The Fellowship of the Ring Book Tag

Hello everyone!

If you haven't already noticed, I really like doing book tags. I have recently become obsessed with The Lord of the Rings. I've grown up watching the movies, but I didn't come to understand/appreciate them until a couple years ago. Ever since, I've been obsessed. So today I wanted to share that love with you all by doing a Fellowship of the Ring book tag created by Unputdownable Books.

Gandalf - A book that taught you something.

This book caused me to learn many things about myself. The Screwtape Letters is one of those thought provoking books that causes you to look within yourself and question how you're going about life. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I was forced to read it for class.

Frodo - A book that left a mark on you.

The Women are Some Kind of Magic series I think definitely put a "mark" on me. They were thought provoking poems and caused me to think about other people differently. You never know what someone is going through just by looking at them and these collections of poems helped me realize that.

Legolas - A book you finished in one sitting.

It's very rare for me to finish a novel in one sitting, but I usually finish poetry collections in one sitting. This was the collection that helped me realize my love for poetry, so I wanted to mention it.

Gimli - A book that features an unlikely friendship.

In this final book of the Michael Vey series, the Electroclan becomes friends with their enemies and band together to take down their ultimate enemy. That's all I'll say about that.

Merry - A book that pleasantly surprised you.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did, but I found it hard to put it down.

Pippin - A book that made you laugh.

Despite him being in a dire situation, Watney has a great sense of humor that you can't help but laugh while reading this book.

Boromir - A book/series that ended too soon.

This is the final book of the To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy and I can't help but want to know more about Lara Jean. This book had a satisfying ending, but I got so attached to Lara Jean and Peter that I want to see where their life is headed.

Sam - A book with memorable side characters who stole the show.

I think I cared a lot more for the side characters in this series than I did for Harry Potter. Don't get me wrong, I wanted Harry to live, I just got so attached to the other characters. I didn't want to see any of them die, although quite a few of them did anyways.

Aragorn - A good book with a bad/average cover.

I love the colors of the covers in this trilogy, but to be honest, they look tacky. I love the typography, but having a person on the cover sometimes takes away from it.

Gollum - A book that had great potential but disappointed you in the end.

Unpopular opinion, I didn't really enjoy this book. Based on all the hype, I was expecting so many great things from this book, but it ended up disappointing me. I have a hard time wanting to continue in this series based on the fact that I don't care about the characters or the plot. I am interested in reading her other book series though.

I'm sure this is the first of many Lord of the Rings tags. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

~Abby

Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

 Hello everyone!
Ever since I finished this book I've been asking myself why didn't I read this sooner? I was pushing it off because of all the hype. I was worried I wouldn't like it as much as everyone else, but boy did I. I'm so bad at describing this book, but it follows Laia who is trying to save her brother who has been imprisoned for treason. It also follows Elias who is a soldier but just wants freedom. Their paths cross in an unexpected way and they become more important to each other than they could have imagined. Going into this book, I didn't know what to expect. But Sabaa Tahir wrote such a beautiful story.

First off, the writing is so eloquent. I was hooked from page one and struggled to ever put this book down. It kept me up late at night reading because I had to know what happened next. I even cried and it's been a long time since a book has made me cry. I just got so attached to these characters and I didn't want any more pain to come upon them.

The author was so good at fooling me with her twists. There were a few times I thought so many of the characters were going to die only to have them barely survive. There is also so much betrayal and friendship being tested. This book was just so good!

I did rate this book 5/5 stars. It was that fantastic. I would definitely reread it. I had to pick up the second book as soon as I finished this one. I'm hoping it's just as good. I highly recommend you read this book if you haven't done so already.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.

~Abby

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2019

Hello everyone!

It's June which means it's time for the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag! I did one of these last year if you'd like to check it out here.

1. Best book you've read so far in 2019:

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2019:

3. New release you haven't read yet but want to:

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:

5. Biggest disappointment:

6. Biggest surprise:

7. New favorite author:

Kathryn Purdie! I've been obsessed with her ever since I had the chance to meet her at a writing conference. I've only read Burning Glass, but I plan on reading every book she's ever written. I just love her personality.

8. Newest fictional crush:

Will from Five Feet Apart. What is there not to like about him?

9. Newest favorite character:

Gollum has easily become one of my new favorite characters. I recently reread The Hobbit and am working my way through The Lord of the Rings trilogy and am realizing how much I enjoy Gollum as a character even though he is troublesome. 

10. Book that made you cry:

No books have made me cry so far this year.

11. Book that made you happy:

12. Favorite book to movie adaptation you've seen this year:

Five Feet Apart! It stuck pretty close to the book and it was such a sweet movie.

13. Favorite review you've written this year:

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

14. Most beautiful book you bought so far this year:

15. What books do you need to read by the end of this year:

1. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

2. Stain and Unhinged by A.G. Howard

3. Crystal Blade and Frozen Reign by Kathryn Purdie

4. Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

5. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Thanks for stopping by. Have a fabulous day.

~Abby

Ten Favorite Books/Series

Hello everyone!

I haven't done a post dedicated to my favorite books since I started my blog last year. I thought I'd share ten with you all today. Some of them will be repeats, and most of them I will have posted a lot about on my blog already. I just want to put it out there that these books are in no particular order. It's too hard for me to rank my favorite books.

Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evans

I've talked about this series many times, and I will probably talk about it many more. In case you don't know what this book is about it follows Michael Vey and his group of friends who have electrical abilities. He and his friends create a group called the Electroclan who work together to take down their enemy Dr. Hatch. (He's one of the best villains I've ever read about.) It's a series full of action and terrific characters. I highly suggest you check it out.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wings is yet another series I think more people should read. It's so magical and action packed. It follows Laurel who has believed all her life that she was human, until one day she sprouts wings on her back. She's been a fairy her whole life and had no idea. Laurel has to decide which world she wants to be a part of throughout the series: the human world with David or the fairy world with Tamani?

Roseblood by A.G. Howard

This is yet another book I refer to a lot ever since I read it last year. For anyone who doesn't know, it's a Phantom of the Opera retelling with a paranormal twist. Since I love Phantom of the Opera, it was no surprise that I really enjoyed this book. 

Women are Some Kind of Magic by Amanda Lovelace

These are a collection of poems. Each collection has poems about overcoming trauma and becoming stronger from it. I think there's poems in here that everyone could connect to. Amanda Lovelace just has a way with words that pulls at your heartstrings while reading. I absolutely loved each and every collection. 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

This is yet another book I read last year and absolutely fell in love with. For some reason, I love heartbreaking novels. Salt to the Sea takes place during 1945 and follows four refugees who are all fleeing the Soviet Union. They're headed to a ship that promises freedom, and along the way their paths cross. They work together for survival. This isn't a light book, but it is so worth the read.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

This is another book that I read last year and fell in love with. I picked it up originally because of all the hype, but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. For those who don't know, it's about a mortal named Jude who is kidnapped (along with her sisters) into the Faerie world. There she has to watch her back at all times especially against Cardan who seems to have it out for her. This was such an intriguing read and I really enjoyed it.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

This wonderful book was introduced to me by one of my friends. It's about Sophie who has grown up believing she's human until one day a mysterious boy shows up telling her that she is in fact an elf. She is swept into the elven world and has to learn about her past and why she was taken into the human world. It's such a fun read and I highly recommend you check this series out.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

This is my favorite classic of all time. I always preface this book by saying that if you didn't enjoy the movie, I think you'd enjoy the book a lot more because the Phantom is shed in a totally different light. I love both the movie and the book equally despite their differences. 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen follows Mare who is a red blood. In this world there are two kinds of people: those with silver blood who have powers and those with red blood who don't. The red blooded people live their lives as peasants while the silvers get to live in luxury. Their worlds are changed when one day Mare discovers she has powers by accident. The book follows her trying to fit in with the silvers but also discerning who she can and cannot trust. This whole series is full of adventure and I loved it so much.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

This series is what got me reading more into the young adult genre. It swept me away from book one and had me hooked until the very end. I like to describe this book as The Bachelor set in a dystopian society with a prince. Thirty-five girls are all competing for his heart and it's such a fun read full of so much drama. If you're looking for something light and fluffy to read, I recommend this series.

What are some of your favorite books? I'd love to know!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.
~Abby

The Narnia Book Tag

Hello everyone!

Today I wanted to do another tag. I found The Narnia tag at LILbooKlovers. 

Narnia: What magical world would you love to visit?

I would love to visit the Elvin world from Keeper of the Lost Cities. Their world sounds so amazing and I'd love to experience it for myself, especially the food!

Magician's Nephew: A book you think is underrated?

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: A classic that you love?

The Horse and His Boy: A book you picked up without knowing anything about?

Prince Caspian: A sequel that you loved?

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: What quest would you love to be a part of?

I'd love to hunt horcruxes with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I'd probably be scared for my life, but it would be fun.

The Silver Chair: What book did you not expect to love?

The Last Battle: A perfect Ending to a series you love?

The Pevensies: A siblinghood of friendship you'd love to be a part of?

Alex and Conner from The Land of Stories. They are so close and take great care of each other.

Eustace Scrubb: A character who grew on you?

Maven from the Red Queen series. A lot of people dislike him for good reason, but I can't help but like him.

Tumnus: Your favorite mystical creature?

Mermaids!!!

Caspian: A character with regal qualities?

This one is hard to think of. I guess Amarinda from the Ascendance Trilogy. She rules the country while Jaron is out saving it.

Reepicheep: A loyal character?

Simon from City of Bones. He sticks by Clary through all the craziness that she's experiencing.

The Wardrobe: Your favorite hideout/place to read?

I typically read on my bed, but I love reading outside.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

~Abby

Favorite Historical Fiction

Hello everyone!

It's been a while, but I really want to try to get back into a regular routine of posting. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite historical fiction novels. Historical fiction isn't something I read on a regular basis, but I do enjoy it from time to time.

I wanted to start out by mentioning two of Ruta Sepetys' novels. 

They're both set during world war 2. Between Shades of Gray follows a girl who is sent to concentration camp and her struggles there. Salt to the Sea follows four different refugees who are fleeing the Soviet Union. Both of them are heartbreaking stories, but I loved them.

Blood and Sand is another great historical fiction that I think is underrated. More people need to read this book! It's set in Rome and is a gender swapped story of Spartacus, but it's also so much more than that. Attia is such a strong, independent character who has to prove herself. I loved this novel so much.

Warrior of the Wild is set during viking times. This was the first viking novel I ever read and it was so good! I loved all the characters and the development they had to go through. Plus the writing was so beautiful. It has inspired me to read more viking inspired novels.

Devil's Arithmetic is about a brother and sister from modern day who travel back in time to the Holocaust. They are put into a concentration camp where they not only endure all the pain there, but also have to find a way back home. This wasn't an easy novel to read, but it was worth it.

Clockwork Angel is set in Victorian London but also in the Shadow-hunter world. So you get a taste of what Victorian life was like with some Supernatural events mixed in. It's such a fun read.

What are your favorite historical fiction novels? I'm always on the hunt for new ones to read. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

~Abby

P.S. I just started a bookstagram account you should follow (if you want to). @abbysreadingcorner

May 2019 Wrap-Up

Hello everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted, but it's officially summer for me so hopefully I can get back into a regular posting schedule. This month I was able to read 6 books and most of the books I read were poetry collections which were great.

Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book? by Ally Carter

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bring Me All of Your Dreams Poems Selected by Nancy Larrick

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Humble & Kind by Tim McGraw

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Think Again by JonArno Lawson

⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Name is Jason. Mine too. Our Story. Our Way. by Jason Reynolds
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Refusing Heaven by Jack Gilbert
⭐

Did you read any good books in May? 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day.

~Abby

Favorite Books Published in the Last Ten Years

Hello everyone!

I saw this was a Top Ten post recently and wanted to share my top ten favorite books published in the last ten years. I'll share one book for every year between 2009 and 2018.

2009: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

2010: The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

2011: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2012: The Selection by Kiera Cass

2013: Vicious by V.E. Schwab

2014: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

2015: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

2016: Michael Vey: The Fall of Hades by Richard Paul Evans

2017: Adultolescence by Gabbie Hanna

2018: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

It was so hard to only pick one book from each year, but I tried to pick ones that influenced me as a reader. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

~Abby

Review: Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

Hello everyone!
Recently I finished reading Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller. This was my first book from this author, and I was impressed. Warrior of the Wild follows a female warrior, Rasmira. She's been raised a warrior and has been getting trained to become the new village leader. Before any person is able to become a warrior, they must pass a trial. Rasmira doesn't pass her trial, so she is sent to the wild with the impossible task of killing the god who has tormented their villages for decades.

This book was so fast paced and I found it hard to put down. I loved the characters and the stakes. The tension was so high throughout the whole novel because you were always wondering if she'd complete her task to be able to return to her village. The romance element in this book was also really well done. It was a slow burn which I really enjoyed.

The only thing I didn't really like from this book was how women were viewed lesser than the men. Rasmira is the only female warrior mentioned in the book and everyone around her, besides her father, looks down on her for it. She is constantly having to prove herself to show that she can be just as good of a warrior as any man. It doesn't help that she is going to be the next village leader, so people already envy her for that.

Overall, I rated this book 4/5 stars. It was a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. I suggest you check it out if you are interested in viking stories. It was really well done and the plot has you hooked from chapter 1.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a fabulous day.

~Abby