Tag: leigh bardugo

Top Books of July

Here are my top picks for July!

  1. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
    I really, really enjoyed this book. It was so beautifully written and I loved the prose. 10 years ago, Oliver was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Now, the detective who arrested him is curious for his side of the story. The book is mostly told from the lens of Oliver from 10 years ago, though we do get to see him in the future as well. I loved this book as well as the ending and I totally recommend it to you!
  2. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
    This book was amazing and so well written, especially the world-building! Alex isn’t the average Dante for the Lethe society in Yale, but her ability to see Grays (ghosts) makes her the only option. The plot of the story was incredible and progressed quickly and with enough plot twists to fully capture the reader. It was an incredible story!
  3. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz
    This was such a cute graphic novel and I loved the art style! I also loved the vibe of the story- everyone and all the kingdoms were named after different cheeses. Lady Camembert doesn’t want to marry, so she moves to a different town and disguises herself. But when one of the royals catches her attention, she has to keep up the disguise. I adored this book and I loved the ending! It’s a great read!
  4. Big Nate novel series by Lincoln Peirce
    This was another light read! It was the classic Big Nate comics, but in more of a novel style with a full plot. I loved getting to read through these books as they were super fun and light-hearted to read. I totally recommend these books for a quick and easy read!
  5. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
    This book was so beautiful and illustrated love incredibly well! It also tackled feeling out of place in a new land. I loved the different perspectives- one of Lily in the time period of the book, one of her mother/father, and one of her aunt. It was so nice to read and the ending was very well written! I really enjoyed this book!

Top Books of January
Top Books of February
Top Books of March
Top Books of April
Top Books of May
Top Books of June

My Top Books of February

  1. The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
    This is a collection of works set in the Grishaverse with different folktales from Kerch, Ravka, Zemeni, and Fjerda. I loved all of the stories and the way that they tied into the actual books themselves. The stories were unique and fun and so were the different characters that we got to experience. Some of my favorite stories were Ayama and the Thorn Wood, The Too-Clever Fox, and The Soldier Prince. Each story was beautifully written and I loved the illustrations too.
  2. The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu
    This book was so lively and entertaining. Marya is a young girl who doesn’t feel loved by her parents. Her brother, Luka, gets all the attention because he’s a sorcerer. Or at least, everyone thinks he is. But when Marya ruins her brother’s sorcery test, she’s sent to the Dragomir Academy for Troubled Girls where she finds many secrets and friends. I loved the plot and the way that the story flowed. I really enjoyed the characters and the way that the book progressed.
  3. Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass
    I loved this book so, so much. Ellen and her best friend Laurel are going to Barcelona for a school field trip. Ellen has a full plan of what to do, but that all dies out when her teacher announces a scavenger hunt. Laurel’s been put on a team with all her friends, except for Ellen. And Ellen is all alone with new teammates. I really enjoyed the way this story evolved and grew. I also really loved the diversity, with nonbinary, gay, and lesbian characters. I love this book so much!
  4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
    I really loved this murder mystery! Indian Island is the most fashionable place and all that anyone’s talking about. So when 8 people get an invitation to go, they jump at the chance. When they get there though, the owner is missing and then, suddenly their secrets are exposed and they start dropping off, one by one. The story is told well and I definitely got fooled more than once. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters a lot. It was a great read!
  5. Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
    This was a really sweet book about a bipolar boy and a transgender girl. Lily knows that she’s a girl. But that’s hard when you were born a boy. Her mom and sister understand, but it doesn’t seem like her dad gets how she feels. Dunkin has just moved with his mom and he’s torn between Lily or the basketball guys. I really enjoyed this book and all the diversity it had. This is such a great read!

My Top Books of January

My first top book post of 2022! Here are my top books of January.

  1. Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
    This was such a great book! It ended the Grishaverse series and was part of the King of Scars duology. This book told the story of Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina. Nikolai, the king of Ravka, has to figure out how to defeat the Fjerdans with little to no weapons or money. He also has to figure out his feelings for Zoya when he should be marrying a princess. Zoya, Nikolai’s general, is trying to adjust to her new life with a dragon inside of her. She keeps forcing herself to forget her feelings for Nikolai, even when he admits he reciprocates them. Nina, Nikolai’s spy, realizes that the best thing for Hanne is to win a man but she won’t accept it. I love their journey and the twists and turns that you’ll never forget. I totally recommend this series to you.
  2. The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    This book was so interesting! I loved the characters and the plot. Max’s life changed when his best friend, Josie, leaves him a note, telling him that “No matter what anyone says, I’m real,” Soon after, Max learns what whatnots are. They’re robots, built to look and act like humans to surround the rich kids and make them feel protected. Max refuses to believe this and starts searching for Josie. There are so many twists which I never saw coming and I loved the narration style. This is such a great book!
  3. Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
    I really enjoyed this book and the mysteriousness of it all. Myrtle is such a lively character and I enjoyed the way she went about solving the murder. It was written in such a way that you could figure out the mystery with Myrtle and it all made sense in the end. This is such a great book and I loved it a lot. I totally recommend it to you.
  4. Operation Do-Over by Gordon Korman
    This book was so good! I loved Mason and the way we got to see his character in two different times. Mason and Tyrus were the best of friends until Ava. Now, they never talk. One day, Mason wakes up as his old self and he knows it’s a chance to have a do-over. I loved this book and the plot. The ups and downs were perfect and the whole thing was spectacular. This is such a great book!
  5. When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony Snicket
    This is part of the All the Wrong Questions series. I really liked the book and the mysteries that came along with it. Lemony Snicket is an apprentice to S. Theodora Markson. They’re investigating the disappearance of Cleo Knight, though all the adults seem to give up too early, not seeing the missing pieces. Lemony and his friends, Ellington and Moxie, try to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

I hope you enjoyed my top reads!

Top Reads of 2021

Here are my overall top reads of 2021!

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller
    Circe is such a great book. I loved the reimagining of the original tale of Circe and how we got to see this sorceress as a main character. In many Greek Mythology stories, Circe is shown as the villian of her tale, but in this story we see her as her own, bright character. If you like mythology or re-imagined fairy tales, then ou’ll definitely love this book!
  2. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    4 siblings and none of them alike, yet they have to journey together to find the mythical Ivory Key. They each have different reasons for wanting it, but if they fail, they could all lose everything. I love the characters so much and the plot twists along the way. If you like fantasy or mythology, this book is perfect for you!
  3. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This book is filled with plot twists and riddles, secrets and hidden compartments that you never would’ve seen coming. I’ve really enjoyed reading the first two books in this triology, though I especially loved the second book. Avery has grown so much, though she’s still as stubborn and plucky and she was in the first book. The plot is entertaining, but it’ll leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to read the final book!
  4. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    I really love this book. It’s sweet and simple and explains pronouns and identities in a way that’s easy to understand. The illustrations are cute and match the text perfectly. Anyone, regardless their age, can understand this book and take to using its tips and tricks. I love this book!
  5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is another great mythology book. The Trojan War is probably the subject I know least about, but this book definitely helped with that. While it focused more on Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship (one of the best ones I’ve ever heard of), it still got a close look at the Trojan War. The writing style is so delicate and at any given time, I feel like I’m actually in ancience Greece. This book is definitely one of the best.
  6. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    I’ve only read the first book so far, but this duology is off to a great start. It focuses on Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina- characters in past books, now starring in their own. Their problems are like no other and they require a new solution that is bold and brave and only heard of in myths. I loved this story and the characters from the beginning to the end. It is such a new, but ownderous story and I really enjoyed it.
  7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
    This book has consistently popped up on my Instagram and so I decided to give it a try. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love all the characters and their unique personalities. They are unique but they all work together to make a diverse cast of characters. I haven’t ever met a group of characters who I’ve loved as fiercely as Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthais, Jesper, and Wylan. This two-book series is packed with twists and turns and will have you crying and laughing at the same time. I totally recommend it to you.

What were your top reads of 2021? Did you read/like any of these books?

Top Reads of October

Here are my top books for October!

  1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is such a great book. The Iliad/The Trojan War is my weakest subject in Greek Mythology and I’ve always wanted to learn about it. I found this book so sweet and perfect in the way that it doesn’t focus too much on the war, instead focusing on the love between Patroclus and Achilles. I love the way this book (and Patroclus and Achilles’ friendship) developed and I found the plot perfect. The ending was one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. I love this book so much!
  2. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake
    Hazel is a young girl who has just moved to Rose Harbor in Maine. When her mom (known as Mama) runs into an old friend, Claire, past feelings emerge again. She meets Claire’s daughter who’s obsessed with the legend of the Rose Maid, a 150 year old mermaid. Hazel finds herself getting swept up in the story and starts to open her heart to the magic in life. This is such a great book. I loved the way it talked about trauma and LGBT+ perspectives. None of it felt forced and all of it just molded into one story.
  3. Da Vinci’s Cat by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
    This is a beautiful book about time travel and friendships. Federico is a hostage to the Pope living in the 1500s and Bee is a young girl who has just moved to a new house. The book starts off with Federico following a kitten who leads him to a closet. The kitten goes inside, then emerges as a full grown cat with someone named Herbert Bother. The two become close friends and rely on each other, until Herbert doesn’t come back. Then, a girl named Bee steps out of the closet. She has her own motives and secrets and is trying to understand what to do to get on with her life. This book is such a great read and I love it so much!
  4. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    This is the first book in the duology that focuses on Nikolai, a side character in both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows. I love this book and the perspectives it is told from. Zoya is a Grisha (someone who can do magic). She’s been working with the king to help him battle his mysterious new ailment and the way it’s been affecting him while grappling with her own past. Nikolai is doing his best as a young king, trying to keep down the beast inside of him and be a good leader. When a cult for the Darkling rises, all of this gets challenged. Nina is trying her best after Matthias’ death. She is on a quest with two other Grisha. As she meets a new friend, she understands how to embrace her new power and how to work smart. I totally recommend this series to you!
  5. Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia
    This is the second book in the Tristan Strong series. Tristan is back at his grandparents’ farm, but he’s been hearing whispers asking him to save the speaker. No one else seems to hear them, so he dismisses them until his Nana is kidnapped and the main man behind it, The Shackle Man, comes to the farm. He finds a way back to Alke, the mystical and magical world where African myths are real. He gets the help of his old friends Ayanna and Gum Baby and makes a new ally, Junior. This is such a great book and I can’t wait to read the last book in the trilogy!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here
Top Books of July: click here
Top Books of August: click here
Top Books of September: click here

Fictional Characters I Admire: Inej Ghafa

I marvel at Inej’s wisdom and strength as she defeats her only real match. She truly is such a crucial part of the team. Inej Ghafa is one of the Crows from the Six of Crows duology written by Leigh Bardugo. She’s strong, brave, and courageous.  I love her story and here’s some reasons why.

Inej has so many layers. She’s soft and kind, but can also be tough. While she is vulnerable, she knows how to kill. I love how we learn about all these layers and not just one side of her. Unlike a lot of characters in fantasy, Inej is kind and vulnerable. While she has had her share of traumas, she still has a glimmer of hope which guides her.  She’s also strong. While she refuses to kill, she knows how to and is able to wound someone. I love all the different sides of her!

Inej has her own beliefs and won’t sacrifice them for anyone else. She knows her worth and carries it around proudly and I love her for that. While she knows that she wants to get close to Kaz (a fellow colleague), she also lets him know that she won’t until he opens himself up to him.She also makes it clear that she can live without him if he never opens up to her. One of her quotes is “She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying”. She is fine continuing her life without him. 

Inej Ghafa will always be one of my favorite characters, because of her layers and the fact that she knows her own worth. I love reading about her and the person that she is.

July’s Top Books

Here are my top books for July!

  1. The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan
    This is the last book in the Riordanverse (others have been hinted at, but there is no proof for them yet). I loved the classic Rick Riordan style and the way how our main character, Apollo/Lester has changed over his time as a mortal (normal human). This book is so great and the different aspects, like Piper’s identity and Meg’s love for unicorns, were amazing. Overall, this was a really great book.
  2. Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
    This is SUCH a great duology. I loved getting the different viewpoints and the humor was perfect. You can definitely see the development in the characters and the plot was great. I loved all of the characters, especially Inej and Jesper. This book is filled with danger, love, sadness, and more. I loved every page and think that it was such a great book!
  3. Carry Me Home by Janet Fox
    This is such an amazing book. I love the characteristics of all the characters and the how the plot developed. This book brings together sadness, hope, and joy together in the best way possible. It’s an emotional read and I loved the way that the author wrote the emotions. I love this book so, so much and I totally recommend it to you!
  4. The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
    This is a great graphic novel about a young boy struggling to come out to his mother. I love the illustrations and how fairy tales played a big part in the story. It was a really sweet book and I loved the plot and how everything fit together. The fairy tales were beautiful and I loved how the book ended. This is such a great book!
  5. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    This book is a great guide to pronouns for people of all ages! It talks about the main pronouns (she/her, he/him, they/them), but also others (ze/zir, xe/xem, fae/faer). It’s an amazing book with fun pictures. There are also examples of how to use pronouns. It also touches on different parts of LGBT+ like trans, intersex, genderfluid, etc. This is a really great book and it’s really helpful!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here
Top Books of June: click here

June’s Top Books

Here are my top books for June!

June’s Best Books:

  1. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
    This is a book about Ariadne, a figure in Greek mythology. This tells her story, from a young girl to an older mother. I loved reading about her feelings and the way that she grew, both in personality and in her knowledge. She’s such a true character and I love the way that we also get Phaedra’s (Ariadne’s sister) view as well.
  2. The Cursed Carnival and other Calamities by Rick Riordan
    This is a series of short stories from the Rick Riordan Presents authors as well as Rick Riordan. Each character faces a problem and they work together to solve them. There are also little mentions of other stories in some of them and that just makes it so much more fun. I also really love the diversity in the books.
  3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
    This is the first book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy, the first series in the Grishaverse. Alina is such a brave character and I love the way she faces her problems. The fantasy element is perfect and I really like the way everything plays together. All the characters are well shaped and I can’t wait to read more about all of them in the next two books.
  4. Drum Roll, Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
    This is a book about family and finding your voice. I love how Melly navigates throughout the confusions of her life and the ways she overcomes her challenges. I also love the LGBT+ content and how it adds to the story. This is such a great book!
  5. The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst by Jaclyn Moriarty
    This is part of a series, but you can read each book like standalones. This book is about Esther, an often-forgotten middle child. I love the way the story is conveyed and how we get a great sense of who Esther is. I also really like the connections to the other previous stories. This book is so fun and I really enjoyed the humor and liveliness of the book.

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April: click here
Top Books of May: click here

6 Book Series on my TBR

It’s officially summer!

I have many, many book series that I want to read over my 2 month long break. There are series and standalones, trilogies and duologies. There are some books I can’t wait to read and some books I’m reluctant about. I have a bunch of books on my TBR (to be read). These are just six of the series I am looking forward to reading.

  1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
  3. The Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
  4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  5. The Selection by Kiera Cass
  6. The Storm Runner series by J.C Cervantes