Today’s prompt is Books on My Spring 2023 To-Read List! There are so many books I would like to get to lol. I need to put a fire under it and get moving.
1.) The Fine Print by Lauren Asher 2.) Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young 3.) Married by War by Sarah K.L. Wilson 4.) Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amparo Ortiz 5.) Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai
6.) The Last Word by Katy Birchall 7.) The Comeback by Lily Chu 8.) Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland 9.) Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto 10.) Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa
Have you read any of these?Let me know in the comments below!
Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.
Title:Under This Forgetful Sky Author: Lauren Yero Genre: YA Sci-fi / Dystopian Publication Date: July 18th, 2023 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
“In the spirit of Paolo Bacigalupi and Laini Taylor, this futuristic star-crossed love story follows two teens struggling to find their place in a starkly unequal world.
Sixteen-year-old Rumi Sabzwari has spent his entire life behind the armored walls of St. Iago, which protect citizens of the Union of Upper Cities from the outside world’s environmental devastation. But when rebels infect his father with a fatal virus, Rumi escapes St. Iago, desperate to find a cure.
In the ruined city of Paraíso, Rumi meets fifteen-year-old Paz, who agrees to guide him on his journey. As they travel together, Rumi finds himself drawn to Paz—and behind her tough exterior, she begins to feel the same way. But Paz knows more about Rumi’s father’s illness than she’s saying and has her own agenda. With the powerful forces at play in their cities putting them at odds, can the two learn to trust in each other—enough to imagine a different world?” (Goodreads)
DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?
Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.
Title: Up in Flames Author: Hailey Alcaraz Genre: YA Contemporary / Retellings Publication Date: October 3rd, 2023 Publisher: Viking
“Gorgeous, wealthy, and entitled, Ruby has just one single worry in her life—scheming to get the boy next door to finally realize they’re meant to be together. But when the California wildfires cause her privileged world to go up in flames, Ruby must struggle to find the grit and compassion to help her family and those less fortunate to rise from the ashes.
At eighteen, Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard. But she couldn’t care less about those messy college boys—it’s her intense, brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants, and even followed to school. Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesn’t deter her . . . whatever Ruby wants, she eventually gets.
Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown, destroying her parents’ business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core. Suddenly, Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival, with no income or experience to rely on. Rebuilding seems hopeless, but with the help of unexpected allies—including a beguiling, dark-eyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyone—Ruby has to try. When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town, it becomes even more imperative to help. And if she has to make hard choices along the way, can anyone blame her?
In her powerful debut novel, Mexican American author Hailey Alcaraz chronicles a riveting portrait of transformation, resilience, and love with an unlikely heroine who, when faced with unforeseen disaster, surprises everyone, especially herself.” (Goodreads)
DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?
Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.
Title:House of Marionne Author: J. Elle Genre: YA Fantasy Publication Date: August 29th, 2023 Publisher: Razorbill
“From New York Times bestselling author J. Elle comes a modern-day YA romantic fantasy series opener about a glamorous magical world of social elites, forbidden love, and a dark magic that could destroy it all.
A must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Stephanie Garber, and Bridgerton.
RICH IS THE BLOOD OF THE CHOSEN.
17 year-old Quell has lived her entire life on the run. She and her mother have fled from city to city, in order to hide the deadly magic that flows through Quell’s veins.
Until someone discovers her dark secret.
To hide from the assassin hunting her, and keep her mother out of harm’s way, Quell reluctantly inducts into a debutante society of magical social elites called the Order that she never knew existed. If she can pass their three rites of membership, mastering their proper form of magic, she’ll be able to secretly bury her forbidden magic forever.
If caught, she will be killed.
But becoming the perfect debutante is a lot harder than Quell imagined, especially when there’s more than tutoring happening with Jordan, her brooding mentor and— assassin in training.
When Quell uncovers the deadly lengths the Order will go to defend its wealth and power, she’s forced to choose: embrace the dark magic she’s been running from her entire life or risk losing everything, and everyone, she’s grown to love.
Still, she fears the most formidable monster she’ll have to face is the one inside.
Brimming with ballgowns and betrayal, magic and mystery, decadence and darkness, House of Marionne is perfect for readers who crave morally gray characters, irresistible romance, dark academia, and a deeply intoxicating and original world.” (Goodreads)
DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?
This year I am going to be participating in Magical Readathon. There is also a year-long challenge for it that I found from Dini @ dinipandareads! This will actually be my first year with this readathon so I am really excited for when the actual readathon starts.
This video explains the yearly challenge and the one listed below is a beginner guide to the readathon. It will help you get your character set up, which includes joining a guild and picking your race. I am glad a video was created because otherwise I would have been lost, haha.
Here Is How My Adventure Will Go:
I am going for an owlcat which I think will be a nice edition since I do love cats! I am hoping it will be an easy adventure to get there. There may be a blank spot or two where I haven’t decided any reads yet so it may just be one of those where it will be determined that month.
Turn Left (start a series)
Sanctuary by Caryn Lix I have finished this one for the month! I know it’s literally the last day of the month but I did it! 😂
Go To The Forest (trees on the cover)
Bear With Me Now by Katie Shepard I have this one from Netgalley and its due in April so it’s the perfect time to get this one done in the month of February.
Fight A Giant (book over 500 pages)
The Dragon Republic by R.F Kuang, The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, and The Winter Garden by Alexandra Bell are all options! I am not sure what it will be so we will see.
Orilium Academy (Break from Adventures)
This will be the first month of the actual readathon
Stay At Orilium (book finishes on an even page number)
Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor I have been meaning to get to this series so at least it ends with an even number haha.
Visit The Locked Library (book you already own)
Wicked Little Secrets by Kara Taylor This is the sequel to the above book and I do own it!
Brew A Potion Of Sleepless Night (read when it’s dark)
I have nothing for this one yet!
Orilium Academy (Break from Adventures)
This will be the second month of the actual readathon
Go On A Date (book with romance)
An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn, Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter, and Thank You for Listning by Julia Whelan are all possibilities!
Adventure Together (book with a map)
Viper by Bex Hogan I’ve had this one on my shelf since I got it from Fairyloot a couple years ago. It has a map!
A Rescue Quest (book at risk of unhaul)
Eragon by Christopher Paolini and Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas have been sitting in a “may get rid of” box for too long so I think it will be time to decide their fates.
You Find An Owlcat Cub (owl or cat on cover)
Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer J. Chow It has a cute cat on it and has been on my tbr. It may change but we will see.
Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.
Title:Unnecessary Drama Author: Nina Kenwood Genre: New Adult Contemporary / Romance Publication Date: August 8th, 2023 Publisher: Flatiron Books
“From the award-winning author of It Sounded Better in My Head comes a deliciously entertaining enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two high school nemeses who end up sharing a house together their first year of college
Eighteen-year-old Brooke is the kind of friend who not only remembers everyone’s birthdays, but also organizes the group present, pays for it, and politely chases others for their share. She’s the helper, the doer, the maker-of spreadsheets. She’s the responsible one who always follows the rules—and she plans to keep it that way during her first year of college.
Her student housing only has one rule: “no unnecessary drama.” Which means no fights, tension, or romance between roommates. When one of them turns out to be Jesse, her high-school nemesis, Brooke is determined she can handle it. They’ll simply silently endure living together and stay out of each other’s way. But it turns out Jesse isn’t so easy to ignore.
With Unnecessary Drama, Nina Kenwood perfectly captures the experience of leaving home for the first time, dealing with the unexpected complications of life, and somehow finding exactly what you need.” (Goodreads)
DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?
Goodreads Monday was hosted and created by Lauren’s Page Turners and has now been taken over by Budget Tales Book Blog. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.
Title:To Have and to Heist Author: Sara Desai Genre: Adult Contemporary / Romance Publication Date: July 18th, 2023 Publisher: Berkley Books
“To exonerate her best friend, one woman must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper from the author of The Dating Plan.
Simi Chopra is on a bad-luck streak. She’s lost yet another job, her student loan debt won’t stop growing, her basement apartment is a certifiable flood zone, and now her best friend has been accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar diamond necklace. To put it lightly, she’s desperate for a break—that’s right when Jack waltzes out of the bushes and into her life.
Jack is just as charming as he is mysterious. When he offers to help her find the missing necklace and steal it back, Simi jumps at the chance to clear her friend’s name and collect the substantial reward. But every good heist needs a crew. All she needs to do is transform a ragtag group of strangers into an elite heist crew, infiltrate a high-society wedding and steal the necklace from a dangerous criminal before the happy couple say “I do.” Meanwhile the bride is keeping secrets, a detective with a slow-burn smile keeps showing up at her door, and the ultimate robbery might not be the wedding con, but the way Jack is stealing her heart.” (Goodreads)
DOES THIS ONE SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD READ?
Title: Cookie Monsters Author: Erika J. Kendrick Genre: Middle Grade / Contemporary Publication Date: January 17th, 2023 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Thank you to the publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours for a complimentary earcand a chance to help promote this book!
“A fun, fast-paced novel about friendship, family, fighting for what’s right, and standing out from the crowd while standing up for yourself.
Twelve-year-old Brooklyn Ace is ready to take the Valentine World Scouts by storm and build her own cookie empire. She nearly won the top cookie selling spot last year and is determined to make her mom—who recently passed away—proud by coming in first this time around. With her fabulous best friends by her side, Brooklyn knows she’ll become Santa Monica’s District Cookie Queen. The crown is practically in the bag.
Then Piper Parker arrives.
Piper has a rich dad, a fancy hotel, and a drive to steal the cookie crown right off Brooklyn’s head. Before long, most of the seventh grade is under Piper’s spell. But Brooklyn is in it to win the biggest cookie war the school has ever seen. With the help of her cookie squad, her rockstar grandmother, her super cool therapist, and a lot of self-love and inner growth, maybe—just maybe—Brooklyn can end up a winner after all.” (Goodreads)
Erika J. Kendrick is an acclaimed writer, a national speaker, and a mental fitness expert. She earned a psychology degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Erika was an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls before writing her novels, Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader (Random House) and Appetite (Random House). She is currently touring her debut middle grade novel, Squad Goals, with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The spinoff, Cookie Monsters, is set for a summer 2022 release.
After battling her brain pain, Erika founded Mental Fitness For Life where she launched her latest Mental Fitness book tour, “Who Moved My Happy?” While talking to audiences of all backgrounds and ages, Erika shares her story of brain pain and inspires hope by creating safe spaces for life-saving conversations. She has presented and guest lectured at colleges and universities as well as the US Army and US Air Force, national sororities and fraternities, middle and high schools, conferences, retreats, and national organizations, large and small. Erika has toured with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and is a speaker with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) where she has been inducted into their Hall of Fame.
Erika is a recipient of several “Who’s Who” honors, a Rising Icon honor, and several Awards of Excellence. Erika has taken the stage for TEDx, appeared on Good Morning America – The Third Hour (GMA3), NBC News, CBS News, The Wendy Williams Experience, national television and radio segments, and a host of other media outlets. She has been featured in several publications, including Page Six of The New York Post, The Huffington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and various other magazines and digital media.
I never was a Girl Scout but I feel like this would be a cute read and give me a glimpse at that life! It’s definitely a book I’d love to share with my daughter.
TheGeekishBrunette 