Happy New Years from Stacks!!!
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Kate’s Top 5 of 2018
Beth has already given her list, so it’s time for me to do mine. I probably finished enough books this year to justify a Top Ten but Beth made me a graphic and I want to use it! Also, some of my favorites overlap with Beth! I feel like I don’t usually get to books when they first come out, so its been a wild and crazy year!
- Dread Nation By Justina Ireland
I liked this book so much, I read it twice. Well, read it once and then listened to the audiobook (read by Bahni Turpin) with my Mom while we prepared for Christmas. In this alternative history, Jane McKeene, a black woman, is born two days before the dead walk at Gettysburg. I was interested in the politics presented in this book and also in the zombies. Oh, and the romance. There are some book boyfriends in this, oh my yes.
2. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
It took me forever to finish this book, I parceled it out because I didn’t want it to end. The magic in this story was so interesting, I wanted to know more about each of the different types of magic. The world Adeyemi weaves in this novel is complex and lush and I’m so looking forward to the next book.
3.When Dimple Met Rishihi by Sandhya Menon
This novel was just so sweet. I loved it so much. In it, Dimple is excited to go to a summer program that, if she wins, means she’ll get to meet her hero. She doesn’t know that her parents have agreed to let her go because they’re trying to arrange her marriage with the son of a family friend who just happens to also be in the same summer program. I loved both Dimple and Rishi. I loved Rishi’s brother. This is such a heartwarming romance.
Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish herself reads the audiobook of Last Black Unicorn, which is a collection of autobiographical essays. It was funny, it was heartbreaking. I loved this and now I’m obsessed with Tiffany Haddish and seeing all of her movies.
Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Ah, the vampire tale that launched the re-reading a bunch of other vampire tales for me. There was a lot to like in this book. I liked the relationships. I liked Tana’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend Aiden and her budding relationship with vampire Gabriel. I liked her relationship with her sister. I also enjoyed the vampire mythology. This is the second book on this list that I read twice this year. I really liked it.
Honorable Mentions
The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Winn Heider: I loved Fovea, the talking heads, and her budding friendship with a boy at school! This was such a fun middle grade read! But, I also know the author so it feels weird putting it in the top five.
Tikka Chance on Me by Suleikha Snyder. You shouldn’t choose a book by its cover, but as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this. Pinky Grover moved home (and dropped out of grad school. I always have time for books about grad students) to help her parents while her Mom was sick. She’s working on her parents Indian restaurant and lusting after Trucker Carrigan, member of a local biker gang who happens to eat a lot of Indian food. This book was so cute. It was just a fun, totally hot romance. This is the first thing I’ve read by Suleikha Snyder and I already started another book by her.
2. Bellamy and the Brute by Alicia Michaels. this was only a 3 star for me, but I loved Bellamy, she is such a kickass character. She was just so hardworking and thoughtful. I wanted her to succeed. So, this wasn’t the best thing I read this year, but I am looking forward to reading more about this character and by Alicia Michaels.
3. Head on by John Scalzi: This was on impulse pick that I grabbed walking through the library’s “No Holds! No Renewals! Get it if you can!” shelves. I love the author’s twitter presence, and this is the first book of his I’ve read. The premise was engaging, the world he’s built is interesting, and based on this I so need to read more set in this world.
Quick Review: The Storyteller by Traci Chee
Where to begin? The Reader trilogy is so well done. It really took you on a journey. From Sefia being just a girl on the run to a powerful sorcerer. Archer being a scared killer to a leader. They all have come a long way. The central theme is do we control our own fate or is it already determined. I won’t say how what the answer is because it’s a huge spoiler but maybe the biggest take away is whatever your fate is it’s irrelevant. It’s what you do and the impact you have on people that is more important. You touch so many people that you don’t know and probably will never know the impact. It was a harsh lesson for Sefia and Archer as they struggle with their own self doubt and the knowledge of what they had to do to accomplish what has to be done. Captain Reed has traveled the seas to ensure that his legacy will live on and so then would live on. Tanin who is willing to destroy the world to figure out why her two best friends would leave her and all they fought for behind. It was amazing series and I know this write up doesn’t do it justice but I don’t want give to much away. Go read it. It will be an unforgettable experience.
What I’m Reading Now: Queen of Air and Darkness
The latest chapter in the Shadowhunters chronicles. How will the shadowhunters save this world and what messes will they create for future shadowhunters?
Merry Christmas From Stacks Exceed Life Expectancy!
We hope that if you are celebrating today that you have a lovely day. Heck, we hope that even if you are not celebrating, you still have a lovely day.
We leave you to enjoy your day with a Christmas classic posted by Greatest Audiobooks
What I’m Listening to now: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Yes, I have already read it. I’m listening to it now with my Mom while we prepare for Christmas!
My Top 10 Books of 2018
It’s that time of year where we take a look back at everything we have read this year and come up with our best of the year. It’s a tough job but not one we take lightly. It’s been a very diverse year for me.
1.Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi –This fantasy was like nothing I’ve ever read. A little bit of magic, a little bit of adventure and a little bit social commentary. It took me on a wild ride as Zelie discovers her own powers and does what she can to help her people from the evil King who has done all he can to erase her people. It was a breathtaking first book.
2. A Cruel Prince by Holly Black-Holly Black is at her best when she is writing about fairies. It really is her element. The lush world that Black has created is so rich and vibrant that I almost wanted to go if it wasn’t filled with blood thirsty fairies. Looking for a fantasy full of royal intrigue this one is also for you.
3. Shades of Magic Trilogy by V.E. Schwab –Technically I read the first book last year but I finished the trilogy so I’m counting them all as one. It was one wild fantasy series. From truly vile villains, pirates, royalty magic and supernatural forces it really did have everything but never felt too much.
4. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland- This one I think I liked for the very beginning. Jane was born a slave but when the dead of Civil War come back to life, Jane is sent to a boarding school that teaches her and other girls of color how to fight zombies so they may one day work in a nice home as protection. Jane is resourceful, smart and funny. She knows how to kill a zombie.
5. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fischer –Carrie was truly one of a kind and is sorely missed. Her diary that she wrote while filming the first Star Wars was honest, raw and funny. Really what you would expect from Carrie Fischer.
6. Shadow and the Fox by Julie Kagawa- Add a little fox, a trained warroir with a demon infused sword and Japanese mythology and you get one fun book. I really enjoyed the story building and characters as they try to steal save the scroll that will summon the dragon that will grant wishes was great.
7. Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake- The third book in the series was definitely a keeper. I mean they all were but it was still great. We finally get to see more of the world outside of Fennbirn Island and how the Queens became to be. The mythology is really coming together and it’s going to lead to an epic finale.
8. Wildcard by Marie Lu – Emika is so cool. As she unravels the mysteries and tries to save not just Hideko from himself but everyone else from an even bigger conspiracy. It was a fun novel and reminder that not everyone on the internet is your friend.
9..Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir- Elias, Laia and Helene are on opposite sides of the fight against the Nightbringer and keeping the balance. It’s a thrilling race against time to bring down the Nightbringer and the Empire and Elias Mom, who is just frightening.
10. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson- I’m still waiting for the last book in her Shades of London series but this filled the void. Who doesn’t love a good boarding school mystery? Stevie decides she wants to go to this exclusive boarding school because she wants to be the one to solve it’s biggest mystery of who kidnapped and killed the daughter and wife of the school’s founder. Twice and turns abound in this one.
What I’m Reading Now: The Storyteller by Traci Chee
I’m not sure I’m ready for Sefia and Archer’s story to end. I do hope they find away to beat fate.
Everything Must Come to an End
As we take a look back at 2018 we started some really great series but we also sadly had to say goodbye to others. It’s always a bittersweet reading the final book. On the one hand you finally get to know how it ends but on the other hand sometimes you are not ready to let go quite yet. So let’s raise a glass to the books that have entertained us over the last couple of years and who knows, maybe our favorite authors will one day return to your fave characters.
- Falling Kingdom Series by Morgan Rhodes – This epic “Game of Thrones” YA series finally came to a close after it’s 6 books. Alliances were built and destroyed, Gods sent packing and love conquers all. It was quite a ride.
- Front Lines Series (Soldier Girls) by Michael Grant – Rio, Frangie, and Rainey fight until the end of the World War Two. After three books of following our girls through battle, we finally see them through the end and what they did with their lives afterward.
- Carve the Mark Duology by Veronica Roth – Some of the story building was problematic but it was an original idea that was was engrossing. I do feel that there is enough story left over that Veronica could return this world, she could.
- Charlotte Holmes Trilogy by Brittany Cavallaro – There have been many different takes on Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. This time around the Holmes and Watson families have a long history as does the Holmes family and the Moriarty family and a century worth of feuds come to end with Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson in the center. Truly an enjoyable series for any Holmes or mystery fans.
- Talon Series by Julie Kagawa – Ember, Riley,Garrett and the soldiers of St. George have no choice to team up if they are going to save the world from Talon After 5 books it’s been a wild ride
- Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard – This may have been one of my favorite YA series since The Hunger Games ended. It had a little bit of everything. Super Powers, class warfare, racism and political philosophy. I’m sad that it’s over because it was pretty great but I do look forward to what Victoria does next.
- Warcross Series by Marie Lu – Virtual reality game is about to take dow the world unless Emika can stop it. Really it’s not that farfetched and that’s part of it’s brilliance. Emika is one of the coolest YA heroine.
- The Tiger’s Saga by Colleen Houck – This one was kind of disappointment. This maybe an example of knowing when to stop. Even though it was always planned on being a quintet, the fourth book was released almost 4 years ago and the story had pretty much been wrapped up. Tiger’s Dream while a wrap up of Kishan’s arc but was a really long rehash of the last four books. It didn’t add anything to the story and sort of made me upset with Kishan.
- Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor – These two books were beautiful and heartbreaking. Everyone is living with some sort of a trauma and doing what they can to survive. We finally see the true depths of what the people of Weep had to live through and it’s horrifying. You really can’t blame any of them for their anger but despite all the hurt there is a real hopefulness to it.
- Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas – Seven books and several twists and turns later we finally see how Aelin’s story ends and it’s epic. There have been so many stories and characters it was almost hard to believe that Sarah was able to tie it all together in a satisfying ending. It was heartbreaking and hopeful and one wild ride.
Quick Review: Arch-Enemies by Marissa Meyer
What is the definition of a villain? The Renegades and the Anarchists would say the other is a villain. The Anarchists wanted to fight for prodigies rights. They were no longer willing to live in fear and hiding but there methods of violence did sit well with others. The Renegades used their powers to defeat them and now run Gatlon City. Both the Renegades and the Anarchists wanted to change the world but had different ideas on how to do it. Does that make either one of them villains? This is really the question in the center of the series. Nova was raised to hate the Renegades. She sees them as dangerous and not what they appear to be. She blames them for the death of her family and for the destruction of her uncle. Meanwhile Adrian was raised by the Renegades and sees what they do as trying to make the world the better place but sometimes frustrated with all the rules. Things get even more confused when the Renegades reveal their new weapon against Prodigies who break the rules. Agent N, that take away their powers. Soon all patrols are being trained on how to use it basically making Renegades judge, jury and executioner. This is troubling to both Nova and Adrian but for different reasons. Nova believes this a gross misuse of power and to easy for it to be abuse. Who is to stop a rogue Renegade from using Agent N on someone they don’t like? But Nova also starts to see that not all Renegades are bad people and truly believe what they are doing is for the good. Which makes her question everything that she was taught. She keeps having to remind herself that she is an Anarchist and that she has a mission to save her Uncle Ace Anarchy. To complicate things even more to complete her task she must get closer to Adrian, who she may or may not have feelings for. You know it wouldn’t be a YA novel without some kind of complicated romance. It’s a fun series as the characters are enjoyable to read and constantly questioning your own loyalties. Are you with the Renegades or the Anarchists?
2 Women, So Many Books 