September Faves and October TBR

I know I say this every single month, but I cannot believe another month is drawing to an end! We're already entering the last three months of the year! I'm experiencing this weird paradox where time is simultaneously dragging and flying as I near graduation in December. Anyway, here are our favorite reads from September and the books we're most looking forward to in October...

September Favorites

Jana says...

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco: This was such a beautiful, creepy, and romantic story! It takes place at Dracula's castle in December, and it's so atmospheric and amazing. Kerri's writing is beautiful. I loved it a million times more than Stalking Jack the Ripper!

Lori says...

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran: It took me a while, but I finally finished this great collection of essays. Moran writes with such pointed humor that even when she talks about the inequalities and unfairnesses that should break my heart, I walk away with a smile and some hope. I have one more collection of essays by Moran--Moranifesto--and then she needs to get cracking on publishing some more. :)


October TBR

Jana says...

Renegades by Marissa Meyer: I'm on the blog tour at the end of the month, and I'm so excited to read Marissa's new book!

Lori says...

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Fiction hasn't so much been my jam lately because my time to read is limited. So I'm opting for something short. I even cheated by starting this on September 30. I'm looking forward to reading about this exploration of humanity and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

August Faves and September TBR

Ahhhh...the end of the month.  It's the perfect stop to stop and reflect on our favorite reads and our hottest upcoming TBR.... :)

August Faves

Lauren says:  All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood - This is definitely a controversial book that I can see many people having different opinions on. My opinion is simple... this was very well written and I legit read in one sitting. While I don't in anyway condone situations that occurred in the book, it was completely engrossing and heartbreaking.

Lori says:  Run River by Joan Didion - I practically inhaled this novel!  It was Didion's first novel.  The subject matter (cheating spouse) kind of hit a nerve with me (I just don't like reading about infidelity), but I read the novel more for research on Didion and her craft and tried to shake off the infidelity.  She doesn't use many spare details or words.  Her style is very precise, which makes it very deeply felt.

September TBR

Lauren says:  The Wonder by Emma Donoghue - I picked this book up to get back to my historical fiction roots. I've neglected that genre for too long. If anyone can help me leap back in, it's mystery historical fiction book by Emma Donoghue.

Lori says:  A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - Every now and then I get this itch to read a John Irving novel.  It's usually in the fall.  I don't know why I always associate his stuff with the cooler months, but I do.  Whatever.  I've been meaning to read this one for a while and am going for it.  Bonus Pick:  It by Stephen King - I want to read it before the movie comes out.  I actually snuck this into a textbook order, so please don't tell my mom...

What did you love in August?  What are you looking forward to in September?

July Faves and August TBR

I can't believe how quickly this summer is flying by!  It's time for another post about our favorite reads and our TBR.

JULY FAVORITES

Jana says--So... I read one book in July and hated it, so I don't have a favorite. lol

Kimberly says--I didn't read a single book in July.... It's been a weird month. (Good! But weird. Haha)

Lauren says--The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti--I have so many books on my TBR that I gave my boyfriend 3 book titles and this is the one he chose. I wasn't disappointed! This was a suspenseful psychological thriller that keep me guessing until about 80% into the book. Which for me is pretty damn good.

Lori says--Moranthology by Caitlin Moran--This book was such a delight to read!  Moran speaks out on a variety of topics that had my laughing out loud.  This is one of those books where I drove my boyfriend crazy by regularly reading him passages.  It made me purchase all of the rest of her books.  Can't wait to dive on it!

AUGUST TBR

Jana says--Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett--It sounds like a really exciting fantasy with lots of snow, which is great because the heat is stifling in my neck of the woods right now! And it's about royal explorers! Sounds great to me!

Kimberly says--I am currently reading The Summer I Became A Nerd by Leah Rae Miller. It's Adorakable. I don't care for that word? But it's kinda perfect to describe the book and its characters. 

Lauren says--Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris--I picked this one up because I enjoyed The Vanishing Year. I was just in the mood for another thriller. I've just started and I'm already engrossed in the story!

Lori says--Bitch Doctrine: Essays for Dissenting Adults by Laurie Penny--I pre-ordered this one a while ago.  I. Love. Essays.  I love essays especially about feminism.  I don't know why (OK, probably PMS), but I've been angry lately and I am just chomping at the bit to read some kickass essays.

June Favorites, July TBR

Here are our favorite books for June:

Lauren said:  The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin  I've always been a big Le Guin fan, so it was just a matter of time before I got around to reading this one. And I loved it. A man's dreams literally come true. Whatever he dreams becomes reality. Imagine dreaming of the ninja turtles and when you wake up... BAM! There are friggin ninja turtles everywhere! Or what I'd you have a nightmare where we live like Kevin Costner from the movie Waterworld? Bummer for the world when you wake up, right? We don't have control over our dreams and neither does the main character of this book who is terrified of dreaming. Wouldn't you be?

Lori said:  I would say The Green Mile, but I already listed that for this week's TTT, so I'll mention Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates.  I'm still reading it, but I am loving it!  The novel is a fictionalized account of Marilyn Monroe--one of my favorite actresses and one of the most interesting people I've heard about.

Here are our top TBR for July:

Lauren said:  The Wanderers by Meg Howrey  I've picked this book up at my local bookstore several times and the put it back down thinking, "I'll buy it when it comes out in paperback." Well, on my last bookstore trip, I couldn't take it anymore and bought it. I can't wait to finish my current read so I can dive in! This book follows several astronauts put in a 17 month realistic simulation of traveling to Mars. You know some crazy stuff is going to happen and I've got a front row ticket!

Lori said:  Aside from textbooks (yay, summer school [not]), I definitely want to read Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love by Thomas Maier.  It's been on my shelves for a while, so I'm taking it to Chicago with me.  I've seen a couple of episodes of the TV show and it's a really interesting narrative about something that actually happened.




What about you?

Our October Faves & November TBR

I feel like I'm always shocked at how quickly the month goes by...alas..here we are for another faves/TBR post!     October Faves
Jana's Pick

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher: I've had my eye on this book for years, and I finally had time to read it! It's about a girl who is kidnapped from an airport and dragged to the Australian wilderness. I LOVED IT. It made me feel so many things, and I totally got Stockholm Syndrome. It was heartbreaking and suspenseful and just an amazing reading experience.

Lauren's Pick

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North: I was absolutely captivated by this novel. The main character's emotions would have been exactly my own if I had been in his shoes. It is truly amazing when you get to pick up a novel and can be completely transported to another life. This novel was nothing short of that.

Jamie's Pick

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Woo boy I wish this was out so I could tell you all to purchase it/borrow it immediately but it's not so I want you to circle February 28th on your calendar and be sure to get it then. LOVED these characters and this story.


November TBR

Jana's Pick

Caraval by Stephanie Garber: The time has COME! I'm so excited! I've had this book for a LONG time now, and I am planning to read it as soon as I'm done with my current two reads. You've heard the amazing buzz, and I can't wait to see what it's all about.

Lauren's Pick

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson: You all know by now that I can't resist a famed sci-fi novel. This author utilized years of research and real science to chronicle the colonization of mars. I don't know about you... but these days the only things I research are my ailments. (Adulting is hard, folks.) So this award winner author has already caught my eye and I'm ready to start this trilogy. It's pretty much like starting a new TV show I know I'll end on binge watching on Netflix, except it's books. And believe me... I loved trilogies and Netflix. 

Jamie's Pick

Girls in the Moon by Janet McNally: This looks so like a contemporary YA that is MADE for me! Can't wait to devour it!

Our September Faves & October TBR

We are officially into Fall and I don't know about you but I'm pretty excited. I mean, summer is my FAVORITE season but once I accept that it's GONE... then I get excited for ALL THE THINGS.

Anyways, now that September is behind us and October has arrived, it is that time for a few of us (reading slump city over here for the rest of our team) to tell you what books wowed us last month and what books are on our TBR for the next! -- Jamie

September Faves

Jamie's Pick

Kids of Appetite by David Arnold: I loved his debut and I have to say I think I loved this one EVEN MORE. Loved this ragtag group of kids and loved how the story unfolded!!

Lauren's Pick

All The Birds In The Sky by Charlie Jane Anders: I honestly can't express how much I loved this novel. I gathered from the synopsis of this novel that it would be about a friendship between two individuals that blossoms during their childhoods. That was definitely an integral part of the story, but in my eyes not the main focus. The characters were so open and filled with raw emotion. I shoved reading time in between my lunch breaks at work, hell I even brought my kindle in the bathtub! Both fantasy and sci-fi lovers will not be able to put this one down.

Daisy's Pick

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare: September was actually not such an awesome reading month for me, with zero 5 star books, which is sad. But I did enjoy City of Bones, I already talked about it here in case you missed it :)

October TBR

Jamie's Pick 

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu: Definitely one of my most anticipated books of the YEAR. This series is so awesome and I cannot wait to see what happens in this installment. If you haven't started this series, please let me tell you why you should.

Lauren's Pick

Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger: I am currently completely and utterly entranced by this novel. Enough so that I've already written down several quotes because... what reader doesn't write down quotes?! My favorite so far... "Life is an impossible twist of choice and circumstance, one rarely exists without the other." Yes, perfection.

Daisy's Pick

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas: because OMG IT IS FINALLY HERE!!! THE WAIT IS OVER! I will SO read this in my epic 3,5 week vacation in October :)

What about you guys?

August Faves & September TBR

It's that time! HOW IS AUGUST OVER? As a lover of summer I always get a little sad once back to school time/September rolls around. HOWEVER, I'm very happy to talk about the best books we read in August and what we are planning to read in September.


Best of August

JAMIE'S PICK

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand -- I don't normally read MG fiction but OH MAN. This was so fantastic and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. It was just magical and perfect. You can check out more of my thoughts about it here.

JUlLIA'S PICK

The Martian by Andy Weir -- I didn't actually read this in August. I think I read it in the Spring, but I know I hadn't included it on one of these lists yet, and since I am still trudging through my one book I read this August, I decided to link it. I really liked this book. It was better than the movie, and the movie was amazing. Such a great read if you like SciFi, but not so unapproachable if you don't normally read it.

DAISY'S PICK

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier -- I'm so, so late to this party, but OMG IT WAS AMAZING!! I need the second book like now.

LAUREN'S PICK

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood -- Holy shit. Atwood did it again! I have a quote from another novel of hers tattooed on my arm and all I'm going to say is it looks like I'm going to have to make another appointment at the tattoo parlor!

September TBR

JAMIE'S PICK

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas is 100% my number 1 on my TBR for September but I wanted to add another one!

Kids of Appetite by David Arnold -- I loooooved David Arnold's debut novel, Mosquitoland, and am SUPER pumped to read this!

JULIA'S PICK

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I am sort of obsessed with my upcoming trip to Rome/Paris. And all I want to do is read books about them, fiction and non. So I feel like back when we started this blog, everyone enjoyed this book. I'd like to read it too.

DAISY'S PICK

I second Jamie's Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas but also:

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo: This is one of my most anticipated reads for all of 2016, Six of Crows was AMAZING and I cannot wait for this sequel because MORE OF KAZ AND EVERYONE and I have 3 ships that I need to see happen.

LAUREN'S PICK

Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton -- I have been itching to read this one. And now it's all mine! 

What are the best books you read in August? What's on your TBR for September?

July Faves & August TBR

HOW IS IT AUGUST ALREADY? I AM IN COMPLETE DISBELIEF. Anybody else feeling like "where has the summer gone??" Anywho, time for a few of us to talk about the best books we read in July and what we plan to read in August. 
 

July Faves

Jamie's  Pick

The Memory Book by Lara Avery --- soooo sad but really good!

Julia's  Pick

A Duke to Remember by Stacey Bowen - I really enjoyed this one. The series is surprisingly compelling and unique. This story's characters were compelling, had some great attraction, and kept me interested even after my short flights landed. 

Lori's Pick

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion--OK, technically I finished this one on August 1, but this post is going up on the 3rd and this one was just so amazing.  Didion talks about the year after her husband passed and how she did and didn't cope.  Very revealing look at a great marriage.

Jana's  Pick




The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware was super suspenseful and takes place in a pretty awesome location: a luxury boutique cruise ship in the North Sea. I flew through this one, and really enjoyed it!

August TBR

Jamie's Pick

Results May Vary by Bethany Chase: It sounds like something I'd really like so I'm really looking forward to it!

Julia's Pick

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith - Actually just started reading it! I'm excited to finally get around to reading it!


Lori's Pick

The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan--I started this one last night.  I've been wanting to read it for a few years.  I don't remember a lot of what I've heard about it, but I remember that it's really good and has great characters and clearly described relationships.

Jana's Pick



I'm reading A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody, and it's cute a light and fun for summer!

Tell us your fave book you read in July and the #1 on your list for August!

June Faves & July TBR

Here's what we loved in June and what is on the top of our TBR piles for July! Tell us your faves of June and what you plan to read in July!

JUNE FAVORITES

Jana's Pick

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh

Prehistoric fantasy is something totally new and exciting for me! I've been thinking about this one a lot since I read it. Read my review here.

Jamie's Pick 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

God I just love Taylor Jenkins Reid's books soooo much. They always make me think about stuff! This one absolutely gripped me and honestly I felt like a wishbone being pulled into two directions. I mean, what would you do if you lost the love of your life in a plan crash, finally moved on many years later to be engaged to someone you really love and then your husband is found many years later and comes back into your life??? YEAH. I loved this book. I loved how the story was told. It was beautiful and heart-wrenching.  

Daisy's Pick

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
This was AMAZING and everything I wanted and then some.


Lori's Pick

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
I loved reading about the war women fought during World War II.  One sister joins the French Resistance and the other fights to keep her daughter and herself alive.  Lovely, lovely story.


Lauren's Pick 

The Fold by Peter Clines

I loved this both. I can never get enough sci-fi in my life, but this one blew me away. I even convinced the boyfriend to read it and he loved it!

JULY TBR

Jana's Pick

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

I'm SO excited to start this one! I love this trilogy, and I can't wait to read the final book. I was one of the lucky ones to receive a galley, so I'm going to jump in in time for the blog tour spot I'm hosting on my personal blog this month. :)


Jamie's Pick

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

This summer I plan to finally read Victoria Schwab's books!!! I have owned The Archived since it was published along with many others but there's so much hype involving this author that I am always so scared to start!! BUT THIS SUMMER IT WILL HAPPEN.


Daisy's Pick

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
OBVIOUSLY I should already be reading this. So I'm going to start right after typing this up, I'm so excited because OMG THE ENDING of The Wrath and the Dawn!!


Julia's Pick

And I Darken by Kiersten White
I haven't been reading much at all lately, but this book looks really interesting. I am sort of in love with the badass cover. Maybe I'll actually find time this month to sit outside and devour it. :)


Lori's Pick

Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir by Frances Mayes
Honestly, I have been reading a lot of great fiction this summer and I have loved that.  So I just want to read something that it a bit different, but still has the feel of great writing.


Lauren's Pick

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

So... I've already started this book... and I'm scared. This book has actually creeped me out enough that I had nightmares one night that were semi-related. I mean, The Exorcist was a good horror book, but this one... whew. DON'T READ ALONE.

May Faves & June TBR

Here's what we loved in May and what is on the top of our TBR piles for June! Tell us your faves of May below! Tell us what you plan to read in June!

MAY FAVORITES

Lauren's Pick

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

Jamie's Pick

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee -- if you love historical fiction you MUST read this one!!

Jana's Pick



The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye - This book is stunning. The descriptions of historic St. Petersburg had me captivated, and the unique storyline had me flipping pages as quickly as I could! I loved it!

Daisy's Pick




The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott - This was just a beautiful story about the aftermath of losing someone and nit how to recover from that, but learning how to accept that it hurts. 

ON OUR JUNE TBR


Lauren's Pick

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

(Jana seconds this choice!)

Jamie's Pick 

Ivory & Bone by Julie Eshbaugh -- so excited to pick this prehistoric fantasy up soon!!

(Jana is reading this now, and it's super interesting!)

Jana's Pick

Unplugged by Donna Freitas - I'm on the blog tour for this book, and it sounds so good! I've really been in the mood for a dystopia lately.

Daisy's Pick

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - So everybody probably read this already, but they messed up my preorder and hopefully it will be waiting for me when I get home from vacation, because I NEED THIS BOOK.

(You're not alone, Daisy! Jana hasn't had time to read this yet either!)

What books are your faves of May? On the top of your TBR for June??