Monday, December 31, 2018

Bring Down the Stars - Review

Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet, # 1)

By: Emma Scott

Publication: August 19th 2018 by Amazon Digital Services

292 pages

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Retellings

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon $3.99 | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--I fell for Connor Drake. I didn’t want to; I fought against it, but I fell in love with him anyway. With his words. With his poetry. With him. The gentleness and beauty of his soul that speaks directly to mine. He writes as if he can feel my heart, hear its cadence and compose the exact right lyrics to accompany every beat and flow.

I’m in love with Connor…so why do I feel an inexplicable pull to his best friend, Weston? Grouchy, sullen, brooding Weston Turner, who could cut you down with a look. Fiercely intelligent with a razor sharp wit and acid tongue, he’s the exact opposite of Connor in every way, and yet there’s electricity in the air between us. The thorny barbs Weston wraps around himself can’t keep me away.

But the more time I spend with these men, the more tangled and confused my emotions become. When they both sign up for the Army Reserves during a time of increasing strife in the Middle East, I fear I’ll never unravel my own heart that sometimes feels as if it will tear straight down the middle…for both of them.

**********

Bring Down the Stars is an emotional, angst-filled novel of unrequited love by bestselling author, Emma Scott, and is inspired by the classic tale, Cyrano de Bergerac. (Roxanne) It is Book I in the Beautiful Hearts Duet, coming this summer. Book II, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, to be released a few weeks later. THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE TRIANGLE #confusedhearts #notamenage

When I read the description of Bring Down the Stars, I was sold that it was a book that I needed to read, but I wasn't sold that it would start or end in a place I'd be happy with. I mean the story of Cyrano de Bergerac is well known. A man speaks for another man in love with a woman. I mean obviously there's more to it than that, but I could tell immediately from the description that it was likely Weston was the one giving his words to Connor in order to woo Autumn. But that would mean that Weston wouldn't be with Autumn, yet Weston would be the one I should be rooting for. Starting a book off knowing that inevitable conflict (well all books have conflict, but this particular conflict is what I mean) is ahead had me hesitating.

Despite my hesitation, Bring Down the Stars hooked me quickly. I easily felt the connection between Autumn and Weston. And even the gravitational pull toward Connor and his easygoing charisma. Each character has depth. Connor's struggles to live up to his family's wishes for him. His family is so gracious to Weston and his family, and even Autumn's. They weren't black and white characters. Weston's history with his father and even how his mother's words shaped his view of himself, his worth, and his options for his future. Autumn's romantic history and her family dynamics. All of these characters were more than surface level. Even the side characters like Connor's parents, Weston's mom, Paul, Ruby, Edmond (who I imagine was fashioned in some ways after Javier from Felicity), and Weston's poetry professor.

I was a little frustrated with Autumn. I mean such a large point of this book is the retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac so this couldn't really be avoided, but how much Autumn struggled with the back and forth of Connor. How he felt so different in person versus the poetry, letters, or words he gave her when they weren't together...It seems to me that you've got to go with how you feel when you're together in person versus words shared when apart. So I struggled a little with her indecision. But all of that was necessary for the story.

It's actually hard for me to separate Bring Down the Stars from Long Live the Beautiful Hearts considering I started book 2 immediately after finishing this one. I read in the car on a day trip 3 hours away from home (and then 3 hours back). I basically finished both books in two days total--unheard of for me this past year.

I also want to say that the last poem of Bring Down the Stars did not disappoint. Often times when I'm reading a book that builds up a character's talent in songwriting, poetry, writing, riddles, etc, I end up being disappointed with the lyrics or samples of their art included in the book. That was not the case with the main poem of this book. It was beautiful in every way and I could read it over and over again. I won't share it with you guys, but I will share a few of my other favorite quotes:

-"I can't help myself. I don't want casual. I want electricity. I want someone I can talk to for ages, someone who sets my blood on fire. And not just physically, you know?" Ruby pursed her lips. "Gee, don't expect much, do you?" "Only everything," I said. "And why not? That's exactly what I have to give."

-I wouldn't touch you so quickly, I thought. I'd wait. Draw it out. Build up the moment so that when it happened--when each of us feels the other's skin for the first time--it'll be something sublime. Something earned.

-"I'm starting to memorize you," he said. "Not just your words but how you talk. The silences between words. The sound you make when you're thinking. The quiet where you try to hold back, and the little floods where you don't."

Bring Down the Stars was more than I expected it to be. I hoped I would like it. I hoped I could make it past the inevitable conflict that was expected from the book description and the very beginning of the story. And Bring Down the Stars exceeded my expectations. Knowing what was going on in Emma Scott's life during the time of writing these two books made these books even more emotional. My heart goes out to her. Bring Down the Stars gets 4 Stars. Have you read Bring Down the Stars? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 12/30/18

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Last Sunday we were at my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's house. We hung out until right after lunch and then came home. We'd planned to make and decorate cookies for Santa, but we never ended up getting around to them. By the time we got home and had dinner there was no time. Monday, we went to my parents' house. We already did Christmas with them two weeks ago so we just went to spend time together. My brother, sister-in-law, and their kids came also, and we played games, ate soup, and just hung out. Monday night was the mad rush to get Santa done after the kids went to bed. Thankfully they were both exhausted from playing so hard the day before. Tuesday we got up and opened presents. My kids aren't old enough to really wake up early so we just got up at normal time, but that was beyond fine with me. Little Boy is still only a little over a year old so a lot of the events went over his head, but he still had a blast. Little Girl is 3 now so she's enjoying Santa and Christmas more and more. For lunch we went over to Husband's mom's house. His older sister and their family were late getting on the road so we didn't open presents with them until after dinner. Wednesday, Husband was back to work, and we were back to normal. Usually, I put off taking down the tree until New Years Day, but this year that thing had to go. We're planning soon to take up the carpet and put down laminate so we've got to clear out that room ASAP. Friday I had a dentist appointment so the kids spent most of the day with Grammy. After the dentist I had to get groceries. I came home and put them away, then shredded the meat off a rotisserie chicken. The kids got home and I put them down for nap and quiet time. Then I worked on taking the tree down some more. And then I made bacon chips to take to my aunt's house for a party with her family. Saturday we did NOTHING! It was glorious.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: No Blog Posts
Tuesday: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Be the Girl by KA Tucker
Thursday Review of The Ones You Fight For (The Ones Who Got Away, # 3) by Roni Loren

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Bring Down the Stars (The Beautiful Hearts, # 1) by Emma Scott
Tuesday: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday December 2018 EOM Wrap Up
Friday: 2018 EOY Wrap Up

Don’t forget to link up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2018 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Stormcaster (Shattered Realms, # 3)

By: Cinda Williams Chima

Publication: April 3rd 2018 by HarperTeen

544 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The third book in the thrilling four-book Shattered Realms series from New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima

The empress in the east—the unspeakably cruel ruler whose power grew in Flamecaster and Shadowcaster—tightens her grip in this chilling third installment in the series.

Vagabond seafarer Evan Strangward can move the ocean and the wind, but his magical abilities seem paltry in comparison to Empress Celestine’s. As Celestine’s bloodsworn armies grow, Evan travels to the Fells to warn the queendom of her imminent invasion. If he can’t convince the Gray Wolf queen to take a stand, he knows that the Seven Realms will fall. Among the dead will be the one person Evan can’t stand to lose.

Meanwhile, the queen’s formidable daughter, Princess Alyssa ana’Raisa, is already a prisoner aboard the empress’s ship. Lyss may be the last remaining hope of bringing down the empress from within her own tightly controlled territory.

Multiple intricately interwoven storylines converge in this gripping novel about a brave, coordinated effort to undermine a horrific tyrant.

Alex, Approximately

By: Jenn Bennett

Publication: April 4th 2017 by Simon Pulse

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--In this delightfully charming teen spin on You’ve Got Mail, the one guy Bailey Rydell can’t stand is actually the boy of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

Classic movie buff Bailey “Mink” Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online by “Alex.” Two coasts separate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.

Faced with doubts (what if he’s a creep in real life—or worse?), Bailey doesn’t tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she’s being heckled daily by the irritatingly hot museum security guard, Porter Roth—a.k.a. her new arch-nemesis. But life is whole lot messier than the movies, especially when Bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love, and whatever-it-is she’s starting to feel for Porter.

And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realizes, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex…Approximately.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, # 3)

By: Jenny Han

Publication: April 4th 2017 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Thursday, December 27, 2018

The One You Fight For - Review

The One You Fight For (The Ones Who Got Away, # 3)

By: Roni Loren

Publication: January 1st 2019 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

416 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--How hard would you fight for the one you love? Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then, psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life's work to preventing something like that from ever happening again. Falling in love was never part of the plan...

Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the fallout of his brother's horrific actions. After losing everything―his chance at Olympic gold, his family, almost his sanity―he's changed his name, his look, and he's finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a low profile and his identity secret, everything will be okay, right?

When the world and everyone you know defines you by one catastrophic tragedy...
How do you find your happy ending?

I normally do not read books in a series out of order like this. But for some reason, I got pulled into the description and cover and everything for this book. And I figured if I liked this one, I could go back and read the prior two books in the series. Considering that each book follows a different main character, reading these out of order shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The One You Fight For completely pulled me in. I had so many questions that were propelling me through the story. I read 50% quickly, but then I became disappointed. The book took a 20% detour from the main storyline for the characters to have sex. I don't enjoy descriptive scenes like this. Perhaps the genre should have given this away for me though. Regardless, I was really disappointed with this and skimmed ahead through this section. But I was disappointed because I felt like the story stood on its own without having to throw this detailed section in the middle of the book.

Given the topic, I really appreciated that Roni Loren didn't turn this book political. It was just a story and not an agenda or a message. Speaking of that, at first, I was a little disappointed that Taryn's program wasn't spelled out a little bit more. I wanted to know more about it in a show vs tell kind of way. But then I figured if there was some epic program out there to prevent school shootings then it would be implemented around the country already. Nevertheless, I'm so glad that this book wasn't about spreading a message. I hate when authors do that and given the content it could have easily headed in that direction.

The One You Fight For hooked me early, but I found myself confused and disappointed when we took a 20% detour for the characters to hook up. I want to know the stories of the other characters, but I can only imagine that the descriptive scenes aren't unique to this book alone so I'll probably skip them. The One You Fight For gets 3 Stars from me. And I'm kind of sad about that because I likely would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't have to skim 20% of the book for some filler sex scenes. Have you read The One You Fight For? What did you think? Let me know!

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Can't Wait for Be the Girl

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Be the Girl

By: KA Tucker

Expected Publication: January 21st 2019 by K.A. Tucker

pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the national bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series and The Simple Wild comes a poignant story about a girl trying to change her future while evading her past.

Almost sixteen-year-old Aria Jones is starting over. New postal code, new last name, new rules. But she doesn’t mind, because it means she can leave her painful regrets behind. In the bustling town of Eastmonte, she can become someone else. Someone better.

With the Hartford family living next door, it seems she will succeed. Sure, Cassie Hartford may be the epitome of social awkwardness thanks to her autism, but she also offers an innocent and sincere friendship that Aria learns to appreciate. And Cassie’s older brother, Emmett—a popular Junior A hockey player with a bright future—well … Aria wishes that friendship could lead to something more. If he didn’t already have a girlfriend, maybe it would.

But Aria soon finds herself in a dicey moral predicament that could derail her attempt at a fresh start. It is her loyalty to Cassie and her growing crush on Emmett that leads her to make a risky move, one that earns her a vindictive enemy who is determined to splinter her happy new world.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

2018 Series Enders Challenge - December Wrap Up

Time for our final Monthly Wrap Up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Since the November Wrap Up, Sandy finished one series ender: Long Live the Beautiful Hearts (Beautiful Hearts Duet, # 2) by Emma Scott. Holly hasn't finished any series enders.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the Grand Finale giveaway runs from December 25th - January 25th. On January 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries to pull a winner.

PS...Holly and I are coming back for 2019, but we're having some technical difficulties with some formatting that we're hoping to work out this week. So be on the lookout for the sign up post ASAP. In the meantime, feel free to revisit the rules for 2018 as not much is changing for the coming year.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 12/23/18

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

The first two days of this week were super fast. Husband took off work those days. Monday we took the kids to see Santa and then we went out to eat lunch and browsed around downtown to see some of the Christmas decorations. Tuesday, he took Little Girl and they had a Daddy/Daughter day. They got a Happy Meal at McDonald's, went to the park, and even went shopping for Little Girl to pick out a Christmas present for her brother, me, and Daddy. Wednesday we had a rough start to the morning but it ended up being a good day and the kids finally got to swing on the swing Gramma and Granpa gave them for Christmas. Thursday and Friday it rained off and on both days so we didn't get outside. This has been one rainy December and I'm starting to feel like I'm trapped in a cave. Saturday we went to Husband's sister's house and spent the night.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Sadie by Courtney Summers (3 Stars)
Tuesday: Top Ten Winter 2018 TBR List
Wednesday: Can't Wait for What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
Thursday 2018 EOY Book Survey

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: No Blog Post
Tuesday: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday
Thursday Review of The One You Fight For (The Ones that Got Away, # 3) by Roni Loren
Friday: December 2018 EOM Wrap Up

Don’t forget to link up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2018 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children

By: Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Publication: November 1st 2001 by Zondervan

224 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help, Parenting, Christian, Psychology

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Keys for establishing healthy boundaries--the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for children and adults.

To help their children grow into healthy adults, parents need to teach them how to take responsibility for their behavior, their values, and their lives. The authors of the Gold Medallion Award-winning book Boundaries bring their biblically-based principles to bear on the challenging task of child rearing, showing parents:
* how to bring control to an out-of-control family life
* how to set limits and still be loving parents
* how to define legitimate boundaries for the family
* how to instill in children a godly character

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Thursday, December 20, 2018

2018 EOY Book Survey

Jamie, The Perpetual Page Turner created this EOY Book Survey. I've participated several years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, & 2016), but I missed last year due to having a newborn and potty training a 2 year old. But I enjoy the survey so much that I am here again for 2018. I've discussed in the past how difficult narrowing down these are for me, but I'm going to try to do better keeping each category to one selection. Some of these get out of hand. Oh and feel free to join in and do your own survey. Just link back to Jamie.

2018 Reading Stats

84 books read so far (including a few children's books)
0 book re-read
Genre Read the Most From? YA Contemporary

Books

1. Best book you read in 2018?

Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, # 1) by Mary E Pearson

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey, # 1) by Sarah E Ladd

3. Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book you read in 2018?

That Night by Amy Giles

4. Book you read in 2018 that you recommended to people the most?

Simple Wild by KA Tucker

5. Best series discovered in 2018? Best Sequel? Best series ender?


Series: Beautiful Hearts Duet by Emma Scott

Sequel: I didn't read many sequels this year and the ones I did were just 3 Star ratings.


Ender: Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands, # 3) by Alwyn Hamilton

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2018?

Erin Watt

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Verity by Colleen Hoover

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2018?


Bring Down the Stars & Long Live the Beautiful Hearts by Emma Scott

9. Book you read in 2018 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

No time for re-reads probably.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2018?


The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles, # 3) by Mary E Pearson

11. Most memorable character in 2018?

Verity Crawford (Verity by Colleen Hoover)

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2018?


Bring Down the Stars by Emma Scott

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2018?


100 Days of Thanks by Thomas Nelson Publishing (helped get my perspective back in focus during the struggles of having a young baby and frequent lack of sleep)

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2018 to finally read?


Ruins (Partials, # 3) by Dan Wells

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2018?


For you, I would
bring down the stars,
wreath their fire
around your neck
like diamonds,
and watch them
pulse
to the beat of your heart

For you, I would
capture the candlelight
in the palm of my hand
Give my breath
to give it life
A whisper,
"My love"
So that it may grow
Bright and hot
And burn me

For you, I would
drink the salted oceans
Until their depths
Were swallowed
into the depths of me
How deep it is, the life
This love, for you
I cannot touch bottom
I never will

For you, I would
mine the stony earth
Until it relinquished
The secrets of time
Cracks in the stone
wrinkles of the Earth
As she turns her face
to another new day
And so I wish to live
Every one of mine
With you

For you, I would
be myself
At long last
I would live in my skin
And breathe my words
in my own voice
Tinged with the accent
Of a child calling to a car
that will never stop
And in the fading echo
Nothing remains but the truth
of me
that is the love
of you

I have loved you with both
Hands tied behind my back
Bound with pen and ink
Paper and words
Sealed with someone else's name
until this moment
in which I am nothing
but a man
who loves a woman
There is nothing left to say
Except to give
all of my heart
For you

Bring Down the Stars by Emmma Scott

16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2018?


Longest: The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles, # 3) by Mary E Pearson 679 pages
Shortest (not including children's books): How to Teach Your Baby to Swim: From Birth to Age Six by Douglas Doman 120 pages

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (Updated to: Book that shocked you the most?)


Verity by Colleen Hoover

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2018 (romantic)?


Jase & Kazi (Dance of Thieves by Mary E Pearson)

19. Favorite relationship (non-romantic) from a book you read in 2018?


Kate & Alanna from Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

20. Favorite book you read in 2018 from an author you’ve read previously?


Dance of Thieves by Mary E Pearson

21. Best book you read in 2018 that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else?


When It's Real by Erin Watt

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2018?

Surprisingly none. I mean I liked a few of the guys I read, but none of them fall into the category of book boyfriend.

23. Best debut you read in 2018?


The Roses of Feldstone by Esther Hatch

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2018?


Dance of Thieves by Mary E Pearson

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2018?


Tricky Twenty-Two (Stephanie Plum, # 22) by Janet Evanovich

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2018?


The Simple Wild by KA Tucker

27. Book you read in 2018 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?


Let Me List the Ways by Sarah White

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?


Verity by Colleen Hoover

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2018?


Bible Journaling Made Simple by Sandy Allnock

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


The Opposite of Innocent by Sonya Sones

Blogging

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2018?

These aren't exactly new discoveries, but I've really been trying to focus on the blogs that visit and comment on my blog regularly.

  • AJ @ Read All the Things
  • Sherry @ Fundinmental
  • Laura @ FUOnlyKnew
  • Mary @ Stacking My Book Shelves
  • Barb @ Booker T's Farm
  • Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog
  • Eve @ Functioning Insanity
  • Jenea @ Jenea's Book Obsession
  • Jo @ Book Lover's Blog
  • Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
  • Angela @ Musings of a Literary Wanderer
  • 2. Favorite review you wrote in 2018?


    All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover - Because this book touched me on a personal level and the review got to share a little bit of my personal connection to the characters.

    3. Best discussion you had on your blog?

    My review of All the Little Lights by Jamie McGuire got the most comments and discussion. I mean the number and quality of the comments on this review exceeds any other review I've ever done. I don't even know that my review is particularly good so much as the book sparked a lot of thoughts and discussion.

    4. Best event that you participated in (author signing, festivals, virtual events, meme’s, etc)

    N/A

    5. Best moment of book blogging/your book life in 2018?

    Exceeding my reading goal is always a good thing. I've been trying to keep things on kind of an even-kill until I move into a different season of life that allows for more focus on reading and blogging..

    6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

    Well at the beginning of 2018 my son was only 3 months old. The first twelve months are physically exhausting. Not that the other years aren't, but after the first year babies become more and more physically independent. Having a newborn and very young baby doesn't allow for much extra time for reading and blogging.

    7. Most popular post this year on your blog (views or comments)?

    See my response to question 3.

    8. Post you wished got a little more love?

    Really any of my discussion posts. I didn't do many this year, and I guess I'd rather them get no comments than to get into some heated debate. One in particular: Discussions Only We Know: Mountains Out of Molehills

    9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, stores)?

    Again...no new real discoveries this year.

    10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of the year?

    My Goodreads challenge (84 books of 52), Series Enders Reading Challenge (I fell slightly short of my goal of 10-12 books), Reading the Bible in a Year (Succeeded)

    Looking ahead…

    1. One book you didn’t get to in 2018 but will be your number 1 priority in 2019?


    Iron Gold by Pierce Brown

    2. Book you are most anticipating in 2019 (non-debut)?


    Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

    3. 2019 Debut you are most anticipating?

    No debuts are currently on my radar I don't think. Or they might be, but I really don't make note of that when I'm adding to my TBR list.

    4. Series ending you are more anticipating in 2019? Sequel?


    Sequel: A Return of Devotion (Haven Manor, # 2) by Kristi Ann Hunter

    Ender: Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, # 2) by Mary E Pearson (no cover yet)

    5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2019?

    This has been my main goal for the last two/three years...Just keep going. With dwindling time to read and blog I'm hoping to just hang tight and keep doing the best that I can until another season in life comes that will allow me more time to do both.

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


    You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

    What would your answers be to the 2018 EOY Book Survey? Leave me your link so I can check out your post. Or just leave me a comment! Let me know!

    Wednesday, December 19, 2018

    Can't Wait for What the Wind Knows

    Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

    What the Wind Knows

    By: Amy Harmon

    Expected Publication: March 1st 2019 by Lake Union Publishing

    416 pages

    Genre: Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy

    ( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

    *Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

    Goodreads description--In an unforgettable love story, a woman’s impossible journey through the ages could change everything….

    Anne Gallagher grew up enchanted by her grandfather’s stories of Ireland. Heartbroken at his death, she travels to his childhood home to spread his ashes. There, overcome with memories of the man she adored and consumed by a history she never knew, she is pulled into another time.

    The Ireland of 1921, teetering on the edge of war, is a dangerous place in which to awaken. But there Anne finds herself, hurt, disoriented, and under the care of Dr. Thomas Smith, guardian to a young boy who is oddly familiar. Mistaken for the boy’s long-missing mother, Anne adopts her identity, convinced the woman’s disappearance is connected to her own.

    As tensions rise, Thomas joins the struggle for Ireland’s independence and Anne is drawn into the conflict beside him. Caught between history and her heart, she must decide whether she’s willing to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she’d find. But in the end, is the choice actually hers to make?

    I'm not normally a fan of time travel books, but I am a fan of Amy Harmon. So I at least want to check this book out. What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

    Tuesday, December 18, 2018

    Top Ten Winter 2018 TBR List

    Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Winter 2018 TBR List.

    1. Maybe Now (Maybe, # 2) by Colleen Hoover
    2. Crazy on You (A Love & Harmony Romance, # 3) by Crystal Bright
    3. The Beholder by Anna Bright
    4. Talk to Me by Dean Nelson
    5. In Another Life by CC Hunter
    6. Daughters of the Northern Shores (Sons of Blackbird Mountain, # 2) by Joanne Bischof
    7. Sherwood by Meagan Spooner
    8. Defiant Joy by Stasi Eldredge
    9. Mirage (Mirage, # 1) by Somaiya Daud
    10. The Becoming of Noah Shaw (The Shaw Confessions, # 1) by Michelle Hodkin

    I'm already getting a backlog of review books that I'm late on or getting close to the publication date. Which books are on your Winter 2018 TBR list? Let me know!