Writing Update

Hello dear readers! I actually wrote a version of this post three weeks ago but I never published it because it had ceased to be accurate. Like most times I had bitten off more than I could chew and had really grand plans to write a novel this summer. One can dream, can't they? Well, my new job, while only part time, does take more energy than I had planned and every time I sat down to work on my novel words would not come out at all. It was a terrible case of both writer's block and lack of motivation to write anything, so I stepped back and reevaluated my plans because I still wanted to write this summer and I settled on a happy medium that I couldn't be more excited to share with you all, now.

Quick digression: I do plan to try and do writing update's every month or so because I like the idea of keeping you updated with how this is going. Both for my own motivation and because it's fun to talk about my current projects.

I've decided to work on a passion project of mine that I've been too afraid to try and attempt because it at once seems like a huge task and a very personal one because it definitely deals with a lot of the internal things I deal with. And that project is a collection of original fairy tales.

So far I know three of the stories that will be in there. One of them is a novel I worked on and finished last year (or maybe it was two years ago at this point). You may remember me talking about a project called The Queen's Ransom. Originally the idea for that was a novella but I reshaped it into a novel with really poor results. I want to take it back to the original novella format and high light the fairy tale aspects like it originally wanted to be. (When I wrote it as a novel it became more focused on a quest portion and not the Grimm fairy tale vibe I really wanted for it.) The other two are more traditionally structured fairy tale stories. The first one I'm working on is tentatively titled The Winter King and the other very, very tentatively titled The Thames Spirit.

I've begun writing The Winter King and have been handwriting it on scraps. I want to finish handwriting it before the end of the day on the 12th and I think as long as I put time aside I should be fine, I'm already about a third of the way through. I'm then going to type it up and edit it a bit as I type, make it more cohesive and such. After that I'll do a proper edit and send it out to some friends I trust.

That's where I am with writing so far this summer and I hope to finish at least two of the stories in the collection before I have to go back to school. As of right now I don't really have a title for the collection (though I would like it to be an ode to Midsummer Night's Dream, I think) so I'll probably just continue to refer to it as my fairy tale book.

I'd love to talk shop with people so feel free to hit me up on twitter or even in the comments here. I hope everyone is having a great summer so far and thanks for sticking around!

To Kill A Kingdom

To Kill a Kingdom

Alexandra Christo

Goodreads Link

I received an eGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This book has gotten a lot of love from the community lately. I keep seeing it appear on my feeds when people tote it as one of their favorite reads of the year so far. I really wish I could have been one of those people because I was looking forward to it. Sirens are pretty much always a win with me, so are fairy tale retellings. AND pirates. But even though it had all three the book just failed to grab me the way I wish it could have. I will say, it was a good book in the fact that it told a story beginning to end and was satisfying with it's conclusion. There are so rarely standalone novels in YA and I do appreciate that this did a good job in that category. I will also say I wouldn't say no to a spinoff featuring Madrid... but that's just me.

Tess of the Road

Tess of the Road

Rachel Hartman

Tess of the Road, Book 1

Seraphina Review

I read Seraphina a while ago, back when I first got my Net Galley account, so I think it’s safe to say I have a bit of a foggy memory on what exactly happened during it. I still remembered, roughly the world of the book… okay, no, that’s kind of a lie I only remembered that there are dragons that look like people and that Seraphina herself was a half-dragon, which was not a good thing for her. And then I never read the sequel, even though I really enjoyed the first. Because it was so long between Seraphina and Tessthere was a lot of important world building I had completely forgotten, or even missed because I skipped book two, and I will admit that it hindered my experience of the book a bit. There were just some tidbits that it was expected the reader to know going into it, and while none of these were plot-changing, they were plot-relevant, so I’d recommend reading the originals (which are an absolute treat) before diving into this one.

Summer Comment Challenge Participation & Life Updates!

Hello lovelies, it's been some time! I didn't intend for such a large gap in my blogging to happen (it's been a week and a half but it feels like much longer on my end) but it did because my time in London ran short and quickly. Right now I am actually writing this from my own bed, in my own room, surrounded by all my books, with my window open. It's so surreal to be back here and I am so happy about it. But traveling, plus packing, plus unpacking has led to little reading and even less blogging. I feel bad about it especially considering how many blog posts I have planned! In fact... here are some of the posts you should be able to expect as the month winds down:A general life update (talking about time in London and looking forward towards the future)

• The Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down review I promised here
• A spoiler-filled review of Avengers: Infinity War
• mini reviews for I Kill Giants & Coco
• Tess of the Road book review
• writing update

I'm also currently powering through Assassin's Apprentice (a very unexpected book I picked up in the airport) and can guarantee a review for this one sooner than later. After this I'll be reading Starlings (an ARC I have), finishing up Leviathan Wakes (it's really good I just got pulled away and distracted), West (an ARC I have; I read East last year and enjoyed it), Blood Rose Rebellion, Letter for the King (an ARC I have), and Bluets (it was my secret Santa gift last Christmas but sadly didn't arrive until I had already left for London). Barring Bluets I think it's safe to say you can look for reviews of all of these (though since West and Letter for the King come out much, much later in the year those reviews may be pushed back quite a bit).

Something else I'm participating in this season is the comment challenge hosted by Lonna @ FLYLēF and Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense! I participated for a bit last summer (or was it two summers ago?... I've lost track of things so badly) and loved it. I'm so happy to be able to participate again and will be partaking every month this summer. The Comment Challenge is one of my absolute favorite ways to connect to the book community and make new friends and I 100% recommend participating! Sign up here; you won't regret it!

I hope you all join in on the fun because it really is a blast. And I promise to be better about posting going forward into this month.

Introduction to Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Welcome to a new feature on this blog! Normally I wouldn't do a whole post talking about the why's and what's of a feature, but because this isn't like anything I've done here before I thought it would be a good idea to preface it. Basically, thumbs up/thumbs down is going to be a unique rating system used when rating and reviewing a certain type of book. This isn't replacing my old way of reviewing, it's just supplementing it in a way.

So, what's this idea? Well, I'm glad you asked. The basic idea is I go hunting through used books for a book that meets these qualifications:

1. I've never heard of it
2. It's a sci-fi or fantasy published before 2000
3. It has a corny cover
4. It has a corny description
5. I can go into it a blank slate with no expectations

Basically, it's a campy old SF&F novel that's probably out of print and may not even be that good. And then I read and review it. How is this a feature or that different from a regular review? Because I'm going into this novel expecting nothing but hoping to have a good time. Even if it's awful I want to read it start to finish and then discuss. And discuss in pretty good detail as if it's a classic novel they might teach in school. Because of this, the reviews are going to look different than normal reviews, also. Structured like:

1. Anecdotal where I got the book/first impressions
2. Summary/spoiler filled explanation of what happens in the book
3. Basic review: did I like it, was I surprised, would I recommend
4. Detailed discussion, possibly with quotes and proof

So, yes, that's the plan. The first of these will be up tomorrow and I'm hoping to do about one a month maybe. I won't say much about the book yet, but I hope you all stick around to see what this feature turns out to be. And, if you have a book recommendation that you think will fit the qualifications please let me know and I may try to hunt down a copy.

The Girl of Ink and Stars

The Girl of Ink and Stars

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Goodreads Link

When I picked this up I was really in the mood for a children's lit book and it was being featured on a table at the bookstore. While I still really enjoyed it I wasn't really in that mindset anymore when I got around to reading it. Still, it's a pretty good read and I'm glad to be adding it to my collection. One aesthetic complaint I have (that didn't really affect my review of this book I'm just being a little picky here) is that the map on the inside doesn't really make sense. It's very minimalist and while it's a nice touch it didn't quite line up with how things are described in the book. And I tried to follow it. Look, I love maps in fantasy stories so this was just a bit disappointing.

Avengers Infinity War

This is going to be a SPOILER FREE discussion/review of the movie. I'm a huge fan of this franchise and will, honestly, be doing quite a bit of gushing in the following paragraphs. Honestly I have pretty much nothing bad to say about this movie and I think it was ample reward for ten years of following this franchise pretty closely. That being said, there's definitely things to talk about in more spoilery detail and a follow up post with that kind of information will be coming in the next week or so.

Quick Life Update

Hey everyone sorry for the sporadic posting lately. I was working on my final essay for Junior Year and now it is turned in and I am one year closer to graduation and the real world. What a ride! Tomorrow I'll be back to posting regularly and there shouldn't be much to interrupt since I don't exactly have a practical job this summer. I think I'll be posting a longer life update at some point in the near future reflecting on my time abroad and my time as a junior. Everything I learned this year and what I intend to learn next year. Also, what my summer plans are since they're very interesting. Talk to you all soon!

Frequently Used Words In YA Fantasy Titles

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can click her to join up in the fun. This week is frequently used words in [insert genre] books. I think we can all agree that there's only so much originality in titles these days but it's often a bit of fun to point these things out. Without further ado:

17 2019 Debuts To Be Excited For (Already)

It's never to early to get excited for a new release and I often find myself perusing Goodreads looking far into the future to see what's coming out down the pipeline. A lot of times all I get for a description is a X meets X kinda thing, but it's finally getting to that time of year when full descriptions are coming out for some 2019 debuts. I spent several hours looking through Goodreads and compiling this list of books that I'm genuinely excited for and I hope to make you excited, too.

I did something similar to this in April of 2016 which, whoah, that's a long time ago, and I'd like to bring that tradition back. Last go around I had a few interviews with authors and I'm going to be reaching out again because that was such a fun way to connect. But, anyway, that's pretty far in the future at this point, but do look for bi-monthly updates on these releases.

Now, without further ado, let's get excited:

Sandman Slim

Sandman Slim

Richard Kadrey

Sandman Slim, Book 1

There are some light SPOILERS down below. I don't give away anything super important to the plot but I do talk about certain things in depth. While it won't ruin your experience reading it if you're wary of any spoilers at all you may want to skip.

Sandman Slim has sat on my kindle unread for I don't even know how long at this point. I first downloaded it sometime around when I discovered The Dresden Files and urban fantasy as a genre but never got around to it even though the title, cover, and description had me incredibly intrigued. Plus, like Dresden Files, it's a pretty large series so I would have plenty to bite into. Now, after having discovered Lucifer, the show not the comic (as soon as I get home it's on top of my list though), and being on another urban fantasy kick (plus Kadrey having written for the Lucifer comics) I decided it was finally time to sit down and read this one. And I must say, I feel like it was a bit of a waste of time.

March & April (So Far) Wrap Up + Updates

Hello everyone! Look at me, actually on top of my game recently and posting regularly. Who'd have thought? In my last update I talked about how I've been away from home and how that hasn't resulted in stress, exactly, it has resulted in my time being taken up by different things. Well, that flipped didn't it? I've actually been dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety at the moment, and while that hasn't kept me from posting or reading it has made it harder, which is why I'm doubly proud of myself for posting and interacting as much as I have. Classes are done for me and I've only got one essay left (due early next month so there's plenty of time) and now that I've let myself unwind I am feeling pretty relaxed and overall enjoying the nice weather and free time. (I've also been writing again but there's not much to say on that front... yet.)

Honestly things have been pretty low-key and I have little to report on the personal front except that I'm seriously homesick for my bookshelves. But there are a lot of changes-- or should I say new features?-- coming to the blog and I couldn't be more excited!

Top Ten Books I Wish Would Be Adapted as Movies or Television

Top Ten Tuesday is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week a new prompt is posted and you can participate by visiting her blog and linking up.

This week was a freebie so I thought I'd do something I've been thinking about a lot: which books I've read that I think will do well as televisions or movies. I'm not counting three of my favorite series-- ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and The Kingkiller Chronicles-- because they're all on their own little paths to being adapted at the moment. Suffice it to say I'm pretty excited for all those adaptations. Here are some books that I have no idea where they stand in Hollywood at the moment but dearly hope my wishes will come true and someday they'll be on screen.

Now, in no particular order, here they are:

The Song of Seven

The Song of Seven

Tonke Dragt

Goodreads Link

I received an eGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

"Does that happen often? he wondered. That the stories you dream up aren't just fantasy, but came from somewhere and really happened, in another time, in another place, without you knowing it?"

One of the perks of being a review is getting the opportunity to review translated stories. In America, or at least the Midwest, it's hard to find anything translated unless it's already famous. Here, in the UK, it's much easier to just stumble across translated fiction and fantasy, and it's definitely an area of the bookstore I'd love to spend more time. There are so many lovely stories out there not originally in English and reading them just expands my heart. But I digress; let me speak of this book particularly. Originally The Song of Seven was written in Dutch and published in 1966. Recently it was republished with a new English translation. While it's definitely a book intended for younger readers it doesn't talk down to the readers (as some middle grade can do) but treats them as equals. Honestly, I think it's the perfect book to read to kids; the experiencing of reading a book about storytelling is just so poetic and perfect.

The Art of Asking

The Art of Asking

Amanda Palmer

Goodreads

This may be the most important book I've read all year, if ever. I think it's also the only book I've  read that I whole-heartedly recommend to everyone I know and will continue to recommend to every person I meet. The Art of Asking is a nonfiction memoir type book written by the amazing Amanda Palmer. I picked it up because one of my friends had recommended it and because I had picked up some tickets to see Amanda in Brighton in May (so excited for this, by the way). My audible credit came right on time and, honestly, I recommend listening to the book (at least the first time you read it; definitely a book worth reading more than once) because she narrates it herself and it drives home a lot of the points in really emotional ways. I can already tell this is going to be less of a review and more of a post where I try to convince you to read this book. Let's get started:

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Douglas Adams

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Book 2

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Review

I can say, far and away, as much as I enjoyed the first in this series, the second one is really the better book. I can also say, based on my limited experience with the series so far, that you will enjoy these books all the more if you read them right after one another. Because, really, as much as they are individual books, they really aren't the "proper" sort of books one might be used to reading and they just kind of bleed into and fall on top of one another as they go along. There's little distinction between the end of one and the beginning of the next. Which is, honestly, what makes this a better book than the first one.

Sky Song

Sky Song

Abi Elphinstone

Goodreads Link

Can we just take a moment to bask in how gorgeous this book is? And it's even prettier in person with stained edges and everything. 

Alright, but seriously, I picked this book up because of how lovely it was. I had no idea what it was about and I didn't really care. I think it was also discounted by one get one half off so I picked up another beautiful middle grade at the same time. Regardless, this was a spur of the moment purchasing decision and I don't regret it in the least.

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR

It's been a while since I partook in this meme (in fact, the last time I posted was April 2016) but now that I have my feet under me again I'm ready to participate. I know I won't be posting every week but I think it's safe to say this will become a regular part of Tsundoku again.

Top Ten Tuesday is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week a new prompt is posted and you can participate by visiting her blog and linking up.

In no particular order here are the top ten books I am excited to dive into this season:

Poison's Cage

Poison's Cage

Breeana Shields

Poison's Kiss, Book 2

Poison's Kiss Review

I received an eGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I really enjoyed book one in this series so I had high hopes going into this one. It wasn't a bad read at all, and it was just as quick and easy to get through as book one. However, while it did all the proper things a sequel should do, and even wrapped the series up nice and neatly, it also fell through for me a bit. Not to say this is a bad book because it's not, but it didn't make me fall in love the way book one did.

January & February Wrap Up + Updates

It seems like it's been forever since I've posted one of these, but really, the last one was in December so it hasn't been that long. Last time I posted I promised some giveaways to celebrate my three year anniversary blogging, and rest assured I still want to do something, even as it gets later and later. There will be three giveaways, but please don't expect to see anymore information posted for a while yet. As you may have noticed I've been pretty silent on the blog until recently and that's the way things have to be right now.

It hasn't been stress, exactly, that I've let keep me from reading and blogging, it's that I've been away from home. I'm currently living in London and studying here and my time has been taken up by exploring, meeting people, and taking classes. February was a good month for reading, though, because for the first time I feel as if I've mastered the balance of school and pleasure and things have been going really well on that front. I've also put almost no pressure on myself to blog. For the time being I'm tackling blogging the way I used to: after I read a book, if I have things to say about it, I write the review and post it then and there. I don't let it sit until the time is right to publish the post. I don't worry about scheduling. I don't worry about being professional. I worry about having fun and enjoying this hobby. And things are looking up because of all of this.