How many books did you read?

This year was a good year of reading for me. I will have read 71 books by the turn of the new year and I'm back here to start blogging again.

2016 was such a busy year at work that my blog, right here, has been sorely neglected. Honestly, the last thing I wanted to do each night when I got home was talk about books more. Which is sad, considering it is my favorite thing. But as we settle into 2017 I look forward to some good changes and more time to do things I love (read: talk about books more ... and read more).

Anyway, finishing a quick graphic novel today brought me to an end of the 2016 Book Bingo. After four years of hosting a Book Bingo score card here on Lizz the Librarian, I've decided to take a break and do something new for 2017.

I'll still be completing a reading goal over on GoodReads and hope to read 80 books in 2017. I'll keep you updated as to what I read, if I join any reading goals, and I hope to do lots more reviews here in the coming year.

Check out the books I read this year after the jump and I'll see you as we read together in 2017!

Graphic Novel Review: Octopus Pie

In any graphic novel, which is the category I'm choosing to lump this book in with, we have four areas to review: World Building, Character Development, Plot, and Art.

Book Review: Prudence

Why did I pick it up:  I read a couple other of Gail's books and they were fun reads, so I thought this one would be too ;)

Summary: Prudence, Rue to anyone she likes, and her best friend Primrose are bound for adventure. In Rue's new dirigible, that is a flying ship that Rue names the Spotted Custard (because she's just practical like that), they are destined for India with two annoying men and a ship full of capable staff. But Rue isn't one to shirk excitement and get herself involved in everything she shouldn't.  

Graphic Novel Review: The Sleeper and the Spindle

There is nothing quite like a beautifully done fairy tail retelling. Not that we would expect anything less from Mr. Gaiman.

In any graphic novel, which is the category I'm choosing to lump this book in with, we have four areas to review: World Building, Character Development, Plot, and Art.

Book Review: Truthwitch

Why did I pick it up: I read it for my bookclub this month, but it was already on my TBR

Summary:  Safi and Iseult are Threadsisters, two Threadwitches who are the closest of friends (think Parabati) and will protect each other at all costs. Safi is a Truthwitch, a rare Threadwitch who knows the truth when anyone speaks - a valuable girl who is suddenly and quite surprisingly betrothed to an old man. A complicated escape plan hatches, the girls are separated and don't know who they can trust. The future is looking rather grim when a Bloodwitch named Aeduan is close on their tails and Admiral Merrik either saves or captures the girls ... it is a fight for survival. 

Book Review: The Queen of the Tearling

Why Did I Pick It Up: Did you see that cover? I really found the description awesome from a year ago.

Summary: After spending her formative years in hiding (and doing LOTS of reading) it is time for Kelsea to go home and become the Queen she is meant to be. In a land without technology, they are the light battling a stronger kingdom’s darkness that threatens to crush them on their way to power. Kelsea is uncertain at best and weak at worst. Her people question her ability to rise to the occasion and her idealistic nature might be her own undoing. 

Book Review: The Marvels

Why Did I Pick It Up: I really enjoy Selznick’s other works and I was looking forward to another from him – I like the blend of the highly illustrated book and the chapters. Plus, that cover is BEAUTIFUL.
Summary: First, the illustrations tell one story of a boy, a ship, a fire, and an adventure. However, the chapters do not pick up where the pictures left off, instead we meet Joseph who runs away from boarding school to find his uncle. Joseph’s uncle isn’t as he expected, his home is highly unusual as are his uncle’s behaviors. This is a mystery that will keep you reading until the last page! 
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Book Review: Firstlife

Why Did I Pick It Up: This book was already on my TBR shelf ... but, I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. These opinions are all my own. 

Summary: Tenley is in her Firstlife and has been sent to an prison by her parents in the hopes that she can be forced into signing with their side, Myriad instead of the more docile Troika. Signing with Myriad means that her parents will maintain their wealth and fame. Enter two boys, Archer who wants her to sign with Troika and Killian who is convinced he will be able to sign Ten with his bad-boy charm, violent outbursts, and devilish good looks. The two sides want Ten so much, they are willing to go to war ... maybe even kill her to avoid the other side winning. 

My favorite quote from my notes: "Killian reminds me of Lucifer."

Book Review: The Lie Tree

Why Did I Pick It Up: I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. These opinions are all my own. 

Books as Television Shows ... is it a good thing?

This post can also be found on This Side of My Screen where I am a guest blogger this week! 

Fangirls and fanboys love to know that one of their fandoms are coming to the screen. There is a moment, right after the pure elation, that I panic for a moment as these words go through my head:

Oh No! What if
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Valentine's Day = Book LOVE

I'm obsessed with Epic Reads here lately. Seriously, I'm always printing out their infographics or binge adding their lists to my TBR. Anyway, in honor of Valentine's Day and #romanceweek16 here's a HOT infographic and a list of best Kissy Scenes (which totally reminds me of my Book Boyfriends list) that you don't want to miss. They link back to their original sites so you can find all kinds of delightful books to add to your TBR.

 

 

I've read six out of the eleven books on this list. I can think of some other really fantastic YA romancey books, but I don't know if they had epic kissing scenes ... do you have any you'd add?

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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As a HUGE fan, I'd be willing to read "Harry Potter and the Very Boring Grocery List" and be perfectly delighted to experience a new story with Harry once again. However, JK Rowling has said again and again that she didn't wish to revisit this world (blah, she constantly breaks my heart with her blog posts on Pottermore and interviews where she says Ron and Hermione shouldn't be together, so I think she's as much of a fan as we are). I digress, I've been waiting, not very patiently, for a new story from this world and I'M SO EXCITED!

Obsession Runs Deep; or, What is a Book Boyfriend?

So there is this boy, and I'm totally obsessed with him. Nope, we haven't dated, we haven't even met ... this boy is a character. Not a character like a joke and not just a character, mind you, he isn't "just" anything, but when I read about him on the page my heart flutters and I have a serious case of the "I LOVE YOUs."

My list of favorite Book Boyfriends is further down
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Book Review: The Selection

Why did I pick it up: Everyone's read it and I felt like I wanted to read it too ... I should have looked at how my friends reviewed it before spending my afternoon with this particular novel. 

Summary: America (yes, her actual name) is a five, which means she and her family are musicians in this dystopian novel that takes place after the USA has fought a war with China for their freedom. She is in love with Aspen, a six, lower on the food chain and whom her mother will NEVER agree to let her marry. However, before she can make too many future plans, America is selected with 34 other girls to compete, Bachelor style, for the crown Prince's hand in marriage. Life at the palace isn't all pretty dresses and good food as America soon discovers ... and the Prince is more charming than America anticipated. 

Book Review: Life-Changing Magic

Shockingly, YA fiction books aren't the only thing I read (I know, you're falling out of your chair). I've gotten some really great/fun/adorable non-fiction books lately that I thought I'd review here as well. I have two more to review this month and then I'll post other reviews as I find books I fancy :) 

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I requested this book. I like both books by this author and it caught my eye. 

As has become a bit of a trend in recent years, I chose a "word of the year" for 2016 and that word is QUIET. In my effort to be happier and less stressed, being quiet is a small, daily reminder to just step back and have reflective moments, to think about what is going on, to take a deep breath and avoid stressful situations. 

Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire

Why did I pick it up: I FINALLY thought I'd finish up this series in anticipation for Lady Midnight coming out next month. 

Summary: Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle, Simon, Magnus, and all of the characters of this series are back, bringing with them character from The Infernal Devices and the upcoming The Dark Artifices. Sebastian is prepared for war and brings it down upon the Shadowhunters - 

This will be spoilery if you haven't read the previous books. 

Big reveal for V. E. Schwab!

Author of A Darker Shade of Magic just announced that the book is has been optioned for TV.

What do we think, fans, is this a good thing? I tend to like television shows better than movies when a book is involved, but can they bring the magic of "ADSOM" to the screen?

Check out more information Here and Victoria's announcement here.

Book Review: A Reaper of Stone

Why did I pick it up: I received a review copy of this book from Netgalley in trade for an honest review ... which this is, almost brutally so, I'll be nice, I promise.

Let's Talk About Shadowhunters ...

Okay, I've been meaning to write this up for like two weeks, but alas, I've been reading instead ;)

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First, this is SO different than the books. That isn't a bad thing, but wow. The whole setting is different, jobs are different, the characters are older, the way the meet is different ... fans have to adjust. I have to adjust.

Book Review: Gathering of Shadows

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Oh my, oh my, oh my ... preview chapters for A Gathering of Shadows! Friends, I am so excited ... here are my first thoughts, I can't wait to read and review the whole book!!

I received a Preview Excerpt from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. via GIPHY


After a momentary confusion because I couldn't remember how A Darker Shade of Magic had ended, I was swept up into world once again. Schwab doesn't disappoint while painting Red London as a backdrop for Lila and Kell. Lila is working toward her dream of having her own ship, she knows which one she wants, but it's unfortunately owned by someone else ... a pretty charming someone else. I'm once again captivated by Lila's fierceness, the girls' got spunk and tenacity and nothing she does on the page will ever be boring.

Kell's life is a little more challenging, when he isn't experiencing flashbacks of his time with Lila, he is living through the very real inconvenience of tethering his life to his brother's. In A Darker Shade of Magic I often felt like I just wanted to give Kell a hug, now that feeling has increased greatly. 

I really love how there seems to be a bit of a role reversal in these books, Lila is the tough, no nonsense character and Kell the emotionally scarred, dedicated to his family, needs to be loved character. I love it! I can't wait for the rest of the book!!

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Book Review: Storm Siren

Why did I pick it up: I grabbed this on Overdrive because it had a good cover and the cover looked interesting. Plus it was checked in ... so I wasn't being too particular.

Summary: Nym is a slave, the circles tattooed onto her arm prove it. She has stood on the auction block 14 times, but today her anger gets the better of her and she brings in a storm without knowing how she does it. People die. Nym wakes up in a nice room and confusion overwhelms her. A powerful woman has bought her and is going to prepare her skill to help their war ... but can Nym really trust anyone?

Book Review: The Night Circus

My first review on this book is here, but this one is more detailed. 

Summary: “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” A densely detailed narrative that uses your five senses to make the story come alive in your hands while you read. A competition between two illusionists, set in a magical circus. Secrets, twins, a cast of characters who all might not be what they seem. The Night Circus will captivate you from the moment you pick it up, fill your dreams, and leave you breathless and waiting for more. 

If you can't get enough of The Night Circus, check out my Pinterest board of images that remind me of this story :)

Book Review: Reckless

Summary: Jacob Reckless' father disappeared when Jacob was a young boy. But he did not run away from his family, as Jacob discovers, there is a different world that can be accessed through a mirror in his father's office. Jacob begins to live two lives, one within the mirror and one in his own world. However, when his brother steps through the glass and is cursed, it is up to Jacob, his friend Fox, and a cast of creatures to save him and bring him back.

Why did I pick it up: It was available as an eBook ... I'm not always picky, but I'm so glad this was a suggested title in my Overdrive account! To date (okay it's only January 18th, but I've read 8 books already) this is the best book I've read this year.

Book Review: The Calling

Why Did I Pick It Up: I'm a glutton for punishment, but I guess I wanted to read something by this notorious author.

Obsessing over The Raven Cycle

I love Maggie Stiefvater because she wrote these incredible characters: Gansey, Blue, Ronan, Adam, and Noah. Seriously, I've started obsessing over them. Started, let's be honest, it's been going on for awhile.

 

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