Category: Features

Whipping Netgalley into Shape – 80% Here I Come

Posted January 7, 2021 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 5 Comments

I wrote in my recent resolutions post that I really want to get my Negalley ratio up to 80%. I’m pretty proud of myself for currently being at 74% – that’s honestly quite a good number! I thought it would be fun and motivational for me to take a look at the egalleys I have on my Kindle, pick out 15 that I definitely still want to read, and develop a little TBR. A few are not released yet and I have real plans to read them ahead of their pub date. I’m going to attempt to not request any more books unless they’re ones I’d read literally ASAP when approved! This is obviously also not an exhaustive list of egalleys I have or books that are coming out soon, more just like ones to get excited about finally reading! Not Published Yet I’m actually reading REUNITED ON DRAGONFLY LANE this week! I’m so bummed to leave Sweetwater Springs behind but her next series sounds just as atmospheric. LIFE’S TOO SHORT is the final book following these characters and I loved the second book (compared to the first) so hopefully this one is just as good. A PHO LOVE STORY – man, I literally remember when this was announced and I was so so so excited. The fact that it’s been on my Kindle for months and I still haven’t read it super early??? Dang. And THE MEET-CUTE PROJECT comes out very soon. Gotta get going on it. Backlist I […]

January TBR

Posted January 6, 2021 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 0 Comments

My monthly TBR feature here shows my progress based on last month’s TBR, my plans for this month, and anything else I might be thinking about from a reading perspective. Sometimes I feature a little poll at the bottom so you guys can help me figure out a certain title I should read from a group of books. January TBR I completely forgot to make a TBR for January since I didn’t technically post/write one in December – I kept my EOY TBR for both months including all of the holiday books I wanted to read. I always feel very refreshed at the start of the year but am still carrying over some books I wanted to read in December. Owned Books to Read The first four books in this section are from December. I was hoping to read them but holiday books got in the way. I own physical copies of all of these (KISS MY CUPCAKE, SEX AND VANITY, MAJESTY, and INSTANT KARMA), plus I got a copy of THE WIFE UPSTAIRS from Book of the Month. Review Copies I fine-tuned this list a bit because I have some that I’m really excited for and hope to get to this month. SNAPPED already came out and A PHO LOVE STORY is upcoming. REUINTED ON DRAGONFLY LANE is a late Jauary release. SANDCASTLE BEACH (currently reading at the time of finally writing this post!) doesn’t come out for a few months. I just knew I needed to read some […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | December 2020

Posted January 2, 2021 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 2 Comments

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. I pulled it off! I managed to read enough books to meet my (lowered) reading challenge of 100 books. I definitely read some short books, novellas, and cookbooks to make it happen, but I’m proud of myself. I read all of the Christmas books I was hoping to get to except for one! 17 books read in December 17 new books • 0 rereads • 0 DNF Pages read: 5270 • Average rating: 3.8 stars Sources: 9 purchased, 5 review, 1 gifted, 1 borrowed, 1 BOTM Formats: 6 mixed format, 5 hardcover, 3 egalley, 2 paperback, 1 ebook Genres: 9 contemporary, 5 nonfiction, 2 mystery/thriller, 1 fantasy Age Target: 14 adult, 3 young adult Check out my 2020 challenge sign-up post for more details, goals, etc.! Popsugar Reading Challenge 0 read this month | 35/40 read total None this month Monthly Key Word Challenge 1 this month: crown Calendar of Crime Challenge Primary action takes place in the month Romanceopoly 0 read this month | 2 read total Rolls: N/A Rainbow Try a Chapter Unhaul This month’s color: Red Yeah, what are reading challenges anymore? […]

2021 Reading Challenges

Posted December 17, 2020 / Book Challenges, Features / 1 Comment

Am I being ambitious for even thinking about signing up for challenges? I basically stopped actively trying to work on them in 2020 and still managed to squeak out a few additions in the second half of the year by pure coincidence or luck. However, there is something about a fresh slate of challenges and goals that really motivate me. I know turning the calendar to 2021 won’t magically fix the world’s problems but I am finally feeling hopeful about things. That includes my reading life! This is a pretty straightforward challenge, hosted HERE. You basically aim to read books that begin with each letter of the alphabet. They also have mini challenges for each month: JANUARY – A book you purchased in 2020 but didn’t readFEBRUARY – A book with non-romantic love (siblings, parent-child, friendships)MARCH – A book written by a person of a different race than youAPRIL – A book with an Autistic main character (April is Autism Awareness)MAY – A book about a nurse (Nat. Nurses Week 2021 is May 6-12)JUNE – A co-written book (2 authors)JULY – A Christmas book (Christmas in July!)AUGUST – A book by an Indie author (self-published or independent)SEPTEMBER – A memoir/biographyOCTOBER – A book written by a new-to-you authorNOVEMBER – A book outside your normal genreDECEMBER – A backlist title (published BEFORE Jan 1, 2021) I’d like to meet most of these but I’m not 100% sure I will focus on them. It definitely depends on if my reading year looks more like 2020 versus 2019 haha. I’ve done this one for at least three […]

Did My 2020 Five Star Predictions Come True?

Posted December 7, 2020 / Book Lists, Features / 3 Comments

For the past few years, I’ve written some prediction posts at the end of the year to predict which books I may rate five stars in the following year. They’re all upcoming releases and usually from authors I already know, love, and have rated many books five-stars from. I did alright with 2019 predictions, with MOST of the books coming between 4-5 stars. I obviously had a horrible 2020 in terms of reading so the fact that I even READ any of these will be miraculous. Did my five-star predictions come true? Correctly Five Stars! I’m not surprised that out of ALL of these, GIRLS WITH RAZOR HEARTS and THE KING OF CROWS were five-star reads for me. I loved both of these for different reasons, but basically – both of these authors can do no wrong for me. 4.5 Stars I’m really glad I enjoyed IN FIVE YEARS as much as I hoped. Honestly the story was a lot different than I expected: more friendship, less romance. Totally not an issue because clearly I loved the journey this book took me on. 4 Stars 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT PINKY was really good – almost as good as the others in this companion series 😉 I was happy that THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST was even better than its predecessor for me. I really loved it. It took me a long time to read MY CALAMITY JANE but honestly these books are just soooo long. 3.5 Stars I’m […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | November 2020

Posted December 2, 2020 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 1 Comment

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. I knew I had to read 15 books in November and 15 in December to stay on target for reading 100 books, but I came up a littttle short. Luckily December has some days off, slowdown at work, and holiday reads to keep me going! I’m still a little behind of the goal but I’m feeling good. Many shoutouts to the novellas and graphic novels below 😉 12 books read in November 12 new books • 0 rereads • 0 DNF Pages read: 2858 • Average rating: 4.0 stars Sources: 4 review, 2 borrowed Formats: 4 hardcovers, 4 ebooks, 2 egalley, 1 mixed, 1 audio Genres: 7 contemporary, 4 graphic novels, 1 mystery/thriller Age Target: 7 young adult, 3 adult, 2 middle grade Check out my 2020 challenge sign-up post for more details, goals, etc.! Popsugar Reading Challenge 0 read this month | 35/40 read total Prompts: On a subject you know nothing about, main character in their 20s Monthly Key Word Challenge None this month Calendar of Crime Challenge Month letter in the title Romanceopoly 0 read this month […]

Holidays 2020 | To Read & Watch, Readathons, Etc.

Posted November 11, 2020 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 4 Comments

Usually I’m getting jazzed up for Christmas in September and forcing myself to wait until at least Halloween, but this year I’ve been feeling weird! I’m not super duper into the holiday spirit like I expected, post-Halloween. I’ve been listening to my holiday music since 11/1 and hopefully reading some holiday books at the end of the month PLUS decorating this week will be helpful. Here we go – onto the usual holiday fun and plans! I’ve already read two holiday books (the two novellas below) and some of these are review copies. I thought it made more sense to hire new releases since I’m generally focusing on them! I’m looking forward to reading A Princess for Christmas because Jenny Holiday has become a go-to author for me. There are a lot of books involving twelve things – The Twelve Dogs of Christmas, 12 Men for Christmas, and The Twelve Dates of Christmas. All sound great! I have review copies for the dog one, as well as In a Holidaze and Season of Joy. I read Booked for Christmas and The Christmas Wish already. The latter is a series-starter so I may read the first book and then read A Very Merry Match after. Two of my favorite holiday authors are at it again, so I’ll be reading Christmas at Fireside Cabins and Christmas at Holiday House. Finally, I just hope to read One Way or Another because it sounds cute. Christmas in Vermont // Christmas Camp // Christmas Shopaholic Prince in Disguise // 25 Days til Christmas // We Met in December Most, if not all? of […]

EOY (November & December) TBR

Posted November 6, 2020 / Book Lists, Features, TBR Lists / 3 Comments

My monthly TBR feature here shows my progress based on last month’s TBR, my plans for this month, and anything else I might be thinking about from a reading perspective. Sometimes I feature a little poll at the bottom so you guys can help me figure out a certain title I should read from a group of books. November & December – End-of-Year TBR When I realized I had an even thirty books to read in the last two months – wooooof – I thought it would be helpful to just list out what those books might be, based on a few different categories. I have a ton of holiday books, as always, plus leftover egalleys, owned books, and other recent released I’d like to get to. there are a few extras because I never know what mood will strike. Here we go! Holiday Reads I actually already finished BOOKED FOR CHRISTMAS and THE CHRISTMAS WISH. They’re novellas so I thought it’d be nice to kick off November with two quick reads right off the bat. IN A HOLIDAZE and SEASON OF JOY are both review copies. CHRISTMAS AT HOLIDAY HOUSE is a must-read as the next book in the Haven Point series. THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS is a preorder I have coming soon from Vroman’s (an indie bookstore that needed our help!). CHRISTMAS AT FIRESIDE CABINS is the newest Christmas book from Jenny Hale, so you know that’s on my list. The last three below are new releases […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | October 2020

Posted November 5, 2020 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 1 Comment

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. I had a rough time in September as I always do, but October was only a little bit better… meaning I read ONE more book. I’ll take it though, because now I have an even thirty to read to finish the year. Yikes. Fifteen a month. Luckily the holiday season means a lot of reading for me usually! 6 books read in October 6 new books • 0 rereads • 0 DNF Pages read: 2211 • Average rating: 3.92 stars Sources: 4 review, 2 borrowed Formats: [Review] 4 egalley and 0 physical ARCs 0 hardcover, 0 paperback, 1 ebook, 0 audio, 1 combo Genres: 4 contemporary, 2 mystery/thriller Age Target: 5 adult, 1 young adult Check out my 2020 challenge sign-up post for more details, goals, etc.! Popsugar Reading Challenge 0 read this month | 33/40 read total None this month Monthly Key Word Challenge None this month Calendar of Crime Challenge None this month Romanceopoly 0 read this month | 2 read total Rolls: N/A Rainbow Try a Chapter Unhaul This month’s color: Black Yeah, what are reading challenges anymore? […]

Bookmark Lit Bulletin | September 2020

Posted October 1, 2020 / Bookmark Lit Bulletin, Features, Wrap-Ups / 3 Comments

The Bookmark Lit Bulletin wraps up the last month in reading and what was on the blog, as well as what’s coming up next. You can check out my book haul, books read, posts shared, challenge updates, etc. You can read past bulletins here. If you’re looking for more personal updates, you can check out my Lauren Lately feature; it highlights my life events and non-bookish fun from the previous 30 days. Woof, five books. I know September is always hard for me because of my birthday, anniversary, and start of football. Reading just takes a back burner. I ended up reading a good amount early in the month and then tapered off in the second half. It got to be the 22nd and I was like, good lord, I need to at least finish one more. I ended up counting a cookbook again! And a novella! SIGH. 5 books read in September 5 new books • 0 rereads • 0 DNF Pages read: 1384 • Average rating: 3.8 stars Sources: 2 purchased, 3 review Formats: [Review] 1 egalley and 0 physical ARCs 1 hardcover, 1 paperback, 2 ebooks, 0 audio, 1 combo Genres: 4 contemporary, 1 nonfiction Age Target: 3 adult, 2 young adult Check out my 2020 challenge sign-up post for more details, goals, etc.! Popsugar Reading Challenge 1 read this month | 3/40 read total Challenges: Picked because title caught attention Monthly Key Word Challenge None this month Calendar of Crime Challenge None this month Romanceopoly 0 read this […]