June Stats

Books Read:  14

 

 

  

  

  

Pages Read:  2,763

1 Star:  0

2 Stars:  1

3 Stars:  10

4 Stars:  2

5 Stars:  1

I had a good mix of books last month. I'm proud of my reading stats. Despite my struggles and grief, I'm still reading. I don't feel like blogging very much, but I am reading, and that is the important part. My family and I are going on a road trip, and we have some audiobooks lined up for the family to listen to on the road. It will be fun. 

Goal Progress:

I am 27 books behind schedule on my Goodreads goal. That is an improvement from last month. (52/160)

8 books in June were from my nightstand. Woo! I also purged a few of them that I wasn't sure if I wanted to read. The stack is getting smaller finally.

I didn't read any Newbery Award Winners. I go back and forth on this goal. (3/20)

I had one re-read from my shelf! My first one of the year! Hooray! (1/20)

I finished 5 books towards the Pioneer Book Reading Challenge. I'm still motivated to finish this goal, at least I'm more motivated to finish this one. (18/44)

Quotes

Accepting the reality that I am a suicide survivor has been very difficult for me. And that might be the understatement of the year. There are no words to describe the grief and pain I have felt since my brother died. Each day, and a lot of times, each moment is hard to get through. As a reader, I find comfort in the written word. There is something beautiful and unique about seeing thoughts and feelings in black and white on paper. I have been trying to find distractions throughout the day, and I have stumbled across several quotes on Pinterest that I really love. They help me to know that I am not the only one who has had these feelings, and I am not alone. Grief is a lonely thing, and it is so hard to describe, but I wanted to share some of the quotes I've found. I hope they are a comfort to someone else out there as well.

Sorry there are so many, but I couldn't decide which ones to leave out.

May Stats

Books Read:  6

  

  

 

Pages Read:  1,333

1 Star:  0

2 Stars:  1

3 Stars:  1

4 Stars:  2

5 Stars:  2

I felt like blogging today, which is a big step for me. Since my brother died, I have been having a hard time finding joy in things that I used to love. Reading has been an exception. I started reading again, and it has been a good distraction for me. I have a hard time remembering things before the worst day of my life. So I don't even remember some of these books I read at the beginning of May. At least Goodreads kept track for me. 

Goal Progress:

I am 29 books behind schedule on Goodreads. I'm surprised it isn't more. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm going to reach any of my goals this year or if I even care. (41/160)

One of the books from May was from my nightstand. 

I didn't finish any Newbery Award Winners. I started one, but I didn't finish. I don't know when I'll pick it up again. (3/20)

Still no re-reads (0/20)

I didn't read anything for the Pioneer Book Reading Challenge. I'm not sure if I'll finish this challenge or not, but my friends are keeping me motivated. (13/44)

Obsidio

From Goodreads:    Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they'll find seven months after the invasion? 

Meanwhile, Kady's cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza's ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha's past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. 

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved this trilogy! This was a great ending to the story. 

-    The story was so gripping, and I couldn't wait to get to the end, but then I was so sad when it was over. 

-    I'm not quite sure what to think of AIDAN. His character was so thought-provoking. I loved how poetic he was, and how he was so human, but not. His choices were scary, but were they the right decisions? It is hard!

-    I loved the rest of the characters as well. I love that they stood up and fought against something so huge! I don't know if I could take on a big cooperation like that. They never gave up though. Although they were young, they wanted their voices and their story told, I loved that! 

-    I know I keep saying this, but I can't get over it. These books are works of art! I love the format! 

-    I give this a resounding READ IT!! 

Previous Books:

 

Hubby's Birthday!

I am so grateful for my husband.

He supports me in everything I want to do, which often includes me ditching him in the evenings to babysit our daughters while I go out.

He is always willing to serve. I often ask him to get me snacks or a drink, and he never complains.

He is a very patient and loving father to our girls, I'm glad our girls will grow up with a good man in their lives, and they can see how women should be treated.

I love that we have shared hobbies and interests.

At times, our relationship has been tumultuous, and I thought we weren't going to make it, but I'm grateful and glad that we persevered. We are in a wonderful place in our marriage, and I'm looking forward to the future.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Daughter of the Pirate King

Goodreads Synopsis:   There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King. 

My Thoughts:

-    I was so excited to read this book. I wanted a fun swashbuckling adventure. Instead, I got a frustrating flirting story.

-    The first chapter was brilliant. It introduced Alosa in the perfect way, and I really like Alosa's snarky and confident personality. I like Riden as well. I just wish their flirting hadn't been front and center to the story.

-    The ending had a little more action, and it was more enjoyable for me. 

-    I'm hoping the second book is more of a pirate adventure than a romance. 

April Stats

Books Read:  12

  

  

  

  

Pages Read:  3,179

1 Star:  0

2 Stars:  1

3 Stars:  4

4 Stars:  4

5 Stars:  3

I'm getting my reading mojo back! I had a great reading month. I found myself reaching for a book rather than my knitting a lot of days. I also went on a puzzle craze this week, and I listened to a couple of audiobooks while puzzling it up. With summer reading just around the corner, I hope my numbers will increase even more.

Goal Progress:

I am 20 books behind on my Goodreads goal. It used to be 26, so I caught up a little.(32/160)

7 of the books I read last month were from my nightstand! Booyah!!

I finished 2 Newbery Award Winners! Woo! (3/20)

No re-reads yet (0/20)

I checked off 2 more books from my Pioneer Book Reading Challenge! (13/44)

Gemina

Goodreads Synopsis:    Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

My Thoughts:

-    I was blown away by Illuminae, and Gemina was just as good.

-    The format of these pages are beautiful. The book is a work of art. I love that Marie Lu was commissioned to do some artwork for this.

-    I really like the characters. Nik and Hanna are so much fun. They can kick-a, banter, and stick it to the man. They are also flawed teens, which I really appreciate. Human flaws are what make us humans. It made the characters more relateable. I also loved Ella, she cracked me up, but I could have done with a little less swearing from her. 

-    The story was great! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved how they handled the science and theoretical science. Not everyone can pull this concept off! 

-    Throughout the book, I was wondering when Kady and Ezra were going to make an appearance. They did towards the end, but I would love to see more of Kady and Hanna working together.

-    I am loving this series! 

Previous Book:

The Matchlock Gun

Goodreads Says:    A Newbery Medal Winner

In 1756, New York State was still a British colony, and the French and the Indians were constant threats to Edward and his family. When his father was called away to watch for a raid from the north, only Edward was left to protect Mama and little Trudy. His father had shown him how to use the huge matchlock gun, an old Spanish gun that was twice as long as he was, but would Edward be able to handle it if trouble actually came? This classic, first published in 1941, has an updated, kid-friendly format that includes the original black-and-white illustrations.

My Thoughts:

-    I can't believe I'm saying this about a Newbery Award Winner, but it was too short. I wanted more.

-    The writing and story were good. I actually liked this one. It felt like a small portion of a larger story though.

-    It reminded me of Old Yeller in a lot of ways, but there was no dog. 

-    I really liked that the gun had a story of its own. It wasn't just a prop in the story, it was almost a character. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Created by The Broke and The Bookish in June 2010 and moved to The Artsy Reader Girl in Jan 2018

First Ten Books I Reviewed

Wow! I actually have reviews on Goodreads from before I started blogging! 
My first reviews are so awful! Ha!