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April Wrap-Up!

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

As I mentioned in one of my most recent blogs I am just getting back into reading. As a result I haven’t read a ton of books this month by my old standards, but I did get back into the swing of it! Hopefully I will be able to write reviews of these too, or at least some of them. 🙂

Books read in April:
Stalking Jack the Ripper
Stalking Jack the Ripper
  • Review to come 🙂
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
  • I loved this book! 4.5/5
The Season
The Season
  • Fun retelling of Pride & Prejudice
Illuminae
Illuminae
Gemina
Gemina
Obsidio (currently reading)
obsidio
  • Review of the entire series to come when I finish this last book!

 

Book Funsies

Top 10 Tuesday

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

10 Books That I’d Slay a Lion to Get Early 😉

Damn a lion….that’s a fierce battle. Not that I wouldn’t do it….but I like lions. Can I battle something equally badass? Like a Dragon?
Yes. So 10 Books I’d Slay a Dragon to Get Early!
I will say that because of my busy life I barely get the time to read that I would like. So, as much as I want these books early, chances are good that I’ll barely have time to read them when they come out anyway….but I’m highly anticipating them regardless!

 

1. Kingdom of Ash (release 10/23/18)

This one shouldn’t surprise anyone. The epic, I’m sure, finale to this series is going to be insane. I loved Tower of Dawn (Chaol = love), but am excited to get back to my #wcw, Manon Blackbeak.

 

2. Queen of Air and Darkness (release 12/4/18)

I wish I wasn’t so in love with this series. But I would be lying to say that I’m not.

 

3. Chain of Gold (release 2019)

Ok. I know this means two Cassie Clare books on here. But OMG I loved The Infernal Devices series….it’s by far my favorite series so far. So I’m happy to get back to that era in the world.

 

4. The Winds of Winter (release 2020, yeah right!)

Seems like a gimmie. Also, while we’re at it, A Dream of Spring would be nice too.

 

5. Archenemies (release 11/6/18)

I loved Renegades so much, so I can’t wait for the sequel!

 

6. Bloodwitch (release 2019)

I can’t even. Like….now. Pls.

 

7. Escaping from Houdini (9/18/18)

I fell in love with these characters during Stalking Jack the Ripper. At first, I thought my interest was going to be only invested in the Jack the Ripper portion, my father and I share a fascination with serial killers, but I loved the characters enough that following them to Haunting Prince Dracula. Can’t wait for Escaping from Houdini!

 

8. Reaper at the Gate (release 6/12/18)

Ember in the Ashes is such an amazing series, I’m so happy it’s going to be a quartet and not a trilogy!

 

9. These Rebel Waves (8/7/18)

The Snow Like Ashes trilogy was so amazing! I will look forward to anything that Sara Raasch writes!

 

10. Literally ANYTHING by Meg Cabot or Maria V. Snyder (release TBD)

Ok so these aren’t books that are even announced, let along have titles. But, these are my two favorite authors. As such I will always slay a dragon to get ANYTHING written by them.

Book Covers!*

*The covers for Bloodwitch and Chain of Gold are not the official covers, but amazing fan art.

Bloodwitch: @miss_melissalee

Chain of Gold: infernalheronstairs|tumblr

Book Funsies

I’m Tag Happy ;)

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

 

1. What fictional character has the best style?

Ok I’m unsure what you mean by style. But let’s go with Magnus Bane.

2. Your book girlfriend/boyfriend/fictional crush?

Valek Icefaren. Forever and always ❤

3. Ever loved a character but than started hating them?

Uhhh…more often I dislike a character and then begrudgingly start liking them. *cough* Rowan Whitethorn *cough*

4. Biggest/Longest book on your shelf?

A Storm of Swords – George RR Martin

5. Heaviest book on your shelf?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – The Illustrated Edition

6. Do you have any book posters?

No, but that’s because my posters are pretty much all Disneyland related….

7. Do you have any book themed jewelry?

I have loooots. Thank you Bookish Box 😉

8. Book OTP?

Yalena Zaltana and Valek Icefaren (despite my liking to think I’m his actual OTP…)

9. Favorite book series?

Poison Study Series by Maria V. Snyder

10. Favorite Book-to-movie soundtrack?

2005 Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s amazing background reading music ❤

11. A book story you miss/wish would continue?

The Mediator Series – Meg Cabot

12. Favorite stand-alone?

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

13. Since when do you read books?

Since my parents/sister began reading to me.

14. Which Hogwarts house are you in?

I always thought Slytherin, but my bestie has pointed out to me that I’m actually a Ravenclaw who, for some reason, likes to believe she’s a Slytherin….

15. Quality you look for in a book?

Uniqueness.

16. Favorite book quote?

First – “quotation.” Sorry, it’s a pet peeve ingrained into me by my father since birth.

Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever.

I’ve actually considered getting that tattooed somewhere.

17. Favorite author?

Meg Cabot

18. Favorite book cover?

Oh god…so much pretty…..but this is among them 🙂

ACOTAR

19. Action or Romance?

Why not both? Although I do love in books when characters try to have a romantic moment while the world is falling apart around them, and one of them basically says “seriously, now!?”

20. Where do you go when a sad moment happens?

Further into my book…..

21. How long do you need to finish a book?

If I’m into it? A couple hours? If I’m not I can legit take months and read a few dozen between starting and finishing the other.

22. How long is your mourning period?

Usually until I pick up another book….but it can last longer depending on how long until the next book in the series.

23. Least favorite Book?

All Quiet on the Western Front. Ugh.

24. Turn on in a character?

Confidence.

25. Turn off in a character?

Arrogance. There is a difference.

26. Reason I joined Book blogging?

Honestly? I don’t know. It seemed like fun, and I’ve been a bookstagrammer for awhile. It prolly is an outlet since my friends often get tired of me constantly talking about books….

27. Name a scary book?

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Heh heh….see what I did there? 😉 #adulting

28. Last book that made you cry?

Oh man…last book? Maybe Lord of Shadows?  I don’t cry at books all that often….

29. Last book that you gave 5 stars?

Haven’t published it’s review yet, but it will be Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

30. Any favorite book titles?

Like, title alone? Like I really liked Stalking Jack the Ripper since I’m fascinated by him…plus the book was awesome!

31. Last book you read?

Gemina – The Illuminae Files #2

32. Book you’re currently reading?

Obsidio – The Illuminae Files #3

33. Last book adaptation you watched?

Love, Simon….OMG THE FEELS

34. A book character you always wanted to talk to?

Talk to? I just want Jesse de Silva to speak to me in Spanish <3…but for legit conversation, I think Hermione Granger and I would get along swimingly.

35. An author you always wanted to talk to?

J.K. Rowling. Legit. Not just because I love her as an author, but as a friggin human she’s amazing.

36. Favorite Book snack?

Almonds and Craisins

37. Book world you want to live in?

Hogwarts ❤

38. Book world you DON’T want to live in?

The Hunger Games….awesome books….but rouuuuugh life.

39. Last time you smelled a book?

I don’t have a sense of smell 😦

40. Weird insults used in books?

“Do you bite your thumb at me sir!?”

41. Favorite romance book?

Pride & Prejudice…does that count? Or is that a classic? As far as contemporary goes I have a total soft spot for Nora Robert’s trilogy Inn Boonsboro and her Bride Quartet. Not gonna lie.

42. Do you write?

Just this blog. My sister writes novels though, and she’s pretty amazeballs.

43. Favorite magical item?

Time Turner. Imagine all the reading time!

44. Your Quidditch position?

Beater. Totes.

45. Name a song you connect to a book.

Haha! Tell Me I’m A Wreck by Every Avenue.

46. Favorite book related chat up line?

Hey baby, is that a new spine? Because I wanna crack you open.

Oh wait….that’s a good serial killer pick up line…my bad 😉

47. Have you ever used it?

Ummm no. Because I’m NOT a serial killer.

48. Favorite book fandom?

Harry Potter. Wands down.

49. How many books do you own?

What a rude question to ask a lady! #runsandhidesinstacksashamed

50. Tags.

Honestly, whoever wants to “procrastinate life” by doing a super long/super awesome tag 😉

Book Funsies, Top Ten Tuesday

Top 10 Tuesday

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s list is common words book titles. My chosen genre was YA, although upon recollection some of these aren’t *strictly* YA 😉 I tried to only pull from titles that I have actually read, or are on my immediate (in the next 3 books) TBR.

  1. Queen – 17 uses

    • Queen of Air and Darkness, Queen of Shadows, The Star-Touched Queen, The Scarecrow Queen, The Orphan Queen, Red Queen, The Shadow Queen, Queen of Babble, The Queen of the Tearling, The Iron Queen, Queen Song, The Exiled Queen, The Queen’s Rising, Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception, The Runaway Queen, The Cupcake Queen, The Queen of Zombie Hearts

  2. Dark – 15 uses

    • Queen of Air and Darkness, One Dark Throne, Three Dark Crowns, Courting Darkness, And I Darken, Gathering Darkness, Dark Triumph, The Beauty of Darkness, Dark Witch, Dark Passage, Taste of Darkness, Disney After Dark, Dead Until Dark, Darkfever, Darkest Hour

  3. Shadow – 14 uses

    • The Shadowhunter’s Codex, Lord of Shadows, Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, Reign of Shadows, Shadow and Bone, The Shadow Queen, Queen of Shadows, Shadow Study, Disney in Shadow, Cast in Shadow, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, Shadowfever, Shadowland, Smoke and Shadow

  4. Heart – 13 uses

    • Mortal Heart, The Heart of Betrayal, Heartless, Heart of the Sea, Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, Inkheart, Heart of Danger, Heart Breaker, Racing Hearts, Ransom My Heart, Assassin’s Heart, Heart of Iron, The Queen of Zombie Hearts

  5. Star – 13 uses

    • A Court of Frost and Starlight, The Star-Touched Queen, Obsidian and Stars, Stars Above, Shopaholic to the Stars, Curse of the Arctic Star, Morning Star, The Last Star, The Midnight Star, Fire Star, Hidden Star, Captive Star, Secret Star

  6. Girl – 11 uses

    • Fangirl, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Wrong Kind of Girl, The Perfect Girl, Certain Girls, The Wedding Girl, Girlfriend Material, Confessions of a Not It Girl, Twenties Girl, Boy Meets Girl, All-American Girl

  7. Night/Midnight – 11 uses

    • Night Study, Crown of Midnight, Frost Like Night, A Torch Against the Night, Lady Midnight, All Night Long, Lady Night, Night Shade, Goddess of the Night, The Night Circus, Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Midnight Trolls

  8. Love – 11 uses

    • I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You, When Love Dies, Dangerous Love, Beloved, True Love, The Big Love, Double Love, Love and Other Four-Letter Words, First Comes Love, Wicked Lovely, Princess in Love

  9. Kingdom – 10 uses

    • Falling Kingdoms, Crooked Kingdom, Kingdom of Ash, The Bitter Kingdom, Clash of Kingdoms, The Broken Kingdoms, The Kingdom of Gods, A Knight of Seven Kingdoms, Crystal Kingdom, Kingdom of Ash & Briars

  10. Ash(es) – 9 uses

    • City of Ashes, An Ember in the Ashes, Snow Like Ashes, An Inheritance of Ashes, Kingdom of Ash, Ash Princess, Fire & Ash, Ash & Quill, Kingdom of Ash and Briars

 

Also – I know I’m a few days late, didn’t realize this was still sitting in my “draft”

Book Funsies

The Book Boyfriend Files

Maren @ MarenBoBarenReads
I’m most likely shooting myself in the foot here. But I’m going to do my damnedest to keep this to my top 5. And *gulp* I’m going to try and rank them in order. The idea of book boyfriends makes my husband laugh, although I do often tell him that I’m going to leave him for any of these men….
Without further ado, the *fictional* leading men in my life:

 

5. Chaol Westfall – Throne of Glass Series

Of course Chaol was going to make it on the list. He is the newest addition to my bookish boyfriend files. Imagine how happy I was that he received his own book in the Throne of Glass series last year!

I worry because I care. Gods help me, I know I shouldn’t, but I do. So I will always tell you to be careful, because I will always care what happens.

4. Ned Nickerson – Nancy Drew

Oh Ned. He was my first book boyfriend, at least that I remember. And I gotta say, as much as I love Nancy Drew, she’s kinda not good enough for him. Nancy is pretty kickass, don’t get me wrong. But, maybe, if she’s going to be leaving the country at the drop of a hat as much as she does, she would remember to call him to rain-check their dates. She travels a lot, which is great, more power to you Nance! But, poor Ned is constantly getting left behind, often with no word that she can’t make it to their next date…

And to think, Ned said huskily, only this afternoon I thought I’d lost you to another guy.

3. Fitzwilliam Darcy – Pride & Prejudice

Of all the boyfriends on my list, I’m convinced Mr. Darcy would make it onto most people’s lists. It may not be super original in that regard, but in the fictional world he is one of the most CLASSIC book boyfriends! While some people might find his stubborn and taciturn ways incredibly irritating after a while, I still find them incredibly swoon worthy *bats eyelashes*

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

2. Hector “Jesse” de Silva – The Mediator Series

Ok, I wont try and hide it. I friggin drooooool over Jesse. Meg Cabot, you queen of storytelling, you gave me the book boyfriend of my teens and early twenties. And, just when I might have let my heart move on, you gave me Proposal and Rememberance right in my late 20s. Now all I want is more books in The Mediator series. And I want to just hear Jesse whisper one thing in my ear:

Querida.

Jesse could have easily been my number 1 choice, if not for a sexy, slightly, older assassin:

1. Valek Icefaren – Poison Study Series

I’m worried that if I go into all the details about how much I love Valek I will start having to fan myself. Maria V. Snyder, thank you. Like, seriously, thank you. In all honesty Poison Study (really both series set in Ixia/Sitia) are my favorite series. I reread them all every year and am captivated everytime without fail. But, oh my gods, Valek. Some serious swoon over here. I want one for myself.

You’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.

HOW AM I NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM!? YOU TELL ME!

Ok all, time to fess up. Could you narrow your book boyfriends to a mere list of 5? Or 3? This was not easy haha….felt like The Bachelorette: Book Edition 😉