wrap up

November 2022 Wrap Up


Hello, reader!

We’re getting to the point where I need to start planning my December (and yearly!) wrap ups, so I figured this was the perfect time to wrap up what I read in November! One of these days, I will write these wrap up posts in a semi-timely manner ๐Ÿ˜‚ I’m going to blame the fact that I’ve been wrapped up in BBNYA business for pretty much all of December, which was a blast! Now, it’s time to get back on track and actually tell you all about what I read last month.

And try not to have a crisis over the fact that 2022 is almost over!


Books Read


  • Spy x Family Vol 7 by Tatsuya Endo: I continue to love this manga series, though this one was probably my least favorite of the ones I’ve read so far. If I remember correctly, Yor’s brother featured prominently in this volume? That would explain why I didn’t like it as much because he truly creeps me out ๐Ÿ˜‚ Even with him, though, I love watching Loid, Yor, and Anya grow closer and closer. Even if Loid pretends like they aren’t. This reminds me that I need to catch up with the anime… โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
  • The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow: My goodness, this book was a freakin’ gem. Harrow’s writing is always magical and it lent well to this story about witches and suffragettes. I adored the three sisters featured in this story and how this book is not only about women’s rights, but the fractious relationship between the Eastwoods. I’m a sucker for a book with great characters, so when I’m presented with three of them, you know I’m gonna love it. I also thought the magic in this was fascinating! This has certainly cemented Alix E. Harrow as one of my favorite authors. โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
  • The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill: Last month, a bunch of the TWR gang got together and decided to do Netgalley November. The ARCs are getting out of hand, y’all! A good problem to have, but I joined in to try and start knocking some books off of my shelf. This was my first e-ARC of the month and I enjoyed it! It was an interesting story about a young woman who finds herself whisked into another life after a mysterious benefactor includes her in his will. The concept was intriguing, though the main character made me want to shake her. And the love interest was pretty… meh. Overall, though, I had a fun time reading this! โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
  • Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes: This was my second Netgalley read of the month and I loved it! It’s a young adult fantasy that features young, Black kids gaining superpowers. It is an adventure that you are happy to jump into because the writing absolutely pulls you in. I loved how cinematic the writing could be and I found myself enthralled with the story. I also loved that this book tackles some social issues within the story and I think the authors did a great job incorporating it. I’m eager to read the sequel! โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Continue reading “November 2022 Wrap Up”
first lines friday

First Lines Friday #66


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 donโ€™t give anything else about the book away just yet โ€“ you need to hook the reader first (I cheat a little bit here *cough*)
  • Finallyโ€ฆ reveal the book!

If youโ€™re using Twitter, donโ€™t forget to use #FirstLinesFridays!


Hello, reader!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, to those who celebrate ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜‚ I’m actually excited for Christmas this year because I’m not working. I’m technically working the holiday, but my job is counting Monday as the actual “holiday”. Which works out great for me! I’m happy that I’ll be able to actually open presents with the family this year. But, before we get all festive, it’s time for another First Lines Friday post! Today, I’m featuring a book that was on one of my year long 2022 TBRs. I may not be finishing those TBRs, but I want to read at least one more, dang it!

Now, let’s see if the first few lines can get me pumped to pick it up.


The Line(s):

“Patricia was crying.

Wallace Price hated it when people cried.”


The Hints:

This is an adult fantasy that was released last year.

I read a book by this author and absolutely loved it.

It heavily deals with death and what happens after.


The Reveal:

Continue reading “First Lines Friday #66”
top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: New (to me) Authors of 2022


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


Hello, reader!

It’s time for another Top 5 Tuesday and this one takes a look back at my reading year. I’m picking my top five new to me authors that I’ve read in 2022! I’ve read a lot of incredible books this year and a lot of those books have been from authors I’ve never read from before. It was a great year for discovering new authors that I love and I can’t wait to read more from all of my choices!

Now, let me share them with you.


#1. N.K Jemisin

I can’t believe it took me until 2022 to finally pick up a book by N.K. Jemisin. I’ve owned both The Fifth Season and The City We Became for what seems like years, yet hadn’t bothered to pick either of them up. I think it was a case of me overhyping both of them in my head with how much people loved them. I finally caved and read The Fifth Season and it was, perhaps, the easiest five star I’ve ever given ๐Ÿ˜‚ I’m so excited to continue with the Broken Earth series and more of Jemisin’s work!


#2. Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper’s Daughter was everywhere for quite awhile after it came out. It kept popping up on my radar and I found the premise was interesting, so I bought it. Then it languished on my bookshelf for far too long. Finally, at the beginning of the year, I decided to pick this up. I’m so glad I did because this book was absolutely incredible! The writing sucked me in and I felt immersed in the tale. I’m so excited for this author’s new release in 2023, Warrior Girl Unearthed.

Continue reading “Top 5 Tuesday: New (to me) Authors of 2022”
bbnya spotlight · blog tour

BBNYA Spotlight: Lineage by C. Vonzale Lewis


Hello, reader!

Today on the blog, I have my final spotlight tour for one of the semi-finalists of this year’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA) for you. I’m so excited to help shine a light on some fantastic indie books. In 2022, BBNYA is celebrating the 55 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. But perhaps you aren’t familiar with what BBNYA entails, so let me tell you a little about it!

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA website or take a peek over on Twitter (@BBNYA_Official). BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Now, let’s get to today’s spotlight post, this one featuring Lineage by C. Vonzale Lewis!



  • Title: Lineage
  • Author: C. Vonzale Lewis
  • Publication date: June 17th, 2019
  • Publisher: The Parliament House
  • Length: 408 pages
  • Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
  • Age group: Adult

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

Continue reading “BBNYA Spotlight: Lineage by C. Vonzale Lewis”
blog tour · book reviews · Uncategorized

Blog Tour: The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith


Hello, reader!

I have another wonderful tour post for you today hosted by The Write Reads. Today, I’ll be sharing my review for a young adult fantasy that features five boys with super senses: The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith!

Before I get further into my review, though, I have people to thank. First, thank you toย Dave @ The Write Readsย and all of the crew for giving me a spot on this tour! Second, thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book so that I could participate. It is, as always, appreciated ๐Ÿ˜Š

And, one last thing, the author is running a giveaway in conjunction with this tour! If you would like to enter to win an e-gift card, just click here.

Now, let’s get to my post!



  • Title: The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses
  • Author: K.N. Smith
  • Publication date: September 29th, 2015
  • Genre: Urban Fantasy/Thriller
  • Age group: Young Adult
  • Content/Trigger Warnings: Violence, blood, attempted kidnapping, loss of a parent, mentions of alcoholism

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



Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.

โ€œA captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!โ€ 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before itโ€™s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story โ€” an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Continue reading “Blog Tour: The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith”
bbnya spotlight · blog tour

BBNYA Spotlight: Skate the Thief by Jeff Ayers


Hello, reader!

It’s time for another spotlight tour for one of the semi-finalists of this year’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA) for you. I’m so excited to help shine a light on some fantastic indie books. In 2022, BBNYA is celebrating the 55 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. But perhaps you aren’t familiar with what BBNYA entails, so let me tell you a little about it!

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA website or take a peek over on Twitter (@BBNYA_Official). BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Now, let’s get to today’s spotlight post, this one featuring Skate the Thief by Jeff Ayers!



  • Title: Skate the Thief
  • Author: Jeff Ayers
  • Publication date: June 2nd, 2020
  • Publisher: Thinklings Books, LLC
  • Length: 354 pages
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Age group: Young Adult

Bookshop::TBD::Amazon::Goodreads

Continue reading “BBNYA Spotlight: Skate the Thief by Jeff Ayers”
first lines friday

First Lines Friday #65


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 donโ€™t give anything else about the book away just yet โ€“ you need to hook the reader first (I cheat a little bit here *cough*)
  • Finallyโ€ฆ reveal the book!

If youโ€™re using Twitter, donโ€™t forget to use #FirstLinesFridays!


Hello, reader!

Let’s kick off the weekend with another First Lines Friday post! Today, I’m featuring a book that I’m reading for another wonderful The Write Reads blog tour. So far, it has certainly started off with a bang!

Now, let me share the first few lines to see if I can get you hooked.


The Line(s):

“An alluring midnight seeped through the preserve, where huge, wavy leaves danced beneath the moonlight. The setting was suited for a meeting between two friends. But almost immediately, their conversation went awry.”


The Hints:

This is a YA fantasy featuring kids with superpowers.

Their powers are centered around the five senses.

It has very poetic writing.


The Reveal:

Continue reading “First Lines Friday #65”
bbnya spotlight · blog tour

BBNYA Spotlight: Fear and Fury by Jamie Jackson


Hello, reader!

It’s time for another spotlight tour for one of the semi-finalists of this year’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA) for you. I’m so excited to help shine a light on some fantastic indie books. In 2022, BBNYA is celebrating the 55 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. But perhaps you aren’t familiar with what BBNYA entails, so let me tell you a little about it!

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA website or take a peek over on Twitter (@BBNYA_Official). BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Now, let’s get to today’s spotlight post, this one featuring Fear and Fury by Jamie Jackson!



  • Title:ย Fear and Fury
  • Author:ย Jamie Jackson
  • Publication date:ย May 9th, 2021
  • Publisher: Self-published
  • Length: 186 pages
  • Genre:ย Urban Fantasy
  • Age group:ย (New) Adult

B&N::Amazon::Goodreads

Continue reading “BBNYA Spotlight: Fear and Fury by Jamie Jackson”
top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: Books I Meant To Read In 2022


Top 5 Tuesday is a fun, weekly meme that asks you to pick 5 books that fit that weekโ€™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!

It has been a hot minute since I’ve done a Top 5 Tuesday post, but I couldn’t pass this one up. We’re getting to the end to the year, which means it’s time to reflect on the year that was 2022. So when I saw the topic today was book I meant to read in 2022, it felt very appropriate. To be honest, and I’m sure there are quite a few of you in the same boat, my list of books that I meant to read in 2022 could fill an entire library ๐Ÿ˜… I’ve trimmed it down to the five that I was anticipating the most and yet still haven’t read.

Now, let me share them with you!


#1. Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

I started 2022 knowing that Amari was a book I was going to get as soon as it came out. I loved the first book in this series so much and I was stoked for the sequel. And I did buy the book as soon as it came out! Did I read it? Clearly not ๐Ÿ˜‚ I don’t know why I’ve held off picking it up. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the continuation of Amari’s story. Perhaps it’s one of those things that I’m hyping it up so much that I’ve psyched myself out.


#2. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

Here’s another book that I got as soon as it came out because I was so hyped for it! The children of gods competing in a competition that can have dangerous consequences? Sign me up! I even have a personalized, sign copy of this book I was so excited for it. And it sits on my shelf, judging me as I pick up all kinds of books that aren’t this one. Sigh… I had the best of intentions! I’m still eager to give this one a read, but it probably won’t be before 2023 hits.

Continue reading “Top 5 Tuesday: Books I Meant To Read In 2022”
bbnya spotlight · blog tour

BBNYA Spotlight: The Vicar Man by Amelia Crowley


Hello, reader!

It’s time for another spotlight tour for one of the semi-finalists of this year’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA). I’m so excited to help shine a light on some fantastic indie books. In 2022, BBNYA is celebrating the 55 books that made it into Round Two with a mini spotlight blitz tour for each title. But perhaps you aren’t familiar with what BBNYA entails, so let me tell you a little about it!

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists and one overall winner. If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA website or take a peek over on Twitter (@BBNYA_Official). BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Now, let’s get to today’s spotlight post, this one featuring The Vicar Man by Amelia Crowley!


Book Details


  • Title:ย The Vicar Man
  • Author:ย Amelia Crowley
  • Publication date:ย August 20th, 2021
  • Publisher: Self-published
  • Length: 196 pages
  • Genre:ย Historical Fantasy, Comedy, Satire
  • Age group:ย New Adult, Adult

TBD::Amazon::Goodreads

Continue reading “BBNYA Spotlight: The Vicar Man by Amelia Crowley”