Tag: classics

#5OnMyTBR – Longest Books on TBR

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#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!

This week’s 5 On My TBR is focusing on all those books on my TBR that intimidate me. That’s right, I’m talking about the longest books that I still have yet to read! Now, I picked through the chunkier novels on the TBR to highlight a few I would like to get to sooner rather than later. I didn’t realize how many big books I had on there until I started getting ready for this post! I really need to stop letting all these chonky monsters intimidate me because I’m probably missing out on some great reads.

That being said, here are five that I would like to prioritize!

#1. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Page count: 1463

This has the honor of not only being the biggest book on my TBR, but all the one that’s been there the longest! Probably because it’s so big. That and it’s a classic and y’all know I have a complicated relationship with classics. Still, I really want to give this one a chance this year, even if it takes me the entire year to read it! Wish me luck.

#2. It by Stephen King

Page count: 1169

There were so many Stephen King books that fit the chunky book category. The man does like to write a lengthy novel. I decided to only prioritize one, though, and It won out. Mostly because this was the first Stephen King book I wanted to read when I decided to give his books a try. Yet I still haven’t read it because it’s just so big 😅

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#5OnMyTBR – Cozy

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#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!

I hope you’ve had a great Monday so far. I’m currently sitting at my son’s soccer practice and enjoying the beautiful weather. We’re at the beginning of Fall, so it’s not too cold and not too warm. Just perfect! Soon, we’re gonna get into the colder weather, though, and that means cozy times. Which makes today’s 5 On My TBR topic very apropos because we’re talking all about cozy books!

I do love a cozy read, so I have quite a few on my TBR. It made picking just five quite a chore, but I got there! So let’s jump on in.

#1. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

I figured I would start with a classic. If this book is anything like the movie I loved as a kid, then it is the definition of ‘cozy’. I loved this movie when I was a kid and I watched it whenever I needed cheering up. That is part of what makes a book cozy to me, so I’m hoping this one has that same feel.

#2. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

Becky Chambers is one of the authors I immediately think of when I think of cozy reads. The first book in this series features a tea monk that travels around bringing comfort to people. It was one of the coziest books I’ve read in awhile! I’m hoping that this book is more of the same. I really need to get to this one soon because I’m in the mood for a book that’s gonna give me all the good feels.

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Sundays In Bed With… Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

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Sundays in Bed With… is a meme that dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed with, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

Hello, reader!

Happy Sunday and I hope you’re having a relaxing one! The family and I are about to head out to go apple picking for my birthday because I grew up in the Midwest and apple picking is one of my favorite fall activities! There’s also the promise of delicious apple cider donuts, so I’m excited 🤤 Once we get back, though, I plan to spend the rest of the day curled up with a book!

The book I’ll be reading today is a classic that I somehow managed to get through all of my school career without reading. I’ve already started it and, I have to say, I’m having a great time! Now it’s time to tell you more about it.

My Sunday Read Is…

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

First of all, can I just say I had no idea that this was the start to a series? I always thought this book was a standalone! That makes me a little nervous because now I know all this tension and angst won’t be wrapped up at the end of this novel. At least I’m enjoying all the drama in the meantime, though, haha. This book is, first and foremost, a character study and I am absolutely loving it. Ender is such a fascinating character and what he’s being put through is awful. Maybe it’s because I used to be in the military, but I am not at all surprised by the tactics these officers are using to make him “the best of the best”. I’m eager to watch it blow up in their faces. (Please let it blow up in their faces…)

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August 2022 Wrap Up

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Hello, reader!

I’ve managed to get to my reading wrap up for the previous month before it is almost the end of this month! We’re making progress 😂 In my defense, I read a lot of books (for me) last month. I somehow managed to get through 20 books! The task of rounding them all up and talking about them has been daunting, to say the least.

I have to blame the two readathons I participated in last month, the Trope-ical Readathon and the Magical Readathon. They were both a ton of fun and had me tearing through books. I managed to complete my character’s classes for the Magical Readathon, though I did… less great with my Trope-ical TBR 😅 I am but one, slow reader and there was no way I was getting through all those books! Still, I had a blast with both readathons and I can’t wait until the next round for each.

Alright, now let’s jump in so I can talk about all the books I managed to read in August!

Books Read

  • Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood: This was such a thrilling read! It’s an Ethiopian-inspired retelling of Jane Eyre which is one of my favorite classic novels. I was already primed to love this and it did not disappoint! I loved the world, the characters, and their messy, wonderful relationships. It also brought the creepy factor and I loved that! This would be a great read for spooky season. You can read my full review here. ★★★★
  • My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones: Stephen Graham Jones has a way of writing horror that makes it feel like a contemporary. This book was no different and, somehow, it totally works! I enjoyed how this was really a character study of Jade, our main character, who is obsessed with slashers and hates pretty much everything else. It was intriguing following her as she tries to convince people that a slasher has arrived at their small town. Don’t get me wrong, though… there are definitely some pretty horrific things in this book, especially near the end! It all wraps up into a weird, wonderful story that was both spine-tingling and introspective. ★★★★
  • Spy x Family Vol 1 by Tatsuya Endo: And here we see the beginning of my obsession with the Forger family, lol. I read this manga after hearing about it all over the bookish community. It sounded cute and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Immediately after finishing this volume, I binged the first season of the anime and put a hold on all the volumes available at my library 😂 It’s just so sweet! It follows a spy who needs a fake family to complete his latest mission. The people he manages to get into his fake family, however, are 1) an assassin (Yor is the BEST) and 2) a telepath (I ADORE Anya). It’s a lot of fun and I need mooooore. ★★★★
  • These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall: I read this book as part of a book tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. I signed up for the tour because this sounded like a gothic horror that would be right up my alley! I had a great time with this dark, brooding story. The atmosphere was on point and I loved that we got some good rep throughout the story. There’s even a sapphic love story mixed in with all the horror. This book certainly made me interested in reading more of Kate Alice Marshall’s work! You can read my full review here. ★★★★
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Sundays In Bed With… Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

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Sundays in Bed With… is a meme that dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed with, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

Hello, reader!

I hope you had a nice, relaxing Sunday. I have been all over the place, what with work and picking my kiddo up after her summer holiday, that this is the first moment I’ve been able to chill. So, once I’m done with this post and have stuffed my face with food, I’m ready for some quality reading time.

Today, I’m spending my reading time with a classic that I’ve been meaning to read for awhile. So let’s jump into the post so I can tell you more about it!

My Sunday Read Is…

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Look. I don’t know what I was expecting when I picked this book up. But I was not expecting it to be this intense. Which I suppose doesn’t make sense because it’s a book about the normalized practice of burning books. I dunno… I guess I wasn’t expecting it to dig so deep into the why, but I’m loving that it is! Also, I’m listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by Tim Robbins, and he is doing a fantastic job. He’s definitely got my heart pumping quite a few times. I’ll probably have this done tomorrow and I’m looking forward to seeing how this wraps up!

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The Afternoon Tea Book Tag

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Hello, reader!

It’s Thursday and that seems like the perfect time for a book tag! Today, I’ll be doing the Afternoon Tea Book Tag which combines two of my favorite things: food and books. I’m looking forward to giving this one a go.

Before I do, though, I must thank Ashlee @ Books Are 42 for tagging me! She has an incredible blog (with an incredible name!) and y’all should definitely go check her out. This tag was created by The Incessant Bookworm and you should check out their blog, as well!

Alright, now let’s get to the post!

Finger Sandwiches – A Book You Savored Every Minute Of

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

I talk about this book… a lot. But there’s a good reason for that! I truly loved every minute of this reading experience! So much so that this book has quickly become one of my most re-read books of all time. I just can’t get enough of Tarisai and company. And it helps that I loved the sequel just as much! I’m eager to read whatever Jordan Ifueko comes out with next.

Scones – A Book Everyone Should Own

Hmm. I don’t think there’s a book that everyone should own. Different readers have different tastes, after all. There’s no one book that is going to loved so much by everyone that it should be on all the bookshelves of all the readers of the world. I like Ashlee’s answer, that everyone should own a childhood favorite! I’m going to go in the same vein and say everyone should own a book that is their go-to escape from the world. A book they can come back to time and time again that will make them feel good.

Biscuits – A Book That Can Be Finished In One Sitting

Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo

I recently picked up the first manga in this series because I was seeing it everywhere. Now I’m fully obsessed, so I guess I know why 😂 If you like found family, this is a manga for you! Add in the fact that there are spies and assassins and telepaths and it’s just an incredible fun, fast read. It’s also hilarious! I would suggest the whole series if you’re looking for a quick read.

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The Cheesy Goodness Book Tag

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Hello, reader!

It’s Thursday and that seems as good a day as any for another book tag! Today, I’m doing one that combines two of my favorite things: books and cheese! Makes me want to whip up a charcuterie board and have a snack whilst reading after I finish this post 😂 But maybe first I should tell you what it actually is… The Cheesy Goodness Book Tag!

Before I start, I must thank two incredible bloggers for tagging me! Shoutout to both Ashley @ Books Are 42 and Danni @ _ForBooksSake for thinking of me! You should definitely check out both of their blogs because they are fantastic. Lots of wonderful, bookish content!

Now, it’s time to get to the tag 😊

The Rules:

  • Pingback the original creator (Sydney at Fire and Rain books) so she can see all your cheesy goodness answers.
  • Pingback the person who tagged you or you stole this from (Thanks Ashley and Danni!)
  • Have fun!

The Prompts:

Cheddar – The Traditional Cheese: Name Your Favorite Classic Novel

Oh, it has to be The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas! I was so nervous about reading this book. Mostly because my experience with classics has been very hit or miss, but also partly because this book is THICK. Eventually, though, my curiosity won out and I picked up the audiobook. I absolutely fell in love with the king of all revenge stories! This was such an incredible novel and it made me want to explore more books by Dumas.

Swiss – A Hole-y Cheese: Name an Emotional Roller Coaster

I just finished Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley yesterday while I was at work. I probably should have held off until I got home because, dear lord, does this book pack a punch! My heart was in my throat for most of the last few chapters, from both joy and sadness. I was prepared for an intriguing thriller that kept me engaged. I was not prepared to have my feelings bounce around like a ping-pong ball 😂 Suffice it to say, I loved this book!

Blue Cheese – The Controversial Cheese: Name an Unpopular Book Opinion You Have

I’m slowly starting to realize that I’m not a fan of e-books 😬 I love the concept of them! I love that they make books more accessible and easy to bring wherever you go. But the actual experience of reading them? No thank you. I don’t know if it’s because I stare at screens all the time and adding one more screen to my routine is too much or if I just really prefer having a physical book in my hand, but they’re definitely my least preferred reading format.

Brie – The Favorite Cheese: Name an Author You Always Want More Of

Top of the list has to be Erin Morgenstern. She has written two of my favorite books of all time. She’s one of the few authors where I read one book they wrote and immediately added them to my ‘favorite authors’ list. And I cannot wait til whatever she’s working on next is announced! I just need more of her beautiful, lyrical writing and the fantastical worlds that she creates. Until then, I’ll just have to re-read The Night Circus and The Starless Sea until my books fall apart 😂

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Sundays In Bed With… The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Sundays in Bed With… is a meme that dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed with, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

Hello, reader!

The weekend is almost over and it’s a busy one over here. Spent the day hanging out with family yesterday and running errands today. It’s been a busy but fun weekend! Now, I’m planning on spending the evening reading. I’ve recently started Jade City by Fonda Lee and it’s quite the ride already! But the book I’ll be talking about in today’s post is a re-read that I recently picked back up.

That being said, let’s get to the post!

My Sunday Read Is…

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

My husband and I recently picked up a beautiful illustrated copy of this classic novel. We picked it up specifically because we recently watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies and my 8 year old son was enraptured. So we thought he would love getting more of the world through The Hobbit! Now, it’s our evening read as we’re winding down for the day. We just started it yesterday and he seems to be loving it so far! I’m enjoying revisiting this story with my kiddo.

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WWW Wednesday: Jul 6, 2022

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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 Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: I’m gonna be honest and say that I had only the vaguest sense of what this classic was about before I started reading it. I knew that there is a painting that takes on the sins of it’s subject, Dorian Gray. I wasn’t prepared for how terrible Dorian actually is throughout the story! Like… why is anyone friends with this man?! Well, I know why… because he’s rich and handsome. But dear lord, he sucks! Suffice it to say, I’m having a great time reading about this terrible person 😂
  • Ariadne by Jennifer Saint: Dipping back into Greek mythology retellings with this one and, so far, I’m really enjoying it! I want to fight some people (LOOKING AT YOU, THESEUS) and loads of poor decisions have been made, but I’m liking how we get to see more of who Ariadne is beyond her part in Theseus’ tale. I’m already wishing that this book was a little longer because I would have loved to spend more time with Ariadne when Asterion was a baby. I’m intrigued by their relationship, but it’s a blip in this story. Still, this book is scratching that mythology retelling itch and I’m enjoying it!
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Sundays In Bed With… The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

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Sundays in Bed With… is a meme that dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed with, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

Hello, reader!

It’s late on a Sunday and I have been busy! We went into the city today to drop my daughter off at the airport and hang out with my best friend. It was a lot of fun, but left me tired by the time we got home. I’ve been vegging on the couch since returning, reading and napping as the mood took me.

Now, I’ve come to talk about the book I’ve been occupying myself with this Sunday!

My Sunday Read Is…

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

I’ve been listening to an audiobook version of this classic and, so far, it is such a good time! I’m so curious about all the players in this strange story and I’m loving the writing. I’ve never read anything by Oscar Wilde, but I can see why his work has stuck around for so long. His writing is very evocative and makes it easy to sink into the story. I’m not that deep into the book as of yet, but I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy this classic.

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