December TBR | 2015

December is upon us, and with December comes the Christmas season as well as the conclusion to the year. The less logical part of me desires to read as many books as possible in order to end this years reading on a high note, but the more logical part of me knows that this month is going to be busy ... and this TBR might not happen. I am carrying over two and a half books from my November TBR that I did not complete. The first being "The Assassin's Blade" by Sarah J. Maas, a Throne of Glass Novella. I am currently about half way through this one. Then "Queen of Shadows" by Sarah J. Maas, fourth book in the Throne of Glass series. This will bring me up to date on the Throne of Glass series. Book five will be released in 2016. The other book that I am carrying over from last month is "Golden Son" by Pierce Brown, book two in the Red Rising trilogy. The third book is being published in February of 2016 so I want to read this one so that I can jump into the third one. Then the next three are maybes for this month. I want to start a few new series and trilogies by some new authors that I have never read before. "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor, "Shadow and Bone" by Leigh Bardugo, and "The Final Empire" by Brandon Sanderson. All authors that I have desired to try.

November Wrap Up | 2015

The month of November was certainty a disappointing month of reading. Of the seven books that I had on my November TBR only four of those books were read, and a attempt was made on a fifth but as I'm only currently about half way through it at the time I won't be able to finish it in time for it to be featured here in this months wrap up. The two and a half books will be carried over into December's TBR.

It may of been a slow reading month, but all of the books that I did read were excellent.

5 star rated books - Favorite books read in November
"Crown of Midnight" by Sarah J. Maas - Book review for "Crown of Midnight"
"Heir of Fire" by Sarah J. Maas - Book review for "Heir of Fire"

4 to 5 star rated books -
"The Isle of Blood" by Rick Yancey - Book review for "The Isle of Blood"
"The Finale Descent" by Rick Yancey - Book review for "The Finale Descent"

Writing Book Reviews For A Book Series

There has been a issue during this month. This month was my month of conquering book series. How does one write a book review on a book that is a part of a series, without spoiling the said book for someone? You can't, not really. Not in the in depth fashion that you can with a stand alone or with the first book in a series or trilogy. One of my biggest pet peeves in the world of reading is when someone includes spoilers in a Goodreads reading status, or in a book review. I will not be one of those people. Those people deserve to be hung up by their toes over shark infested waters, that'll teach them! So, sadly my book reviews have suffered during this past month as a result of this. Bear with me.

Black Friday Shopping

How many people were brave enough to face the black Friday shoppers?

How many people chose to instead stay dressed in their pajamas all day and browse the specials online in the comfort of their own home?

*Shows hand*

I didn't really have any plans for shopping, but it has been quite a while since I have placed any book orders, and there were some black Friday sales happening today ...

Book Depository didn't have any deals that I was interested in but I did purchase one paperback book through them. Free shipping and I preferred the UK version over the American one.
Barnes and Noble had a few deals today, but the only one that I ended up using was the 30% off one item. I purchased five paperbacks through them.
Book Outlet has 30% off their entire website and I managed to find three books through them.

All books are by new authors that I have never read but am eager to try.

"Heir of Fire" by Sarah J. Maas

Book three in the "Throne of Glass" series.

I am unsure why this book took me so long to read, it certainty shouldn't be a reflection on the book itself. This one was actually the better one in the series out of the three that I have currently read. More magical elements, more characters being introduced into the story, and we are even shown some of Calaena's childhood which I thought was immensely interesting.

My Rating: 5 Stars

A Monster Calls Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2016) - Liam Neeson Movie HD

I didn't realize that "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness was being adapted into a movie

Snow Day

Iowans are now officially in the midst of winter. With Thanksgiving not even yet upon us we are currently under a winter storm warning, nine to twelve inches of snow in the forecast (we just happen to be in the path of the heaviest band of snow), several inches already on the ground and still more falling. It will continue to snow through the night and into Saturday. It started to snow earlier this afternoon while I was on my lunch break at work. I watched in wonder as the very fine snowflakes begin to drift downwards, melting soon after touching the ground. By the time that I got off of my work shift and prepared to head home those very fine snowflakes had developed into the large, soft, and lazy snowflakes that seem to just float downwards before coming to rest on the nearest surface with a gentle caress and a soft whisper of a sigh. The green grass from earlier today was no more, instead a clean blanket of white had been draped over it. After the somewhat nerve wrecking trek home I was able to just relax and enjoy it for what it is. I have the entire weekend off with no need to leave my house tomorrow, and other then the shoveling that will be happening tomorrow, no responsibilities. And there is something magical about that first snowfall. The dramatic transformation, the quiet and stillness surrounding it all, the fresh and crisp air, the soft crunch of snow beneath your shoes, and the soft snowflakes settling all around you as they lazily drift downwards. Snow days also seem to get my creativeness flowing. Whether that just involves reading books, or something more along the lines of drawing, painting, or crocheting. Winter is a time to enjoy the simple things. Home comforts, or just the activity of playing in the snow with ones dogs (which they loved by the way, but I wonder how they will feel about it in three or more months from now?).

Snow days aren't always bad.