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Category: books
- Mini Review
  
  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on January 27, 2017
  
  The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman
  
  Publisher: Scribner
  Published: July 2012
  Genre: historical fiction
  Rating: ★★★★
  Summary: Tom Sherbourne takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast of Australia. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.
  
  Mini Review: I adored this book, most especially for its moral complexity. As many people have already read and raved over it, and many more have seen the film, I’ll keep this brief. Even though I stand by “each woman is a little off her rocker,” it still doesn’t solve the moral, emotional, judicial, and psychological issue at hand. Is the baby better off with the mother it knows, or the mother who birthed her? Are the mothers well within her rights to claim the child as her own? Are they even in the right mental state? It is impossible to know, especially with the evidence presented in this book, what is “right” or “wrong,” and even with the issue resolved, Stedman leaves threads of the story hanging in just the right way to make you continue to wonder.
  
  Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier
  
  Publisher: Roc
  Published: October 2009
  Genre: fantasy
  Rating: ★★★
  Summary: Anluan has been crippled since childhood, part of a curse that has besieged his family and his home of Whistling Tor. But when the young scribe Caitrin is retained to sort through family documents, she brings about unexpected changes in the household, casting a hopeful light against the despairing shadows. But to truly free Anluan’s burdened soul, Caitrin must unravel the web of sorcery woven by his ancestors before it claims his life-and their love…
  
  Mini Review: This was going to be the most perfect read ever, just based on this formula alone: Marillier + Beauty and the Beast + ancient Ireland. But it didn’t quite live up to my own expectations. While I didn’t fall in love with it, Marillier continues to astound me with her storytelling and world-building abilities. She has a way of utilizing the bare bones of a familiar fairy tale and making it entirely her own. She doesn’t rely on all the aspects we’re familiar with — just the important ones. Her characters are singular and developed, and the setting and atmosphere enchanting.
  
  .
  
  This qualifies as book 1 of 9 in the Flights of Fantasy / Gabaldon-and-Marillier challenge.
  
  This qualifies as book 1 of 5 library books in 2017.
  
  Posted in books, Flights of Fantasy, Reviews 2017 | 5 Comments | Tagged books, flights of fantasy, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, mini review, review
- Book Review: “My Not So Perfect Life” by Sophie Kinsella (ARC)
  
  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on January 24, 2017
  
  My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
  
  Publisher: Dial
  Publishing Date: February 7
  Genre: women’s fiction, contemporary, chick lit
  ISBN: 9780812998269
  Rating: ★★★★★
  
  Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. The final, demeaning straw comes when Demeter makes Katie dye her roots in the office. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.
  
  Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.
  
  Katie wants nothing more than to be successful just like her boss Demeter. She wants that perfect life: career, friends, flat, dinners and parties, clothes. Demeter seems to have it all, and Katie both admires and resents her boss. She needs an opportunity to prove to Demeter she can do more for the branding company than plugging in survey responses. But when Katie’s suddenly let go, she heads back to her father’s farm, and tries to piece together a new life. Little does she know, London comes calling in the summer when Demeter and her family decide to vacation in her father’s new glamping resort. After several muddy fiascos and revealed disguises, Katie and Demeter piece together vendettas within the London company, and do their very best to make things right again.
  
  I went through a massive Kinsella binge early last year (here, here, and here) and was thrilled to read an advance copy of her latest novel. Even if I hadn’t read Kinsella before, this book caught my attention immediately.
  
  Katie (or Cat, as she wants to be called for her London Persona) is instantly likeable. I wanted to be her friend and commiserate with her in her tiny bedroom with a hammock for a closet, or with her at work beside her tiny desk plugging in survey after survey into spreadsheets. I wanted to go on adventures with her around London and do our very best to not spend a single pound, because money is precious and we have very little of it. Heck, I’d even dig in the trash to get the wrapped sandwich back (THAT SCENE!).
  
  She tries so hard to fit into the ideal London image that she forgets who she really is and where she comes from. Her transformation back in Somerset with her father’s glamping business isn’t a drastic one, but certainly eye-opening for her. She finds her talent in branding blossoming, her customer service skills flourishing, and her ability to run the business smoothly is something of a gift. Is this where she truly belongs?
  
  The entire novel focuses on perception, both in real life and online. Take the settings, for example. Katie perceives London to be this glamorous place, the ideal city in which to live and work — but her father thinks London is scary and dirty and cruel. Katie also finds comfort in the country, and is more than aware of farm life hardships — but the glampers, such as Demeter, idealize it to be rustic and quaint and “back to the roots” of civilization. Now, take the people! Katie perceives Demeter to have an absolutely perfect life, but Demeter’s life is falling to pieces. Katie also works hard to maintain an Instagram account of her false London life with images of nice cafes and expensive restaurants, gorgeous clothes and party venues. It’s all a lie, but it convinces her friends that everything is bright and cheerful. Not everything is as it seems, and it takes some investigation and proper observation to find the truth.
  
  There is so much more I want to talk about — Katie’s coworkers, Dad and Biddy (BIDDY!!), Alex the Love Interest, Coco and Hal, the glampers — but if I say anything more, I may spoil the book!
  
  Part office dramedy, part love story, I could not put down this witty new novel. The little romance is second (even third!) to the primary plot of Katie’s life and growth, navigating adulthood with as much professionalism and gumption as she can muster. Toss in the hilarious scenes with Demeter in the office and on the glamping farm, and you’re in for a treat!
  
  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Dial for review!
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 5 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, review
- Flipping Through the Pages: Autumn Rewind 2016
  
  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on January 1, 2017
  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!
  
  Through the Lens
  
  In October, I held the responsibility of walking our mini schnauzer Greta, which meant seeing some beautiful autumn sunrises every morning. In November, my client Tara Sim’s Timekeeper was published, and it’s so shiny and wonderful and heart-poundly great! And in December, my best friend officially made me her Maid of Honor for her 2018 wedding (still plenty of time to plan).
  
  Life Highlights
  
  Not a positive one, but for most of October my mother was in the hospital (thus all the dog-walking). It really changed the dynamics of the household dramatically, and I am even more thankful for her strength and presence with each passing day. Positive highlights of course include the publication of Timekeeper and my best friend’s engagement, but also brunch with friends from Denver, preparing Christmas music for the holiday season, celebrating the Beau’s new job, and celebrating our first Christmas together too. Thanksgiving and Christmas were so wonderful with the family, and we’re very grateful to still have Grandpa with us. He’s been battling Stage 4 lung cancer the last year or so, and still miraculously has a lot of energy. Even the doctors are amazed he’s 86 and spritely, since he seems so much younger. All in all, a good holiday season!
  
  Tunes on Repeat
  
  Really, all of the Pentatonix holiday albums were on repeat, but this is my favorite favorite favorite of theirs (followed by “Little Drummer Boy”).
  
  This is a video pieced together from phone recordings over the summer tour to Germany. Not gonna lie…I think we sound pretty good, especially for a church choir. Around the 3-minute mark, our section leaders sing a piece that always teared me up.
  
  This piece the choir, as well as a little chamber ensemble I was in, practiced over and over because those jumps and intervals are so difficult for the voice. Yet stunning when done well.
  
  Bookmarked in the Community
  1. On “American” @ Laura Pittenger — Laura is one of my old college roommates and an amazing individual carving out a life in theater in NYC. She’s posted some great personal essays on her blog, and one of my favorites was this on being American, shortly after Election Day. She traces her family’s roots, finds a mixing bowl of nationalities, and shares her thoughts. Powerful.
  2. Low Reading Months @ BookmarkLit — Lauren shares her experience with recent low reading months and combats it with a plan of how to get out of the slump.
  3. If You Liked Gilmore Girls… @ The Book Addict’s Guide — Brittany shares some YA recommendations for fans of Gilmore Girls and I agree with many of them!
  4. Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere: Packing a Purse or Personal Item @ Belle of the Literati — I LOVE this series Kelly is doing on her blog about traveling and the dos and don’ts of safe adventure. This particular post is a how-to and there were some tips and tricks she shared that had never occurred to me before!
  5. Dumbledore’s Army Readathon @ Read at Midnight — If you’re looking for a diverse readathon this month (January), this is the one for you!
  Popular Posts on Scribbles
  1. On Reading Epiphanies and Getting Back to Bookish Roots — A discussion on reading fatigue, lifestyle changes and how it altered reading habits, and what I plan to do to combat it.
  2. End of Year Book Survey III — Not surprised on this one at all, since it’s a great wrap-up of the year!
  3. If We Were Having Coffee… — The second one! Though this is a series I plan on continuing, as it’s fun to just let go for a brief post and write whatever’s on my mind.
  4. Book Review: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Not surprised by this one whatsoever either. This book seemed to take the blogging world by storm.
  Cherished Reads
  
  Leave Me by Gayle Forman ★★★★★
  
  The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst ★★★★
  
  My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella ★★★★★ (review to come!)
  
  The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan ★★★★ (review to come!)
  
  Cherished Quotes
  
  “Were you Gchatting?” Todd asked, peering over her shoulder. “With your husband?”
  Maribeth closed the window.
  “You little hussy,” Todd said.
  —Leave Me by Gayle Forman
  
  You can’t help who you fall in love with. That kind of love just
  swoops in and grabs hold of you, even if you were to drop chemistry —
  or switch jobs, which god knows I should have done a long time ago —
  it’s still taken hold of your desire, and that’s a damn hard thing to free yourself of.
  —Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
  
  Pretty much everyone in the world could use some therapy.
  —Leave Me by Gayle Forman
  
  If the bread wouldn’t fill his stomach, it might at least fill his mouth.
  The girl had finished half of hers before he took a second bite.
  “You shouldn’t rush,” he said. “There are no taste buds in your stomach.”
  She paused to consider his reasoning, then took
  another bite. “There’s no hunger in your tongue.”
  —A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
  
  Progress Update on Reading Challenges
  
  Library Books: 13 / 10 // complete!
  Future Perfect || Blackhearts || Rebel of the Sands
  The Buddha in the Attic || Wide Sargasso Sea || Re Jane
  The Elegance of the Hedgehog || The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
  The Gilded Cage || Leave Me || Nine Women, One Dress
  A Constellation of Vital Phenomena || The Queen of Blood
  
  #ReRead2016: 2 / 5
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Emma
  
  Flights of Fantasy: 7 / 5 // complete!
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Rebel of the Sands
  Lady Renegades || The Star-Touched Queen || Assassin’s Apprentice
  My Lady Jane || The Queen of Blood
  
  Classics Challenge: 1 / 5
  Emma
  
  Rock My TBR: 14 / 12 // complete!
  Walk on Earth a Stranger || Arsenic for Tea || Since You’ve Been Gone
  Picture Perfect || Twenties Girl || Remember Me? || Assassin’s Apprentice
  Eligible || The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow || 13 Little Blue Envelopes
  Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here || Me Before You || First & Then
  Mystery & Mayhem
  
  Impulse Buys: 5 / 5 // no more buying!
  Can You Keep a Secret? || I’ve Got Your Number || The Undomestic Goddess
  My Lady Jane || The Hating Game
  
  Overall Challenge: 53 / 50
  
  Random Obsessions
  
  On TV: I watched Poldark, even though he made me very angry and I’m not sure I’ll watch the third season. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was fun — I really enjoyed Lorelai and Emily’s stories, the quirkiness of Stars Hollow, and just being back in this world in general — but I had many issues with Rory and wasn’t too pleased with the last four words (yes, I know why they’re there, it still doesn’t make me happy though). What I’m very excited about is The Crown! Binged that show (finally) and I’m so pleased to see Netflix has six seasons planned!
  
  On Film: Arrival was STUNNING and I’m eager to see it again! I also watched The Man Who Knew Infinity from Redbox and it made me all teary (just like many scientists-face-difficulty-and-acceptance-in-their-time-and-era movies).
  
  In the Shopping Bag: All the Christmas presents! Including an early gift-to-self of a new iphone case that looks like a Hogwarts envelope. Thank you, Etsy!
  
  Miscellaneous: I’m in need of some nice, sturdy, wooden bookcases for fairly cheap. If you know of any or you’re a fan of a particular retailer, do share!
  
  Looking Towards the Future
  
  January and March are full of birthdays, so there will be lots of celebrations in the winter months. I’m also looking forward to going to the symphony with the Beau, and traveling to San Francisco with my best friend while she has a slight break from med school.
  
  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts!
  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 8 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind
- Top Five Books of 2016
  
  Posted at 3:25 am by Laura, on December 30, 2016
  
  LEAVE ME by Gayle Forman || I fell in love with Forman’s writing all over again, and every step of Maribeth’s journey felt sure, raw, and honest. I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation of all her decisions, and simultaneously relaxed, like I was leisurely catching up with an old friend.
  
  SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys || I cannot stress enough how important it is to read Salt to the Sea, to read Between Shades of Gray, to reflect on your life and the lives lost after reading. Sepetys understands the nature of humanity on such a deep level. I trust her completely.
  
  ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes || Me Before You isn’t a full-blown romance. It’s about two individuals from very different worlds, experiencing life in very different ways, coming together and finding love in the most unlikely circumstances, and, belatedly, navigating the effects of that love and their diverging life plans. It’s not sudden and sweeping, but slow, heartbreaking, tense.
  
  TRAITOR ANGELS by Anne Blankman || I am astonished, and I want nothing more than to roam Oxford again and picnic by the river and revisit my studies on the English Civil War, with a copy of Milton by my side and Renaissance historians gushing about the Italian progress. When an author can make me miss academia at this level, I promise you the book they wrote is excellent. And Blankman’s is exactly that.
  
  THE LIE TREE by Frances Hardinge || First, this is proper gothic literature. The muffled, dark atmosphere — a never-ending sense of foreboding, a constant feeling that one is being watched, hair-raising, spine-chilling — is all you need to develop the urgency in Faith’s quest, to really paint the unstable time in history and fluctuating dynamics of the household. While there’s a death, a creepy plant, and some bumps in the night, this isn’t blood and gore. This is proper horror, proper suspense, proper uncanny, and thus creates proper gothic.
  
  Which books made your Top Five for the year?
  
  Posted in books, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged books, personal, top five books
- End of Year Book Survey III
  
  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on December 28, 2016
  
  This is the third year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. Last year it was so much fun to share my bookish life through Hermione gifs, I decided to share it through Pevensie gifs! I am looking forward to reading your 2016 book survey, too.
  
  Note: This includes all books read in 2016 – they do not have to be published in 2016.
  
  Number Of Books You Read: 52
  Number of Re-Reads: 1
  Genre You Read The Most From: contemporary
  
  1. Best Book You Read in 2016
  
  ARG! Goodness. The first that comes to mind is The Lie Tree. It had everything I could ever want from a novel: compelling, excellent voice, intelligent protagonist, unique circumstances, beautiful atmosphere. While it’s historical fiction with a touch of fantasy (magical realism?), it’s first and foremost a Gothic novel. And ya’ll know I love me some Gothic.
  
  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?
  
  It’s a tie between Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here and Summer Days and Summer Nights. Everyone raved about Epstein being the snarkier, more forward version of Fangirl and I was not into it whatsoever. And I so looked forward to Summer Days and Summer Nights and found I wasn’t interested in many of the short stories from some of my own favorite authors! Wah wah. (Also, yes, I realize in my review I typed “Claire” instead of “Clare” and that’s because I still think of her fanfic days and I can’t be arsed to correct it.)
  
  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2016?
  
  Re Jane definitely surprised me. I’m of the view no one should touch the precious Jane Eyre, but Patricia Park really knew how to modernize this classic and make it stand on its own. Toss in the beautiful way she incorporated Own Voices, and this was a treat and absolute pleasure to read.
  
  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2016?
  
  The Hating Game was pushed on me by my client Nina, and then I recommended it to Ginger, Lindsey, Morgan…next thing I know, it’s all over the place in the blogging community. I’m not saying Nina or I started it, but it was certainly a whirlwind!
  
  5. Best Series You Started in 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?
  
  Series Started: The Queens of Renthia series with The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst OR Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
  Sequel: Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter
  Series Ender: Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins, though it was the only series ender I read this year
  
  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2016?
  
  Emma Mills with her book First & Then captured my heart. I’m eager to dive into This Adventure Ends now.
  
  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?
  
  Fever at Dawn was out of my comfort zone because it’s a translation. Sometimes the heart and emotion in the story, in the voice, can be lost in translation. This novel though? So good. I really enjoyed it.
  
  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?
  
  Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman, but that’s not a surprise at all! Her novels always leave my heart pounding.
  
  9. Book You Read in 2016 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?
  
  Perhaps Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella because WHY NOT *heart eyes*
  
  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2016?
  
  A tie between Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman and Traitor Angels. I love ships in bottles (both IRL and on covers), as they remind me of my grandfather, and the art department did a great job of making the bottle really stand out. As for Blankman’s book, please just look at that dripping-ink-that-looks-like-melted-chocolate. Balzer + Bray’s art department is fantastic.
  
  11. Most Memorable Character of 2016?
  
  Lou in Me Before You is one incredible young woman, inside and out.
  
  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2016?
  
  The language, voice, and artistry of The Star-Touched Queen left me longing for more!
  
  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2016?
  
  Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys should come to no surprise. Sepetys always makes me think and wonder, and her books do change my life.
  
  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2016 to Finally Read?
  
  Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ KINSELLA?!
  
  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2016?
  
  “I saw a girl who races to help others but doesn’t help herself. And right now you need to help yourself. No one should walk up the aisle feeling inferior or in a different league or trying to be something they’re not.”
  –I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
  
  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2016?
  
  Shortest: Buddha in the Attic
  Longest: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  
  17. Book That Shocked You the Most
  
  Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld, only because I was happily surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I haven’t read any of her other books, and The Jane Austen Project has been pretty successful thus far. I was just genuinely shocked how much I adored it, and how much the reviews were right.
  
  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)
  
  I didn’t read a whole lot of shippy stuff this year! WHAT. So how about I go with a manuscript I read this year that I will go down with and you will all hear about in 2017? Matt and Tabby in Jared Reck’s The Short History of the Girl Next Door.
  
  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year
  
  Ven and Daleina in The Queen of Blood, possibly. I can see where people would root for them to get together, but he’s at least 15 years her senior and he’s her Champion (intructor and defender of sorts). But their platonic dynamics were perfect!
  
  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 from an Author You’ve Read Previously
  
  The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller, hands down. I learned so much in that book, too!
  
  21. Best Book You Read in 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure
  
  Hands down, it was Walk on Earth a Stranger, and I’m glad I did. Everyone was raving over it, and over Carson’s previous books, plus there was the appeal of the Oregon Trail story, so of course I gave in. And loved it.
  
  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2016?
  
  See, I didn’t read many shippy books! Maybe Jonah in When We Collided. He’s such a sweetheart.
  
  23. Best 2016 Debut You Read?
  
  The Star-Touched Queen, of course! Such a beautiful, stunning book!
  
  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?
  
  The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst, easily. All of the trees, the spirits, the structure of the government and culture — so vivid! Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice would make a close second. I think I would need to read the following books to really sink into the world for that one.
  
  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?
  
  My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella (will be published in February 2017, review to come!) and Arsenic for Tea (or Poison is Not Polite) by Robin Stevens. Kinsella because she always does, and Stevens because her mystery series is so well-crafted and charming!
  
  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2016?
  
  A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Mara had me at near tears by the end. What a powerful read.
  
  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?
  
  Geek Girl: Picture Perfect by Holly Smale is the third in the Geek Girl series and it deserves all the attention in the US that it receives in the UK. I love this series! So fun and quirky and perfect chick lit for YA!
  
  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?
  
  Me Before You probably. Tears for days.
  
  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2016?
  
  Buddha in the Attic was told in collective perspective, rather than following one single person’s narrative. It followed countless Japanese women from Japan to America and the various lives they formed shortly before WWII. That form of storytelling is probably the most unique I’ve ever read.
  
  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?
  
  Rebel of the Sands, because I wanted to love it and I didn’t. Not at all. Far from it. I think I’m more disappointed in myself for not enjoying it than I am at the book.
  
  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2016?
  
  This year I didn’t “discover” new book blogs, but I did meet several bloggers I interact with all the time on Twitter. We would hang out at BEA and see movies and get breakfast and dinner together. Collectively, I was closer to the blogging community that way — but I didn’t discover a new blog. If anything, I became much closer to Kelly @ Belle of the Literati. She is such a remarkable and fun person. I want to travel with her!
  
  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2016?
  
  My entire Kinsella series was fun to review. That One Time I Binged on Kinsella was fun to write, and I was eager to do a Part II was well.
  
  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?
  
  If We Were Having Coffee is a good post series I plan to continue doing in 2017. It’s a great way for me to let my bookish guard down and just TALK to you! I hope you enjoy them as much as I love writing them!
  
  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
  
  BEA! It was so much fun reuniting and meeting with so many people — editors, authors, bloggers — in a city near my home. While Book Expo is bound to be different in 2017 (and I’m curious to see how the changes work out), I look forward to this event because it feels like one massive reunion.
  
  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2016?
  
  In my blogging life, I was thrilled to finally meet Stacey @ Pretty Books! I was in London for about a week in June and we went out for a delicious pizza dinner and shopping at Waterstones. I don’t know if she remembers this at all, but I first followed her on tumblr back when we were both finishing up university. She inspired me to create a book blog, and we’ve been following each other ever since! It was about time we met in person.
  
  In my bookish life, my best moment by far was Jared Reck’s deal announcement!
  
  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
  
  Jared’s deal announcement and my first If We Were Having Coffee post received the most not-book-review views and comments, and Salt to the Sea continuously receives the most views throughout 2016.
  
  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?
  
  On Reading Epiphanies was fun to write, and I would’ve loved to discuss it more with other readers! Are there reading habits you’ve lost or picked up since blogging? Since beginning a new job? Since beginning a job in the book industry?
  
  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
  
  Personal book discovery, though completely old hat to Londoners: Daunt Books. OH MY GOD Daunt Books. What a gorgeous bookstore. This is what bookstores should look like always.
  
  10. Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?
  
  *laughs hysterically* Oh, boy. I was supposed to read 5 classics this year, and I only read 1. I was supposed to reread 5 books, but I only reread 2. While those were failures, I read 8 of 5 fantasy books, 17 of 12 already-purchased-but-unread books, 20 of 10 library books, and fewer ARCs (only 9 this year). So yes, I over-completed some, and severely undercompleted others, but I do think overall this was a good reading year!
  
  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?
  
  So many series enders, like Winner’s Kiss, and second novels like Outrun the Moon or Like a River Glorious.
  
  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2017 (non-debut)?
  
  Oh, there are so many! I think even my teen self would agree with my adult self: Sarah Dessen’s next book Once and For All.
  
  3. 2017 Debut You are Most Anticipating?
  
  The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir, which I’ve already started reading. I’m quite looking forward to finishing it!
  
  4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2017?
  
  Series Ending: William Ritter’s final Jackaby book!
  Series Sequel: Sparks of Light by Janet B. Taylor
  
  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2017?
  
  Announce more book deals!
  
  6. A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:
  
  Jared Reck’s A Short History of the Girl Next Door, for obvious (agenting) reasons. As well as Tara Sim’s second in the Timekeeper trilogy (I can’t announce the title yet!). Then there’s Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life coming to stores in February I absolutely ADORED and had trouble maintaining a straight face while reading in public.
  
  ^ I love that scene
  
  Posted in books, Update Post | 11 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal
- 2017 Bookish Resolutions and Reading Challenges
  
  Posted at 9:15 am by Laura, on December 19, 2016
  
  Major Goals
  
  READ 50 BOOKS || To quote last year’s post, “easy peasy.” Though it has become a bit more of a challenge the last couple years , I’m looking forward to reading 50 published books.
  
  READ 5 LIBRARY BOOKS || I’ll automatically read 24 books this year with the library (12 for the book club I run, and 12 for the genre study book club I’m in), but I want to read (deeply, for fun and entertainment) books that aren’t assigned to me that I’ve been curious to read.
  
  READ MARILLIER & GABALDON || Flights of Fantasy by Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books || This harkens back to an epiphany post from a few weeks ago. I want to get back to my bookish roots, which involved a lot of binge-reading — of authors, of series, of genre. Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwaters series, her new Blackthorn & Grim series, and finishing Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series (of what’s published, at least) are at the top of my reading list. This automatically qualifies for Alexa’s fantasy challenge, too!
  
  Bonus Goals
  
  READ CLASSICS & REREAD FAVORITES || I was woefully terrible at this last year, and I still aim to read more classics in general. I also didn’t reread many of my favorite novels. Instead of putting a number goal on there (and potentially disappointing myself at the end of 2017), I’m aiming to at least read one of each!
  
  READ MORE FROM TBR, LESS FROM ARCS || Rock My TBR by Sarah @ The YA Book Traveler || I don’t have a general number for this one, but I do want to make more of an effort to read all those books I’ve purchased and was very excited for. This means being pickier about ARCs as well. While I didn’t read as many ARCs in 2016 (which was a goal), I did end up neglecting many ARCs I received.
  
  What are some of your goals for 2017?
  
  Posted in books, Flights of Fantasy, Rock My TBR | 7 Comments | Tagged books, flights of fantasy, personal, resolutions, rock my TBR
- Book Review: “The Queen of Blood” by Sarah Beth Durst
  
  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on December 6, 2016
  
  The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst
  
  Publisher: Harper Voyager
  Published: October 2016
  Genre: fantasy
  ISBN: 9780062413345
  Rating: ★★★★
  
  Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .
  
  But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.
  
  With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.
  
  Renthia is ruled by a queen who governs the spirits of the land and keeps the humans safe within the vast forest. If she ever loses her control, the spirits wreck havoc and destroy everything in sight. Daleina witnessed this as a child, a survivor of a vicious attack against her small village on the outskirts of the kingdom. She survived because she, too, held power over the spirits. Several girls who show an affinity, like her, are sent to the academy to train to become heirs, to take over the throne when the current queen dies. When Daleina is chosen by Champion Ven to train in the forest, several more attacks on villages take the kingdom by storm, and it’s up to them to save the land against its true enemy.
  
  Don’t trust the fire, for it will burn you.
  Don’t trust the ice, for it will freeze you.
  Don’t trust the water, for it will drown you.
  Don’t trust the air, for it will choke you.
  Don’t trust the earth, for it will bury you.
  Don’t trust the trees, for they will rip you,
  rend you, tear you, kill you dead.
  
  I can’t help but think this book is the equivalent of The Hobbit as the future books in this series is to Lord of the Rings. A novel of adventure and magic and epic world-building, a novel hinting at so many wonderful things to come, shedding light on what is going to be — without a doubt — a fantastic, atmospheric series.
  
  This contained so many elements I love about fantasy. There’s a school to teach young girls how to control their magic (or affinity, the ability to call upon and command nature’s spirits), the enemies of the novel are of the natural world (wood spirits, air spirits, earth spirits, water spirits, much like the woods in Uprooted was terrifying), there’s a quest without it being one entirely drenched in violence*, and the atmosphere is full of mythological, fairytale qualities. It feels like a real place, like something I’ve known of since childhood but never fully grasped, much like Hogwarts or Middle Earth or Narnia. And with Durst’s writing, I can believe it is real.
  
  *The spirits are quite violent in this novel. Six in particular encase heirs in wooden spheres, crushing them to dust. Being in the mind of one particular heir when this happened really made me cringe. But what I mean by “without it being entirely drenched in violence” is that this is more of an adventure, it takes on a more emotional quality to it without a thirst for bloodshed. Daleina’s focus is on unity and understanding. She knows the spirits are malevolent, but she knows they like to destroy and build, and she commands them to create more often than she demands violence. She redirects their energies into something positive, and her efforts are explored throughout the novel. Swordplay, armies, and mindless warfare are not found here!
  
  One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the matriarchal monarchy. A human queen rules the land but, primarily, controls the spirits. She is chosen from a pool of heirs by the spirits themselves. She can be married or single, she can have children or none, she can be of any age as long as she is a recognized heir with the affinity. Such a beautiful concept! A lineage entirely based on magical strength rather than blood-lines or warfare.
  
  There are moments of humor dispersed throughout, along with friendships, camaraderie, familial love, adventure, terror, wonder, and awe. So much was packed into this one novel, no doubt a prologue to the stepping stones of The Queens of Renthia series. I am eager to read the upcoming installments!
  
  This qualifies as book 13 of 10 library books in 2016.
  
  This qualifies as book 7 of 5 of the “Flights of Fantasy” Challenge, hosted by Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books and Rachel @ Hello, Chelly.
  
  Posted in books, Flights of Fantasy, Reviews 2016 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, flights of fantasy, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, review
- On Reading Epiphanies and Getting Back to Bookish Roots
  
  Posted at 3:30 am by Laura, on November 23, 2016
  
  For several months now, many bloggers (myself included) have talked about reading fatigue, both on their blogs and through social media conversations. Apart from making the time to read each day, it’s been difficult diving into books because we haven’t felt excited to read them. For some people, it’s the pressure of reviewing ARCs over backlist titles. For others, it’s not finding enjoyment in one’s usual go-to genres. For many, it’s something unidentifiable, but it leaves an emptiness nonetheless.
  
  Reading is my job. Reading is, quite truly, my life. I am an agent, so I read lots of manuscripts and decide whether or not I want to represent them in hopes of selling them and getting them published. I am a librarian, so I read lots of backlist titles in the collection to recommend to patrons as well as books chosen by the book group I run. And I am a blogger, and I [attempt] to read a mixture of ARCs, re-reads, and books on my TBR to share my enthusiasm with you.
  
  But somewhere along the line, my consumption of reading published books diminished. Reading was still enjoyable, but it felt like a chore.
  
  After staring at my TBR bookcase — packed so full with books I’ve purchased and haven’t read yet — I had an epiphany. And of course, that meant sharing it with Lindsey and Morgan, who also had similar epiphanies.
  
  I have to go back to my reading roots.
  
  With that light bulb flash, I decided to come up with a loose reading plan. In 2017, I’ll have to read at least 24 books for the library. With my goal to read 50 books a year every year, that leaves at least 26 spots to fill. Why not fill it with books pre-chosen from my TBR case?
  
  Then it became easy. I would read the books by authors whose writing I’ve enjoyed, authors I know will not disappoint me, authors I would’ve continued reading even if I never had the agent job, the library job, or the blogging hobby. I’ve forgotten how to properly binge-read, the way I would with Harry Potter and Narnia and yes, even Cassandra Clare. I lost the art of binge-reading after Book of Life, because my own life in books took off. I miss that. I want that back.
  
  Thankfully, I have several copies of books by two authors with series that fit this bill. It’s about time I’ve finished Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwaters series (Daughter of the Forest is so amaaaaaaaazing, as is the Shadowfell trilogy!) and started her new Blackthorn & Grim series. I also haven’t read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series in a while (March 2015, in fact), and I want to finish the rest of her [published] series before the last book (or two) comes out.
  
  When I made this little announcement on instagram, Alyssa was quick to remind me of some other novels by Juliet Marillier I should try, and I’ve already checked out Heart’s Blood. It should get me back into Marillier’s style easily, as it’s thankfully a standalone.
  
  So now what? I have 11 books from my TBR bookcase to read in 2017, leaving 15 other books — new authors, other TBR books, ARCs — to fill the void. I think that’s an excellent start to my vague reading goal.
  
  ~
  
  Have you experienced reading fatigue? What did you do to get out of the slump?
  
  Have your reading habits changed since you started blogging? What other factors in your life have changed your reading habits?
  
  Do you have any books or series you’re dying to start or finish?
  
  Posted in books, Rock My TBR, Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged books, personal, reading, reading habits, rock my TBR
- Book Review: “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” by Anthony Marra
  
  Posted at 5:45 am by Laura, on November 17, 2016
  
  A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
  
  Publisher: Hogarth
  Published: February 2014
  Genre: literary fiction, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780770436421
  Rating: ★★★.5
  
  In a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. When their lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a decision that will forever change their lives. He will seek refuge at the abandoned hospital where the sole remaining doctor, Sonja Rabina, treats the wounded.
  
  For Sonja, the arrival of Akhmed and Havaa is an unwelcome surprise. Weary and overburdened, she has no desire to take on additional risk and responsibility. But over the course of five extraordinary days, Sonja’s world will shift on its axis and reveal the intricate pattern of connections that weaves together the pasts of these three unlikely companions and unexpectedly decides their fate.
  
  When Akhmed finds his neighbor’s daughter, Havaa, hiding in the woods with a bright blue suitcase, her takes it upon himself to see to her freedom and care. They hike to an abandoned hospital, where an overworked ethnic Russian, Sonja, treats the sick, dying, and wounded. Sonja, however, has a difficult time welcoming the two into her life. But across five seemingly ordinary days, Akhmed, Havaa, and Sonja’s lives become irrevocably interconnected, past and present coming together in one pivotal moment.
  
  What a remarkable novel.
  
  Marra’s writing was accessible and commercial while still powerfully beautiful and literary. The characters — varied as they were and with drastically different life experiences from our own — were easy to relate to. It’s easy to find at least one character to follow closely and eagerly anticipate their next chapter. The focus on the characters and the human story was appreciated, as the book highlights a tumultuous political moment in recent Chechen history. Marra could’ve easily bogged down a reader with facts and figures.
  
  That said, I wish there would’ve been a bit more information at the beginning of the novel to “set the stage” more, as I wasn’t aware of the struggles between Chechnya and Russia (granted, at the time this was happening, I was a child/selfish teenager).
  
  Compelling read, emotional, shocking, heartfelt, and powerful. An experience to read. Best to go in not knowing too much about this one!
  
  This qualifies as book 12 of 10 library books in 2016.
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2016 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: historical fiction, review
- Book Review: “Nine Women, One Dress” by Jane L. Rosen
  
  Posted at 5:15 am by Laura, on November 14, 2016
  
  Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
  
  Publisher: Doubleday
  Published: July 2016
  Genre: women’s fiction
  ISBN: 9780385541404
  Rating: ★★★★
  
  A charming, hilarious, irresistible romp of a novel that brings together nine unrelated women, each touched by the same little black dress that weaves through their lives, bringing a little magic with it.
  
  Natalie is a Bloomingdale’s salesgirl mooning over her lawyer ex-boyfriend who’s engaged to someone else after just two months. Felicia has been quietly in love with her happily married boss for twenty years; now that he’s a lonely widower, she just needs the right situation to make him see her as more than the best executive assistant in Midtown Manhattan. Andrea is a private detective specializing in gathering evidence on cheating husbands—a skill she unfortunately learned from her own life—and can’t figure out why her intuition tells her the guy she’s tailing is one of the good ones when she hasn’t trusted a man in years.
  
  For these three women, as well as half a dozen others in sparkling supporting roles—a young model fresh from rural Georgia, a diva Hollywood star making her Broadway debut, an overachieving, unemployed Brown grad who starts faking a fabulous life on social media, to name just a few—everything is about to change, thanks to the dress of the season, the perfect little black number everyone wants to get their hands on…
  
  It all begins with one Little Black Dress. From the moment a shy Southern model is pushed into the limelight, this particular dress becomes a smashing hit and changes the lives of eight other women who wear it.
  
  I really enjoyed this novel, told in multiple vignettes from a variety of perspectives outside of the nine women who get their hands on this one particular black dress from Bloomingdale’s. After reading Lauren’s review, it was apparent this would be a treat to read, and perfect for the approaching holiday season.
  
  Of all the vignettes, I liked Natalie’s the most. She’s a simple Bloomingdale’s salesgirl who was asked by a movie star and his agent to step in as a red carpet date last minute. Fueled by rumors of the star’s sexuality, Natalie agrees, believing this would be the perfect way to get back at her ex and not fall for the star. Little does she know…
  
  There’s also a sweet storyline between Arthur, a lawyer, and Felicia, his longtime secretary. One nosy Bloomingdale’s employee purposely messes up Arthur’s order, and the dress is sent to sweet Felicia instead of Arthur’s snobbish girlfriend.
  
  From an Instagramming millennial to a longtime pattern-maker for a phenomenal fashion designer, this dress touches the lives of several people. A quick and charming read, you’re guaranteed to find a storyline to hook you in through the end.
  
  This book qualifies as book 11 of 10 library books in 2016.
  
  Posted in books, Reviews 2016 | 6 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, review
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- Hello, I’m Laura!
  
  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!
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