Book Blogger Hop: Feb 11 – 17

February 12, 2022 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

On average, how long does it take you to write a review?

Submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.

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first lines friday

First Lines Friday #34

February 11, 2022February 10, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? If you want to make your own post, feel free to use or edit the banner above, and follow the rules below:

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first (I cheat a little bit here *cough*)
Finally… reveal the book!

If you’re using Twitter, don’t forget to use #FirstLinesFridays!

Hello, reader!

We’ve made it through another week, which means it’s time for another First Lines Friday! This week, I’m gonna cut out the hints because I’m featuring a pretty heavy-hitter. It’s a bookish community darling that I’ve been wanting to read for A G E S. I’ve put it off for so long because I think I was afraid it wouldn’t stand up to all the hype. I finally picked it up to buddy read it with a bunch of bookish friends and, so far, I’m glad I jumped on the hype train!

So I’m definitely loving this book, but let’s see if the first few lines can make you want to read it, as well!

The Line(s):

“Can you come into my office?“
I look around at the desks beside me and then back at Frankie, trying to confirm to whom, exactly, she’s talking. I point to myself. “Do you mean me?“
Frankie has very little patience. “Yes, Monique, you. That’s why I said, ‘Monique, can you come into my office?'”
“Sorry, I just heard the last part.”
Frankie turns. I grab my notepad and follow her.

The No Hints!:

The Reveal:

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book reviews

Book Review: The Five by Hallie Rubenhold

February 10, 2022February 9, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

Title: The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Author: Hallie Rubenhold

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Non-fiction

Content/Trigger Warnings: Violence against women, poverty, homelessness, murder

Rating: ★★★★

Book Links:
Bookshop::TBD::B&N::Amazon::
Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis

Five devastating human stories and a dark and moving portrait of Victorian London – the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.

Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffee houses, lived on country estates, they breathed ink-dust from printing presses and escaped people-traffickers. What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women.

For more than a century, newspapers have been keen to tell us that ‘the Ripper’ preyed on prostitutes. Not only is this untrue, as historian Hallie Rubenhold has discovered, it has prevented the real stories of these fascinating women from being told. Now, in this devastating narrative of five lives, Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, revealing a world not just of Dickens and Queen Victoria, but of poverty, homelessness and rampant misogyny. They died because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time – but their greatest misfortune was to be born a woman.

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blog tour · book spotlight

Blog Tour Spotlight: The Broken Heart of Arelium by Alex Robins

February 9, 2022February 8, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

Today, I’m bringing you another The Write Reads blog tour spotlight! This time, I’ll be featuring a fantasy novel that sounds truly epic. Do you like your fantasy with knights and dark secrets, you should stick around and learn more about The Broken Heart of Arelium by Alex Robins!

I want to thank Dave @ The Write Reads and the author for providing me a free e-ARC in exchange for participation in this tour. It is, as always, much appreciated. Now, let’s get to the spotlight!

Book Details

Title: The Broken Heart of Arelium
Series: War of the Twelve #1
Author: Alex Robins
Publication date: March 16th, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: Adult

Book Links

Bookshop::TBD::B&N::Amazon::
Goodreads

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top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: TBR Veterans

February 8, 2022February 8, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd9 Comments

Top 5 Tuesday is a fun, weekly meme that asks you to pick 5 books that fit that week’s theme. It was created by Bionic Bookworm and is currently being hosted by Meeghan Reads. You should check out their wonderful blog for more details and the list of prompts!

Hello, reader!

Ya girl was kind of in a brain fog last night trying to think of a post I wanted to do for today. I wasn’t feeling a tag post and I don’t currently have the mental capacity to write up one of the many reviews I need to do 😅 Then I came across Ashlee @ Books Are 42‘s Top 5 Tuesday post today and was sold! Especially since this week’s prompt was something I could easily find five books to fill my list.

That’s because I’m talking about books that have been on my TBR since forever. And that list is a lot longer than just five, lol. I have quite a few TBR veterans that have been around for the long haul. I fully plan to read all of them, as well. I just.. don’t know when. Eventually, I swear! So I had a look through my Goodreads TBR and chose five that have been around the absolute longest.

#1. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Of all the books on my TBR, this one has been there the longest. I’ve wanted to read this book since listening to the soundtrack when I was probably in elementary school. I’ve been in love with the musical for a long time and I’ve wanted to read the source material.

But… it’s huge! And a classic! Which means I’m scared 😅😂 Maybe I’ll make 2022 the year that I finally tackle my fears.

#2. Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Here’s another one that has been around since I was young. Well, not on Goodreads because that didn’t exist, but it’s been on my mental TBR for ages! I’ve long been interested in reading anything by Robin Hobb because I keep hearing that she is a fantastic author. I also keep hearing that these books will destroy me. So… that makes me nervous! I gotta be in the mood for a good cry before I finally dive into this series.

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bbnya spotlight

BBNYA Finalist Spotlight: Wilthaven by Oli Jacobs

February 7, 2022February 8, 2022 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Today, I have another spotlight for one of the fantastic finalists of the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA)! This time, I’m featuring a horror novel that sounds truly creepy: Wilthaven by Oli Jacobs! But, first, let me tell you more about BBNYA.

BBNYA is a yearly competition where Book Bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website www.bbnya.com or twitter @bbnya_official.

The sign-ups will soon be open for the 2022 BBNYA competition, be it for authors to enter their books, or for bloggers wanting to be part of the new panel, so keep your eyes peeled!!

I’m excited to bring you more details about one of the books that made it all the way to last round. So let’s jump right in!

Book Details

Title: Wilthaven
Author: Oli Jacobs
Publication date: April 27th, 2020
Genre: Horror
Age group: Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: For a list of potential content and trigger warnings, check out this book’s page on BookTriggerWarnings.com

Book Links

Bookshop::TBD::Amazon::Goodreads

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wrap up

January 2022 Wrap Up

February 6, 2022February 5, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

Now that we’re solidly into the second month of 2022, I figured it was time to do my reading wrap up for the first month. I had a pretty decent month of reading in January! I didn’t read a lot of books, but the quality was certainly top notch. I also finally watched Encanto and it kind of took over my life for a little bit. Not that that has anything to do with my reading, but there have definitely been days I chose watching Encanto again over reading a book so… maybe it does?

Either way, let’s start of by going over what books I did read in January 2022!

Books Read

Click on the covers to be taken to the book’s Goodreads page

Book: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Rating: ★★★★★

Thoughts: I kicked off the year with quite a banger! I finally read These Violent Delights and I absolutely loved it. It was an action-packed, emotional beginning to what is promising to be an epic reimagining of Romeo & Juliet. I loved the vivid feel of the world and Juliette was incredible character. Roma was pretty alright, too, lol. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Book: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: ★★★★

Thoughts: I did it, y’all. I caved to the peer pressure and I read The Love Hypothesis. I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed it, as well! Was a tad be unrealistic? Sure. But did I have a lot of fun while reading it? Absolutely! Also, Olive needs better friends, I’m just saying. The amount of cringey things she did just because her best friend kept pushing her into PDA situations was just… yikes. Still, this was a fun read and I’m glad I picked it up.

Book: Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

Rating: ★★★

Thoughts: This was an interesting horror novella that would have been much better if the ghost had been more present. Which is saying something, since the ghost is quite murderous! I just did not care about any of the characters in this book. The spooky stuff, however, was on point! Give me more of that and I would’ve been happy. Overall, this was a good, quick read.

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – Daggers, Swords, Duels

February 5, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd10 Comments

#5OnMyTBR is a bookish meme hosted by E. @ Local Bee Hunter’s Nook where you chose five books from your to-be-read pile that fit that week’s theme. If you’d like more info, head over to the announcement post!

Hello, reader!

It’s a bit later in the week than usual for my 5 On My TBR post, but this has been the week of blog tours! And I’m not mad about it! Knowing what the theme for this week was, though, there was no way I could pass it up. As a huge fantasy nerd, how could I see dagger, swords, and duels and not want to participate! That practically screams fantasy.

Now I had quite a few fantasy novels on my TBR that could have made it to the list. I decided to be a bit cheeky, though, and pick ones that not only had weapons on the inside, but on the cover, as well. Funnily enough, they all ended up being YA, but we know I love me a good YA fantasy, so it’s hardly unsurprising 😂

That being said, let’s jump into the list!

#1. The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

This is a more recent addition to my TBR that I’m rather excited to read. It features a young woman who is half Reaper and half Shinigami who is fighting to be accepted. It promises a lot of action and swordplay, so it definitely fits the bill here! I’ve heard mixed reviews on this one, but I’m still eager to give it a shot. And I do really love the cover! If the protagonist is anywhere near as badass as she looks on the cover, I know I’m gonna love this.

#2. One for All by Lillie Lainoff

I read The Three Musketeers last year and kind of fell in love with the four idiots contained within. So learning about this gender-bent retelling that focuses on a heroine with a chronic illness had me absolutely ascending! It sounds fantastic and definitely promises a lot of stabby-stabby action. The author also recently posted some character art for the four main characters as part of the pre-order campaign and I’m in love. I cannot wait to read this one!

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first lines friday

First Lines Friday #33

February 4, 2022February 3, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first (I cheat a little bit here 😉)
Finally… reveal the book!

If you’re using Twitter, don’t forget to use #FirstLinesFridays!

Hello, reader!

I’m so glad it’s Friday and I actually have the weekend off. It’s supposed to be a cold one, but I’m just happy to have two days off in a row 😂 In celebration of some free time, let’s do a First Lines Friday! This week, I’m featuring a book that I’ve been eager to read since I got it in a book box. And, honestly, since it came out! This book is on both my “12 friends, 12 recommendations” TBR and my “22 in 2022” TBR and I’m doing a buddy read for it this week. I’m so excited to get started.

Let’s see if the first few lines can get me even more excited about picking it up!

The Line(s):

“In the court of the imperial mahal, the pyre was being built.
The fragrance of the gardens drifted in through the high windows – sweet roses, and even sweeter imperial needle-flower, pale and fragile, growing in such thick profusion that it poured in through the lattice, its white petals unfurled against the sandstone walls. The priests flung petals on the pyre, murmuring prayers as the servants carried in wood and arranged it carefully, applying camphor and ghee, scattering drops of perfumed oil.”

The Hints:

This book is part of the “sapphic trifecta”.

It is the first book in a new fantasy series inspired by the history and epics of India.

It has an absolutely gorgeous cover 😍

The Reveal:

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blog tour · book reviews

Blog Tour: Revenge of the Beast by Jack Meggitt-Phillips

February 3, 2022February 2, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

Hello, reader!

I have yet another exciting blog tour for you today! It’s my stop on the tour put on by The Write Reads for a middle grade sequel I have been dying to read.

Not literally, mind you. No matter what the Beast may prefer.

This is the tour for Revenge of the Beast by Jack Meggitt-Phillips! I had just as much fun with this book as I did with the first one. It was funny, touching, and, yes, ghastly, and I loved every moment of it.

But, before I get to post, I have to say my thanks! First, thank you to Dave @ The Write Reads and all the incredible people working behind the scenes for allowing me to be a part of this tour. Second, thank you to the publisher, Farshore, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my participation in this tour and an honest review. It is always appreciated!

So, let’s get into it, shall we?

Book Details

Title: Revenge of the Beast
Author: Jack Meggitt-Phillips
Illustrations: Isabelle Follath
Publication date: September 30th, 2021
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: Middle Grade
Content/Trigger Warnings: For a list of potential content and trigger warnings, check out this book’s page on BookTriggerWarnings.com

Book Links

Bookshop::TBD::B&N::Amazon::
Goodreads

Synopsis

Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this riotously funny, deliciously macabre, and highly illustrated sequel to The Beast and the Bethany in which Bethany and Ebenezer try to turn over a new leaf, only to have someone—or something—thwart them at every turn.

Once upon a very badly behaved time, 511-year-old Ebenezer kept a beast in his attic. He would feed the beast all manner of objects and creatures and in return the beast would vomit him up expensive presents. But then the Bethany arrived.

Now notorious prankster Bethany, along with her new feathery friend Claudette, is determined that she and Ebenezer are going to de-beast their lives and Do Good. But Bethany finds that being a former prankster makes it hard to get taken on for voluntary work. And Ebenezer secretly misses the beast’s vomity gifts. And neither of them are all that sure what “good people” do anyway.

Then there’s Claudette, who’s not been feeling herself recently. Has she eaten something that has disagreed with her?

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