This Month in Books: June 2017 #TMIB #BookoftheMonth

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June. Hmm…June actually felt like a lonnnng old month for once. We had the hottest June on record, although the heatwave only really lasted about 5 days. It did me in. I’m not made for hot climates and once again declared that I need to move to Iceland, as I do every year when it gets hot. LOL.

At the beginning of the month I went to visit my friend in Germany for her 30th, which was short but sweet. And I also finally went to Shakespeare’s Globe after over 15 years in London (shocking, I know) to see Tristan & Yseult which is one of my favourite stories ever. They certainly made it their own but I really enjoyed it.

June 2017 Stats

Total Posts: 9 (-4 from previous month)

Books Read: 4 (-2)
The Winter King ~ Bernard Cronwell
One of Us is Lying ~ Karen M. McManus
Broken Branches ~ M. Jonathan Lee
Fear ~ Dirk Kurbjuweit

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (1/4); Historical Fiction (1/4); Crime/Thriller (3/4)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (3/4); Digital (2/4); Hardback (0/4); Paperback (2/4) // Owned (0/4); Borrowed (1/4); For Review/proofs (3/4)

Most Surprising: Broken Branches
Most Disappointing: The Winter King
Most Exciting: Broken Branches
Most Swoon-worthy: One of Us is Lying
Most Beautifully Written: The Winter King

Reviews

- Reading Round-Up: May
- One of Us is Lying (4/5)
- Broken Branches (4/5)

Promos, Guest Posts and other Highlights

Awards

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TBR Shelf Update

Earlier this year I decided I HAD to do something about my physical TBR shelves. Each month I’ll be doing a quick update to see how I’ve done. See my original post here, and my updated TBR list here.

Previous TBR Count: 85

Books Added: 0!!! 🙂

Books Read: 1

Remaining: 84

That was my month, how was yours?

This Month in Books: September 2016 #TMIB #MonthlyRoundUp

Hmm September, what happened to you!?

It went very fast. I’m not sure if I did anything interesting…I finally gave in and bought one of those unlimited cinema cards so I spent a lot of time at the cinema. Crime Writer of the Year, Clare Mackintosh came into my library for a talk and a workshop session. She was great. But other than that I have no idea what happened in September. I had another good reading month so maybe that’s all I did?

How do the years keep flying by faster and faster. It’s scary! I’m very happy Autumn has arrived though. I love this time of year.

September 2016 Stats

Total Posts: 18 (+ 4 from previous month)

Books Read: 6 (=)
The Thousandth Floor ~ Katharine McGee
Labyrinth Lost ~ Zoraida Córdova
Siege and Storm ~ Leigh Bardugo
Stealing Snow ~ Danielle Page
Cut to the Bone ~ Alex Caan
Haunt Me ~ Liz Kessler

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (5/6); Fantasy (4/6); Contemporary (1/6); Crime/Thriller (1/6)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (5/6); Digital (5/6); Hardback (0/6); Paperback (1/6) / Owned (0/6); Borrowed (1/6); For Review (5/6)

Most Surprising: Haunt Me
Most Disappointing: Stealing Snow
Most Exciting: Hmm Labyrinth Lost at a push
Most Swoon-worthy: Siege and Storm
Most Beautifully Written: Haunt Me

Reviews: 6 (=)

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee, 3/5 (View)
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdovs, 3/5 (View)
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige, 2/5 (View)
Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo, 3/5 (View)
Picture Books by Various, (View)
Cut to the Bone by Alex Caan, 3/5 (View)

Promos, Guest Posts and Highlights

Awards

TBR Shelf Update

Earlier this year I decided I HAD to do something about my TBR shelves. Each month I’ll be doing a quick update to see how I’ve done. See my original post here, and my updated TBR list here.

Previous TBR Count: 68

Books Added: 6

Books Read: 2

Remaining: 72

Fail!

Heard about the Flash Fiction Battle I’m hosting? NO! Where have you been? It’s not too late to vote. See all the details here.

This Month in Books: March 2016 #TMIB

I know I say it every month but March was another busy one. I saw The Rocky Horror Show at Wimbledon Theatre, went to a gig which was a blast from the past of my school days (Reef), had a Shadowhunter’s marathon (oh my), had two Germans (friends not randoms) staying with me for a few days, finally saw Wicked, and drank a lot of wine and gin.

OK, so I didn’t read a huge amount but I had a great time! 😉

March 2016 Stats

Total Posts: 13 (-5 from previous month)

Books Read: 3 (-1)
Goth Girl and the Pirate Queen ~ Chris Riddell
The Amber Fury ~ Natalie Haynes
My Kind of Crazy ~ Robin Reul

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (1/3); Literary Fiction (1/3); Children’s Fiction (1/3); Contemporary (2/3)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (1/3); Digital (1/3); Hardback (0/3); Paperback (2/3); Owned (1/3); Borrowed (1/3); For Review (1/3)

Most Surprising: My Kind of Crazy
Most Disappointing: n/a
Most Exciting: The Amber Fury
Most Swoon-worthy: n/a
Most Beautifully Written: The Amber Fury

Reviews: 3 (-3)

The Amber Fury by Natalie Haynes, 3/5 (View)
All Things Cease to Appear by Elizabeth Brundage, DNF (View)
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell, 5/5 (View)

Promos, Guest Posts and other Highlights

Awards

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TBR Shelf Update

Earlier this year I decided I HAD to do something about my TBR shelves. Each month I’ll be doing a quick update to see how I’ve done. See my original post here, and my updated TBR list here.

Previous TBR Count: 77

Books Added: 2

Books Read: 2

Remaining: 77

April Releases

Here are the April Releases I will be reading & reviewing

PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook (5th)
Can You Keep a Secret? (12th)
The Glittering Court (sample only) (5th)
Murder at the 42nd Street Library (26th)

Are you looking forward to any of these?

This (last) Month in Books: February 2016 #TMIB

February was another busy month. My mum came to visit to come to a ‘celebration of the music and life of David Bowie’ night which was amazing, but of course bitter sweet. He was a legend, and my hero, something which my mum and I both shared so it was really lovely that she came to London for the occasion.

My brother also came to visit at the end of the month as he bought us tickets to the UFC at the O2 for my birthday, which was awesome. Yes, my interests are diverse and sometimes bloody. LOL. So, it’s been a bit of a family affair this month. 🙂

I also read some really excellent books, and had a great blogging month in general so let’s take a look…

February 2016 Stats

Total Posts: 18 (+8 from previous month)

Books Read: 4 (-3)
Only Ever Yours ~ Louise O’Neill
The Glass Castle ~ Trisha White Priebe
Into the Dim ~ Janet B. Taylor
The Madwoman Upstairs ~ Catherine Lowell

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (2/4); Literary Fiction (1/4); Children’s Fiction (1/4); Sci-Fi (2/4)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (3/4); Digital (3/4); Hardback (0/4); Paperback (1/4); Owned (1/4); Borrowed (0/4); For Review (3/4)

Most Surprising: The Madwoman Upstairs
Most Disappointing: Only Ever Yours
Most Exciting: Into the Dim
Most Swoon-worthy: The Madwoman Upstairs
Most Beautifully Written: Into the Dim

Reviews: 6 (+3)

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, 4/5 (View)
Angel of Vengeance by Trevor Munson, 3/5 (View)
The Merciless by Danielle Vega, 4/5 (View)
Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill, 3/5 (View)
The Glass Castle by Trisha Priebe, 3/5 (View)
Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor, 4/5 (View)

Promos, Guest Posts and other Highlights

We Need to Talk About… Backing up Blogs (Discussion Post)
Book Promo: Debt by Rachel Dunning
Book Promo: Thirst – Blood of my Blood by R.P Channing
TBR Shelf Slaying (Goals)

Awards

The Murder at 42nd Street Library is actually out in April but I’m hoping to get to it in March

TBR Shelf Update

Earlier this year I decided I HAD to do something about my TBR shelves. Each month I’ll be doing a quick update to see how I’ve done. See my original post here, and my updated TBR list here.

Previous TBR Count: 81

Books Added: 1

Books Read: 5

Remaining: 77

How did you guys do last month?

Last Month in Books: January 2016

I took most of January off from blogging which left me with a bit more reading time which was nice. It’s nice to be back though.

January 2016 Stats

Total Posts: 10 (-2 from previous month)

Books Read: 7 (+3)
Half a King ~ Joe Abercrombie
Sanctuary Bay ~ Burns & Metz
The Snow Queen ~ Hans Christian Andersen
Bookishly Ever After ~ Isabel Banderia
The Poison Artist ~ Jonathan Moore
Angel of Vengeance ~ Trevor Munson
The Merciless ~ Danielle Vega

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (4/7); Horror (1/7); Crime Fiction (1/7); Fantasy (1/7); Fairy Tales (1/7)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (3/7); Digital (3/7); Hardback (2/7); Paperback (2/7); Owned (1/4)

Most Surprising: Sanctuary Bay
Most Disappointing: Bookishly Ever After
Most Exciting: Sanctuary Bay
Most Swoon-worthy: Angel of Vengeance (I guess)
Most Beautifully Written: Half a King

Reviews: 3 (-1)

The Poison Artist by Jonathan Moore, 2/5 (View)
Sanctuary Bay by Burns & Metz, 5/5 (View)
Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira 2/5 (View)

Most Viewed Posts

Seeing as I only posted ARC reviews and my Wednesday post in January, I’ll skip this part this time round.

Awards

And that’s a wrap, guys!

This Month in Books: December 2015 #TMIB

I’m actually quite sad that December is over. It came and went way too quickly, and it didn’t feel very Christmassy at all, despite my best efforts. I’m mainly blaming that on the weather – when is it going to get cold, London???

I did have a really nice time though, so of course, blogging took a bit of a back seat, but such is life!

December 2015 Stats

Total Posts: 12 (+2 from previous month)

Books Read: 5 (+1)
Winter ~ Marissa Meyer
The Christmas we Met ~ Kate Lord Brown
Happily Ever After ~ Keira Cass
The Magic of Christmas ~ Trisha Ashley
A Family Christmas ~ Katie Flynn

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (2/5); Holiday/Festive (3/5)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (1/5); Digital (1/5); Hardback (0/5); Paperback (4/5); Owned (4/5)

Most Surprising: Winter
Most Disappointing: Happily Ever After
Most Exciting: Winter
Most Swoon-worthy: Winter
Most Beautifully Written: The Christmas we Met

Reviews: 2 (-2)

Winter by Marissa Meyer, 4/5 (View)
The Christmas we Met by Kate Lord Brown, 3/5 (View)

Awards

That’s it for this year, guys! Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year to you all!

Last Month in Books: October 2015 #TMIB

OK so I’m slightly late with this, but you know what they say, better late than never!

Horror October felt a little rushed this year due to Real Life nonsense, but I had fun with it regardless. I hope you guys enjoyed it too.

Here’s the month in summary…

October 2015 Stats

Total Posts: 25 (+8 from previous month)

Books Read: 7 (+ 2)
The Lost Girl ~ R.L Stine
The Kiss of Death ~ Marcus Sedgwick
Seize the Night ~ Various
Vampire Vic ~ Harris Gray
Vampire Vic 2: Morbius Reborn ~ Harris Gray
Edgar Allan Poe Stories & Poems
The Ghoul Archipelago ~ Stephen Kozeniewski

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (2/7); Horror (7/7); Anthologies/Collections (2/7)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (2/7); Digital (5/7); Hardback (2/7); Paperback (0/7); Owned (1/7); Borrowed (1/7)

Most Surprising: The Lost Girl
Most Disappointing: Seize the Night
Most Exciting: The Kiss of Death
Most Swoon-worthy: There was a severe lack of swooning this month!
Most Beautifully Written: The Kiss of Death

Reviews: 5 (+2)

The Lost Girl by R.L Stine, 3/5 (View)
The Kiss of Death by Marcus Sedgwick, 5/5 (View)
Seize the Night, 2/5 (View)
Vampire Vic by Harris Gray, 4/5 (View)
Vampire Vic 2 by Harris Gray, 3/5 (View)
The Ghoul Archipelago, 3/5 (View)

Guest Posts, Promos and Other Highlights

Sea Monsters and the Bear Next Door by B.I Woolet (View Post)
My Love of Murder & Mayhem by Cleo Bannister (View Post)
Top Ten Tuesday: Horror Duos I’d Love to see Collaborate (View Post)
Horror Films That Still Scare Me #1 (View Post)

Awards

This Month in Books: July 2015

July was a bit of a bitch to be honest. I got into a severe blogging and reading slump and came pretty close to throwing in the towel. I love blogging, but I started this when I had a boring office job, and I was able to manage most of my blog admin at work. But now I work in an environment that is really full on and has no internet access anyway, I’m really struggling to keep up.

I feel bad for not reading my favourite blogs, replying to emails and comments, as much as I used to, but it’s just not possible.

However, I had a good think about it and I’m not ready to give up, the pros definitely outweigh the cons and I’m trying to go easy on myself. If I only post twice a week, so what. If it takes me a year to write that review I promised, so what! I officially declare this as a pressure-free zone!

In July, I caught up on a lot of reviews, but got very little reading done…I blame the summer. I’m really looking forward to Autumn and long nights indoors hibernating away. Summer is too busy for my liking. LOL.

Anyway, on to the stats!

July 2015 Stats

Total Posts: 16 (+2 from last month)

Books Read: 4 (- 3)
The Ring of Morgana ~ Donna Hosie
Horns ~ Joe Hill
Kiss Kiss ~ Roald Dahl
Dinner with a Vampire ~ Abigail Gibbs

The Breakdown:
Genres: YA (2/4); Horror (1/4); Romance (1/4); Short Stories (1/4)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (0/4); Digital (1/4); Hardback (0/4); Paperback (3/4); Owned (2/4); Borrowed (2/4)

Most Surprising: The Ring of Morgana
Most Disappointing: Kiss Kiss
Most Exciting: Horns
Most Swoon-worthy: Dinner with a Vampire
Most Beautifully Written: Horns

Reviews: 7 (+2)

There is no Dog by Meg Rosoff, 2/5 (View)
A Few That Got Away: The Testimony of a Hanged Man/ Kiss Kiss/ Badjelly the Witch – Various (View)
The Ring of Morgana by Donna Hoise, 4/5 (View)
Horns by Joe Hill, 4/5 (View)

Guest Posts, Promos and Other Highlights

Book Promo: The Water Travelers by Daniel Waltz (View Post)
An Over-Due Apology (& What’s Coming Up)! (View Post)
Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Book Nerds (View Post)

Awards

August Releases

Here’s my pick of the August releases:

Crystal Kingdom (The Kanin Chronicles #3 ~ Amanda Hocking: August 4th 2015 by St. Martin’s Press

Mechanica ~ Betsy Cornwell: August 25th 2015 by Clarion Books

The Rest of Us Just Live Here ~ Patrick Ness: August 27th 2015 by Walker Books

Demon Road ~ Derek Landy: August 28th 2015 by HarperCollins Children’s Books

What are you looking forward to this month?

This Month in Books (May 2015) & June Releases

I really enjoyed May!

I settled into my new job, the sun came out, Eurovision happened which is always SO MUCH FUN, and I generally just enjoyed spending time with friends and adjusting to getting up at 6 AM every weekday. Eeek! It did impact on my reading and blogging a little, and I fell behind in my Goodreads challenge, but no doubt I’ll catch up this month as I’m off on holiday this week. Yay!

May 2015 Stats

Total Posts: 17 (-1 from last month)

Books Read: 6 (-1)
The Silvered Heart ~ Katherine Clements
Heir of Fire ~ Sarah J. Maas
The Heir ~ Kiera Cass
Fairest ~ Marissa Meyer
Charlie, Presumed Dead~ Anne Heltzel
The Quality of Silence ~ Rosamund Lupton

The Breakdown:

Genres: YA (5/6); Fantasy (2/6); Thriller (2/6); Historical Fiction (1/6)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (3/6); Digital (3/6); Hardback (0/7); Paperback (3/6); Owned (6/6); Borrowed (0/7)

Most Surprising: Charlie, Presumed Dead (the ending!)
Most Disappointing: Charlie, Presumed Dead (the beginning!)
Most Exciting: The Quality of Silence
Most Swoon-worthy: Ahhh both The Heir & Heir of Fire
Most Beautifully Written: The Quality of Silence

Reviews (5)

Twisted Dark by Neil Gibson et al, 2/5 (View)
The Silvered Heart by Katherine Clements, 4/5 (View)
The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R Carey, 4/5 (View)
The Heir by Keira Cass, 4/5 (View)
Fairest by Marissa Meyer, 4/5 (View)

Friday Features

April 2015 on Lipsyy Lost & Found (View Post)
May Releases & Cover Love (View Post)

Guest Posts, Promos and Other Highlights

Book Blitz: The Violet Hour (View Post)
Top Ten Tuesday: Books I want to borrow from the library I work in (View Post)
Lipsyy Lost & Found Vintage Book Shop Update (View Post)

Awards

(I know this doesn’t come out until July but I couldn’t wait!)

June Releases

Here’s my pick of the top June releases:

Charlie, Presumed Dead ~ Anne Heltzel: June 2nd 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Skyscraping ~ Cordelia Jensen: June 2nd 2015 by Philomel Books

The Devil You Know ~ Trish Doller: June 2nd 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Finders Keepers ~ Stephen King: June 2nd 2015 by Scribner

More Happy Than Not ~ Adam Silvera: June 2nd 2015 by Soho Teen

The Almost King ~ Lucy Saxon: June 2nd 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

The Stars Never Rise ~ Rachel Vincent: June 9th 2015 by Delacorte Press

Alive ~ Chandler Baker: June 9th 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

The Bones of You ~ Debbie Howells: June 30th 2015 by Kensington

What are you looking forward to this month?

April 2015 on Lipsyy Lost & Found

April was a good month, blogging and life-wise.

I started my new job in a prison library and I’m enjoying it. I’m learning a lot. It’s challenging and draining but really interesting. I’m drawing blanks as to what else happened in April… says a lot really.

April 2015 Stats

Total Posts: 18
Books Read: 7

Twisted Dark Volume 1 ~ Neil Gibson et al
Ice Kissed ~ Amanda Hocking
The Girl With All the Gifts ~ M.R Carey
Manga Shakespeare: Hamlet ~ Various
Blood Red, Snow White~ Marcus Sedgwick
Frostfire ~ Amanda Hocking
Hold Me Closer ~ David Levithan

The Breakdown

Genres: YA (4/7); Fantasy (2/7); Horror (2/7); Crime (1/7); Graphic Novel (2/7)

Formats/Sources: Advance Copy (2/7); Digital (3/7); Hardback (0/7); Paperback (4/7); Owned (3/7); Borrowed (1/7)

Most Surprising: The Girl With all the Gifts
Most Disappointing: Ice Kissed
Most Exciting: Blood Red, Snow White
Most Swoon-worthy: Manga Hamlet (seriously)
Most Beautifully Written: Blood Red, Snow White