tale of two books. The first half almost had me DNF but then somehow the second half was astounding enough for me to think highly of it. I’m actually excited for the second book! (AND ALSO SHOUT-OUT TO THIS GORGEOUS COVER Y’ALL)

Have you read any of these? Did you love them more than their average rating? Lets talk in the comments!

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Book Review: The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fiction/Sci-fi
Length: 303 pages
Author: Karen Thompson Walker
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 15th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In an isolated college town in the hills of Southern California, a freshman girl stumbles into her dorm room, falls asleep—and doesn’t wake up. She sleeps through the morning, into the evening. Her roommate, Mei, cannot rouse her. Neither can the paramedics who carry her away, nor the perplexed doctors at the hospital. Then a second girl falls asleep, and then another, and panic takes hold of the college and spreads to the town. As the number of cases multiplies, classes are canceled, and stores begin to run out of supplies. A quarantine is established. The National Guard is summoned. 

Mei, an outsider in the cliquish hierarchy of dorm life, finds herself thrust together with an eccentric, idealistic classmate. Two visiting professors try to protect their newborn baby as the once-quiet streets descend into chaos. A father succumbs to the illness, leaving his daughters to fend for themselves. And at the hospital, a new life grows within a college girl, unbeknownst to her—even as she sleeps. A psychiatrist, summoned from Los Angeles, attempts to make sense of the illness as it spreads through the town. Those infected are displaying unusual levels of brain activity, more than has ever been recorded. They are dreaming heightened dreams—but of what?

TOO THOUGHT-PROVOKING.

I never thought I’d say this about a book, but my head hurt after reading this. I’ve sat on this review for a bit because I was gathering my thoughts.

This book actually spooked me out a bit (note: easily spooked). I started thinking about what would it be like if this actually happened and started spiraling. Seriously, how scary?! Especially when they kept going back to the family with the baby. My intense Momma Bear voice was raging in my head trying to protect them.

I also felt sad reading this. A feeling I generally don’t like to find when reading (unless purposely chosen or previously known beforehand). A lot of this was making my heart hurt. Watching one character drop after another. Having to deal with being quarantined. Some never waking, really hard-hitting stuff.

Everything was too philosophical. One of the characters even offered up those philosophical puzzles that make you run around in circles. It was a battle of who to save, who was worth it, and I didn’t want to make those decisions! This isn’t as light as it may seem, even when it’s only 300 pages.

I was bummed with the resolution. It wasn’t anything spectacular. Things were all of sudden solved. I think that was supposed to be the mystery of the entire illness itself, but it left me wanting more. I personally like endings where I feel all loose ends are tied up and I’m not asking too many questions.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fiction/Sci-fi
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: a kiss, a vaguely implied night together
  • Trigger warning: suicide

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