March 2022 wrap up

 Books I read so far that was not mentioned in previous post. 

• Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets: The Story of Iduna and Agnarr by Mari Mancusi - finished reading this with my niece. We both really enjoyed it and it flowed well with the movies.
  
  
• The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldo. The fifth book of the Outlander series. Noticing more a big difference between the shows but still love the book a bit more than the show which is typical.
  Looking forward to the sixth book which I will probably pick up after this season ends.
  
  
• Shadow of Night and The Book of Life by Debroah Harkness. This is book 2 and 3 of the Souls series. Again the book has way more detail and explanation than the few episodes the show provides. I have not yet seen season 3 but glad to finish the books first.
  
  
• The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn. Book one and two of the Bridgerton series that the Netflix show is based on. I really enjoyed watching the first season and thought that watching that time period would be more enjoyable than reading it. I was wrong. Julia does an amazing job with the characters of the book the second season (which i read the book first) really disappointed me. SPOILER: I was really looking forward to the bee sting in the show. That part made me laugh in the book and i thought since they ended season one showing a bee it would happen as such but unfortunately not. The queen in the show took the wedding to far the book was classier and funnier. And maybe this is because they gave the Duke a love interest in the first season but i did not get so much of his struggle of wanting to outlive his past generations as i did in the book. Again this was an audiobook but I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book right away. I look forward to book 3 "An Offer from a Gentleman" as well as the second epilogues at the end of each book. So far I read The Duke and I: The 2nd Epilogue and The Viscount who Loved me: the 2nd Epilogue.
  
  
• Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Very interesting, crazy and a bit weird. My kind of book.I believe this was an audiobook which kept my interest and quick listen.
  
  
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I've so far enjoyed Matt Haig's christmas books and the How to Stop Time book. However, this book I rated 2 stars on Goodreads.It had some interesting parts and parts to ponder over. As a person who suffers from depression I thought I would enjoy it more but i didn't. I'm not saying you shouldn't give it a try I just wouldn't read it again. This was also an audiobook so maybe that makes a difference.
  
  
• The Invisible Life of Audie Larue by V.E. Schwab. Another audiobook I listened to during my plane ride. I found it very interesting but I like timeless and timetravel related books.
  
  
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. the audiobook I listened on my plan ride home. It was ok but not enough to reread or continue the series. 
  
  
• The Mind Thieves by Lori Brighton. The second book of the Mind Readers series. I know it took me long enough but I finally did finish it. It's not that i found it boring because it's not. The character does stupid things which makes it harder for me to read because of my age. I imagine teen me would love the book more. It ended as book one did in a way that you would want to continue the series so I do plan on doing so just not right away.
  
  
• Cress by Marissa Meyer. The Lunar Chronicles has got to be one of my favorite series since the Waterfire Saga. A series that will remain in my library till death for I don't mind rereading any of these books. Book 3 Cress is just as great as the first two. You can't help but love each character that Marissa adds. It's sad to think that when this series came out Hunger Games overshadowed them. This should be a show. What a show it would be, if done correctly. The love interest is strong and maybe because at this time in my life young love does not hit me like it used to but  I still very much enjoy this series. I've already started book 4 Winter.
  
  
• Storm Siren by Mary Weber. I think I saw the advertisement for this series at the back of one of my Lunar Chronicles books. So I recommended it to the library for purchase as a ebook with the entire trilogy in one. It has adventure and elemental powers like Blood and Bone but  not nearly as good as Meyer books or Tomi's. It was just... hmm how can I... I didn't enjoy it, let's leave it like that. I feel bad and I read up to the fifth chapter of Book 2 Siren's Fury but I don't plan on continuing. Maybe one day if my mind unconsciously wants to know what happens but for now there are better books that can take up my time.
  

2022 Starting Strong - January reads

 January 2022 Books Read and currently reading in February.

• The Story of Iduna and Agnarr by Mari Mancusi
  Finished this book that I was reading with my niece. It's cute and worthy of a Frozen fan collection. I like how they stay within characters from the movies.You get to know more about Iduna and Agnarr answering some questions Frozen II did not. Leaving only one mystery that may not need to be answered for some for me I want to know. As a parent wouldn't you keep an ear out to know how your son and son's kingdom is doing. Once you find out that your exhusband is deceased wouldn't you come back just to see his face one more time?
• Outlander series is coming back in March so I picked up the book again. After getting a quater into the forth book  Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon I realized I did read this already but I reread anyways cause why not. It's a good book and I enjoyed picking up on minor details I missed the first time and can also point out the differences between the book and the show. Starting the 5th book The Fiery Cross now. 
• I finished the short story The Queens's Army by Marissa Meyer from the Lunar Chronicles. Started Cress today.
  
•  I was recommended the tv series A Discovery of Witches and fell in love with it so naturally I picked up the first book of the Souls series by Debroah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches. I'm glad to read the book after watching the first season it gave me way more information than the series did but watching the show first still instilled the image of Matthew and Diana from the show. Where as if I read the book first then the image my mind would have created would have changed. I am nearly done with this book but I am most definitely renting the second audiobook from the library until i can afford my own copy to add to my library. This seems like a series I would reread. What I am unsure of is if I should listen to the second book Shadow of Night before watching the second season.
  
• Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet
  I was working on a puzzle and thought I could listen to a book while I worked on the puzzle but I accidentally started listening to this one instead of the one below. Listening to it read by Alexa is not recommended for this book so my review may be off but I didn't really enjoy it to really read it or continue the series. I believe I got this kindle copy for free and I downloaded it because it reminded me of the show Dead Like Me. This story was way more intense and nothing at all like Dead Like Me. It was just not meant for me.
  
• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
  This book has been on my tbr from Amazon Prime reads for a while. I thought I finish it so I can return it. I enjoyed this one so much more than the book I just finished above. It gives off the Serafina vibes and overall an interesting story.
  
• How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
  Haig is beginning to become one of my favorite authors. I am really enjoying everything he has written that I've read so far and this book is not an exception. It kind of reminded my of the movie Age of Adaline with combination of the Henry Morgan of the 2014 tv series Forever. If you like historic feel, time travel, and immortality you may enjoy this book as much as I did.
  

2021 Year in Review & 2022 tbr

My year goal was to read 13 books. (I was trying to keep it realistic.) This year I read 23 books and 16 picture books.

 I started 2021 very strong, reading two books a month for some time. Then things got away from me. Anyhow let's get into it, in no particular order:

1. The Lunar Chronicles: Cinder (book 1) by Marissa Meyer (5 star)
2. The Lunar Chronicles: Scarlet (book 2) by Marissa Meyer (5 star)
   I am falling in love with this series. Love the twist of a cyborg Cinderella.
   
3. Spooky Science: Debunking the Pseudoscience of the Afterlife by John Grant (2 star)
   I did not finish this book. I read the first chapter/section and then skipped to another section that interested me but did not find it funny which from the back summary thought it would be. It was interesting just not enough for me to finish in it's entirety.
   
4. Root Magic by Eden Royce (4 star)
   Cute book for middle graders. Recommend for magic lovers.
   
5. The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick (4 star)
   Very much enjoyed. Even tried to reenact one of the stories in my sims game. Still need to finish the game play.
   
6. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo (3 star)
   Another cute book for middle graders. Read it to compare the book to the Disney + movie.
   
7.  The Program (book 1) by Suzanne Young (4 star)
   Kept my interest enough to read the second book. The Treatment is on my tbr for 2022.
   
8. A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry (4 star)
   Picked up the book because it was set in PR. I liked the story and would reread - keeping this one in my library.
   
9. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (4 star)
   I don't read too much of this kind of romance but I enjoyed it.
   
10. Island Treasures: Growing Up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada (3 star)
    For a book i bought from the Dollar Tree, I liked it. Gave me visions of Cuba. Went well with the next book on the list.
    
11. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez (3 star)
    HPL big read book about Cuba. The book is better than the movie.
    
12. P.S. I still Love You (book 2 of To All the Boys I've Loved Before) by Jenny Han (3 star)
13. Always and Forever, Lara Jean (book 3) by Jenny Han (3 star)
    I waited on watching the Netflix films until i finished both books. Glad I did.
14. Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby (4 star)
    Cute story for young readers.
    
15. In a Sleeping Life by Ruth Rendell (3 star)
    This and the next book was just fun to read. I enjoyed sharing my commentary on FB.
    
16. Innocent by Jo Micheals  (2 star)
17. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (3 star)
    I love the 2004 movie. And one of these years i will have a mascarade ball. So for October i thought this would be the perfect book.  I new it would be different than a muscial and was expecting it to be a little harder to read but it wasn't. What I really enjoyed most is the writing style.
18. Merry Friggin' Christmas: An Edgy Christmas Comedy by Joesph Cillo Jr. (1 star)
    Technically finished this on the first but I'm counting it anyways. This wasn't for me, sorry. 
19. The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks (4 star)
    Yes, i know I finally finished it. Would not have done so without the audible but it is done. The second book Elfstones of Shannara is on my tbr but realistically not going to start till mid year.
20. Robinson's Dream by Mark Lages (3 star)
    The least favorite of Mark's books that i have. I think my obession to over think things made this book hard to follow. Tracing the dreams after dreams i myself began to question what is real for the main character. The book took me a while to finish, I rather read something something else but finish i did. 
21. Part of Your World by Liz Braswell (4 star)
    Another Twisted Tale worthy of my collection.
    
22. Joyride by Anna Banks (4 star)
    This was a good book about immigration. I think it should be on all the schools summer reading list.
    
23. The Waking Land by Callie Bates (4 star)
    I enjoyed this world and that moment in the woods (wink wink).
24. Brenda's Beaver Needs a Barber by Bimisi Tayanita (5 star)
    Thanks to Tik Tok I had to go buy and read this book for my self. It is a picture book but not for children. It's Hilarious and you should read it for yourself. 
25. Weird Tales: The Magazine That Never Dies by Marvin Kaye (3 star)
    Read 1 story from Weird Tales for Halloween. I read Mr. George written by August Derleth in 1947. It was creepy but I loved it.

Children's Picture Books: So I volunteered to read to school children during the summer school and had to find the perfect books to share so I have a bit more children books on my list than I normally would 

1. Gingersnap Snatcher by Vicky Weber (3 star)
   Cute hispanic christmas story
   
2. Off the Hook: A Christmas Ornament Adventure by John Arvai III (3 star)
   Especially like the idea that the Christmas star lights the way for Santa and his way on checking in.
   
3. A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe (5 star)
   This almost made me cry, ok fine it did.
   
4. The Angry Dragon by Michael Gordon (5 star)
5. Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (5 star)
6. Moana: The Mighty Maui Makes a Friend by Kalikolehua Hurley (3 star)
   The kids also enjoyed this story. Though I wish I can sound more like the Rock.
   
7. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (5 star)
   Loved the art work and the message.
   
8. Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christine C. Jones (4 star)
9. Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (3 star)
   The kids enjoyed this story with it's small humor. I even purchased a copy for my nephew who finished it in a day. He's having difficulties finishing books so that speaks a lot.
   
10. What's in There?: All about before you were born by Robie H. Harris (2 star)
    thought this would be a good book for my niece who's mother is expecting
    
11. Spat the Cat: I scream for Ice Cream by Rob Scotton (4 star)
12. Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks by James Dean (4 star)
13. Pete the Cat goes camping by James Dean (3 star)
14. Sit. Stay. Love. Life Lessons from a Doggie by Chalaine Kilduff (5 star)
    so cute. gonna have to pick a copy up for myself.
    
15. The Witch and the Anxious Broomstick by Sonica Ellis (3 star)

 

Currently Reading and 2022 TBR:

• I started reading Frozen 2: Dangerous Secrets: The Story of Iduna and Agnarr by Mari Mancusi in 2021. So far i'm really enjoying it but i am reading it with my niece so depending on her reading speed this may take longer than usual. 
• Still need to finish the second book of  Mind Readers: The Mind Thieves by Lori Brighton
  
• On the top of my list to start and complete is the third book of the Lunar Chronicles: Cress as well as the short story The Queens's Army by Marissa Meyer.
  
• As well as continuing the Outlander series since the show will soon continue: Book 4 Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon - still not sure if i am on book 4 or 5. 
• Another book of the Twisted Tales - not sure which one i will choose yet.
  
•  The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I hope to start by mid year. 
• I hope to get to the third book of Ravenspire The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine 
• I also hope to read the second book of the Paper Magician series The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg.
• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auzier - i will have to restart. I will probably be listening to this book and get it off my prime reading list.
  
• For October I plan on starting the Killing Eve series Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings
  
• I did not get a chance to purchase but hopefully i do get it this year - The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig