Atomic Habits by James Clear

Summary: "James Clear, an expert on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. He draws on proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible."

I'd say everyone could learn something from this book! I can see why it's so highly recommended. It was easy to read, easy to follow. A few tips were a bit, um, elitist, but that's being nitpicky.

The part about connecting habits to your identity was a lightbulb moment for me. 

306 pages

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Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier

Cas is precious and I love him. Protec. He is both cinnamon roll and someone who could kill you. 
Also look at the history nerd. 
Me trying to figure out what's actually happening because we trying to solve an almost murder ad people are dying and I'm confused. 
With no context:

336 Pages

Throne of Glass

 

Throne of Glass

By Sarah J. Maas

Pages: 406

I've been meaning to re-read and finally finish this series. I started reading it years ago right before Empire of Storms (book #5) came out. I am bad about finishing a series when it is still in progress as I am very impatient and do not like to leave a fantasy world mid-story. Now that the series is finished I am determined to finish this amazing series as everyone around me has told me it is worth finishing. I already loved the first book with its dangerous and sassy main character who has many mysteries in her past. I may have to go back and read the novellas soon as my friends say they are good for more background on how our main character Celaena, became this worlds assassin queen.

Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao

An Anastasia retelling--sign me up. 
Ramsom is like...Han Solo + Dimitri + Flynn Rider
Ok but the magic system. I think it's neat. 
Insert that one scene from Avatar the Last Airbender. iykyk
Alexa play the first half of Frozen.
I appreciated that the action picked up in the later parts of the book. 
464 Pages

Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross

I love the set-up of this world. Like. It had me engaged trying to figure out the characters. like..the mythology/lore of the world and the curse. Es different and I love it. 
The test. Fantastic. Like.
oh my darling, oh my darling....I understand why she has a nickname. 
Phelan is fantastic. He's a soft boi. I love him. Protect him.
My ship. I love this ship.  The rivals to lovers is just. Their interactions. Chef's kiss.

496 Pages

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

....Is my brain thinking of Snow Dogs ....yes...shhh.
I kept thinking of the ice planet Hoth from Star Wars and Briggs from Fullmetal Alchemist.
Yeah there's some Balto vibes.
It also makes me think about Mt. Everest, and how there are the locals, those who are experienced, and those who are tourists that try to climb it. The tourism is crucial to the local economy, but the tourists aren't necessarily aware of and considerate of the local issues and problems that their visit brings.....Am I going to get on my Everest soap box again....
368 Pages

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

The snark. Of the characters and of the magic school. 
"My inner being is exceptionally cranky, and I don't want her company myself"
*Realizes what the title means in relation to the plot.
I am going to go cry under my desk. 
.....looks up publication date of the last book: isn't happy. because yes...I don't want to wait until September. 
400 Pages

When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles

Let's see what happens to my ship. 
Alexa play JT's "Mirrors"
I have OPINIONS on the ending of Phantom of the Opera, so I'm like....very concerned for my mental health.
I called that "plot twist"
ok ok ok... so like...I'm ok with that.
496 Pages

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Pages: 382

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was such fun to read. Clever insights, short chapters, and a gentle writing style easily guide the reader through several murders. Set in a peaceful retirement village in England, this story unwinds slowly but steadily. We are introduced to the village and its residents by new comer, Joyce. She is excited to learn about the weekly Thursday Murder Club meetings, where three other residents of the village meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes. Then a local builder is found dead in their village and they have the chance to solve a "live" case happening around them. The reader shares in the discoveries of different characters from chapter to chapter, sometimes reading Joyce's diary, sometimes with detective in charge of the case, other times with random people from the village. But the tidbits of knowledge go together to make a cohesive puzzle with just enough extra "clues" to keep the reader guessing. 

An Apple for the Creature by Charlaine Harris

 An Apple for the Creature by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5 star

This short story collection features scary tales set in schools. Is the teacher really a creature, or does the teacher need to be worried about her students?

This collection features a Sookie Stackhouse story, Playing Possum.

A Touch of Malice

ohhh that's why we're doing the snow storm. 
It took me forever to read this....
*inserts smirk emojis because like.. yeah.
I'm here for Hades and basically only Hades....and the dogs. 
464 Pages

The Color of Dragons by R.A. Salvatore and Erika Lewis

I like the magic system. Dragons... I'm here for dragons and the cool cover. 
This is like...an Arthurian/Merlin origin story (and by that I mean that it's pre-Arthur). I liked that it showed the unrest that was happening pre-Arthur.
I wish there had been more falling action.
Griffin's cool. 
418 Pages

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

When you have a character that you like and you really don't want them to be evil.
Hey look. Trauma.
when there are characters named James and August, Folklore Swiftie rises (not in the shipping sense)
Grimm sisters. 
Alexa play Mad Woman, and the bridge of I Did Something Bad
Just....play all the Taylor Swift.
My shiiiiiiip. They so cute.
544 Pages

Forest of Souls by Lori M Lee

So this book was ok.
There were a lot of fae vibes, and there was political drama, and there was Bone Witch vibes, which I liked, but like.... I feel like the story and the concept had a lot of potential. 
Content Warning: there is a spider. 
416 Pages

The Righteous by Renee Ahdieh

The characters growing on me, and like...opening up and getting backstory. Chef's kiss.
My ships.. fdjkslajkdsfl
 *sees a character that's familiar. hey hey hey.
The character development and the life experiences.
I love Bastian. I miss him. 
Arjun and Pippa are great.
432 Pages

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Who's the bad guy. fdsaklfnkdjsdk
All the fairytale vibes.
I has ship.
Frollo. nope nope. 
368 Pages

The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

So this has some Bone Witch vibes and I’m loving it.
I didn’t know who to ship, but now I do.
When you think you see a hint, but it wasn’t a hint… Clown.
I love the characters.
Also….characters dealing with the plague. Cackles because that's relatable. 
400 Pages

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

Cough. Cancel culture.
So pardon the pun, but man this society has flawed logic.
I’m trying to decide if the priest is supposed to be Catholic..cause I’m not getting Catholic vibes.
*Hears a lecture about ashes and sackcloth…
Me: I mean….technically you’re right but you’re missing some key and crucial points.
Toxic righteousness just….
The more I get to know some of the characters, the more it reminds me of Matched
352 Pages

Here's to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

The secondhand embarrassment is PAINFUL. I'm cringing so much.
Alexa play All Too Well…because….like…it fits 
Bro. Pride. Can we just like. Talk about Pride.

Sees the Dear Evan Hansen references.
Yes I want all of the Broadway pride shirts.
480 Pages

Golden Son by Pierce Brown

 *realizes that Red TV could totally be a song for this…or at least for the first book….
and my brain is hearing Fly by Nicki Minaj and See You Again by Wiz Khafia
Hey look at the racism.
Mustang is amazing. I love her. People make assumptions about her and like.. sigh
And of course it has more Hunger Games vibes.
I like...was expecting a thing to happen at the end and it didn't, and I feel like...There's probably a reason why it didn't
464 Pages

Of Gold and Greed by Chanda Hahn

 So like..there’s some Snow White and the huntsman vibes, and then obviously the Rumpelstiltskin vibes

My ship.
348 Pages

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

I love the detail of the world building.
The one time they misname a character as “clary”…I see you making that reference.
Orion and El just like…remind me of Agatha and Tedros from The School for Good and Evil. I just love the dynamic.
And I love the vibes of the story.
That last line just…..
336 Pages

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

Constance makes me cackle…the sugar cube igloo…that both takes me back and makes me want to eat so much sugar. I love her
Bro the plot. 
391 Pages

 Beginning After the End: Divergence, Ascension

By TurtleMe

Pages: 595, 924

I have finally reached the finale only to find out that THE AUTHOR ISN'T DONE. I was hoping for a satisfactory ending only to be left yet again on another cliffhanger. The storytelling improved with every story arc and the author loves to add all sorts of twists and turns to the narrative. I was complaining about how over-powered the main character, Arthur, was becoming, only for everything to change at the end of the seventh book. Its hard to give a summary at this point as the war continues, only for another twist to de-rail it. Arthur has to deal with more loss and learn to control new powers after he nearly kills himself trying to save everything he has grown to love in his new life.

I definitely recommend this series as it offers a new magic system that I have yet to see so well done. You do have to have some patience in the first couple books as the author develops his writing and storytelling skills, but it is well worth the wait.

Marvel Eat the Universe: The Official Cookbook by Justin Warner

Marvel Eat the Universe: The Official Cookbook by Justin Warner

Pages: 144

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Justin Warner, winner of the 8th season of Food Network Star and chef/co-owner of Michelin-rated Do or Dine restaurant in Bed-Stuy, New York. This cookbook is based on Marvel's hit digital cooking series hosted by Warner. Recipes span a variety of skill levels. With sixty recipes inspired by Marvel Comics' heroes, this cookbook is fun to read even if your not a skilled cook. Some recipes include: Hulk Smashed Potatoes, Green Goblin Pumpkin Bombs and Storm's Tournedos. 

Some recipes are for a brave or a skilled home cook, but some are accessible for anyone to try. Detailed instructions are given for each recipe. 

Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Title: Dead But Not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse

Editors: Toni L. P. Kelner and Charlaine Harris

Pages: 352

Stars: 4 out of 5 stars 

You know a book series is popular when the fans clamor for more stories and more information about characters after the author has officially ended the series AND written a book to explain what happens to each of the characters after the final book. Charlaine Harris wasn't sure about turning her beloved Bon Temps and the characters over to other authors, but she was pleased with what the 15 invited authors submitted. 

The stories included in Dead but Not Forgotten are:

"Nobody's Business" by Rachel Caine (featuring Kevin Pryor & Kenya Jones)
"Tyger, Tyger" by Christopher Golden (featuring Quinn)
"The Real Santa Claus" by Leigh Perry (featuring Diantha)
"Taproot" by Jeffrey J. Mariotte (featuring Andy Bellefleur)
"Knit a Sweater Out of Sky" by Seanan McGuire (featuring Amelia)
"Love Story" by Jeanne C. Stein (featuring Adele Hale Stackhouse)
"The Million-Dollar Hunt" by Jonathan Maberry (featuring Mustapha Khan)
"Borderline Dead" by Nicole Peeler (featuring Desiree Dumas)
"Extreme Makeover Vamp Edition" by Leigh Evans (featuring Bev & Todd)
"Don't Be Cruel" by Bill Crider (featuring Bubba)
"What a Dream I Had" by Nancy Holder (featuring Alcide Herveaux)
"Another Dead Fairy" by Miranda James (featuring Claude & Claudia Crane)
"The Bat-Signal" by Suzanne McLeod (featuring Luna)
"The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars" by Dana Cameron (featuring Pam Ravenscroft)
"Widower's Walk" by MaryJanice Davidson (featuring Eric Northman)

Dead but Not Forgotten was edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner.

Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo

Summary: "Whether you want to leave a dead-end job, heal a relationship, grow a business, master your money, or just find two free hours in your day, Everything is Figureoutable will train your brain to think more positively and help you break down any dream into manageable steps."

This phrase has been a sign on my desk for a while, and now I know much more about it! 

This was a helpful and easy read. 

288 pages

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In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Heeeeeeeeeeeeey 26 year-olds trying to figure everything out.
Hey look it's groundhog day, but on Christmas
snaps for communication.
It was cute.
336 Pages

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

So I didn't know the story going in, and like... I'm glad that I didn't because we all know how I feel about knowing endings.
320 Pages

Always, in December by Emily Stone

Max is great. I love him. I wanna keep him. He's precious. 
I'm like...I have so many theories, but I'm also like..... I've been wrong before.
*Reads summary and reviews. It'll be fine. I'll be fine.


416 Pages

The Shadow Glass by Rin Chupeco

I love the characters. Like. Fantastic. 
480 Pages