Saturday, December 30, 2017

Book Review: A Study in Scarlet Women


A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh no, I accidentally read a MYSTERY! What happened? I hate mysteries ... only, this was pretty good. Whoops, I guess I shouldn't just lump everything together into the dislike pile ;)

A Study in Scarlet Women was somehow on my TBR and so I checked it out at the library. I was at least 50 pages in before I realized that it was a mystery and I was already so obsessed with Charlotte's awesomeness that I couldn't just stop reading because it was outside of my genre comfort zone!

This was a delightful retelling of Sherlock Holmes with Charlotte as protagonist and somehow kept me enraptured throughout the story even though I really didn't care about the mystery that was unfolding.

The solving of the mystery was a little icky for my tastes, I can't say why without major SPOILERS, so I'll leave it at that.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Looking back in 2017


Check out everything I read this year on GoodReads

So, this year I missed my goal big time. I mean, 80 was a lofty goal, I get it, most people wouldn't set their sights that high. But, I really thought I could do it. I mean, in 2016 I read 70 books, this goal was only a little higher. However, it wasn't meant to be. As of this moment I've read 53 books.

However, I'm proud of that 53 because a LOT has happened this year that cut into my reading time and I'm looking forward to seeing more reading time that EVER in 2018.

So, did you make your goals? What was your favorite book you read this year? Let me know!

Book Review: The Rose & the Dagger


The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, if we are going to talk about what I love in a story we would need to talk about richness. Richness of description, of the world, of the characters. I love when something is vivid, when you can feel it, touch it, taste it along with the characters.

At one point in the story a mosaic table is described as if the creator had taken something beautiful and smashed it to make something less so. That line, and so many others, made me pause because it was so fantastic. Lines like that are written by gifted authors. (Note: not a direct quote, I can't find the direct quote, but it's awesome).

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Book Review: The Wrath and the Dawn

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was good, it was really good. I'm surprised, but I don't remember why I thought it would be disappointing.

When this book first came out I remember deciding it had an amazing cover, but was going to be terrible. Maybe someone told me they didn't like it. Maybe I had just read that awful Aladdin retelling and couldn't handle picking up anything even remotely similar. Maybe I got it confused with something else.

Honestly, I'm not even sure now why I decided to give it a shot, I don't think I'd ever even read the jacket flap.

Anyway, I love the hinted Arabian Nights theme throughout the story that was lovely without being overt. Why do authors feel like they have to re-write great works? Alluding to them is much more magical.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Book Review: Assasin's Heart


Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book reads like a knock-off of Throne of Glass. I love Throne of Glass, I enjoyed this. But if you compare the two, this one comes up lacking. Lacking world building, lacking character development, suffering from a rushed plot.

I picked this up simply because it was available on Overdrive and I needed something since Playster is down right now. The story was good, at least, it was interesting. I never wanted to stop reading, but between overused phrases and weak characters, there were points I struggled through.

Lea belongs to a family of assassins who kill under the game of their god. This is an interesting plot line. She loves a boy and it is a very Romeo and Juliet story. Which is actually where I thought this story was going ... but it wasn't. That isn't a spoiler, because it happens within the first 30 pages of the story.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Hi, is this thing on?

Hi, hi hello! My last post to the blog was in February. Yes, February of this year, still it feels like an eon ago. Here is an update from my part of the world.

1. I'm desperately behind on my reading list ... there is zero chance of me making my goal. Alas.

2. I quit my job. Yep, Lizz the Librarian is, technically, no longer a librarian. At least, not one who is employed at al library.

3. I started selling LuLaRoe, which is fabulous, and leaves me so much more time to read.

I guess that's the big news from this year. I'm sure many more important things happened since February, but I can't think of one that over shadow those tidbits. So, anyway, my goals are to get back to blogging, and reading, because, wowza I'm behind. Plus, I might be changing the name of the blog, but I'm not 100% decided on that just yet.

Any who, hello to my faithful friends, I'm sure I'll be seeing you more soon <3 nbsp="" p="">