Month: January 2020

Book Review: Come Tumbling Down

kerrimcbooknerd1 Comment

Title: Come Tumbling Down

Author: Seanan McGuire

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Borrowed (library)

Rating: ★★★★

Book Links:

Amazon::B&N::Indiebound::Goodreads

One Sentence Synopsis

The no-quest rule at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children is about to, once again, be broken when an ex-student stumbles back to ask for aid.

Favorite Quote

“Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children was an island of misfit toys, a place to put the unfinished stories and the broken wanderers who could butcher a deer and string a bow but no longer remembered what to do with indoor plumbing.”

Read More »
Advertisement

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Recent Book Covers

kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish back in June 2010. It is currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and, as is stated on the blog, it was “born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”

Happy Tuesday, dear reader! It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these, but when I saw it was a book cover freebie, I couldn’t resist! I’ve read quite a few books recently that had gorgeous covers. It makes me wonder if I’m just drawn to pretty books or the genres I typically read are upping their cover game. Either way, I thought I’d share my top ten favorite covers of books that I have recently read. Enjoy!

  1. Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire: I just love the dark, creepy vibe of this cover. It’s also my favorite of the Wayward Children’s series!
  2. The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen: I just love the color scheme and the art of this cover! I honestly originally picked this up solely because of the cover. Thankfully, I ended up loving it.
  3. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Another book that I picked up solely because of the cover. I mean, look at it! It’s absolutely gorgeous! The colors, the art, the whole aesthetic is just *chef’s kiss*
  4. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir: I loved this entire book’s aesthetic. Honestly, it just fit the book so well. That aside, this cover just makes me drool. Gideon looking suitably badass and bones aplenty. It speaks to me.
  5. Wilder Girls by Rory Power: Yet another book that I picked up solely because of the cover. Sensing a theme with me? I can 100% be sold on a book if I find it pretty. I just love the art on this. It’s evocative and creepy and it makes you want to know what’s inside.
  6. A Heart so Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer: I mean… just look at it! It helps that green is my second favorite color. It’s so pretty…
  7. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow: I don’t usually go for flowery covers, but this cover just slapped me in the face in the best of ways! It’s eye-catching and stunning and I just want to stare at forever.
  8. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: I do love a cover with symbolism. Everything on this cover is a hint to things found within the book and I adore it. It’s also beautifully understated.
  9. SLAY by Brittney Morris: This is probably my favorite one on the list. I love the colors. I love that it features a beautiful, geeky, black young woman. I love the effects. And, not gonna lie, the naked hardcover is beautiful!
  10. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire: Yup, another Wayward Children book, but look at it! The lightning! The door! It makes me think of a horror movie, which makes sense when you think of the content of this book. It’s deliciously weird and I love it!

If you’d like to find out more about any of these books, simply click on their gorgeous covers to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Have you read any of these books? Have you read any book simply because you loved the cover? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!

Book Review: The Tenant

kerrimcbooknerd1 Comment

Title: The Tenant

Author: Katrine Engberg

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Published: Jan 14th, 2020

Source: e-ARC (Netgalley)

Rating: ★★★

Book Links:

Amazon::B&N::Indiebound::Goodreads

One Sentence Synopsis

A detective duo must investigate a murder that is following the plot of a unpublished murder mystery being written by the victim’s landlord.

Favorite Quote

This quote is from an uncorrected copy and may change in the final version

“It is no coincidence that the heart has become the symbol of love, because when someone loves and loses, grief sits in the chest, just to the left.”

Read More »

Book Blogger Hop: Jan 24 – 30

kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Crazy-For-Books and is currently being hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer. Every Friday, a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer in the coming week. The purpose of the hop is connection and community. You can discover new blogs to follow, new books to read, and you may end up with some new followers, as well!

This Week’s Question

Image by Coffee Addicted Writer

If I saw a stranger reading a book that I had read and loved, I would have a full and in-depth conversation with them!

…In my head.

Though I can be a bit of a chatterbox, I tend to only be that way around people I know. I have to be comfortable before I really open up. And though I love talking about books and especially about books I love, I’m not brave enough to just dive into a conversation with a complete stranger.

Also, I absolutely HATE being interrupted while I’m reading and I can only imagine other readers are the same way.

Now, if the stranger is the one that initiates the conversation, then that’s a different story. Basically, as long as I don’t have to make the first move and I don’t feel like I’m interrupting, then I’m totally down for long book conversations with randos!

Book Review: The Starless Sea

kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

Title: The Starless Sea

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Contemporary fantasy

Source: Purchased (local bookstore)

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Links:

Amazon::B&N::Indiebound::Goodreads

One Sentence Synopsis

Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a young college student who enjoys books and video games more than the company of most people, comes across a very real story from his past in an ancient looking book of fairy-tales.

Favorite Quote

“Not all stories speak to all listeners, but all listeners can find a story that does, somewhere, sometime. In one form or another.”

Read More »

WWW Wednesday: Jan 22, 2020

kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

The Tenant by Katrine Engberg: Yup, still reading this one. I’ll have it done by tonight but it has been a bit of slog, tbh. Which, considering it’s a murder mystery, is quite the let-down.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins: I’ve just started this book and have been enjoying the writing. Unfortunately, I’ve recently learned about a lot of controversy surrounding this book. Many reviewers have brought up the fact that there is bad representation of Mexico and immigrants. They’ve also brought up that there are so many own voices books out there that are being ignored while this book is getting all the press. I plan on finishing it because I did get it for free in exchange for an honest review, but I’m definitely reading it with a more critical eye.

Recently Finished

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: Y’all, this was the cutest thing I’ve read in awhile! Which, I guess isn’t saying much since I don’t tend to read romances, but still! My curiosity about the genre has been growing lately and I finally decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I started with this one because it was delightful and fun and just the perfect amount of steamy. If this is what I’ve been missing by avoiding reading romance, then I can’t wait to dive into more!

What’s Next

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: Another romance I’ve been wanting to give a go. I plan on starting it once I’m done with all my ARCs! Also, it’s due back to the library soon, soooo….

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire: I mean, it’s a miracle I didn’t devour this book as soon as I picked it up at the library. I’m really trying to focus on the ARCs, but I’m dying to finally read this one!

What are you reading this week? Anything so incredible you can’t stop thinking about it? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!

Time for a Library Haul!

kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

In my effort to read more of my owned TBR, I have been spending a lot of time on my library’s app putting books on hold!

…Wait.

Look, I have a problem and the first step is to admit it *shrug*

A side effect of spending too much time on my library’s app is that I now have a stack of library holds that all came available around the same time, heh. So I figured, why not do a library haul! I’ve quite a mix of books in there and I’m excited about all of them.

The Stack

Click the cover to go to the book’s Goodreads page

Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: In my random quest to delve into a genre I don’t often read (adult romance), I decided to check out one of the big names in romance, Christina Lauren. And what better way to start than with their insanely popular 2019 release? Two people who hate each other end up sharing a super romantic honeymoon in a tropical setting. Sounds like it’s going to be a wild ride!

Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire: Definitely the most exciting book in my stack! This is the next installment in the Wayward Children series which features children returning from portal worlds and trying to readjust to the real world. Or, more accurately, trying to find a way back to their true homes. I’m mostly excited because my favorite character, Jack, is back!

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: Another romance that I’ve been wanting to read after reading/hearing several rave reviews! Honestly, this book is probably the reason that I decided to give romance a shot. The fact that it took FOREVER for my hold to come in tells me there may be something to all the hype! The story of a young black woman living with a chronic illness who decides to live it up after a near-death experience. It sounds like there’s a lot to love in this book!

After the Flood by Kassandra Montag: Honestly, the only reason I picked this up was because Jesse over at Bowties & Books has been raving about it in many of their videos. I love their reviews (so damn smart and funny!) and I’ve been interested in trying one of their faves, so when I spotted it on display at the library while picking up my holds, I snagged it. It sounds intense: the story of a mother risking it all to find her eldest daughter while also taking care of her youngest in a world transformed by rising floodwaters.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia: Have you ever read a synopsis that ticks almost all your boxes and just knew you had to read the book ASAP? That is what happened when I stumbled upon the Goodreads page for this book. A citywide treasure hunt? Check! Set in Boston with clues inspired by Edgar Allan Poe? Check! A “rag-tag” crew? Check! References to The Westing Game, my childhood favorite?! ALL THE CHECKS, GIVE ME THIS BOOK!

Do any of these books sound interesting? Have you read any of these? Which should I pick up first? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!

Book Blogger Hop: Jan 17 – 23

kerrimcbooknerd1 Comment

The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Crazy-For-Books and is currently being hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer. Every Friday, a new question is posted for book bloggers to answer in the coming week. The purpose of the hop is connection and community. You can discover new blogs to follow, new books to read, and you may end up with some new followers, as well!

This Week’s Question

Image by Coffee Addicted Writer
Read More »

WWW Wednesday: Jan 15, 2020

kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

It’s time for another WWW Wednesday! This is a bookish meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words where bloggers answer the 3 Ws:

  1. What are you currently reading?
  2. What did you recently finish reading?
  3. What do you think you’ll read next?

If you’d like to learn more about any of these books, click on the cover to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Current Reads

The Tenant by Katrine Engberg: I just started this mystery and I’m still feeling it out. One of the detectives in our case-cracking duo is annoying af, but I’m only on Chapter 4, so maybe I’ll adjust to her abrasiveness? Hopefully?

Well Met by Jen DeLuca: I’ve been randomly interested in checking out a genre I don’t often pick up, which is romance. Especially contemporary romances. A lot of Booktubers I watch were talking about this book last year and I was intrigued. It involves a Reniassaince Faire, too, so at least I knew there was going to be something I would enjoy. So far, I’m really enjoying it!

Recently Finished

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

As you can see, 2020 has really kicked off with a bang! So many four star reads and my first favorite of the year! Though, let’s be honest, I knew I was going to love The Starless Sea. I would have been pretty bummed if it was anything less than at least four stars. I’m glad it lived up to my expectations!

I haven’t done a review for The Starless Sea yet, but you can find my reviews for A Heart so Fierce and Broken and Nameless Queen by clicking here.

What’s Next

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins: I’m FINALLY going to pick up American Dirt! I’ve been wanting to read it since I got the ARC, but other books kept edging it out. But it’s releasing next Tuesday, I believe, so it is firmly at the top of the list!

Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren: Continuing my exploration into adult romance, I’m gonna give this one a go. Christina Lauren is one of the most talked about authors in romance and this one seemed pretty popular last year. It’s also due back to the library soon, heh.

What are y’all reading this week? Any recommendations for my new foray into the romance realm? Let me know in the comments!

And, as always, happy reading!