#5OnMyTBR – Published Before 2000

October 24, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 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!

Happy Monday to y’all. Hopefully you kicked off your week well. Today was my first day back to work after having the week off for my best friend’s wedding and I am T I R E D. Only off a week and my body already forgot what it’s like to wake up at 5:30 in the morning, haha. But enough rambling! It’s time for another 5 On My TBR! This week’s theme is books published before 2000 and, oof, I have a lot of those on my stack 😅

I’ve picked five that I’d love to get to sooner rather than later, so let’s get to the list!

#1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Not gonna lie, this book is top of the list because I’m fairly certain the author narrates the audiobook and he is an incredible narrator. His voice is just *chef’s kiss* So all of his books have been bumped up the TBR, haha. I do really find the synopsis of this fascinating, as well. An alternate London filled with strange happenings? I am intrigued! So now I just need to hunt down the audiobook and give it a listen. I’m looking forward to it.

#2. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Every time I come across this book on my TBR, I feel so guilty! I can’t believe I haven’t read this yet. I did finally give this author a try a couple of months ago with Fledgling, but that book was just okay for me. I’m hoping that I get on with this book better. I love that it mixes science fiction with discussions about tough topics. And I will say that the audiobook narrator was part of the reason I didn’t vibe with Fledgling too much, so perhaps I’ll stick with a physical read for this one.

#5OnMyTBR – Forest

October 17, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s time for another 5 On My TBR! Today, we’re talking about one of my favorite settings in books. That’s because the theme is forests. I’m a huge fan of a book that features a creepy woods/forest, so I was pumped to pick out five to feature in this post! Even if I stretched the idea of it a wee bit.

That being said, let’s jump in!

#1. Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood

This is the book where I stretched the whole ‘forest’ theme because this is set in a jungle. It’s still a collection of trees, so I think it counts! This is the newest book from the author of Within These Wicked Walls, which I recently read and loved. It follows a young woman with magic in her blood who leads expeditions through a terrifying jungle. It sounds absolutely incredible and I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC from Netgalley to read! I’m so excited to pick it up.

#2. Midnight in Everwood by Maria Kuzniar

I’m honestly not sure how prominently the snowy forest on the cover of this book is featured, but I wanted to throw this book on the list anyways. Mostly because I’ve been eager to read this for awhile now! It’s a Nutcracker retelling that sounds like it would be a great time. I know I like this author’s writing and I would love to see what she does with this classic tale. Also, the cover is freakin’ gorgeous 😍

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starts With B

October 10, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

I apologize for my absence the last few days. If you follow me on Twitter, you might know that the dreaded Covid finally got me 😣 I have to say that it hasn’t been terrible… mostly coughing and fevers… but the fatigue has hit especially hard these last few days. Today is the first time I’ve been out of bed for an extended period of time and it feels marvelous! I took a shower, ate food that wasn’t soup, actually booted up the desktop… and I feel human again.

Now that I can stay awake for longer than ten minutes, I figured it was time to give my poor, neglected blog some love! And what better way to do that than with a fun 5 On My TBR post! This week’s theme is books with titles that start with ‘B’ and, oof, was it hard to pick just five. Know that the ones that I picked are ones that I’m very eager to read soon!

That said, let’s get to the list.

#1. Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

I have had this book on my TBR for what feels like ages. I won a copy of it right before it came out and have been wanting to read it ever since! It’s about a young, gay man who enters a cosplay contest and finds himself partnered with the boy who broke his heart. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun, with a lot of sparkle. I’m hoping to pick it up soon because I’d also love to read, La Sala’s most recent release, The Honeys. Not that I have to read them in order… but I want to.

#2. Beast of Prey by Ayana Gray

This is another book that I’ve wanted to read since before it came out. I absolutely love the new cover! The old cover was beautiful, as well, but this one is just 😍 The book follows two Black teenagers tracking down a monster in a magical jungle. Does that not sound like a thrill a minute?! It’s also the beginning to a series, which might be why I’ve taken so long to pick it up. There are just so many series that I’m reading right now. Still, I can’t wait to add this one to the list.

#5OnMyTBR – Borrowed

September 19, 2022 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

I hope everyone has had a great Monday. Mine has been especially busy, which is why I’m just now sitting down to write this post. After rushing around and feeling kind of crabby, I was pumped to find out that the 5 On My TBR prompts had been updated! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done one of these posts and I have to say, I’ve missed them.

Today’s prompt is borrowed books which I honestly don’t have any I can think. Mostly because I avoid borrowing books from friends because I take forever to read them. So I’m going to pick five books that I would love to borrow from my library some time soon!

#1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

This is a book that has been on my TBR for years. It’s also a book by an author that I’ve never read from before. I don’t always do this, but when I think about, I do like to try authors out before I commit to having them on my shelves. So for this book, which definitely intrigues me, but not enough to buy it, I’m definitely going to get it from my local library. Ya know, when I can remember I want it and not get distracted by the shiny, new books right at the front of the building, haha.

#2. Flamefall by Rosaria Munda

This is the second book in the Aurelian Cycle series, which is criminally underrated! I mean… I’ve only read the first book, Fireborne, so I suppose I don’t know if the entire series is underrated. All I know is that the first book was incredible and no one ever seems to talk about it! That being said, I don’t own the first book and I don’t need to be buying an entire series any time soon, so this seems like a good ‘borrow from the library’ choice. Then, if I love this one as much as I love the first, I’ll probably cave and get the whole set 😂

#5OnMyTBR – Translated

June 20, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

Welcome to the beginning of another week! The beginning of the week means it’s time for another 5 On My TBR post. This week’s theme focuses on translated books and I found that I have a lot more translated books on my TBR than I thought I did! I’ve always wanted to try and read more translated books, so it’s good to know I already have a few on the TBR from which to choose.

Now, let me show you which five made the list!

#1. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez

This has been on my TBR for quite awhile because of a few reasons. The main reason, though, is that it’s a classic. If you’ve been around my blog for awhile, you’ll know that I have a strained relationship with classics, haha. Still, the premise is so intriguing that it stays on the TBR. I even bought a copy, so I’m clearly planning on reading this! Eventually… I’m hoping that I love this once I get around to reading it.

#2. Beartown by Fredrik Backman

I’ve only read one book by Fredrik Backman but that book made me want to read his entire backlist. I love his writing so much! At least, I love his writing in A Man Called Ove. I’m hoping that style carries over to the rest of his backlog! I have quite a few Backman books on my TBR, but Beartown is definitely the one I want to read the most. I’ve just heard so many great things about it and I’m excited to give it a go.

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starting With ‘H’

June 13, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

Happy Monday to y’all! I’m currently waiting to do some hazardous waste training (THRILLING), so I figured I had time to do a quick 5 On My TBR post. Especially since this week’s theme is a pretty easy one. I had to find five books with titles that start with ‘H’ and that took no time at all! In fact, I spent more time paring my list of books down to five than I did finding them on my TBR, haha.

That being said, let me show you which books made it to the list!

#1. His Majesty’s Dragons by Naomi Novik

This choice wouldn’t work in the UK, as I’m fairly certain it’s just called Temeraire across the pond. Thankfully, and for reasons unknown, the US decided to go with a different title! I’m a big fan of Naomi Novik’s writing and have been wanting to try this alternate history series for ages. I mean… there are dragons! Why wouldn’t I want to read this? I’ve heard not many things about this series, but what I have heard has been great! I’m looking forward to picking this up eventually.

#2. His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler

This short story anthology mixes two of my favorite things: Edgar Allan Poe and retellings! I’ve always loved Poe’s macabre stories, so an anthology centered around retellings of said stories seems up my alley. I’m rather hit or miss when it comes to short story collections. It’s a mixture of feeling very lackluster about some stories and loving others but wanting more. Still, if a perfect anthology for my tastes existed, this would probably be it!

#5OnMyTBR – Water and Sand

June 7, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd3 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s time for another 5 On My TBR post! I’m going to be honest, it took me a minute to figure out which books to pick for this week’s theme. That’s because it’s water and sand and there’s just so many ways that could be interpreted! I think the books I eventually plucked from my TBR fit the bill nicely, though.

That being said, let’s dive in!

#1. Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

I figured a book that has a cover featuring an underwater scene kind has to fit the ‘water and sand’ theme! I’ve been eager to read the sequel to The Jumbies since I read the book with the Middle Grade Marvels group. The first book was such a lively and fun story with a bit of a spooky factor that I loved. I’m hoping this sequel delivers more of the same. It helps that the main character, Corrine, is incredible!

#2. People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

For someone who has never read a Emily Henry book, I sure do own a lot of them 😂 Her books tend to feature bookish characters, so I’m gonna say that’s why I keep snatching them up. That’s one of my favorite things to find in a book! This one is set around two friends that used to vacation all the time together, but had some kind of falling out. Seeming as it’s set around vacations, I’m sure water and sand will come into play at some point.

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starts With S

May 30, 2022 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Happy Monday and Happy Memorial Day to those in the United States. Having served in the military, I always make sure to set aside some time today to think about those who lost their lives serving. It’s also the unofficial beginning of summer, which makes me happy! The warm weather is here to stay and it’s about time.

Ya know what else it’s time for? Another 5 On My TBR post! The theme for this week is to pick a previous theme you missed and I decided to go with an easy one: book titles that start with ‘S’. It was a bit too easy cause it took me awhile to pare this list down to just five. Just know, this is a drop in the bucket of all the books I want to read that have titles that start with the letter ‘S’, haha.

That being said, let me show you what did make the cut!

#1. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

I’ve only read one book by Elizabeth Lim, but I enjoyed her writing so much I’m eager to read more. I’ve heard great things about this fantasy that weaves in East Asian folklore. The premise of a princess who does not speak searching for her brothers that have been magically turned into cranes is definitely intriguing! I’m hoping to pick this one up soon because, the more I hear about it, the more I want to read it.

#2. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

This is another book I’ve heard nothing but great things about, though it is a much more recent release. It has magic and secrets and thieves and jinn. In short, it sounds absolutely incredible! It has been on my radar for a minute and, now that’s it is out in the world, I’m eager to pick it up! The fact that’s it is currently sitting at a 4.29 Goodreads rating makes me want to give it a read even more.

#5OnMyTBR – Contemporary

May 23, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

We’ve arrived at another Monday and it’s time for 5 On My TBR! I will confess, I had to really dig through my TBR for this week’s theme. That’s because we’re talking all about contemporaries, which is one of my least read genres 😅 I have nothing against contemporaries! When I do pick them up, I tend to enjoy them. I’m just a fantasy lover who usually doesn’t gravitate towards contemporaries. That being said, I found five on my TBR that I definitely am eager to read!

Now, let’s jump into the list.

#1. Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

This YA contemporary focuses on something I’ve always been fascinated with: cosplay! I’ve been wanting to read this one for awhile, now, because it just sounds like a good time. After all, we have a young man entering a competition to try and earn a scholarship and respect and his main rival just has to be his ex-boyfriend. I am here for all the potential drama! I also just love how sparkly this cover is ✨✨

#2. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

From cosplay to racism, this is a contemporary I’m eager to read but for much different reasons. I’ve heard such great things about this book, but I also know that it is probably gonna piss me off 😂 Microaggressions and racism in books is something I have to be in the right mindset to enjoy. I love when a book does an excellent job of calling it out, though, and I’ve heard that this book does just that. I’m eager to give it a go and see what I think.

#5OnMyTBR – Identity

May 16, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s the start of another week, which means it’s time for 5 On My TBR! I love the theme for this week, identity, though I am admittedly not sure if the books I picked truly fit it. Does this mean books that focus on a character’s identity? Where they are hiding their identity for one reason or another? Where a character is figuring out their identity? I’m hoping it means all those scenarios and more because I have quite an eclectic mix selected today, haha.

That being said, let’s jump in!

#1. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Seeming as this book focuses on a woman who assumes her brother’s identity because she refuses to lead the life of mediocrity that has been promised her, I think this totally fits. I’ve been eager to read this epic fantasy centered around ancient China for awhile now. I also have an absolutely stunning Illumicrate edition that makes me want to read it even more! If it’s half as good as what I’ve been hearing, I’m going to love this book.

#2. We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

One of our main characters in this book, Zafira, hides her identity in order to provide for her village. Of course, the book is much more than that, which is why I’m eager to read it! We also have a prince who is a deadly assassin and the possibility for ✨romance✨ Sign me up! I’ve had this one my TBR since before it released and I would love to get to it sooner rather than later. It’s one of those situations where I’ve hyped myself up so much that now I’m afraid to actually read it 😅

Kerri McBookNerd

Tales from my reading nook

Tag: #5onmytbr

#5OnMyTBR – Published Before 2000

#5OnMyTBR – Forest

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starts With B

#5OnMyTBR – Borrowed

#5OnMyTBR – Translated

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starting With ‘H’

#5OnMyTBR – Water and Sand

#5OnMyTBR – Title Starts With S

#5OnMyTBR – Contemporary

#5OnMyTBR – Identity