“We should start back,” Gared urged as the wood began to grow dark around them.”
First line in A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Hi to you, you lovely people. Here’s another Top 5 Tuesday post and the topic for today is authors I need to read. There are still quite a few popular authors I haven’t read anything from yet, and so this is a perfect opportunity to remind myself to get to them at some point.
Top 5 Tuesday is as always hosted by Shanah from Bionic Book Worm, so head over there if you’re interested in knowing the remaining topics for November.
Becky Chambers
I didn’t hear the name Becky Chambers until a few months ago, but since then she seems to pop up everywhere. Her Wayfarers series is on my TBR, and I’m very intrigued to see what all the fuss is about.
Francesca Zappia
Not an author who’s written that many books, but it seems like so many people has read at least one of her books. I’m definitely also planning on picking up Eliza and Her Monsters.
Christina Lauren
No, I’ve never read a single Christina Lauren book. In my defense however, I will point out that they only write contemporaries, which I don’t read much of. I really want to try out one of their books to see if they’re for me. I plan on reading Autoboyography.
Robin Hobb
I’m slowly working my way through some of the most popular fantasy authors and Hobb is definitely one of them. I’ve heard that her books are a little hard to get into so that might be why I’ve been putting them off. However, Assassin’s Apprentice is still of my TBR.
Mary E. Pearson
The Remnant Chronicles by her has been sitting on my TBR for almost 2 years now. I really want to read it, but at the same time I’m afraid I’m not going to like it. It seems like a very romance-heavy fantasy which is very much a hit or miss for me. I’m still going to read it because so many people love it so much.
Apparently I’m only going to be reading female authors in the future. That was a complete coincidence, but I’m looking forward to trying these authors out. Are these some of your favorite authors or are they also someone who want to read from?
“It was midday and the passageway quiet and cool.”
First line in Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
Hi, guys and welcome to another WWW Wednesday. It’s a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words, and it’s meant to give you all a little insight into my reading this week. I’ll answer the 3 questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish?
What do you think you’ll read next?
What did you recently finish?
Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner which is book 5 in The Queen’s Thief series. It’s also the last published book in the series which means that I’m finally caught up. I loved the book so much however! I meant to take my time with it but it completely took over my entire Sunday. I read it as an ebook and the last 60% was just over in a flash. So now I wait for the sixth and final book in the series.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading two books as usual. My commute book is still The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden, which I started last week. I have about 110 pages left. My feelings about it haven’t changed – I still can’t get enough of it. Everyday I’m hoping my 45 minute bus ride will be longer because I just want to keep reading. Yes, I’m actually wishing for more time on public transportation. That’s how much I love it.
Just last night I started You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman, so I’m only a single chapter into that. The first impression isn’t that great though. That first chapter felt incredibly rushed. I feel like I’ve already been introduced to every single character and all the plot points – both big and small. I didn’t have time to grab onto any of it, but that can change of course so crossing my fingers.
What do you think you’ll read next?
As soon as I finish The Girl in the Tower, I’m going to pick up the final book in the trilogy The Winter of the Witch (see me being good and finishing series). I’ve already picked it up from the library so it’s for sure happening.
How is your week going? Also, let me know if you’ve read The Winternight Trilogy and what you thought of it.
First line in The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen
It’s Tuesday!! I haven’t done a Top 5 or Top Ten Tuesday for a couple of weeks now, but today I’m getting back on the horse. The topic for Top 5 Tuesday this week is actually perfect: top 5 books on my TBR I’m most excited to read. I mean, have you seen how many potentially great books that are released today? If you haven’t, don’t worry. I’m going to feature some of them on this list.
First I of course have to give a shout out to Shanah from Bionic Book Worm for hosting this meme and for coming up with these great topics. Head over to her blog and check out the rest of the topics for November.
Let’s talk about books. Here are 5 books I’m dying to read.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
I finished The Way of Kings a little over a week ago, and since then I’ve been constantly checking my library app to see when I get to read this second book in The Stormlight Archive. I want more of this world!
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
I expect to see this particular book on many lists today because who hasn’t been dying to read this? And it’s one the books that’s out today! I read Thunderhead in June but I still feel like I’ve been waiting for this for forever because of that ending. I need The Toll now.
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
Another book that is out today! I still can’t believe we’re getting an entire trilogy about my two favorite characters from The Raven Cycle, Ronan and Adam. However, I think that what I look forward to the most is to enjoy Stiefvater’s writing style again. It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s absolutely perfect.
The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith
An adult fantasy series about a library and characters escaping from their books? Seems like Hackwith knows exactly how to get my attention. It’s a pretty new release, but the reviews I’ve seen so far are all great, so I need to get my hands on this one soon.
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
I’ve only read one book from Sepetys before (Salt to the Sea) and I really loved it. I’m even more excited about this one because of the setting. It takes place in Madrid in 1957. So many historical fiction novels take place during World War II, so I’m always way more excited about the books that will show me some other part of history.
I’m hoping to read these books very, very soon and I’m expecting to love them. Tell me about some of the books you just can’t wait to read.
“Jarred stood unnoticed in the crowd thronging the great hall of the palace.”
First line in The Forests of Silence by Emily Rodda
Hi, guys and welcome to another WWW Wednesday. It’s a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words, and it’s meant to give you all a little insight into my reading this week. I’ll answer the 3 questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish?
What do you think you’ll read next?
What are you currently reading?
2 books (techically 3 when I’m writing this). This weekend I started Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner, which is book 5 in The Queen’s Thief series. It is one of my favorite series ever, and this is the last book that is currently out. Even though we’re following a new character, I only had to read from his POV for 5 minutes before I was in love with him. In other words, I’m enjoying myself.
The second book I’m currently reading is The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden, which is book 2 in the Winternight trilogy. I’m 50 pages in but I’m already feeling the cold. Like literally, it’s freezing here in Denmark.
Technically, I’m still reading The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O’Neill, but I only have 25 pages left and should finish that today.
What did you recently finish?
I actually finished The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson after I’ve been reading that since August. And then I actually finished it a week earlier that I planned to simply because I couldn’t stop myself. It was so good! Amazing fantasy and I need more.
What do you think you’ll read next?
Honestly, I don’t have a clue. I just started two new books so it will be at least a week before I pick up something new again. I think I might just go down to the library this weekend and see what’s available. Maybe the last book in the Winternight Trilogy to tick that series off my list.
Hi, guys and welcome to my first post for the weekly meme Let’s Talk Bookish, which is hosted by Rukky over at Eternity Books. Each week we get a different bookish topic to discuss, which is always great and educational. I’ve been reading her posts for this meme for a while and so I finally decided to take part. This week’s topic is tropes/characters that I think are poorly or under represented in books. I think these things are very genre-specific so I’ll stick to my favorite genre, fantasy. It will also mostly be relating to tropes and characters I miss in YA although it can apply to adult fantasy, too. I will also say that I haven’t read every single fantasy book ever (unfortunately), so these might appear in books I just haven’t read. However, since I haven’t come across them, I will still say they are underrepresented.
The introverted, socially anxious girl who
isn’t good in a fight
It isn’t
completely odd to see this type of character in books but most often they appear
as side characters. This type of girl is never the main character in fantasy.
She pops up more often in contemporaries, and I love reading those. I would
really like to see her more in fantasy basically because I would love to
identify with female fantasy characters more. Don’t get me wrong, those
kick-ass, well-spoken women are great, and they definitely also need to be
there. They serve a very empowering purpose for other women which is what we’ve
been craving for a long time.
Now,
they’re just everywhere and I think there’s a need to show some more flawed
women in fantasy or at least women with some other qualities and assets. Specifically,
the introvert who’s not physically strong but has other attributes. She could
be highly intelligent and/or empathetic. There are many options, so dear authors,
please include this character type some more. I know it can be difficult to
incorporate this character into an action-packed fantasy story but I believe it
can be done.
Sports in fantasy worlds
We all know about Quidditch, but I when I was thinking about making this list, I couldn’t recall any other sport from a fantasy world. So many parts of fantasy worlds are copied from our own world so why are sports not more common? The only thing that really come close are those deadly competitions where people gather to watch someone die. Those appear quite often in fantasy. I was thinking of a slightly less violent version of that which of course would incorporate whatever magic the world has. Like Quidditch.
Only one point of view
I’m not
sure if this is considered a trope but I wanted to include it anyway. In
fantasy, it’s become more and more popular to have several POV characters in
books. Please stop that. There will always be a character I like more than the
others, so I’m bored or annoyed when I have to read chapters from the other
POVs. It doesn’t mean I hate the book, but it would be nice to just once in a
while read a fantasy book with only one point of view. Especially in YA. A YA
book doesn’t need so many main characters because they don’t need to be that
complex in terms of characters. Remember Harry Potter? The Hunger Games? Only
one POV character, and those books are still considered some of the best YA
books ever. It can be done.
I’ve also
noticed that many authors use dual perspective – a girl and a boy. I think it’s
very clever to include different genders to get different perspectives. If it
wasn’t because they ALWAYS fall in love, I would love it. Another advantage of
a single POV there. At least it would be a little bit more of a surprise who
the love interest is (because you know he/she is going to exist).
Do you miss these tropes and characters as well or are there others you wish authors would include more? Let me know in the comments.
“Waxillium Ladrian, lawman for hire, swung off his horse and turned to face the saloon.”
First line in Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
Hi guys and welcome to my wrap up of the most pitiful reading month I’ve had in years. I finished… 3 books. 3!?!? I even had a TBR for this month because I wanted to read all the sequels for Sequel September. I only read 2.
However, I’ve also been reading 3 others books this month that I just wasn’t able to finish. Those include The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (reread). I will definitely finish the last two of those very soon.
My personal life has partly been what kept me from reading very much this month. I took a big step and started seeing a therapist for my social anxiety, which I probably should have done 10 years ago. I hope it will end up making my life just a little bit easier but we’ll see. So far, so good. Enough of that. Let me tell you about those infamous 3 books I read this month.
Shadows of Self(Book 5
in Mistborn)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Synopsis:Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the
economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a
growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.
This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance
of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict.
Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the
conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous installment in the series, The Alloy of Law. It felt more like Mistborn. Like we actually came back to the world we spent the first three books in. The plot was amazing and detailed. I kept guessing what the ending would be but I didn’t get it right of course. As usual, Sanderson threw in a plot twist that made me question my own sanity but that’s how it’s supposed to be. I still don’t care to much for the western and detective-solving-a-crime vibes from it. I still love Wayne dearly, but I hate how he’s being reduced to a comic relief. There’s really not much of a point to his character.
The Stone Sky (Book 3 in The Broken Earth)
Author: N. K. Jemisin
Genre: Fantasy
My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Synopsis:This is
the way the world ends… for the last time.
The Moon will soon return. Whether this heralds the destruction of humankind or
something worse will depend on two women.
Essun has inherited the power of Alabaster Tenring. With it, she hopes to find
her daughter Nassun and forge a world in which every orogene child can grow up
safe.
For Nassun, her mother’s mastery of the Obelisk Gate comes too late. She has
seen the evil of the world, and accepted what her mother will not admit: that
sometimes what is corrupt cannot be cleansed, only destroyed.
This final book in the trilogy is probably my favorite one. I definitely liked it a lot more than book 2 which just seemed like a filler book to me. In The Stone Sky, I really liked how it all came together although the ending itself was a little underwhelming. The lead-up to it was great. I think my favorite part of the book was seeing Essun’s complete character arc. How she has developed through her life really made me feel something. I’m still not a fan of the writing style but the story and especially its modern themes has kept me reading. It’s honestly magnificent how Jemisin has incorporated these themes of racism and love of nature into a fantasy story.
Timekeeper (Book 1 in Timekeeper)
Author: Tara Sim
Genre: YA fantasy/steampunk
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars!!!
Synopsis:Two o’clock was missing.
In an alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, a damaged clock can fracture time – and a destroyed one can stop it completely.
It’s a truth that 17-year-old clock mechanic Danny Hart knows all too well; his father has been trapped in a Stopped town east of London for three years. Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors. And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems.
Danny’s new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: He is the tower’s clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield’s time. Though the boys are drawn together by their loneliness, Danny knows falling in love with a clock spirit is forbidden and means risking everything he’s fought to achieve.
But when a series of bombings at nearby towers threaten to Stop more cities, Danny must race to prevent Enfield from becoming the next target, or he’ll lose not only his father but the boy he loves – forever.
Timekeeper was such a surprisingly good read for me. It’s has a very sweet romance and the plot revolves around a very cool concept about clocktowers. It felt very unique to me which I really appreciated. When reading YA I often get the feeling that I’ve read the story before but not this time. Also, even though it had a bit of a slow start, the ending was magnificent. I was so enthralled that I couldn’t put the book down. If you want to know more of my thoughts on Timekeeper, I have a full review for it right here.
That was it
for my reading in September. It can only get better from here lol. Maybe this
was proof that I should never make a TBR again. I felt so limited and because I
use my library so much, it also felt kind of stressful. I learned a lot but I’m
not doing that again so hopefully you won’t miss it.
I hope you had a great reading month. What was your favorite book of the month? Also, what is your experiences with TBRs? Let me know what you think of them.
“It was a sad moment in Magnus Bane’s life when he was banned from Peru by the High Council of Peruvian warlocks.”
First line in The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
Hi guys and welcome to my post Top 5 Tuesday which is hosted by Shannah from the Bionic Book Worm. I couldn’t not do this week’s topic because the funny characters are often my favorite ones.
I’ve found 5 characters that always crack me up. For each character, I’ve added a quote from them so you can experience the comedy for yourself.
Wayne from Mistborn: The Alloy Era
“I need you to stay behind as we go into those slums,” Wayne said, determined to impress solemnity into his voice. “It’s not that I don’t want your help. I do. It’s just going to be too dangerous for you. You need to stay where I know you’re safe. No arguments. I’m sorry.” “Wayne,” Wax said, walking past. “Stop talking to your hat and get over here.”
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
Magnus Bane from The Shadowhunter Chronicles
Malachi scowled. “I don’t remember the Clave inviting you into the Glass City, Magnus Bane.” “They didn’t,” Magnus said. “Your wards are down.” “Really?” the Consul’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I hadn’t noticed.” Magnus looked concerned. “That’s terrible. Someone should have told you.” He glanced at Luke. “Tell him the wards are down.”
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Eugenides from The Queen’s Thief
“They’re going to leave me. All I wanted to do was lie in the dry prickly grass with my feet in a ditch forever. I could be a convenient sort of milemarker, I thought. Get to the thief and you know you are halfway to Methana. Where ever Methana might be.”
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Nikolai from The Grisha Verse
I took a breath. “Your highness—” “Nikolai,” he corrected. “But I’ve also been known to answer to ‘sweetheart’ or ‘handsome.”
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Locke Lamora from Gentleman Bastard
“I thought you specialised in dishonest finesse?” “I also do a brisk trade in putting knives to peoples’ throats and shouting at them,” said Locke
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
This was fun to do but I’m sure that I’ve forgotten about some characters. Who makes you laugh when reading about them?
