I do love a tag and saw this one on Kristin Kraves Books so thought I’d give it a go!

By the Book Tag

What book is on your nightstand now?

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare as I want to read it this month!

What was the last truly great book you read?

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber – absolutely loved the arc I read!

If you could meet any writer — alive or dead — who would it be? And what would you want to know?

Jay Kristoff and I’d ask just how many ponies he is owed!!!! Sorry, insider joke! If you know, you know!!!

What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?

I own quite a few middle grade reads like Nevermoor, Victoria Scwabs series, Percy Jackson and follow up series and also Harry Potter (normal editions and House editions!

How do you organize your personal library?

Personal library, now that’s posh! I organise my books by author in my shelves.

What book have you always meant to read and not got round to yet? Any you feel embarrassed about not having read yet?

So many!!!! None really spring to mind and can’t say I’m embarrassed about not having read any yet!

Disappointing, overrated, just not good: what book did you feel like you were supposed to like but didn’t? Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?

Probably a genre more than a book. Dark academia. The Last Graduate and Ninth House were both DNF for me sadly which has made me think that genre is not for me.

What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you steer clear of?

I always try and steer clear of love triangles. I despise them! It makes me feel angst and anger like nothing else!!!

If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?

I’m English so does that mean the prime minister or the Queen for me? I have answers for both! The Prime Minister – Skyward by Brandon Sanderson and the Queen, Harry Potter!

What do you plan to read next?

Well. I’m now a ridic mood reader who is in a bit of a slump so I don’t really know. I know, what a cop out!!!!

I fell into the rabbit hole of the gloriousness that is the Horde Kings of Dakkar……it was just what I needed and ate up 3 books in 2 days!

I won’t write the blurbs out here but basically there are human settlements on the world of Dakkar and there are certain laws the humans need to adhere to as to not provoke the wrath of the alien race that owns the planet, the Dakkari. The laws are policed by 6 Horde Kings who are nomadic and when a misdemeanor happens, the Horde Kings get more than they bargained for!

Captive of the Horde King

I went into this one because I had read so much ya fantasy recently that I needed, well, more and what’s more perfect than an alien warrior Prince claiming his human queen?

I actually really enjoyed it, I read it in a few hours! It totally reminded me of a few concepts from other books mashed together but it really worked and it was actually quite sweet!

The other guy at the end really intrigued me so I might get the next book too!

‘Rinavi leika, rei Morakkari. Lo kassiri tei. Lo kassiri tei.’ 

Claimed by the Horde King

‘She broke their laws. Now, he has come to punish her…’

I couldn’t resist, I had to read this one after that tantalising snippet at the end of book 1. I think I liked this story more than the first!

I don’t really want to spoil anything so I’ll only say about the plot that it’s another Horde King and another human female….and I loved her and her questions!

‘This is you and me, Nelle.’

But the author did it again.  A tantalising snippet about the guy from the next book. And I cannot deny I need to read it. And I’m going to read it now!

Madness of the Horde King

Honestly I can’t stop reading this series, 3 books in 2 days!

I think this was my fave though, I mean I do love a dark leading man!

Vienne comes to the Capital to deliver a message from an enemy and unexpectedly meets someone in a dark alley, but it may turn out to be the best thing she has ever done!

The Mad King was divine and, of course, has a tragic past but Vienne is good for him and it was just beautiful to read!

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Theme = Books I Read In One Sitting (or would have if I had the time)

If only I had the time to list all of these that sprang to mind, it would’ve been a very long list!

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Moti on the Water by Leylah Attar

With Everything I Am by Kristen Ashley

Bound by Honour by Cora Reilly

War by Laura Thalassa

I Dare You by Shantal Tessier

Title: Jade City

Series: The Green Bone Saga #1

Author: Fonda Lee

JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and kungfu.

The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It’s the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.
The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion–but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.
When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.

An audio listen because I had fomo!

Read the blurb to get the general jist of the storyline but basically we follow the Kaul family that uses jade as a source of power.

It was a story about honour, loyalty, corruption and family which certainly does not shy away from the violence and vileness of the their world.

There was so much character development I felt like I actually knew them! Shea was definitely my fave along with Wen who I hope plays a bigger part in the next book.

I also loved the world that the author gave us which again made me feel like I was there, especially loved the old tales.

This book was quite slow and detailed to begin with and then the action really heats up! In reality it’s something I would never have probably listened to but I am so glad I did!

I wanted to do a tag so perused WordPress for something I’d like and found this on Literary Elephant

Lets dive in!

Last Book I Bought

Untethered by Kaylynn Flanders

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Last Book I Reread

I haven’t reread a book in ages but I this was the last book I reread

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Last Book I Gave Up On

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Just wasn’t for me.

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Last Book I Said I Read But Didn’t
Not really sure I have done this. I dnf books but I don’t sat I have read if I haven’t!

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Last Book I Wrote in the Margins Of
I cant remember ever doing this! Isn’t that sacrilege?!

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Last Book I Had Signed

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

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Last Book I Lost
I only recently discovered I couldn’t find my special signed edition of A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy and I have no idea where it is.

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Last Book I Had to Replace
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend as I tipped coffee on it!

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Last Book I Argued Over
I don’t think I’ve argued over a book!

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Last Book You Couldn’t Find
I have my Harry Potter books scattered everywhere, originals and House Editions and I always have trouble remembering where I put them…so these are the books I always can’t find!

Title: The Bane Chronicles

Author: Cassandra Clare

Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

A collection of stories of my fave character, Magnus Bane! Sign me up!

Firstly, the illustrations! I wasn’t expecting those! They were fab!

From Peru, to Edmund Herondale to Will Herondale to James Herondale to baby Clary and then to Alec!

As a Will Herondale fan I absolutely loved reading about his Dad and how he met his Mum and then his son!

It was so lovely seeing old names I recognise and the tid bits of their lives!

A nice little collection!

I did a post the other day about the books I’d hauled in May 2020 and if I’d read. That post really spurred me on as I’d read 3 out of the 4 books so thought I’d now look at my haul from June 2020 to see if I’ve read!

Dream Maker by Kristen Ashley – READ

Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman – READ

(Sorry no pic as WordPress hates me!)

Jokes on You by Lani Lynn Vale – READ

Incendiary by Zoraidya Cordova – DNF

I’m so happy! Effectively I have picked up all of these and read! I’m so happy!!!

Do you do these types of posts?

Let me just say first that I wasn’t totally strict with myself, I did go on social media but I didn’t spend half as much time as I normally do doom scrolling and grabbed a book instead!

I first thought I’d read some books off my tbr for this readathon but then I decided to use this weekend to read those ‘in-between’ stories of series!

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare

Oh how I loved getting back to these characters!

My reviews are coming soon but all in all this has been a positive reading weekend and made me fall in love with reading all over again!

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Here I am with another tag! I’m really enjoying doing these at the mo so hope it’s not too boring for you all!

Never Have I Ever Book Tag 

I saw this on Reading in the Wings and it was created by Madam Writer

Rules

1. Link back to the original creator! (Madame Writer)

2. Link back to the person who tagged you!

3. Answer all prompts.

4. Add one more prompt of your own.

5. Tag at least five people.

6. Don’t lie.

7. Have fun!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… READ A LATER BOOK IN A SERIES BEFORE READING THE FIRST BOOK.

In 2012 I was a big indie romance reader and I remember a couple of times when I did this….but can’t remember what series it was!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… BURNED A BOOK.

OMG NO! Why would you do that?

NEVER HAVE I EVER… READ A BOOK I KNEW I WOULD HATE.

I don’t think so. I probably wouldn’t buy a book I knew I wouldn’t like……but I don’t think there would be many that I knew I wouldn’t like until I read it….does that make sense?!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… WROTE A FANFICTION ABOUT MY FAVORITE BOOKS.

I’ve never written fan-fic, or read any! Maybe I need to broaden my horizons!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… LOVED A BOOK WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND HATED IT WHEN I GOT OLDER.

I can’t really say hated, but 50 Shades didn’t have that same appeal for me that it did when it came out when I did a reread. Probably the same with Twilight but I haven’t reread that in years!

NEVER HAVE I EVER…DRESSED UP AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTERS.

Nope I haven’t done this. I’m not really that sort of person (I’m boring!) but love looking at pics of people that do!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… HATED A BOOK BY AN AUTHOR I LOVE.

I have! One of my fave romance authors released a book about BDSM and even though I hate that trope, I thought I’d give it a go…..but I hated it!!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… GONE INTO A BOOKSTORE TO BUY ONE BOOK AND COME OUT WITH MANY MORE.

Hahaaaaahaaaaaa! Yes. Many, many times!!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… READ THE END OF A BOOK BEFORE READING THE BEGINNING.

I don’t think so…..why would you do this, it would spoil it!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… READ A BOOK WITHOUT THE DUST COVER.

I do this all the time to protect the sleeves as I had an unfortunate ripping accident once. I still can’t talk about it now!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… SKIM-READ NEARLY HALF THE BOOK.

I am so GUILTY. I hate to DNF a book and sometimes I do the quick skim to see what happens!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… PRETENDED TO HAVE READ A BOOK I HAVEN’T READ.

I don’t think so. My memory is rubbish so sometimes I may think I have and maybe haven’t though!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… HAD A BOOK BOYFRIEND.

Oh jeez, I’ve had LOADS!!!!!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… PICKED UP A BOOK BASED ON THE COVER ALONE.

I’m a cover lover, so I am guilty of this! Threadneedle is my latest proof of this!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… BOUGHT MULTIPLE BOOKS IN A SERIES WITHOUT HAVING STARTED IT.

Always. Much to my tbr’s disgust!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… READ A BOOK SO QUICKLY THAT I DON’T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED BY THE END.

Paahahaa I don’t think so! My ordered brain probably wouldn’t let this happen!

NEVER HAVE I EVER… RECOMMENDED A BOOK WITHOUT READING IT FIRST.

This is a no. I maybe would say I’d heard x book was good but I’d say I hadn’t read yet.

My Question:

NEVER HAVE I EVER….NOT BOUGHT A BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS TOO BIG.

My answer – big books intimidate me so I have to really want to read it if it’s huge!

I know the rules say to tag 5 people but I’m not! Please join in if you like this!