book tag

The Count To 10 With Me Book Tag

April 28, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s Thursday which means it feels like a good time for a book tag! I was tagged by the lovely Danni @_ForBooksSake to do the Count To 10 With Me book tag. It looked like so much fun there was no way I wasn’t going to do it! So, of course, I want to thank Danni for tagging me ❤ This tag was created by The Bumbling Blogger’s partner on YouTube, so thank you to them, as well!

Now, let’s get to the post.

First Book In A Series

I feel like it’s been awhile since I’ve talked about Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko. It probably hasn’t been, but this is the first book that popped in my head! This is the first book in an incredible YA fantasy duology that has become an all-time favorite. The first book is definitely my favorite of the two. It’s immersive, engaging, and I found it very hard to put it down. I’ve re-read it so many times in the past two years which is a big deal for someone like me! I adore this book so much.

Two Or More Copies Of The Same Book

Welp, can’t use Raybearer again 😂 I’m gonna go with the book I have the second most copies of: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! This is also an incredible book and an all-time favorite. That’s why I couldn’t resist when Illumicrate announced their 10th anniversary edition! It’s absolutely stunning and I’m still trying to find an appropriate place to display its majesty.

Three Colors On The Cover

I just picked a random one for this, but I do love how colorful the covers for the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman are. I recently finished volume two, which is why it’s the one I picked, but they are all beautiful! Also, I adore Nick and Charlie and look at how happy they are, I can’t 😭 This is such a beautiful series that always has me in my feelings when I read it. I really need to watch the Netflix show now, I’ve been hearing such great things about it!

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www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: Apr 27, 2022

April 27, 2022 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

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:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
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 Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: This is my last official read for the Magical Readathon and, apparently, I like to save the best books for last. I’m completely wrapped up in this book and I find it hard to put it down! I love seeing the myth of Achilles play out under Madeline Miller’s pen. It’s such an intriguing and wonderful story, and surprisingly heartwarming in moments. I know that these moments are there to try and lull me into a false sense of security. After all, I know how Achilles’ story ends. This book is just guaranteeing that it breaks me as much as possible at the end, isn’t it?

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top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: Books About Death

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd3 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!

I spent most of this day thinking it was Monday, so imagine how happy I am that I’m doing a Top 5 Tuesday post! The topic this week is can be a bit of a mood killer, though. That’s because I’ll be picking five books that deal with death. Now, the books I’ve pulled from some of my favorites don’t necessary completely revolve around death, but a death is usually the catalyst of the story. I think that works for today’s prompt!

With that being said, let’s get to the post and my choices 💀

#1. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Of course, when the topic of death was mentioned, this book immediately came to mind. It is, after all, centered around a young brujo who accidentally summons the ghost of one of his recently departed classmates. This was such a great read, with touching moments and the sweetest romance between Yadriel and Julian (the ghost boy). It was also scary as hell in some parts, but that’s why I loved it!

#2. Six Stories by Matt Wesolowski

I’m picking the first book in this iconic series that blends horror and thriller into one tantalizing read. However, a number of the books in this series would fit the theme! I’m so glad I joined in on with a book club for this because I had honestly not heard of it before it was picked as our next series to read. I love that it’s all based around a true crime podcast and I love that there is always some kind of scary story lurking in the periphery.

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5 on my tbr

#5OnMyTBR – Secrets

April 25, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd2 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 the beginning of another week, which means it’s time for another 5 On My TBR! This week, I’m focusing on books that feature secrets. Which was a lot harder to narrow down than I thought it was going to be. It seems like people having secrets in the books I want to read is quite common! Still, it was fun shifting through my TBR to choose the five I wanted to feature.

That being said, let’s go ahead and get to my list!

#1. Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow

It seems like thrillers/horror books are a good place to go if you’re looking for secrets. I’ve been wanting to read this social horror book for awhile because it sounds like it would probably terrify me. It also definitely sounds like a certain set of adoptive parents definitely have something they’re hiding 👀 I also really need to read a Bethany C. Morrow book. I’ve had her on my TBR for ages and have yet to pick up one of her novels! I need to get on that.

#2. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Another genre that tends to be rife with secrets: fantasy! Which is probably why my TBR is filled with books that contain secrets, haha. Y’all know how much I love fantasy! This is one that I’ve been eager to read since hearing about it on Twitter. It has djinn and thieves and most definitely secrets! It seems like one of those books where every character is hiding something. I can’t wait to read it!

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blog tour · book reviews · book spotlight

Blog Tour: The World Marker Parable and The World Breaker Requiem by Luke Tarzian

April 23, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd4 Comments

Hello, reader!

Today, I’m bringing you an unique blog tour post. It’s a review and a spotlight in one! These are two books from a dark fantasy series that deals with some fascinating concepts. The World Marker Parable by Luke Tarzian is the book that kicks off the Adjacent Monsters series and it definitely got me thinking! But I won’t just be sharing my thoughts on this first book, I’ll also be spotlighting the next book in the series, The World Breaker Requiem. I wish I had had time to read both books, but I’m glad I could at least squeeze in one!

Before I get further into the post, I must thank Dave @ The Write Reads and all of the crew for giving me a spot on this tour. I also want to thank the author for providing me with a free e-book in exchange for an honest review! It is, as always, much appreciated and all opinions written in my review are my own.

Alright, now let’s get to the post!

Book Details

Title: The World Maker Parable
Author: Luke Tarzian
Publication date: April 14th, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, violence, blood, blood magic

Book Links

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

Synopsis

Guilt will always call you back…

Rhona is a faithful servant of the country Jémoon and a woman in love. Everything changes when her beloved sets the ravenous Vulture goddess loose upon the land. Forced to execute the woman she loves for committing treason, Rhona discovers a profound correlation between morality and truth. A connection that might save her people or annihilate them all.

You are a lie…

Varésh Lúm-talé is many things, most of all a genocidal liar. A falsity searching for the Phoenix goddess whom he believes can help him rectify his atrocities. Such an undertaking is an arduous one for a man with missing memories and a conscience set on rending him from inside out. A man whose journey leads to Hang-Dead Forest and a meeting with a Vulture goddess who is not entirely as she seems.

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www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: Apr 20, 2022

April 20, 2022 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

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:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
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 Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin: Yup, I am finally reading The Fifth Season. And I am already kicking myself for taking so long to pick this up. This is so freakin’ good, so far! It’s brutal, but so well-written and engaging and captivating. Every time I pick it up before bed, I end up staying up way too late because I just don’t want to put it down! I was really nervous I wasn’t going to like this book after hyping it so much in my head. I’m glad the hype train didn’t lie to me. This is just as good, if not better, than everyone has said!
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: This book is WEIRD AF and I LOVE IT! I’m reading it as part of a book-club-that’s-not-a-book-club and I feel like we’re all equally confused and enthralled. I love the discussions because someone invariably picks up on something I didn’t and that makes me think about what we’ve read in a whole new light. My takeaways right now are I adore Piranesi, the Other can choke, and I want to visit the House.

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top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: Books About Weddings

April 19, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd6 Comments

Hello, reader!

It’s time for another Top 5 Tuesday! I will fully admit that I had a little difficulty with this week’s topic. I’m talking about my top five books about weddings. Apparently, I haven’t read that many books about weddings. So this list may have some books that are a bit of a stretch, but I think they work.

Alright, let’s get to the post!

#1. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

This is the one of the books on the list that I’m actually not stretching at all! This entire rom-com is kicked off by a wedding gone wrong. Well, at least a wedding reception, where everyone but the bride and groom’s siblings get food poisoning. And then they get pushed into going on their honeymoon and, spoiler alert, get a lot closer than they were expecting. I really enjoyed this romance (Olive + Ethan forever!) and the vacation vibes.

#2. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

I’m kiiind of stretching with this selection, but there is a wedding in this book! I mean, the end goal of said wedding is for one of our main characters, Karina, to murder her husband, but there’s still a wedding. Kind of. I can’t remember if it’s even described on-page… Whatever, it’s staying! I loved this book and the relationship that grows between Karina and Malik, our other main character. I really need to finish the duology soon.

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blog tour · book reviews

BBNYA Winner Blog Tour: May Day by Josie Jaffrey

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd8 Comments

Hello, reader!

Because of my inability to read a schedule correctly, this is coming to you a day late. But I’m no less enthused to tell you about the stellar book that took the prize home in the 2021 Book Bloggers Book of the Year Award: May Day by Josie Jaffrey! Our winner from last year is an urban fantasy that has a lot going for it; vampires, mystery, and a kickass female lead that instantly had me rooting for her. But, before I get into my tour stop, 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 are still 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!!

As a note, I received this book to read and review as part of the 2021 BBNYA tours organized by the TWR Tour team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest. Now, let’s get into the post!

Book Details

Title: May Day
Author: Josie Jaffrey
Publication date: July 9th, 2020
Genre: Fantasy
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::B&N::Amazon::
Goodreads

Synopsis

If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.

It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.

When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.

To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.
Body bags on standby.

May Day is the first book in Josie Jaffrey’s Seekers series, an urban fantasy series set in Oxford, England.

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book tag

The 2021 Good News Book Tag

April 14, 2022April 13, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd6 Comments

Hello, reader!

I haven’t done a book tag in awhile and I thought today would be a perfect day for one. I’ve been wanting to do the 2021 Good News Book Tag for a minute for two reasons. First, because I think everyone could hear a little good news about our world that is usually just negativity 24/7. And, second, because I really love the graphics that Laura @ The Corner of Laura made for it!

This tag was inspired by the 2021 Book Tag by Phoenix @ Books with Wings and tweaked to the one I’m doing by Laura herself. She wanted to make a tag that highlighted some of the good news stories that might have gotten lost amongst the bad in 2021. I want to thank her for tagging me, as well! Y’all should definitely give her blog a peek because she has a lot of great content.

Alright, let’s get to the tag!

The Rules:

Link back to the original creator (The Corner of Laura) and link back to this page (otherwise, the original creator won’t get a notification).
Thank whoever tagged you and link back to their post (Thanks, Laura!)
(Optional) Use the graphics and don’t forget to credit the original creator (All the graphics were created by Laura @ The Corner of Laura)
(Optional) Tag 5 or more other people.

The Prompts:

Gay marriage was legalised in Switzerland:
A book with LGBT characters who live happily ever after

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

It took me a second to think of an answer to this one and then I remember this gem of a book! Arthur and Linus are, hopefully, living happily ever after in their island orphanage! Both of them kicking up a fuss about the rights of magical children and then going home for some tea. This was such a heartwarming story and it made me want to read more from this author.

Giant Pandas are no longer classed as Endangered:
A book with a fantastic animal companion
NB: Giant pandas are still classed as Vulnerable but it’s progress!

Stones of Light by Zack Argyle

I really loved Asher and his bond with Laurel in this book, the sequel to Voice of War. Asher is a chromawolf (and featured on the cover) and it was incredible to see the way these two worked together. Also, I just love the concept of a giant, green wolf that could one day be my friend, okay? Asher is also a wonderfully loyal companion to Laurel, which is something she truly needs.

Studies show that the HPV vaccine has cut cervical cancer rates by almost 90%:
A book where science plays a big part

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Well, the main character in this is made by science and they are protecting a bunch of scientists. So I think this fits perfectly! It’s also a good reminder that I really need to continue this series. I loved the first book so much and it’s all because of Murderbot. They are so wry and funny and intriguing! There are a lot of layers to Murderbot and I can’t wait to see more of them as I continue the series.

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www wednesday

WWW Wednesday: Apr 13, 2022

April 13, 2022 kerrimcbooknerd6 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:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
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

May Day by Josie Jaffrey: I’m reading this for an upcoming BBNYA tour and, so far, I can see why it won 1st place last year! I’m having a great time with this dark and twisty story. Also, I kind of love Jack? She’s a legitimate mess and I love that about her 😂 I’m interested to see where her hatred of Drake is gonna go… he’s an intriguing character, as well. Foremost, though, Cam must be PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS! *cough* Anyways, I’m loving this one so far.
The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf: This is the Middle Grade Marvels read for April. At first, I wasn’t going to join in this month because I have so many books I really want to get through in April. Audiobooks (and Scribd) came to the rescue, though! I’ve been listening to the audiobook at work and I’m so glad I decided to join in after all. I’m loving this book! I’m loving the culture and the lessons on friendship and how it’s a little darker than I was anticipating. There were certain moments that gave me little chills and I grew up on a steady diet of horror films! It’s hard to keep with the reading schedule, but that just because I never want to stop reading!

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