Can you believe it has been 2 years since Steph and Jana started this link up?! Happy anniversary you guys! Couldn't think of better people to run this thing, and it truly is my favourite day in blogland.

Right after the last link up, I read several books. Trying to get through that library pile. Then I kind of struggled with one book that was accidentally spoiled for me, which obviously annoyed me, but I tried to push past it.... Until I got to page 37 and the next page in the book was 50. Who rips pages out of library books? It annoyed me so much I had to DNF it. I will pick it up another time I am sure, but the spoiler and missing pages just made me not want to read at all.
So then, I turned to netflix and figured I'd watch one episode of this show that Jamie had recommended, and get back into reading when I'd calmed down. Except I got totally hooked on the show and didn't do anything else for the next 2 weeks except watch that show. Twice. 3 seasons binged in 1 week and then rewatched/binged again the following week. I am trying very hard not to start it again this week but I really want to you guys. I already started it for a third time, but this time I am only allowing myself one episode a night, with no fast forwarding to the good bits. Who does that? I'm the weirdest.
Anyway, lets get to the books I did read.

A Darker Shade of Magic - Victoria Schwab - 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. Loved the characters, the story, the world building. It was just a thoroughly enjoyable read. I have the second one, but I've been too busy watching TV and haven't read it yet.
Don't Tempt Me - Lori Foster - 4 Stars
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read! I liked the characters and the story, it was cute, enjoyable and sexy. For what I was expecting I was pleasantly surprised. I honestly also really liked Lexie and Sullivan and wanted more, and I was really cranky that there was no epilogue. Oh and seriously why is everyone in this town so perfect and gorgeous? Stop it.
This book was terrifying in a 'this could really happen' kind of way. It's not a fast paced 'let's save the world' kind of book though, but that wasn't a bad thing. I enjoyed it, loved the characters and I couldn't predict what was going to happen... which was probably a good thing because my emotions got a beating at the end.
The Problem with Forever - Jennifer L. Armentrout - 4 Stars
This book reminded me of The Sea of Tranquility but nowhere near as good. Not that it was bad, not at all.. This is my first book from this author and I enjoyed her writing - there were a few lines that I thought were witty and unexpected. There are a few things I didn't like about this book; far too long, predictable, slow, some characters annoyed me, the teenage angst got a bit much, the necessary but still annoying constant use of ellipses... But overall it really wasn't bad and it made me feel things.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my gosh this book was too adorable, seriously. I really enjoyed Rumour Has It, so I was a bit worried I wouldn't like this one as much... needn't have worried, it was just as sweet, lovely, funny, cute and a little bit sexy. It's the perfect 'beach' read without being too cheesy. Okay maybe it was a bit cheesy, but sometimes you need a little cheese.
TL;DR - I would recommend the A Darker Shade OF Magic to anyone who likes those types of books, and I'd recommend You and Me, Always for anyone who wants a cutesy beachy type read. Most importantly, I'd recommend Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries to anyone who will listen!
Read - or watched - anything decent lately?
Read - or watched - anything decent lately?
I will sometimes forget about reading in lieu of a good Netflix show. It happens.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, who does that to a library book? There needs to be a special jail for those kinds of people. Crimes against books are no joke.
I can't believe somebody did that to a library book!! Literally no respect. You should report it so the next person doesn't end up with the same issue.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Kim by Rudyard Kipling. It's surprisingly readable even though I only understand half of what's going on.
I like the format you did for your books! PS- I might have told you this once before, but I know Lori Foster lol... I went to K-12th grade with her son!!
ReplyDeleteI just watched my first episode of the Murder Mysteries things you talked about last week :) I loved it already - cant wait to binge that show.
ReplyDeleteI love that you read about 5 or 6 books & you're like, "its a slow month" ... you reader you!
I haven't heard of any of these so thanks for the mini reviews! I've read so many books this year (compared to what I usually do) and haven't talked about any of them so maybe I'll do that for my thursday post :)
ReplyDeletebahaha you crack me up! Netflix.. oh Netflix. We've been catching up on a lot of shows that just added new seasons to Netflix... and like all 6 books I am reading are slow. Whomp. Whomp. So I've not been reading much in October yet. I do want to start Miss Fisher! :) Of course I told KC and he was giving me a look like... "really, another show to add to the list..?" LOL Adding a darker shade of magic and not a drop to drink to my TBR. :) Glad you enjoyed your books so much this month! I have Throne of Glass, and just got the second one on amazon, because it was on sale... :P So I hope to start those very soon! XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Obviously I will be adding A Darker Shade of Magic to my TBR! I keep seeing the Throne of Glass series popping up. I had decided not to continue after reading the first but I'm wavering. It would be nice to finish the series instead of leaving it hanging.
ReplyDeleteI want to recommend Baby Girl by... Hallie? Hollie? Something? Anyway, picked it up at the library the other day (book by its cover) and it was really good!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this might be your shortest list of books read in a month I've ever seen! That TV show really got you this time! LOL! As always, love the breakdown into categories of "best" to "meh." So helpful for future reference since I haven't read any of these!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what happens to our reading habits when binge-watching a show is added to the mix? Ha! I give you credit that you read at all. I still need to read these Jill Mansell books - they look/sound so cute!
ReplyDeleteThree times? In three weeks?! That's pretty good going. I've just added it to my Netflix list. RIP my life.
ReplyDeleteAnd who rips pages out of library books?? That's despicable behaviour. It would have put me off finishing the book as well. I also get cranky when there's no epilogue/sequel and I really like a story.
Nooo.... someone literally ripped pages out of a library book?! I've heard so many good things about Darker Shade of Magic and think it was recently a kindle deal and I almost got it, but decided against it because I'm just not so sure, but now I'm wondering if I would like it.
ReplyDeleteI have a crazy fear of being without water so I think I need to avoid Not a Drop to Drink.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed A Darker Shade of Magic and can't wait to read the next one, it's on my want to read list for the rest of the year. I'm planning a nice amount of reading time this winter so I might be able to catch up on some series.
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to reading some of V.E Schwab's other books too, I hear This Savage Song is pretty good too.
Oh my gosh I would have been livid if that happened to me. I'm currently reading A Darker Shade of Magic and really like it so far! I'm glad you liked it too!
ReplyDeleteI plan to watch your show at some point this week! I'm sure I'll like it because it sounds right up my ally! :)
AND YAY!!! What do you think so far? What part are you on?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up on Netflix with binge watching shows and that's why I'm way behind in my reading. I also haven't been as good about marking books on GR, oops! That Lori Foster book is going on my TBR, and I need to read Armentrout book. The bright colors are so pretty. Interesting to hear it's similar to TSoT.
ReplyDeleteThat's what happened to me last week- I have never watched The Gilmore Girls and finally decided to start it and let's just say I've been kind of addicted! :)
ReplyDeleteSomeone ripped pages out of the book? What??? Who does that? I am glad you liked Don't Tempt me too! I am adding Darker Shade of Magic to my list.
ReplyDeleteyesssss. A Darker Shade of Magic is one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteSarah
Midwest Darling
What? They tore out a bunch of pages from a fiction book? I've run into that issue with cookbooks, which is still annoying but not necessarily surprising. I'd be irked, except here it maybe saved you from reading a book that you weren't loving. A Darker Shade of Magic is already on my TBR and seeing you rate it 5 makes me think I need to prioritize it.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me glad that all of my library books are ebooks. You can't rip out the pages of ebooks! Granted, there is poor formatting and that is equally as bad.. Hrm.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe someone would rip pages out of a library book. that is just wrong, wrong, wrong. darker shade of magic sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI discovered Poldark this month, so TV has sucked in my attention as well! I can slightly understand ripped pages in a kid's book, but even that makes me cringe. What is wrong with people?! Don't they know that books are sacred?! I think I enjoyed Not a Drop to Drink, but it was seriously terrifying to me since I live in a desert already.
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling with reading now because of HBO's "the Night of". I have 2 books that I have to get through but somehow, I keep finding myself glued to my tv :(
ReplyDeleteUgh that is so annoying, I've never had pages ripped, but I definitely would be turned off by that and already knowing the big surprise is blah!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to keep You & Me Always in mind the next time I'm looking for something light and fun - Sounds like it will fit the bill nicely!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by a Darker Shade of Magic. I love books about magical worlds behind the scenes of everyday life.
All the good TV (and podcasts...) are totally ruining my reading lately! I can relate. I hate when I know too much about a book and it affects how I read it. I just read The Sea of Tranquility last month so I have to go look at The Problem with Forever. The cover is definitely pretty, which helps!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you had a book ruined for you like that. I hate that people would abuse any book in such a way, but especially a free, loaned one that is meant to be passed along to other readers. So sad!
ReplyDeleteFantasy is really NOT my genre, generally, but A Darker Shade of Magic actually seems like it might be interesting. I'll add it!
I think all of Lori Foster's characters are perfect and gorgeous. :) Not real life, but sure fun to read about!
ReplyDeleteOh my God, the missing pages would make me crazy! I don't understand why people do things like that. :-(
ReplyDeleteI have a huge library pile right now (I seriously need to post a picture to Instagram soon because it may be the most books I've ever had checked out at one time haha), but I keep getting distracted with other things. Gilmore Girls, my mom's visit (yay!), etc. I've been trying to make an effort to stay on task and read more books (I'll never get through my pile otherwise), but I did get stuck with a couple of mediocre books recently ... And that always makes it harder for me to get into reading again.
For some reason Not a Drop to Drink sounds really familiar ... I wonder if it was recommended to me on Goodreads at some point? I'm adding it!
Who does that to a library book? Ugh, people are ridiculous! Sounds like you read some really great books this month :)
ReplyDeleteSince I've finally jumped on the book train, well the audiobook train, wayyy late in life, I'm loving all these reviews to find new additions - I'll definitely have to put A Darker Shade of Magic on my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteI just saw Kathleen last night and she had A Darker Shade of Magic and was already talking about how good it was. I'm definitely going to pick it up as soon as I can. Not A Drop To Drink sounds really good and very interesting too! I definitely need to try and read that one too! And I can't believe that somebody ripped pages out of a library book! That's so rude!
ReplyDeleteNot a Drop to Drink sounds like my kind of book. I'm laughing hysterically at your new found obsession with Miss Fisher.
ReplyDeleteOkay. Maybe I will try Miss Fisher again.
ReplyDelete:)
Sometimes I really hate getting sucked into TV and losing time to read! I love a cutesy beach read, even in the winter time! I'm re-reading the Harry Potter series because it's something I'm weirdly drawn to do like every other year, haha!
ReplyDeleteDanielle @ afloat on a full sea
you would be so proud of me. I have been turning off my tv to read. I just started Girl on the Train. And started I mean like the first 5 pages. haha I don't have alot of time to read but I'm trying to read for at least 20 minutes every night before bed. However, I am a slow reader.
ReplyDeletehahaha, your short list is still 100% longer than mine. I get so wrapped up in other things, that even if I do grab a book, it's to read a page or two at a time. I pretty much suck. Netflix is VERY sucky-inny.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Who rips pages out of a library book?! Lame!
ReplyDeleteGotta love when a Netflix show draws you in! I accidentally let myself get started on Gilmore Girls again last week and now I can't stop, haha!
I loved The Problem with Forever. I agree, definitely had some cheesy parts, but it was an easy read that dealt with some stuff that other books shy away from.
ReplyDeleteOh man, a spoiler followed by missing pages? That would definitely drive me up a wall.
Honestly, I haven't read a book in probably 2 months. Ever since that ridiculous library fine. I'm still mad about it. I was short on time anyways, but as the weather gets cooler I'm sure I'll suck it up & pay the fine. No books is no way to live.
Haha that's hilarious about the TV show! It is a rare day that I will watch anything twice and I can only think of a few shows I have done that with (Grey's Anatomy, Schitt's Creek & The Office). My reading has been down too as I watch more TV...just can't do it all! Adding Not a Drop to Drink to my list!
ReplyDeleteJill Mansell is one of my favourite holiday read authors so I think I need to read You and Me Always... and plan a holiday ;)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you recommended Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries as I LOVE it. We took a break between episodes to watch Human Planet but I think I will have to convince Jesse to watch it again tonight!
A Darker Shade of Magic is going on my list right now!
ReplyDeleteI have You and Me Always on my NetGalley and need to read it soon! A Darker Shade of Magic sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteI've just purchased A Darker Shade of Magic and I'm so excited now!!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I read these posts of yours weekly and I'm just always so envious and impressed with your reading time. Well done! And I know it's not weekly it's just I'm on cruise time.
ReplyDeleteI really need to read A Darker Shade of Magic!! I've heard such good things, yet I've read a couple of her other books and thought they were just ok.
ReplyDelete