Category: Update Post

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 4:28 pm by Laura, on January 26, 2020

   

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American.

  Hello! Happy Sunday afternoon! Life’s been busy and hectic, and post-wedding became pre- and during-Christmas, which then became post-holidays and now I’m finally finding the time to sit down and blog. I’ve read books (a couple that I finished at the end of 2019 went up earlier today) and I even prepared a Seasonal Rewind for Summer and Fall 2019 that is so crammed and unfinished it just…makes me cringe.

  So in lieu of the Seasonal Rewind — which I’m thinking of revamping…we’ll see how that’ll look when I post it for the first time in April for Winter 2020 — I’m giving you a quick snapshot update of life pre-/post-wedding and pre-/post-Christmas. Grab your favorite hot beverage and let’s swap updates!

  

  If we were having coffee… I would show you the complete wedding photo gallery so you can see the hundreds of amazing, jaw-dropping shots my photographer took of our wedding! But because the internet is what it is, I’ll redirect you, dear Reader, to my IG page and the photographer’s blog instead. We had some preview shots not long after the wedding, and then as a wonderful Christmas gift we received all the pictures and a lovely golden flashdrive with the hi-res copies. I selected a few here and here to share with the world. And if that’s not enough, you’re welcome to go through the wedding highlight in the profile! All that planning, all that time and energy, was completely worth it. What a wonderful, beautiful, fantastic day we had!

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how I hit the ground running coming back to work after the wedding, and had very little me-time to process it all, even during the holidays. It was stressful but in the best kind of way. I’m so thankful to have a job that I love. It makes all the crazy ups and downs completely worth it.

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you all about my new and severely delayed obsession with Parks & Rec and Ron Swanson. Oh my god, Ron. I love all of the characters, but Ron is truly my spirit animal. He says and does things I wish I could say and do when working with the public, and he’s so strong in his convictions and no one pushes him out of it (well, except maybe Leslie). He exudes the confidence and lack of interest in drama that I wish I could do publicly, bahaha! Instead I smile, keep quiet, and scream inside. *spins in the infinity desk chair*

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how I’m trying to figure out how I want my social media to look and how to utilize these as tools rather than taking over my life. (A book review to come soon that inspired this.) (Spoiler alert: I went nuts about it on IG.) I want to go back to my hobbies of knitting and scrapbooking (pump the breaks, it’s not that intense — I just stick photos in an album with little captions — but I haven’t put photos into albums since 2016…), yet I claim there’s no time to do those things. But there is. There is time, I’m just scrolling endlessly on social media platforms that don’t always bring me joy. FB is slowly falling by the wayside, Twitter is work-only in promoting clients’ books, and IG was meant to be my escape, but even there it becomes toxic once in a while (for my mental health — they’re actually very calm in their discussions about big issues which I really appreciate!). I do miss the blogging days. I want to make an effort to bring this one back to life, to interact with my friends more on their blogs too, so we’ll see how that goes. Until then…less screen time on my phone, and closing out when I seem to be going down a rabbit hole.

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you about the really cool people I’ve met on IG and overall bookish accounts that I thoroughly enjoy interacting with, namely @justagirlwithabook, @idlewildreads, @theardentbiblio, @thebrunettebookworm, and @bookrepository. Of course there are the usual crew from the blogging and Twitter days, but three I tend to find have the most relatable and discussion-worthy posts and two have really great fantasy recommendations.

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how there are big, happy changes in the air and I’m really looking forward to 2020 overall — even if my brain is hamster-wheeling at the moment. We’re preparing for our springtime Swiss honeymoon, which is all sorts of exciting and fun to look forward to (and then go on!). My clients are awesome and brilliant, and I hope to find more wonderful work in the year. Honestly, I haven’t been more excited for a fresh slate/year in…ever.

  If we were having coffee… I’d pretty much just word-vomit in your general direction all the wild things bouncing around in my head that aren’t emergencies because generally my life is great and I’m happy and content. But at the same time, I’ve always been the kind of person to plan ahead, even though I know that all that planning could be for naught because that’s just how life works. You’re sent curve-balls and bumps and obstacles, and you learn and grow from them. (But I’ll still plan and save and think like crazy.)

  ~

  What’s new in your life? Which posts should I check out, here or on another platform, that you’d like to talk about? What would we chat about if we were having coffee?

  Posted in Update Post | 1 Comment | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• Top Five Books of 2019

  Posted at 3:47 pm by Laura, on December 30, 2019

  Though I want to participate in the End of Year Book Survey, I frankly don’t have the time this year to answer the questions, provide links, add images, and be silly with Ron Swanson gifs (that was my plan––I’ve recently started watching Parks & Rec for the very first time and ohmygosh Ron is my spirit animal). So instead I thought I’d highlight my favorite books read this year and point out some honorable mentions.

  Top Five Books of 2019

  

  

  

  

  

  The following books received big fat five stars from me as standout favorites.

  KINGDOM OF COPPER by SA CHAKRABORTY

  THE FLATSHARE by BETH O’LEARY

  AYESHA AT LAST by UZMA JALALUDDIN

  CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC by SOPHIE KINSELLA [review to come!]

  DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by MHAIRI MCFARLANE [review to come!]

  And of course, my clients…

  If you haven’t already, you need to pick up the books by my clients that came out in 2019: Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood, Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, and Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri.

  Get a head start on your 2020 reading list by adding Shielded by KayLynn Flanders, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, and The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice by Lisa DeSelm to your Goodreads TBR!

  ~~~

  What were your top favorites of 2019?

   

  Posted in books, Update Post | 2 Comments | Tagged books, personal, top five books

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 2:08 pm by Laura, on February 17, 2019

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American.

  Hello! Happy Sunday afternoon. It’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog, and I thought I’d gather ’round here and have a little chat about life. Grab your favorite hot beverage and let’s swap updates…

  

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you that I recently purchased a brand new laptop for work, which meant giving up all of my Adobe Creative Suite software. I’m now without my favorite Photoshop and InDesign programs, and relying on Canva until I decide which of the two I’m willing to subscribe to for the year. Y’all, seriously, I understand the cloud is great and everything, but do we really need to do subscription services each year for all of these programs, and therefore boatloads of money down the drain? I’d rather go back to disc downloads…*sigh* I used InDesign for my blog (though it’s not as if I’m designing a whole lot), and I used Photoshop for social media (and again, it’s not as if I was using it a lot), though the thought of going without one of the programs is daunting. Especially when I’m not a huge fan of what Canva can offer so far, at least on the free platform. What do you use?

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you that January was a very difficult month for my family. Without going into detail, let’s just say it made work life, personal life, and me-time a dark and stormy place. Thankfully we’re out of the woods and everything is much better and looking to only get better from here, but man! It really was scary, the beginning of this year.

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that wedding planning is going well and on track. We have the hotel and attendants’ clothing locked in, we’ve narrowed down the florals, we’re going to have linen discussions in March, and all the marriage counseling and church-related elements are underway. We’re even thinking about our honeymoon in spring 2020! Whenever I tell people this they seem impressed and shocked — I guess that means we’re ahead of the game? What else would you expect when bride, groom, mother-of-the-bride, and mother-of-the-groom are all Type A? Spreadsheets are our friends.

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I’ve had a rough time of it with my reading for 2019. I’ve DNF’d as many books as I’ve actually completed reading so far this year (if not more than). I knew going into this year that my challenge would be to read books I genuinely enjoy and to set aside books that just aren’t hitting the right notes for me — to focus on quality over quantity. However, on the flip side, I’m carving out time for myself in the mornings to read for pleasure, and that’s been very rewarding. Instead of hitting snooze several times and racing out of bed to start my day in a rush, I’m getting up with the alarm, taking my time, easing into the day before 8am and feeling refreshed for work by 9am. It’s fantastic! What are your morning routines? In what ways do you carve out time for yourself?

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I’m debating about doing some sort of social media detox. At least on FB and Twitter. (Perhaps it’ll be my thing to give up for Lent.) It feels so toxic, especially Twitter, with its echo chamber and voices shouting into the void and repetitive drama. At this point I’m here to help my clients promote their books, and that’s it. I’m rarely on there for anything else. Have you had issues with social media? Have you tried going on a detox before (and if so, how’d that turn out for you)?

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that agenting is going so well. I’m super proud of all my clients and what they’re accomplishing, and I can’t wait to share all sorts of good news! I’m also incredibly thankful for the encouragement and advice from other agents in the industry. It takes five to seven years (years) to really get your career off the ground, to start reaping the rewards of all the hard work and hours you put into this job, all for a tiny slice of commission. The first two years were very hard, the third year I started to get more clients, more deals, and year four was the best to date. I’m only partially in my fifth year and I can actually see myself living on this income. I can’t tell you how thrilling that is, especially because I’m in a field that’s entirely a game of luck and chance. I’m sure other self-employed / entrepreneurs out there get what I’m saying. 2019 is a catch-22 year for me, though, in terms of time and human ability to get All The Things Done, and I’m already falling behind on reading requested submissions. Cross fingers success continues, and perhaps I’ll be able to step away from my part-time work and truly enter agenting wholly, completely full-time. 

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d confess that I really miss Greece right now. Spring can hurry up and get here, but only if it includes the bluest of blues Aegean Sea and cloudless skies and endless cooling breeze on hot, sunny days. I’m such a fall/winter girl, but Syros really spoiled me for good summer weather. 

  ~

  So, how are you doing? What’s new with you? Let’s chat! 

  Posted in Update Post | 14 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• End of Year Book Survey V

  Posted at 7:10 am by Laura, on December 29, 2018

  

  This is the fifth year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. In 2015 I shared my bookish life in Hermione gifs, 2016 in Pevensie gifs, 2017 in Gilmore Girls gifs, and this year I’ll share it in Nadiya from Great British Bake Off gifs! I’m looking forward to reading your 2018 book survey too.

  Note: This includes all books read in 2018 – they do not have to be published in 2018.

  

  

  Number of Books You Read: 47
  Number of Re-reads: 0
  Genre You Read the Most From: historical & fantasy

  

  1. Best Book You Read in 2018

  I actually answer this question last after filling out the survey, and I think based on what has stuck with me all these months and what has filled up the most categories, I have to say City of Brass (with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine a very close second)!

  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

  From Twinkle With Love, which admittedly was mostly disappointing because I may have expected something else from it. I set the bar super high, and I really was most excited for this book last year. Ah well. I’m still looking forward to There’s Something About Sweetie!

  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2018?

  Spinning Silver — again, I was expecting something more along the lines of Uprooted. I’m quite glad it wasn’t, though! The book went a totally different direction than I expected, with narrators I wasn’t prepared for, and this surprise was definitely a good one!

  

  

  

  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2018?

  Uh, well, I push my clients’ work more than anything, so Empire of Sand takes the ticket! I pushed this book hardcore on Twitter and Facebook, to my friends on coffee dates and catching up sessions — everywhere. Seriously, get this book. It’s a gorgeous Mughal-Indian fantasy and it has received four starred reviews (out of four trade reviews!! Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal all love it!).

  5. Best Series You Started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018? Best Series Ender of 2018?

  Series: Kings of the Wyld — Can’t wait to start Bloody Rose!
  Sequel: China Rich Girlfriend — Looking forward to reading the final book!
  Ender: none! Lots of first and seconds of series read this year.

  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2018?

  I’ve read two Kevin Kwan novels this year, and definitely plan on picking up the third book early in 2019 to round out the trilogy. His writing is fun, witty, and over-the-top, and I devoured every word!

  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

  I really don’t enjoy reading nonfiction, but I was fascinated with A Long Way Home. Memory is both a strength and a weakness — how much of this journey does Saroo actually remember versus what he was told or imagined as a child? — but whatever the circumstances, I still found it incredibly moving he survived Calcutta and managed to find his little village via Google Earth.

  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

  The City of Brass was definitely the most thrilling and action-packed novel I read this year, hands down! When I had to set the book aside (for work, errands, adulthood responsibilities) it was all I could think about. I finished it in January and I’m still thinking about it. It was one of the most complex novels I’ve read in a long time, and I’m very much looking forward to Kingdom of Copper.

  9. Book You Read in 2018 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

  Honestly, re-reads don’t happen for me much anymore. But if I could re-read a book in 2019 that I read in 2018, it would be The Clockmaker’s Daughter or Once Upon a River. They’re my favorite authors, and there was so much packed in the narrative — interweaving story lines, little details that appear later. Exquisite.

  

  

  

  

  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2018?

  The Girl in the Tower is so pretty and wintry. It utilizes the reds and purples in a cool way, rather than a warm one. I could burrow in those colors. The covers for all three of the books in the Winternight Trilogy are great — they look like a sunrise!

  11. Most Memorable Character of 2018?

  A tie between Nahri and Dara, both in City of Brass. Oh, my heart.

  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2018?

  The Bird and the Blade is just…wow. WOW. It was such an affecting read, even more so that I know the music score to the opera it was inspired by. Like the music, it swelled and soared and ugh what a beautiful ride.

  

  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2018?

  Since this book made me go down a research rabbit hole, The Romanov Empress takes the cake for most thought-provoking! I was fascinated with the family, the web across Europe, and overall history of Russia as it unfolded, year by year, through Maria’s eyes. There are dozens of parallels from the Romanov dynasty and the country it is today; it’s unsettling as well as heartbreaking.

  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2018 to Finally Read?

  Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Massive thank you to Hannah for saying just the right words to capture my attention and make me read this book. It was nothing like I expected and yet everything I could ever want it to be, and I just want to hug Eleanor and set her next to all of my Jane Eyre copies. Jane, Eleanor, and I are besties now.

  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2018?

  This is what I have always done, how I have always found myself when I’ve been lost. When I first went to music college, eighteen years old and paralyzingly shy, when ringing my parents from the pay phone in the corridor just made me miss them even more, I would feel the strength in the neck of my cello, flatten the prints of my fingers into the strings, and forget.

  […]

  I play and play; through thirst, past hunger, making tiredness just a dent in my soul. […] I play on until the world is flat again and the spaces between my heartbeats are as even as the rhythm on the stave in front of me.

  — Goodbye, Paris

  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2018?

  According to Goodreads, the shortest book I read this year was Jan Brett’s newest picture book, The Snowy Nap, and the longest was The Queens of Innis Lear (not surprised!!).

  17. Book That Shocked You the Most

  The Glass Castle. I just can’t. Those parents. Jeannette herself. I just can’t.

  

  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

  Royals is probably the only one I can place in this category, as most of the romance story-lines I read this year were tragic or hanging *side-eyes Chakraborty*. So. GO DAISY AND MILES!

  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

  Clay and Gabe in Kings of the Wyld. I mean, come on. Only a bromance would survive all the crap they went through in the Wyld! Their deep friendship and understanding — with each other and with the rest of their band — was awesome to read and experience.

  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2018 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

  The Clockmaker’s Daughter is now my favorite Kate Morton novel. Kate Morton is on my auto-buy list, and she just keeps getting better and better with her already great books.

  21. Best Book You Read in 2018 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

  Goodbye, Paris for sure. I had never heard of this book, and I didn’t see any of my friends reading it either, but a librarian recommended it to me “because [you] loved Eleanor Oliphant” and she nailed it.

  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2018?

  Dara in City of Brass, goddammit Chakraborty. *sobs*

  

  

  

  23. Best 2018 Debut You Read?

  Dear Mrs. Bird to add some variety here — I read a lot of great 2018 debuts! Dear Mrs. Bird fits right into my wheelhouse, with its historical WWII fiction, slice-of-life story line, empathetic-to-the-point-of-destruction protagonist. I was so engrossed in the audiobook (seriously, listen to the audio if you can!!) that I missed streets and exits when driving because it was so well-read and well-written!

  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

  City of Brass takes the prize again! Cairo and Daevabad were both brilliantly described. I felt I was actually there among Nahri and the people and djinn, could see and smell and taste and touch everything. And not once did it feel like I was being bogged down with descriptions too much

  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

  It’s a tie! Kings of the Wyld and Royals both put ridiculously huge smiles on my face while I read, and I enjoyed every second of them!!

  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2018?

  Dear Mrs. Bird — the scenes with London bombings, the fights with best friends, all of it was so gut-wrenching and drawn out and agonizing.

  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

  Goodbye, Paris was unexpectedly wonderful and perfect. I wish more people knew about it. It’s basically Eleanor Oliphant but with music, which speaks to me on such a deep level.

  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

  Sweetbitter, and not in a good way. I wish I could scrub that book from my memory.

  

  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2018?

  Saga, mostly because I don’t read graphic novels. The librarians have their own internal book club (Genre Study, to help with readers’ advisory-related questions and suggestions from/for patrons) and one particular month’s book was to read Saga plus another graphic novel. I can definitely see the appeal of graphic novels, and they’re good for visual readers, reluctant readers, and readers who want vivid storytelling in a new form. Not for me, but it was definitely a unique experience!

  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

  Small Great Things, but I wasn’t mad at the book. I was mad at myself. I berated myself for the whole review, really.

  

  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2018?

  I stumbled across more IG bookstagrams than I did blogs. Lately I’ve loved bookcooklook, somekindofalibrary, and idlewildreads. All three of them have, in my eyes, aesthetically pleasing accounts. No extra fuss for props and flashy objects — just books and tea and bakes! (I’m a huge fan of that sort of simplicity, and genuinely don’t understand the appeal of crowded shelves full of POPs, candles, and clingy bookmarks.) Plus they have great snippet reviews on their posts mixed with a bit of behind-the-reader glimpses and discussions, which I enjoy.

  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2018?

  The Bird and the Blade is probably my favorite, if anything because I enjoyed the book so much.

  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

  I didn’t write on the blog as often as I used to outside of book reviews and seasonal wrap ups, but I did post about my reading list prior to leaving for Greece! Sometimes it’s difficult to pick out your vacation reading…

  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

  I was lame (but mostly poor) this year and didn’t participate or attend any bookish events. I was, however, FaceTimed into Tasha Suri’s book launch in London for a few minutes! Does that count?

  

  

  

  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2018?

  *incoherent screaming about a client’s book and exciting news that isn’t public yet*

  That.

  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

  MSWL 2018, no surprise there. I’m glad it’s proven helpful to writers, and it has certainly made my inbox full of great stuff, so I’ve made an update post for 2019 already!

  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

  Weirdly, selfishly, my seasonal rewind post that included my engagement *ducks and hides*

  

  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

  Once more, I was over my head in work-related industry stuff and didn’t get to discover a whole lot. However, I’ve really enjoyed browsing IG bookish posts that don’t require a whole lot of props or coffee––simple slice of life posts that happen to have books are totally my aesthetic!

  10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year? 

  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  Oh, I’m sorry — right, okay, the question…

  Well, I read more library books for fun than intended, but not enough off my own TBR shelves in my home library. I had to lower my goal of 50 books to 45 in order to be anywhere near finishing the challenge. And I read more historical and fantasy this year, but none for my Gabaldon / Marillier self-appointed challenge.

  You know what, though? I won’t feel guilty about that. I surpassed my agent goals in 2018, and that’s what really counted for me personally in the end. This career is about all those baby steps and I walked so many of them.

  

  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?

  OH GOD SO MANY. The one that’s probably staring at me the most is The Poppy War, but I’m also terrified. The rest of the Queens of Renthia series. Basically all my WWII historical fiction books. Yeah…Poppy War may be one of the first…

  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2019 (non-debut)?

  The Downstairs Girl, Her Royal Highness, The Huntress, The Witch’s Kind, I Owe You One, the list goes on and on… They’re all by authors I adore, all covering topics and themes I’m super excited to dive into. What’s not to love?

  

  

  

  

  3. 2019 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

  The Ruin of Kings sounds amazing, Spin the Dawn because duh, and this interesting novel I read about ages ago, The Western Wind, in an interview on Publishers Weekly simply because of the strange historical details the author had to twist in order to incorporate into the plot of the novel. So…why not?

  4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2019?

  Kingdom of Copper, it’s a given. I have the galley sitting right next to me!

  

  

  

  

  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2019?

  ONE thing?! Oh jeez. Attend Book Expo, writers conferences, online contests…I’m also already scheduled for three writers conferences, Pitch Wars, and WisRWA’s Fab Five contest. But that’s work-related. Bookworm self, I would like to really and truly read the rest of my Marillier and Gabaldon collections, and not feel burdened by blogging a review for them (or any book, really). Blogging shouldn’t feel like a chore!

  I have all these high expectations, plus a wedding to plan and experience, for 2019 sooooooo cross fingers and wish me luck!

  6. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone

  Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood and Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *pushes*

  

  ~

  What’s on your year-end review? Do we have any similar titles? Which books are you going to read, too? Good luck and have a great 2019 reading year!

  Posted in books, Update Post | 8 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal

• Just a Bit of Light Reading

  Posted at 6:55 am by Laura, on July 5, 2018

  My choir was given the wonderful opportunity to be a featured choir at an international choral festival in Greece, with top direction by one of the biggest of the big wigs in the conducting world. So of course I threw my money toward it and said I’d go!

  But my usual form of planning (researching everything about the area, coming up with a list of places to visit, costs, hours, travel, etc) rerouted to just planning over reading material––we’re spending most of our time on one island, with morning rehearsals, evening concerts, and free afternoons. I expect to get a lot of reading done!

  

   

  So here I am, sharing with you the books that I’m hoping to start, read, and finish while abroad in the sunshine! (Yes, yes, I know this is not realistic, but I don’t care.)

  FANTASY

  Royal Airs || Book Two in the Elemental Blessings series. I read Troubled Waters last year and enjoyed it enough to want to continue on. I’m curious to see where Shinn takes us with Josetta’s narrative.

  Child of the Prophecy || Book Three in the Sevenwaters series and the original ending of the originally-intended Sevenwaters trilogy. I adored Daughter of the Forest and enjoyed Son of the Shadows, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the child!

  Dreamer’s Pool || I don’t have much of a reason other than I really want to begin Marillier’s latest completed trilogy!

  FANTASY/HISTORICAL BLEND*

  *also known as, Where Laura Starts to Flail

  A Secret History of Witches || I was chatting with an editor about what we love most in historical fantasy blends, and she mentioned this book. When I told her I hadn’t heard of it (assuming it hadn’t published yet, silly me), she completely gushed over it, convincing me to buy it and hopefully read on this trip!

  The Little Shop of Found Things || I really enjoy Paula Brackston’s novels (here & here), and this new series will be available in the fall. The thing is, I can’t take it on the trip if the Goodreads giveaway doesn’t send it…*stares at the Thomas Dunne marketing department*

  

  Sweet Black Waves || Ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyy goddddddd, a Tristan and Isolde epic retelling/expansion/adaptation/inspiration for YA?! YES PLEASE YES PLEASE. *jumps*

  Once Upon a River || WHY WOULD I NOT BRING THIS BOOK DIANESETTERFIELD IS QUEEN I CANNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON THIS I AM SO EXCITED I JUST MIGHT DIE IN THE AEGEAN SEA AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

  (which would be quite fitting, upon reflection, considering a girl is pulled from the water dead in this novel…hmmmm)

  (LOLZ omg no worries I WILL NOT DIE IN THE AEGEAN SEA.)

  (I will die in the English Channel because it meant I made my way to England in my final days and I’ve found my resting place.)

  (Let’s move on to some realism…)

  CONTEMPORARY

  China Rich Girlfriend || I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to start Crazy Rich Asians, so I’m hoping to catch up on the trilogy (or at least get through 2/3) before the movie comes out in August. I love how truly crazy it is––the lifestyle is obnoxiously rich, the people seem so very shallow, and here comes Rachel, totally average, bopping around and trying to make sense of it all. Kinda makes me wonder if Meghan Markle (or at least her mother) felt anything like this around the royals initially…

  Riverbend Road || I’m branching out into the contemporary romance sector in my everyday reading, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked Kristan Higgins (based on Lauren and Hannah’s recommendations) that now I’m trying out another: RaeAnne Thayne (based on Lauren and Kelly’s recommendations). I know I chose a book in the middle of the series, but it was very much a cover-love situation!

  

  I know, I know. It’s a lot. And I don’t care. I’ll probably throw all of these into the suitcase and stare at them till 5 minutes before we have to load the car and head to the airport, and toss out a few impulse choices in the end. We’ll see! Keep an eye on my travels by following my Instagram. I’ll have some quick snippet reviews up––and you can see which books made the last-minute cut. *wink*

  Have you read any of these books? What are your trip planning and packing habits? 

  Posted in books, Update Post | 4 Comments | Tagged books, personal

• End of Year Book Survey IV

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on December 31, 2017

  

  This is the third year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. In 2015 I shared my bookish life in Hermione gifs, 2016 in Pevensie gifs, and this year I’ll share it through Gilmore Girls gifs! I’m looking forward to reading your 2017 book survey too.

  Note: This includes all books read in 2017 – they do not have to be published in 2017.

  

  

  Number of Books You Read: 57
  Number of Re-reads: 0
  Genre You Read the Most From: contemporary

  

  1. Best Book You Read in 2017

  I can’t stop thinking about The Alice Network. That was one of two 5-star books I read this year (the other was Outrun the Moon), but for some reason The Alice Network really stuck out for me. It’s not your usual historical fiction, let alone your usual parallel narrative, WWI/WWII historical fiction.

  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

  Caraval was a book I was very excited to read, and I was thrilled to have received a galley of it, too. But it started to crash and burn within a couple pages, and it just…continued to dig a deeper hole. I was very disappointed. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads but in hindsight my thoughts and feelings about the book could really bring it down a star or two…

  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2017?

  What to Say Next tops this list. Unlike most of Buxbaum’s readers, I didn’t care for Tell Me Three Things one bit, but I was pulled into What to Say Next within a few sentences. Then she had me bawling my eyes out. So in a VERY good way, Buxbaum surprised me!

  

  

  

  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2017?

  I push my client’s books, obviously, and I’ve been so excited to see how well my friends and fellow bloggers love Jared Reck’s A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Outside of agent life, I’d say the book I pushed the most was The Bear and the Nightingale at the library. You can get just about anyone to read wintry Russian historicals with a dash of magic and folklore. It’s appealing across many ages!

  5. Best Series You Started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017?

  Started: Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn (Elementals 1)
  Sequel: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier (Sevenwaters 2)
  Ender: The Dire King by William Ritter (Jackaby 4)

  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2017?

  Beatriz Williams! I don’t know why it took me so long to read The Secret Life of Violet Grant, but I’m glad I did and now I want to read more by Williams!

  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

  I have a very hard time with nonfiction, but I thought Stiff by Mary Roach was interesting, informative, and hilarious.

  

  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

  It’s not action-packed or thrilling, but I could not put down The Map That Leads to You. It’s one of those books that’s entirely engrossing for those who have the itch to travel, the constant wanderlust, the need to find a home in a whole new place entirely our own.

  9. Book You Read in 2017 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

  I’m not sure how likely it is I’ll re-read something in the first place (LOL I thought last year I’d reread a Kinsella book and, as you can see from the top ^, I have not re-read a single book this year!), BUT I really enjoyed When Dimple Met Rishi and can see myself rereading that next summer.

  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2017?

  OH GOSH, I love so many covers! I’d say Like a River Glorious probably takes the cake here. The covers for this historical fantasy are so captivating.

  11. Most Memorable Character of 2017?

  Eve Gardiner in The Alice Network. I can’t stop thinking about her story, and how her story is so similar to so many women from WWI.

  

  

  

  

  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2017?

  Hunted or The Silver Gate because both were so beautifully written in two completely different ways. Hunted is a Russian-esque fairytale retelling and twist of “Beauty and the Beast,” which I found lyrical and engrossing; The Silver Gate is about sibling dynamics, mental health, and the power of fairytales in everyday life, set in medieval-Celtic culture. Both made me catch my breath.

  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2017?

  The most thought-provoking was probably The Miniaturist, especially after my book club held their discussion on it. I thought I had it all figured out, but then a book club member suggested a Fight Club plot that blew my mind. It’s probably too far-fetched, but it made me enjoy the novel even more for it!

  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2017 to Finally Read?

  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. So many friends and colleagues said I’d adore this book about books to pieces — but honestly, they didn’t recommend it the way that would’ve made me pick up this book in the first place: it’s a gothic book. Yes, I love books about books, but some of those just turn out to be surface-level stuff, a setting rather than a passion. This book, though, was awesome.

  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2017?

  A book is a companion, though. You can read it in a special place, like on a train to Amsterdam, then you carry it home and you chuck it on a shelf, and then years later you remember that feeling you had on the train when you were young. It’s like a little island in time. —The Map That Leads to You by JP Monninger

  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2017?

  Shortest: The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals by Jordan Stratford
  Longest: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier

  17. Book That Shocked You the Most

  Three Dark Crowns, because nothing really happens till the last line and I couldn’t believe I wasted all that time on a book in which nothing happens. I hear the rest of the books really build up, but I’m not going to bother. It’s not for me.

  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

  Dimple and Rishi!

  

  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

  Mercy and her hate-to-friendship with Elodie in Outrun the Moon. Those two navigated some deep racial and class issues so well during this shocking moment in San Francisco history. I can only hope their friendship continued on after the book’s end. (Yes, they’re real! I firmly believe it!)

  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

  Always and Forever, Lara Jean, of course! It was so nice to see this trilogy come to an end the way it did. I loved Lara Jean’s growth and development across all of the books.

  21. Best Book You Read in 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

  The Map That Leads to You, thanks to Alyssa! I couldn’t stop fawning over her instagram pictures of it, and once I got my hands on the book I fell in love immediately.

  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2017?

  Um, there are no memorable men this year, so my fictional crush goes to a woman I greatly admired: Eve Gardiner in The Alice Network.

  23. Best 2017 Debut You Read?

  When Dimple Met Rishi is definitely a favorite debut from this year. It’s so fun!

  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

  Hunted made me shiver with all of its excellent wintry descriptions and magical light. I especially enjoyed the formatting for the book, with the beast’s perspective on wintry paper, as if it were written in blood on snow. Design can really play into the story!

  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

  You and Me, Always was cheesy in the best way and I couldn’t stop smiling as I was reading it. I definitely needed that kind of book in that moment of the year.

  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2017?

  The Light Between Oceans was too heart-wrenching for words. I could easily see why both women acted the way they did, and then I was torn just like the husband, and then I put myself in the child’s shoes, and…guys, this is a rollercoaster of a book.

  

  

  

  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

  The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, is such a great story for Charlotte’s Web fans and general contemporary fiction. It hasn’t gotten enough love and attention, and it deserves so much more!

  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

  I keep talking about The Alice Network, so I’ll change it to The Secret Life of Violet Grant. That was also covering a very crushing topic of female history.

  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2017?

   Paper Menagerie, which is a collection of science fiction short stories. I wouldn’t have picked this up otherwise, but I was impressed. It was definitely the most unique book I read in 2017.

  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

  Oh, a ton. A TON. I was probably most angry with (and deeply disliked) The Woman in Cabin 10.

  

  

  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2017? 

  Unfortunately, I wasn’t a very good blogger overall this year, and didn’t read any new ones.

  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017?

  The Map That Leads to You, because it was entirely quotes. I hadn’t done that before, and I really wanted to review the book, but it was so hard to sum up the novel without the moving passages. I let the book review itself, haha.

  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

  One was an agent announcement (Clarissa’s novel Impossible Saints, in fact!), and another was one of my If We Were Having Coffee posts.

  

  

  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

  I was at Book Expo for lots of editorial meetings, and then went to ALA to meet my author Jared Reck and watch him sign galleys of A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Random House treated us to a very nice dinner with David Barkley, Nic Stone, and E Lockhart, too — it was a fun night.

  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2017?

  Oh, so many things, but my clients’ work definitely tops the list. I love seeing friends add my clients’ books to their TBRs and enjoying their reading experience. I’m bursting at the seams with two big deal announcements, but that will need to wait till January or so before it goes public.

  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

  The most popular post this year was my review of Jenny Han’s Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

  I wasn’t a terribly good blogger this year, so I didn’t have any posts in particular I wish got more attention or love, comments or discussion. I’m pleased people even find this at all!

  

  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

  This is so lame, but I’m saying it anyway: how much money I saved by reading books from my library. I didn’t have the best reading year, and I saved so much by checking out books from the library instead of purchasing. If I loved what I read, of course I ran to the bookstore and purchased my own copy!

  10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

  I read a lot of fantasy, but I didn’t consider it part of my Marillier / Gabaldon challenge for Flights of Fantasy — I’ll change that for next year. I wanted to read more library books (which I did) and hold back on blind purchases (which I did). I didn’t read any classics or reread any books, but I did read a decent amount off my own TBR shelves. Win some, lose some, but in the end I’m quite pleased!

  

  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?

  The City of Brass and The Passion of Dolssa top my list for 2017, and they’re on my January TBR. I gotta get started on them!

  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2018 (non-debut)?

  From Twinkle, With Love is definitely up there! Sandhya Menon has easily become an auto-buy author for me. Oh, and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik!

  3. 2018 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

  Hmmm…perhaps Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. It sounds exciting.

  

  

  

  

  4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2018?

  The next Queens of Renthia book, The Queen of Sorrow by Sarah Beth Durst, hands down.

  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2018?

  Commenting more, engaging more, and announcing more deals! (More, more, more.)

  6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

  Impossible Saints by Clarissa Harwood. I’ve already mailed a couple copies to friends and they’ve come back to me with positive responses, so…fingers crossed!

  

  Posted in books, Update Post | 5 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 6:52 pm by Laura, on June 7, 2017

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

  Lately I’ve posted book reviews and left it at that, so it seemed like it was time for another one of these posts! And because it’s approaching summer (oh god), I’m gonna use tea gifs! Sound good? Good.

  

  If we were having coffee…I would tell you how I’ve read so many books for fun this year so far, but seem to fall behind on writing reviews for them now. Not that reviewing isn’t fun, or that blogging is a chore. Neither of those things! I’m just…reading more than usual? Both as an agent and as a reader. It’s a great feeling finally going through my TBR, checking out books from the library, and setting out little monthly goals on Instagram. The pressure to read the hottest ARC seems to have fallen away, and I’ve become more selective on ARCs in general, too.

  If we were having coffee…I’d strongly suggest you watch Band of Brothers. It’s an HBO one-season series set in WWII about the 101st Airborne, and it came out in the early ’00s. The Beau strongly suggested we watch it together sometime, and I was a little wary. As much as I love war books, the movies can get intense. And yet, as intense as Band could be, the writing and cinematography and deep character development really grabbed my attention and I couldn’t stop watching. Have you seen this show? It’s so good!

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how I sold a manuscript and acquired a new client all within the same month and it made me so happy. My other clients are also working on new projects that I’m super stoked to share with the world. Keep sending good vibes to the Team Laura sector of #TeamTriada. Going out on submission with new material is super exciting for all involved!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my trip to NYC. The excuse was Book Expo — bought a badge and everything — but I was rarely at Javits (and only received one galley from the floor. All the other galleys that came home with me were directly from editors’ desks to my hands, and that feels far more meaningful). I spent the majority of my time traveling all over Manhattan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings, mid-morning and afternoon imprint-wide meetings, and agency meals. It was so neat to put voices and faces to names, to see and meet the editors in person after years of exchanging emails and phone calls. All in all, this trip was far more fun and productive than previous NYC visits. This was also the first time the agency was all together, in person, in one room. Isn’t that nuts? I loved every second of it.

  Though I’m not a fan of the city itself (cities in general, let’s be honest — they stress me out), I was happy to be with enthusiastic bookish bookworms gushing over the latest novel, our cats, the news, dream travel destinations, and the delicious food in front of us. (That’s one thing cities have going for them: the variety of restaurants and cafes!) PLUS I was reunited with Lindsey @ Bring My Books and ran into Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books a few times. Oh, and flailed about Outlander and Sam Heughan with Sasha Alsberg when she was on her way to see her publisher. Haha!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d show you what a complete nerd I am by whipping out my phone, opening up the Forge of Empires app, and gushing about the game. Guys, I just reached the High Middle Ages (nearly there to the Late Middle Ages) and I’m so poor now because I’ve purchased so many homes, production buildings, and supply buildings. Time to crank up the supplies!

  If we were having coffee…I’d grumble about my lack of self control when it comes to chips and queso. Oh my god. It’s just bad. Really bad. Like, I crave salt (and cheese) all the time. It’s my baseline. And I love sugar, too, so I’m all sorts of messed up in cravings. But chips and queso is my vice, my sin, my guilty pleasure. About a year ago I tried giving it up and doing more yoga instead but THAT DIDN’T WORK BAHAHA. Help me.

  If we were having coffee…I’d ramble on and on about this trip to Greece I’m going on next summer. I’ve been to cooler climates in Europe, so heading to the Mediterranean in the summer will certainly be something new to experience. Scenes from Mama Mia! and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants keep dancing in mind. Blue skies, white buildings, lots of water, great culture…Have you been to Greece? Any tidbits, advice, or fun facts?

  

  Short, quick, and something to break up all the reviews. Anything new in your life? Have you seen Band of Brothers? Did you go to Book Expo or Book Con (and if so, what’d you snag)? Are you into any particular app game? Comment below!

  If we were having coffee, what would we talk about? Let’s chat!

  Posted in Update Post | 7 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• 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

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 12:10 pm by Laura, on December 10, 2016

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

  Ah, yes! Another round of If We Were Having Coffee! This is mostly a moment to vent my thanks (and frustration) over the many blessings (and woes) of the last few months. Grab some coffee, tea, or cocoa, and let’s get started…

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how thrilled I am to not be working in retail this holiday season. Normally December marks the beginning of the never-ending cold (which would lead to the never-ending inability to speak) and constant crankiness and general overwhelming stress. And though I do have some stressors this December, it has nothing to do with customers, illnesses, tinny pop Christmas tunes butchering the ears, management, etc. I don’t know how I lived through four Christmases in retail. It’s like selling your soul.

  To all of you who work retail, I am sending you good health and strength to maintain cheerfulness, and I hope you have beautiful, marvelous customers walking through the store’s doors!

  If we were having coffee…I would gush about how exciting it is to feel established in the library position. I’m ordering bookmarks for my Top 10 Favorite Adult Fiction Reads in 2016 to use on the staff display, preparing the book club’s list of reads for 2017 (that amazing group chose some great books to read and discuss, and I can’t wait to get started), creating displays to set up throughout the year, and looking forward to Genre Study’s (librarian book club) mystery reads in 2017!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that it’s been an absolute nightmare trying to move into this apartment. Back in November, I provided the complex with all the material they needed with my application, and was told I could move in December 1. On November 30, when I still hadn’t heard from them about picking up the keys and signing the lease, I found out they needed more material from me. (Apparently they’d only just realized I’d marked “self-employed” on my application along with the library position, and that requires a lot of paperwork proving I’m a good citizen who pays taxes and doesn’t lie.) This means my move-in date has been delayed till just before Christmas. Hurray! Let’s add on some more tight schedules to the already packed holiday season!

  *pours Baileys into cocoa*

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that despite my frustration with the maybe-move, my generous and loving parents have been very supportive, and the Beau has been incredibly helpful throughout all of this. We’ve moved the boxes and furniture around in the living room to fit the tree. The Beau has indulged me with chocolates and French vanilla and caramel cocoas, watched children’s Christmas movies with me, and lets me spend my agent days at his place so I don’t fall behind on work or stare woefully at all of my packed belongings.

  *adds marshmallows to the cocoa*

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about a neat opportunity I had with choir. Normally the section leaders sing one particular service at church as a small chamber choir. They were low on altos (I’m a mezzo soprano and have a weird range) and the director specifically requested that I join for the semester and into the Christmas season. It’s been a lovely experience and a joy to sing with people who, you know, have degrees in music.

  If we were having coffee…I would gush about Tara Sim’s success with Timekeeper! She’s appearing on so many “Best of” and “Top” lists, and the overwhelmingly positive response to her book is fantastic. I’m also very excited for Jared Reck’s A Short History of the Girl Next Door, and all the work going on behind the scenes right now. His cover is gorgeous and so perfect for the novel, too!

  

  It’s not a massive update, but one I still wanted to share regardless. The holiday season can add so much stress, both good and bad, and even though things are okay on my end, you’re more than welcome to reach out and chat about yours! I do my best to find a silver lining in things, and though I’m very frustrated with the apartment situation, I know I’m surrounded by good people who will not leave me out in the cold.

  If we were having coffee, what would we talk about? Let’s chat!

  Posted in Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent and librarian, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I have a passion for Victorian culture, Gothic lit, and music. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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