Upcoming Goals

In 2026, I want to read a lot more and see more movies in the theater—preferably at Cinestudio—with friends.

While I don’t want to restrict myself too tightly to my TBR, I hope to reach the following goals:

1. Read between 13 to 15 books from my home library shelf
2. Read between 8 to 10 Audiobooks
3. Read at least 6 books from my Kindle library   
   
   

Here are a few books I’d like to read and pass along afterward:

• Delphine and the Silver Needle 
• Heartless Prince
• Jack Frost the End becomes the Beginning
• The Story of Moana
•  Good As Gone
• The Ugly Swans
• Color of Darkness
•  The Silver Star
• Priam's Daughter
•  Wake the Red Witch
•  The Judges of the Secret Court
• Once's Red's Untold Tale
• No Lie Lasts Forever 
• The Caress of Fate
•  Kestrel Island
• Deep Blue Secret 

 

2025 - A little all over the place

Here are my books that I read in 2025. This year seemed to go by very quickly for me. I have high hopes to read more next year. Organized by Genre.

Romance/ Supernatural:

• What Dreams May Come  by Richard Matheson - 5 stars
• An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon - 4 stars
•  When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake - 4 stars
• Cold Hearted (Tooth & Claw #1) by Heather Guerre - 4 stars
• Hot Blooded (Tooth & Claw #2) by Heather Guerre - 4 stars
• Once Bitten (Tooth & Claw #2) by Heather Guerre - 4 stars
• A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch - 4 stars
• Ocean's Justice by Demelz Carlon - 4 stars  
• The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom - 4 stars 
• The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom - 3 stars 
• It's in His Kiss (Bridertons # 7) by Julia Quinn - 3 stars
• Reverie by Ryan La Sala - 3 stars  
• Rescued by the Wolf by Sasha Summers - 3 stars 
• What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston - 4 stars 
• It Starts with Us by Collen Hoover - 3 stars
• Embers of Love (Striking a Match #1) by Tracie Peterson - 3 stars
• Hearts Aglow (Striking a Match #1) by Tracie Peterson - 3 stars 
• The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway - 3 stars
• Echo in Time (Echo Trilogy # 1) by Lindsey Sparks - 3 stars
• Time Anomaly (Echo Trilogy # 2) by Lindsey Sparks - 3 stars 
• Ricochet Through Time (Echo Trilogy # 3) by Lindsey Sparks - 3 stars
• Alpha's Regret: My Luna Has a Son by Jessica Hall - 3 stars 
• Fated to the Beta by Jessica Hall - 3 stars 
• A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway - 2 stars 
• Wolfsong by T.J. Klune - 2 stars (stopped on chapter 15 about 7 minutes in, Just wasn't for me)

YA/Others:

• Nobody Wants your Sh*t: The Art of Decluttering before you Die by Messie Condo - 4 stars 
• The Mouse Watch in Space - 4 stars
• What Once Was Mine by Liz Braswell - 3 stars
• Almost There by Farrah Rochon - 2 stars 
• Once Upon A Dream by Liz Braswell - 2 stars 

Kids/Picture Books:

• An New Kind of Wild by Zara Gonzalez Hoang - 5 stars  
• Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield - 4 stars
• You Are a Reader! / You are a Writer! by April Jones Prince - 3 stars
• Guppy Butter by Kevin M. Penelerick - 3 stars 
• The Tricky Riddles Book for Smart Kids by Daddilife Books - 1 star

Currently Reading:

• The Chosen: I Have Called You By Name (The Chosen, #1) by Jerry B. Jenkins
•  The Chosen Presents: A Blended Harmony of the Gospels by Steve Laube, Amanda Jenkins, and Dallas Jenkins. 
• What Does it Mean to be Chosen?: An Interactive Bible Study (The Chosen Bible Study Series, #1) by Amanda Jenkis, Dallas Jenkins, and Douglas Huffman.  

 
Still have not finished:

• Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
• The Pope's Last Crusdae by Peter Eisner 
• The People We hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
  

Rest of 2024

 

From September through December 2024:

• The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity - 5 stars (loved the film as well) 
• Emeralds & Ashes (At Somerton #3) by Leila Rasheed 
• The Mouse Watch by J.J. Gilbert - 4 stars
• The Mouse Watch Underwater by J.J. Gilbert - 4 stars 
• The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab - 3 stars
• The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab - 2 stars
• The Prince of Prohibition by Marilyn Marks - 2 stars
• Half - Minute Horrors by Susan Rich - 3 stars
• Pride and Prejudice in Space by Alexis Lampley - 3 stars
• Falling for the Billionaire Wolf and His Baby by Sasha Summers - 3 stars
• Wrecking Christmas by Liza Jonathan - 2 stars
• Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson - 2 stars
  
  Disney Twisted Tale
• Fate be Changed by Farrah Rochon - 4 stars 
• Go the Distance by Jen Calonita - 3 stars 
• What Once Was Mine  by Liz Braswell - 3 stars
• When You Wish Upon A Star by Elizabeth Lim - 2 stars 
  
  Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
• Barbarian Lover  #3 - 4 stars 
• Barbarian Mine #4 - 3 stars
• Barbarian Prize #5 - 4 stars 
• Ice Planet Honeymoon - 3 stars
• Slices of Life - 3 stars
• Barbarian's Touch # 7 - 3 starts
• Barbarian's Taming #8 - 3 starts
• Barbarian's Heart #9 - 3 stars
  
  Picture Books
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt - 3 stars 
• The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt - 2 stars
• Gurple and Preen: A Broken Crayon Cosmic Adventure by Linda Sue Park - 2 stars 
• Love by Matt de la Pena - 2 stars
• Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall - 2 stars
• Sneaky Pinky by Amy Doslich - 2 stars
• What's Up, Little Pup? by Mr. Marmion - 2 stars

2024 Jane Austen has won my heart

I started 2024 with Jane Austen. Although I did not love all her books she pulled me into the world and all year I have been watching films and shows of the 19th century. And I must confess I have become quite fond of Mr. Darcy and his shy manner. I watched all versions of Pride and Prejudice I can find and rewatched quite a bit throughout the year.

Books I read so far in 2024:

• Jane Austen Books read: 

1. Emma - 3 stars
2. Northanger Abbey - 3 stars
3. Mansfield Park - 3 stars
4. Persuasion - 2 stars
5. Pride and Prejudice - 3 stars
6.  Pride and Prejudice graphic novel by Nancy Butler - 3 stars
   
7. Lady Susan - 2 stars
   

• Puerto Rican Cookery by Camen Valldejuli - 4 stars
  no i have not made these recipes yet but i am looking forward to some of them
  
  
• Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn
  1. To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton #5)  - 5 stars
  2. When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton # 6 & 6.5)  - 4 stars
     
  
  
• Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee - 4 stars
  
  
• Elite (Hunter #2) by Mercedes Lackey - 2 stars
  
  
• A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissener - 4 stars
  nice retelling of the life of a 911 witness
  
  
• What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman - 4 stars
  This was very interesting and a favorite for this year read in May and it is still with me.
  
  
• Disney Encanto: The Deleux Junior Novelization by Angela Cervantes - 3 stars
• Made for Love - 2 stars
  this has to be the oddest i've read.
  
  
• The Bishop's Bedroom by Piero Chiara - 4 stars
  
  
• Eve by William Paul Young - 3 stars
  I like the telling of this story it' s not in your face religious.
  
  
•  The Somerton Series by Leila Rasheed
  
  1. Cinders & Sapphires (#1) - 5 stars
  2. Diamonds & Deceit (#2) - 4 stars
     
     
• Ice Planet Barbarians Series by Ruby Dixon
  These books are HOT. My husband does not complain when I read these. They ranked lower than the first book I read because I feel like book 6 story line was stronger. I'm excited to continue and watch the Not-hoth world expand.
  
  1. Ice Planet Barbarians (#1) - 3 stars
  2. Barbarian Alien (#2) - 3 stars
     
  
  
• The Three Body Problem series by Cixin Liu
  I like Liu's writing style and how the scifi is mixed with chinese culture and history. For me it's a bit hard to follow the scientific side so it take me a bit longer to finish each book but I am enjoying the series.
  1. The Three-Body Problem - 3 stars
  2. The Dark Forest - 3 stars
     
     

Books I just could not finish & don't plan to

• Single & Single by John le Carre
  i was just too bored i could not continue. Stopped at chapter 8.
  
  
• A Good Day to Marry a Duke by Betina Krahn (#1 of Sin and Sensibility)
  it felt like it wanted to be a julia quinn book but the writing just did not do it for me. I stopped at chapter 13. 

 Books currently reading

• I still have Winter's Tale on my list to finish
• I started The Pope's Last Crusade  by Peter Eisner with my husband but I might continue without out him to finish it by end of year.'
• The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder - the writing style is slower than i like but i do plan on finishing this. 
• The Near Witch by Victoria E. Schwab
• Emeralds & Ashes (Somerton #3) by Leila Rasheed
  

wraping up 2023

 The remaining graphic novels I read since my last post in June till the end of December 2023.

• 1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti - 3 stars
  
  
• Animorphs: The Graphic Novel by K.A. Applegate & Michael Grant adapted by Chris Grine
  The Invasion - 4 stars, The Visitor - 3 stars
  
  
• Las Brujas by Roald Dahl adptado por Penelope Bagieu - 3 stars
  
  
• Red Scare: A Graphic Novel by Liam Francis Walsh - 4 stars 
• Descendants series adapted by Robert Venditti
  The Isle of the lost - 3 stars
  Return to the Isle of the Lost - 3 stars
  
  
• The Lost Carnival : A Dick Grayson graphic Novel by Michael Moreci - 3 stars
  
  
•  Zoo: The Graphic Novel by Andy MacDonald - average 4 stars
  
  
•  A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel by Daniel Abraham - average 3 starts
  Volume One, Two, Three and Four
  
  
• Speak: The Graphic Novel
  
  
• 
  

non-Graphic Novels:

• Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes- 4 stars
  
  
• A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria - 3 stars
  
  
• Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon - 4 stars
  pretty hot this was #6 in the series, going back to start from #1.
  
  
•  Rise of the Isle of the Lost (Descendants #3) by Melissa de la Cruz- 3 stars
  
• The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs - 2 stars
  I enjoyed the movie more than the book
  
  
• The Wild Mermaid by Mel Braxton - 2 stars
  
  
• Queen of Snow: A Snow Queen Retelling (Fairy Tales Re-imagined #1) by Laura Burton - 4 stars
  
  
• Lupe Lopes: Reading Rock Star! by E.E. Charlton-Trujillo - 2 stars [Children's picture book]
  
  
• My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration by Prasha Sooful - 2 stars  [Children's picture book]
  
  
• Don't Be Scared! Bilingual Children's Picture Book in English and Chinese - Learning Chinese for Kids by Ingo Blum - 2 stars
  
  
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo - 4 stars 

 

Never got to finish:

• Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
  Plan to but not a priority.
  

 

A GRAPHIC NOVEL YEAR

 This is a seriously long post. Sorry in advance but it's at least midway through the year. So, first let's go through the TBR list and see what I have so far:

HAVE NOT YET READ:

1. The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
   
   
2. Charmed Comic Books - still getting the complete collection before i start reading. Did go to 90s con and picked up a couple of copies. 
   
   
3. The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine - the fourth book of the Ravenspire series.
   
   
4. The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks -The second book of the Shannara Trilogy. 
   
   
5. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer - A part of the Lunar Chronicles.
   
   
6. Atlantis in Peril by T.A. Barron - The second book of the Atlantis Saga
   
   
7. This Time Next Summer by Moses Yuriywich Mikheyev
   
   
8. Disney Chills book #2 Friends on the Other Side
   started but did not finish, Lost bookmark and need to figure out what page I am on.
   
   
9. Would you Rather by Don Shaw
   
   
10. Balanced Scales by Laura Greenwood

Still plan on getting to the above books but I am making this year a graphic novel year so might not get to complete the above list. 

BOOKS I READ:

1. A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Galbadon - 5 stars
   The sixth book of the Outlander series. 
   
   
2. Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Galbadon - 3 stars
3. Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Galbadon - 3 stars
   It was nice to hear more about Lord John Grey. 
   
   
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah. J. Maas - 2 stars
   A bit disappointed in this book. The feeling started right about the time she fell in love with her captor. 
   
   
5. The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee - 4 stars
   
   
6. The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee and Michael Dante DiMartino - 5 stars
   
   
7. The Shadow of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee and Michael Dante DiMartino - 5 stars
   
   
8. The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion - 3 stars
   
   
9. Furyborn by Clire Legrand - 1 star
   
   
10. The Time Pedaler by Micheal Maxwell - 3 stars
    
    
11. Never Never by Brianna R. Shrum - 3 stars
    
    
12. Unstrung by Neal Shusterman and Michelle Knowlden - 3 stars
    a nice addition to the Unwind Dystology 
    
    
13. Morgan is my Name by Sophie Keetch  - 3 stars
    
    
14. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler - 3 stars
    picked this up after watching the show. Both are enjoyable. 
    
    
15. Splintered by A.G. Howard - 2 stars
    I would have enjoyed it more if Morpheus didn't come off as a pedophile. 
    
    
16. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - 3 stars
    Another debatable pedophile character but at least I knew what was coming since I saw the Movie and the Show before reading this book. 
    
    
17. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells - 2 stars
    
    
18. Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray  - 3 stars
    
    
19. Sea Witch by Sarah Henning - 5 stars 
    Loved this story can't wait to read part two. 
    
    
20. A Lady out of Time: Helen Foster book 1 by Caroline Hanson - 3 stars
    A little slow start but it picked up the pace enough for me to enjoy. Not sure i will continue the series. 
    
    
21. An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn - 4 stars
    Book 3 of the  Brigertons Series
    
    
22. Crying in Dreams by Jerry W. Hart - 3 stars

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS:
Alot of these were civic engagement books that I read to prep the kids for the book contest. I will write a separate post on the contest. 

1. The Big Beach Cleanup - 3 stars
   by Charlotte Offsay and illustrated by Katie Rewse
   
   
2. Alejandria Fights Back! ¡La Lucha de Alejandria!! - 4 stars
   by Leticia Henandez-Linares, The Rise-Home Stories Project, and illustrated by Robert Liu-Trujillo
   
   
3. Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood - 3 stars
   by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell illustrated by Rafeal Lopez
   
   
4. The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! - 3 stars
   by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
   
   
5. Counting on Community - 2 stars
   by Innosanto Nagara
   
   
6. If Everybody Did - 2 stars
   by Jo Ann Stover
   
   
7. A is for Activist - 2 stars
   by Innosanto Nagara
   
   
8. The More We Get Together - 3 stars
   by Celeste Cortright and illustrated by Betania Zacarias 
   
   
9. My Dream Playground - 4 stars
   by Kate Becker and illustrated by Jed Henry 
   
   
11. Grace for President- 3 stars
    by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham
    
    
12. Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman - 3 Stars
    by Sharice Davids, Nancy K. Mays, and illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
    
    
13. All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything - 4 stars
    by Annette Bay Pimentel, Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins (Foreword), and illustrated by Nabi Ali 
    
    
14. Amara and the Bats - 4 stars
    by Emma Reynolds
    
    
15. Change Sings: A Children's Anthem - 3 stars
    by Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Loren Long
    
    
16. Say Something! - 4 stars 
    by Peter H. Reynolds
    
    
17. What Can a Citizen Do? - 2 stars
    by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris
    
    
18. Those Shoes - 3 stars
    by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Noah A. Jones
    
    
19. Un gato y un perro / A Dog and A Cat  3 stars
    by Claire Masurel and Bob Kolar
    
    
20. I Am Not Going to Get Up Today! - 2 stars
    by Dr. Deuss and illustrated by James Stevenson
    
    
21. How To Be A Good Dog  - 2 stars
    by Gail Page
    
    
22. There was a cold lady who swallowed some snow! - 2 stars
    by Lucille Colandro and illustrated by Jared Lee
    
    
23. Kitchen Dance - 3 stars
    by Maurie J. Manning 
    
    
24. Cricket and the Excitable Egg - 2 stars
    by Tracey West and illustrated by John Manders
    
    
25. A Dragon's Tail - 3 stars
    by M.C. Varely and Walt Disney Company 
    
    
26. Inky the Octopus - 3 stars
    by Erin Guendelsberger and illustrated by David Leonard
    
    
27. God Got a Dog - 2 stars
    by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated Marla Frazee 
    
    

GRAPHIC NOVELS I READ THIS YEAR:

1. Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Illustrated by Gabriel Rodirguez.
   Read complete series. Loved it.  Volumes 1-6 got 5 stars.
   Heaven and Earth got 3 and the Golden Age got 4 stars.
   
   
2. Quince by Sebastian Kadlecik, Kit Steinkellner and illustrated by Emma Steinkellner - 5 stars
   
   
3. Avatar The Last Airbender Comics by Gene Leun Yang
   I loved this show and the comic books. I am still have to read some of the free comic book day books and the Toph's Beifong's Metalbending Academy. 
   Promise, Search, Rift, Smoke and Shadow, Imbalance, and North and South all received 5 stars
   The Lost Adventures and Team Avatar Tales - 4 stars
   Suki, Alone - 3 stars
   Katara and the Pirate's Silver - 4 stars
   
   
4. Keeping Two by Jordan Crane - 3 stars
   
   
5. Eight Billion Genies by Charles Soule - average 3 stars
   
   
6. The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon - 4 stars
   
   
7. The Boxcar Children Graphic Novels #4 - Mystery Ranch bty Rob M. Worley- 2 stars
8. The Boxcar Children Graphic Novels #4 - Mystery Ranch  by Mike Dubisch- 2 stars
   I feel like I enjoyed the chapter books as a kid more than these graphic novels. 
   
   
9. Evil Thing: A Villains Graphic Novel by Serena Valentino - 4 stars
   
   
10. Graphic novelizations of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
    The Lightning Thief - 4 stars
    The Sea of Monsers and The Titan's Curse - 3 stars
    Never read the chapter books but i did see the movies. 
    
    
11. Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire books 1 - 3 - average 4 stars
    
    
12. Winds of Numa Sera, Volume 1 by Morgan Rosenblum - 4 stars
    
    

Currently Reading:

1. 1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti
   
   
2. Animorphs: The Graphic Novel - The Invasion
   by K.A. Applegate & Michael Grant adapted by Chris Grine
   was so excited to see this as a graphic novel
   
   
3. Las Brujas by Roald Dahl adptado por Penelope Bagieu
   Is always a big fan of Dahl and I never read a graphic novel of his let alone in Spanish. I do love this book The Witches and the original movie. 
   
   
4. The Wild Mermaid by Mel Braxton
   
   
5. Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
   
   

Graphic Novels 2023 TBR:

1. Descendants series adapted by Robert Venditti
   
   
2. Artemis Fowl series adapted by Eoin Colder and Andrew Donkin
   
   
3. Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way
   
   
4. The Last Ronin by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Tom Waltz, and Robert Rodríguez

2023 tbr

 2022 started off strong but then dwindled. I'm hoping this year i can keep the momentum up and read at least 2 books per month with a goal of 30 books in total. Below is what I would like to read this year. There are quite a bit of comic books in this year's TBR.

1. The Dawn of Yangchen by F.C. Yee
   This is book 1 of the Yangchen Novels. This is from the world of Avatar the Last Airbender one of my top favorite Nick shows. I plan on reading the entire comic book collection so I am starting the series in chronological order. I started this book in December so it should be done shortly.
   
   
2. Charmed Comic Books
   I've been trying to find this collection so I want to make a note here that I have been reading this slowly.
   
   
3. Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Illustrated by Gabriel Rodirguez.
   Starting with Volume 1: Welcome to Lovecraft. Trying to get this comic books series from the library.
   
   
4. A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Galbadon
   The sixth book of the Outlander series. Will be reading this while i anxiously wait for the show to return.
   
   
5. The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks
   The second book of the Shannara Trilogy. I predict this may take some time.
   
   
6. The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine
   the fourth book of the Ravenspire series.
   
   
7. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
   A part of the Lunar Chronicles.
   
   
8. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah. J. Maas
   
   
9. The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder
   
   
10. Atlantis in Peril by T.A. Barron
    The second book of the Atlantis Saga
    
    
11.  A Twisted Tale
    not sure which book yet.
    
    
12. Disney Chills book #2 Friedns on the Other Side
    Read book 1 (forgot to list in recap) and started book 2 but did not finish. Lost bookmark and need to figure out what page i am on
    
    
13. This Time Next Summer by Moses Yuriywich Mikheyev
    
    
14. The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion
    
    
15. Furyborn by Clire Legrand
    
    
16. Would you Rather by Don Shaw
    
    
17. Balanced Scales by Laura Greenwood
    
    
18. The Time Pedaler by Micheal Maxwell