Beat the Backlist Update: October

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I am loving this challenge so much. It was my first ever challenge I signed up for and I am so glad I did. I will be looking out for the 2019 one!

So here is my October update!

Books read

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Stats!

Total read for October = 2

Total read for September = 2

Total read for August = 5

Total read for July = 6

Total read for June = 0

Total read for May = 2

Total read for April = 7

Total read for March = 6

Total read February = 4

Total read January = 5

DNF = 6

Overall Total Read = 45

Start Point = 48

Left to read = 3

I’ve added all my links to the form for October 😁

Books I have left to read:

LUNAR CHRONICLES BY MARISSA MEYER (3 BOOKS)

Remember November Reading Challenge!

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Grazing through posts and I read this, it really made me think…….

‘Remember all those challenges you started throughout the year?
Those lists of books you were going to read, prompts you were going to tick off, goals you were going to reach?’
Well Kathy at Books and Munchies is right. It’s nearly the end of the year. Am I going to meet what I set myself?
Remember November – to remembering and catching up on all those challenges, goals and reading lists! Time to take matters into our own hands again!
Rules
◊ Post a blogpost saying you’ll be joining me trying to reach all those goals and challenges we committed ourselves to throughout the year.

◊ Share your list of challenges, goals and whatnot and state what you’re going to try and reach / tick off during this month’s read-a-thon.

I didn’t really do lots of year long challenges but I did do the Goodreads Challenge and Beat the Blacklist.

I’m not too worried about my Goodreads, I’ve upped my total twice now so it will be what it is at the end of the year.

Beat the Backlist – I set myself a goal of 48 books and I’ve done pretty well by already reading 45. I am so close so this is just what I need to get my bum in gear!
The 3 books are The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer so I dedicate my November to them!

Are you joining in?

Are you close with your goals?

Review: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

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So this ticked a couple of things off my book bucket list!

  • Spooky read close to Halloween ✔
  • Read a middle grade book ✔

And I loved it. And I want more!!!

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

I loved the Monsters of Verity, I haven’t read a middle grade book before and the blurb grabbed me (and it’s nearly Halloween!)

Ghosts, ghouls and spectres…..and Cassidy ‘A little special. A little strange. Not quite alive but definitely not dead’. And she has a sidekick. A best friend. Jacob. Who isn’t alive.

I can’t tell you how much I loved this read. I flew through it! It was spooky and filled with facts that pulled me in and made me want to look up the actual history, I don’t think a book has ever made me want that! And was that may be a hint of more adventures to come?

Review: Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox

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Continuing my spooky reads and reviews we have The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox.

This was a complete bargain. I got the ebook for 99p, what a steal! And I loved it, but I was a bit scared! Read my review to see why!!!

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

So I don’t read scary books, I’m a scardey-cat by heart, but this book called to me in all it’s 1800’s charm…and it is Halloween soon!

I read with bated breath waiting to find out what the scandal was (and it was a jaw dropper!), if there would be another scandal (I clearly like the oldey world drama!), who would be the witch and who would get the man.

Then I read this, at 11pm and nearly soiled my undies (remember scardey-cat!) ‘You attract them. Some mean you harm. Prepare for what lies ahead.’ OMG! Too much for my innocent brain!!!!!

I cannot believe this is the authors debut novel, it’s a corker. I was hanging off every word (even though I was worrying if I would sleep and I did have some funny dreams about my 8 year old loosing my bus pass, that I don’t even own, and having to get off the bus and walk home!)

But seriously people, this is a fabulous read, especially around Halloween!

Review: Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

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The start of my spooky reads!!!!

I heard so much about this book that I wanted to love it. I liked it, but didn’t love it though…….

You’ll have to excuse my posts over the next few weeks, my laptop died so am trying to post from my phone…and it’s just not the same!!!

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THE ISLAND of Sawkill Rock……

And this is how it started. *hides under duvet a bit*

I read the first few chapters and was asking myself what the heck was going on? There was weirdness at work….and I couldn’t wait for it to unravel!
I think this was meant to be horror but it didnt feel like that to me. It was dark, it was odd and it was weird and that, I loved!
There were parts from The Rocks mind (read and you’ll see!) It really added to it! I liked the girls of the story, so much empowerment and they were on point.
Saying all this I wasn’t totally immersed, I just feel it lost some of the early the magic that held me. And I’m terrified of moths. I know thats just totally my fear though!

Review: The Society by KA Linde

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I was so excited to get the chance to read an advance copy of The Society (Ascension Series #4) by K.A. Linde.

I binge read the 1st 3 books in the series (The Affiliate/The Bound/The Consort) a while ago and needed this, yes, needed!!!

Read the blurb and purchase Here.

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

So this book was a whopper. 602 pages. I don’t know whether that excites me or terrifies me! I guess the measure of this is my enjoyment…….

I binge read the first 3 books in the series as I couldn’t get enough and couldn’t wait to see what would happen with Cyrene.

Cyrene needs to save her world and her friend, Avoca….

There are twists and turns (the twist nearly finished me off!), the same great world building as the other books….and dragons, yes dragons!!!!

So to address my first point in this review, I loved it! And more news….there is another book!

Series Review (and my utter joy!): Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

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We all have lives, busy lives. The school runs, the traffic, the hustle at work, shopping, extra curricular kids activities, the washing, the housework and battling to get your son dressed before school (or is that just me?!), so you need a bit of relaxing time.

You pick up a book that you have had for a while on your shelf.

And then you experience the utter joy and happiness of reading a series that makes you actually sing with joy. Being emersed in another world, with other worldly characters who are just so amazing you have no idea where the words came from inside the author.

This is what this series is for me.

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas.

I joined the readalong on the Facebook Sarah J Maas page, not only to join in but to spur me on to read some of my tbr. I am so glad I did!

This series bought me back my love of reading in a time when I thought it was taking a nose dive and I might need to step back from the book world a bit. So for this, Sarah J Maas, I thank you. More than thanks, my utter, humble gratitude comes your way in spades.

I’ve rambled on and on here but I needed to get it out, therapy if you will! Here are my reviews, maybe a little disjointed as I couldn’t wait to pick up the next book and dive in!

Throne of Glass review

Crown of Midnight review

Heir of Fire review

Queen of Shadows review

Empire of Storms review

Tower of Dawn review

Now the wait for Kingdom of Ash……

Review: Wildcard by Marie Lu

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I absolutely LOVED Warcross so was desperate to find out what happened next and how it all ended.

I think when I finished that I realized that Warcross was my favourite out of the duet but still agree that this is a must read.  Does anyone else agree?

 

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

4 ‘every problem has a solution’ stars!

I thought I’d write some bits as I went along…..

I’m 47% in and my mouth is agape. Never in a million years did I think this was all going to happen!

So far the story line has taken a different tack for Em…..she is now the follower and not the leader. It was an interesting change, and I like it!

My allegiances have been flying backwards and towards I must admit!

And Hideo, I love a bit of romance and this line really stuck with me
‘For a girl that you claim you don’t care about, that little wild card sure has a grip on you.’

60% if my mouth could hang open more I’d be surprised. Plus my eyes are popping out my head!

Oh jeez that last 20% was action packed. I couldn’t get enough!

So to sum up, action packed, some shockers and a great read!

And a sidenote. I love Jax.