Hey everyone. I just want to let you know I have been taking a break from the blog. I haven’t been feeling great lately and I haven’t had the energy to write blog posts, that is life with a chronic illness. I don’t know when I will be back, but hopefully next week or the week after.
Month: January 2017
Kindle eBook Haul
I have bought some books for my Kindle the last months. All of them minus one was on sales. I can’t contain myself when a book I want to read is only 1-3 dollars on Kindle. Even if I’m not planning on reading them any time soon. I guess I can call myself a Kindle hoarder. If you are looking for kindle deals follow me on Twitter LINK ❤ , I always post a link there whenever I come across a good deal.
The Queen’s Poisoner (The Kingfountain Series Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler
Goodreads Synopsis: King Severn Argentine’s fearsome reputation precedes him: usurper of the throne, killer of rightful heirs, ruthless punisher of traitors. Attempting to depose him, the Duke of Kiskaddon gambles…and loses. Now the duke must atone by handing over his young son, Owen, as the king’s hostage. And should his loyalty falter again, the boy will pay with his life.
Seeking allies and eluding Severn’s spies, Owen learns to survive in the court of Kingfountain. But when new evidence of his father’s betrayal threatens to seal his fate, Owen must win the vengeful king’s favor by proving his worth—through extraordinary means. And only one person can aid his desperate cause: a mysterious woman, dwelling in secrecy, who truly wields power over life, death, and destiny.
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
Goodreads Synopsis: A wondrous and redemptive debut novel, set in a stark world where evil and magic coincide, The Enchanted combines the empathy and lyricism of Alice Sebold with the dark, imaginative power of Stephen King.
“This is an enchanted place. Others don’t see it, but I do.”
The enchanted place is an ancient stone prison, viewed through the eyes of a death row inmate who finds escape in his books and in re-imagining life around him, weaving a fantastical story of the people he observes and the world he inhabits. Fearful and reclusive, he senses what others cannot. Though bars confine him every minute of every day, he marries magical visions of golden horses running beneath the prison, heat flowing like molten metal from their backs, with the devastating violence of prison life…. more on Goodreads
If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
Goodreads Synopsis: Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There’s a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.
And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she’s ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself…including her past. But she’s terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won’t be able to see past it.
Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that she used to be Andrew.
The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Goodreads synopsis: Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favorite bookstore. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.
With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favorite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow-covered New York City in December.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Goodreads Synopsis: Something is out there, something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse of it, and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.
Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now that the boy and girl are four, it’s time to go, but the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat–blindfolded–with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children’s trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. Something is following them all the while, but is it man, animal, or monster?
Interweaving past and present, Bird Box is a snapshot of a world unraveled that will have you racing to the final page.
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards 1) by Scott Lynch
Goodreads Synopsis: In this stunning debut, author Scott Lynch delivers the wonderfully thrilling tale of an audacious criminal and his band of confidence tricksters. Set in a fantastic city pulsing with the lives of decadent nobles and daring thieves, here is a story of adventure, loyalty, and survival that is one part “Robin Hood”, one part Ocean’s Eleven, and entirely enthralling… more on Goodreads
The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
Goodreads Synopsis: Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.
And a cold-blooded killer.
His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.
But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
The international hit that inspired the video game: The Witcher.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand & Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows
Goodreads Synopsis: The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.
At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England.
The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Book 1) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Goodreads Synopsis: Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets–an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.
❤ -Rakel
-Have You Read Any Of These Books?
The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily – Dash & Lily #2 by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan |Young Adult-Contemporary|
Series: Book 2 in Dash & Lily
Piblished: October 18th 2016 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Pages: 215
Language read: English
Format read: Ebook
Rating: 2.5 stars 
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily synopsis: Dash and Lily have had a tough year since they first fell in love among the shelves of their favorite bookstore. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.
With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favorite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends must take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the unique holiday magic of a glittering, snow-covered New York City in December. –Goodreads
My Thoughts
I red the first book, Dash and Lily’s book of dares Christmas 2015. I really enjoyed it, I thought it was fun and cute, and I loved the diary hunt that is in the beginning of book one. It also had this magical Christmas atmosphere that is perfect to read to get into the holiday spirit.
Because I loved book one so much, book two was a disappointment. Even though I still like the characters, the story didn’t have the same fun as book one. It still had some hilarious parts though, like the gingerbread making and the accident on the ice.
“It was Chaos on Glitter Ice. A massacre of librarians.”
The book has some more serious and less happy themes. That is ok and all, but I miss the fun of book one. Especially the fun and excitement of the beginning with the diary hunt when Dash and Lily found each other.
One thing in this book that really irritated me, is how the authors wrote the character Boomer. I understand that he isn’t supposed to be the sharpest tool in the shed. But come on! Don’t do the same joke over and over that he doesn’t understand references. Was it supposed to be funny? To me it was just too much, irritating and cringy.
Example from one of the pages with Boomer:
““If you want,”Boomer offered, “I can talk to that girl Amber in my chem class and see if she can put out an alert.”“I don’t think it works that way,”Sofia said. “But it’s a nice thought.”“It’s my pleasure,”Boomer said. Then he looked at me and his face fell. “Not that I’m taking any pleasure in this. I’m not, I swear.”“I’m sure she’ll be back soon,”I assured him. “I think she just needed some space.”“So maybe she’s at the planetarium!””
❤ -Rakel
-Have You Read This Book?
Top 5 Wednesday January 18th: Favorite Polarizing Books
Top 5 Wednesday is created by Gingerreadslainey. Each week there is a new bookish topic, where everyone can join and create their top 5 list. You can find more information on the Top 5 Wednesday goodreads group. This week’s topic is:
Favorite Polarizing Books
-These are books that people either tend to love or hate, with no in between. Pick some of your favorites that fall into this category.
I must start with saying that I found it hard to find books for this weeks T5W. I only have one book series and not 5 books because I didn’t know what to pick.
The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare
This series is a very popular young adult urban fantasy series. A lot of people either love this series or hate it. It has gotten a lot of praise, but also a lot of criticism for being problematic and bad writing.
I want to say this series isn’t my favorite fantasy series of all time, but I had a lot of fun reading it. I especially liked the authors other series set in the same world; The Infernal Devices. I love the world of the Shadowhunters, and I love the characters (or some of them). I’ll continue reading the authors books set in the Shadowhunter world.
❤ -Rakel
-Which Books Did You Choose For This Week’s T5W?
-And Did You Also Struggle To Find Books For This T5W?
Biannual Bibliothon Winter 2017 Wrap Up |Readathon|
I have had a really great week, it was so much fun participating in this readathon. I manage to finish 3 books, and more. I read 842 pages and I’m really happy with that.
This is what I read:
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
– Finished 50 pages – 5 stars 
Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
– Finished 326 pages – 3 stars 
Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven
– Finished 9 hours/391 pages – 4.5 stars 
The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard #3) by Scott Lynch
– Not Finished 1h06m
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
– Not Finished 47 pages
THIS IS THE CHALLENGES I FINISHED:
1.Read The Group Book Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo
3.Read a 2016 New Release
7.Read A Diverse Book
I almost finished challenge 6. Read a Retelling.
Log Of The Week:
Day 1
I’m starting this readathon with reading the group read Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco. This is a very interesting book, and I haven’t read anything like it before. I don’t think I have ever read an YA crime novel before. And I have definitely not read one set in the 1880 with a female Main Character that is studying forensic medicine, and is also investigating the Jack The Ripper case. I really like that the MC loves science and is studying forensic medicine, even though she is a girl.
I also figured out that I needed to have an audiobook for this readathon. So I added Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven to my TBR as the challenge; Book That Came Out In 2016. Why do I always do the same mistake and not include an audiobook?
Stalking Jack The Ripper 106 pages
Holding Up The Universe 1 hour
Day 2
I have been obsessed with HUTU today, I couldn’t stop listening to it. I have been listening to it while I’m playing the Sims4, it is so much fun.
The Lee family, and their luxurious home.
I have also read We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I read it in one sitting. It is a really good essay on feminism. If you want to learn more about feminism and why it is important this is a great introduction, it is easy and fast to read.
I have also read a little bit in SJTR and I’m really enjoying it so far.
Stalking Jack The Ripper 36 pages
Holding Up The Universe 3h07m
We Should All Be Feminists 50 pages – Finished
Day 3
I didn’t manage to read as much as I wanted to read today, because I had an appointment I had to go to. While in the car to the appointment I didn’t want to use my 4G, so I had to listen to another audiobook that I have downloaded and can listen to without internet. So I continued with the audiobook I was listening to before the readathon; The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard #3) by Scott Lynch.
I have also been listening to Holding Up The Universe after the appointment, and I’m really enjoying that book. I really like the characters, especially Libby. I see myself in her and can relate to her a lot. I also find Jack’s face blindness very interesting.
In the evening I was really tired so I didn’t read a lot in SJTR. I really liked this book in the beginning, but now it has gotten a little dragging and not as exciting.
Stalking Jack The Ripper 27 pages
Holding Up The Universe 45m
The Republic of Thieves 39m
Day 4
I have read a good chunk of SJTR today, and I’m almost finished. I don’t find the book as exciting now as it was in the beginning. I keep on zoning out when I’m reading. I’m thinking of continue with Heartless by Marissa Meyer tomorrow, I’m looking forward to read another book. (I stared Heartless before the readathon and have 173 pages left in the book).
HUTU is still really good.
Stalking Jack The Ripper 86 pages
Holding Up The Universe 1h25m
Day 5
I only listened to HUTU earlier on the day, I had an appointment today too, so I have been busy with that. And in the evening I was completely hooked on the Sims4, because Sims4 got TODDLERS added to the game! OMG! I’m so happy and I couldn’t stop playing. The toddlers are so incredible cute!
Toddlers!
I was planning on finishing SJTR today, but toddlers and appointment took over. That is why I also didn’t read anything in Heartless.
Stalking Jack The Ripper 49 pages
Holding Up The Universe 28m
Day 6
Random photo from our evening. Dirty dishes from our dinner in the background lol, and our pc. It can’t be better than food and gaming, haha.
I’m at my boyfriend’s apartment this weekend, and because I wanted to spend time with him I didn’t read a lot in Heartless. I did finish SJTR, that ending was intense and thrilling, and got my heart pumping really fast. I liked the book, but didn’t love it. It started really good and but after ca 100 pages it went downhill for me. I’m sad about that, because I really liked the idea of the book.
I’m almost finished with HUTU and I LOVE that book. It’s sad that I’m almost finished with it. I’ll read the author’s other book asap.
Stalking Jack The Ripper 24 pages – Finished
Holding Up The Universe 1h42m
Heartless 16 pages
Day 7
I didn’t manage to read a lot today because I wanted to spend my time with my boyfriend. I finished HUTU and it was sooo good. I loved it! Highly recommend it to everyone who likes YA contemporaries.
Holding Up The Universe 33m – Finished
Heartless 31 pages
The Republic of Thieves 27m
❤ -Rakel
-Did You Participate In This Readathon?
-Have You Read Any Of These Books? What Do You Think Of Them?
-What Did You Read This Week?
15th Favorite of the Moment #5
15th Favorites at the Moment is a monthly bookish favorites TAG made by me. Instead of doing the monthly favorites at the end of the month. I’m going to do it half way through the month on the 15th, with 15 questions.
1 FAVORITE BOOK
I’m almost done with Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven, and I’m really liking it. I’m also currently reading the third book in The Gentleman Bastards series; The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch. I know I have mentioned this series every 15th favorites, but it is my absolutely favorite series, and book 3 is sooo good.
2 FAVORITE BOOK CHARACTER
George and Jimmy from Deadlight Jack by Mark Onspaugh. George is an African American, and Jimmy is Native American. They are both in their 70, best friends, living together and fighting supernatural cases. I absolutely adore them, and it was so much fun reading about two older main characters. I usually read YA and books with younger main characters.
Link to my Deadlight Jack Review
And also Libby from Holding Up The Universe. I love her, she is amazing! I can really relate to her and I see myself in her a lot.
3 FAVORITE BOOK COVERS
The Blazing Star by Imani Josey
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor
4 FAVORITE BOOK ON YOUR WISH LIST
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling. In need to watch the movie, and then read this screenplay.
Picture from IMDB
5 FAVORITE BOOK GENRE
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I really like Holding Up The Universe. I have to say I have really enjoyed reading contemporaries lately.
6 FAVORITE PLACE TO READ
Playing Sims4 and listening to audiobooks.
7 FAVORITE FOOD
I don’t have one
8 FAVORITE DRINK
Green tea with lemon and honey.
9 FAVORITE RANDOM THING
I don’t have one
10 FAVORITE TV SERIES / MOVIE
The new season of Sherlock. Season 4 so far has been a bit weird and crazy and of course really exciting.
My other favorite tv show is the Swedish tv series Frøken Frimans Krig (Miss Friman’s War). Season 3 came out late December and it is so good. Season 1 is about a group of women in the early 1900, and their fight to start up the grocery store run only by women; Svenska Hem (Swedish Home).
It is really interesting and important to see the feminists fight for equality. The women that has fought for equality, their struggles and how it was a 100 years ago. It is both educational and a reminder how important feminism is. I’m feeling very proud for all of the women who stood up for equality and female rights. It is rare for a tv series to make me so proud and emotional as this one.
Not all battles are violent. Meet a courageous group of women who takes on both the male rulers of the day and a corrupt grocery industry. Savvy is their strategy and cans of healthy food are their weapons. The three hour drama series “Miss Friman’s War” is a humorous and poignant story about friendship and fighting for your dreams. It addresses topics that are as relevant today as they were then: the demand for good, unspoiled food and the struggle for equal rights. Although “Miss Friman’s War” is a work of fiction, the story is partly based on actual events around the all-female food co-op “Svenska Hem”, which was founded long before women even had the right to vote.
– Written by SVT
Picture from IMDB
Picture from IMDB
11 FAVORITE YOUTUBER / TWITCH STREAMER
His Sims4 lets play is HILARIOUS! It is really dramatic and definitely not PG haha. Everyone that loves drama check his channel out. I discovered his channel only a week ago, and I have almost watched every episode. I’m addicted.
His latest episode:
12 FAVORITE MUSIC / PODCAST
I don’t have one
13 FAVORITE GAME / BOARD GAME
Sims4, I have been playing it again. You guys might know by now that sims4 is my favorite game. And OMG guys, TODDLERS are in the game now!!!
Here are some screenshots of what I have built lately:
This is MR and MRS Lee, they are the parents of one of my sims. They are rich and owns the whole apartment complex that they and their daughter lives in.
This is the apartment I made them.
14 FAVORITE BLOGGER OR OTHER PAGES ON THE INTERNET
I came over this Instagram profile; Bri4nh3nry. I really like the small animated art pieces this guy is making.
https://www.instagram.com/bri4nh3nry/
15 FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE DONE LATELY
Christmas and new year’s eve! Read about my Christmas HERE.
❤ -Rakel
Mini Review: The Golden Compass – His Dark Materials #1 by Philip Pullman |Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens|
Series: Book 1 in His Dark Materials
Published: April 16th 1996 by Alfred A. Knopf (first published 1995)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens
Pages: 399
Language read: English
Format read: Library book
Rating: 3 stars
The Golden Compass synopsis: Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford’s Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors. First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. He leaves Lyra in the care of Mrs. Coulter, an enigmatic scholar and explorer who offers to give Lyra the attention her uncle has long refused her. In this multilayered narrative, however, nothing is as it seems. Lyra sets out for the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate, Roger, bearing a rare truth-telling instrument, the alethiometer. All around her children are disappearing—victims of so-called “Gobblers”—and being used as subjects in terrible experiments that separate humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person’s inner being. And somehow, both Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are involved. –Goodreads
My Thoughts
I wanted to read this book because it is kind of a well known fantasy book, that also has been made into a movie. This book has also won different awards, so I had high hopes for it. If you want to read this book, I recommend you to read it in the winter, because a lot of the story is set on the north pole.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. Even though I really loved the world and the fantasy elements, and I found the story to be intriguing and exciting. I also found the book to be very boring, and I don’t really know why. I think it was the writing, I found myself to be spacing out of the story all the time.
Honorable mention to the dæmons, they are my favorite part of the book. I love how all the humans have their own dæmon. Dæmon is like a magical animal that is linked to the person’s soul. I wish I had my own dæmon, why! Can someone please get me one? I wonder what animal my dæmon would form.
❤ -Rakel
Top 5 Wednesday January 11th: 2017 Debuts You Are Excited For
Top 5 Wednesday is created by Gingerreadslainey. Each week there is a new bookish topic, where everyone can join and create their top 5 list. You can find more information on the Top 5 Wednesday goodreads group. This week’s topic is:
2017 Debuts You Are Excited For
-There is already a ton of hype for well established authors, but here is an opportunity to discuss some debut (new) authors and showcase their books. There are plenty of debut author challenges and lists you can find if you are having trouble with this one 🙂
I’m really looking forward to reading all of these books.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
This is a fantasy young adult book that I’m really looking forward to read. The synopsis of this book sounds really interesting and exctincting, and I have heard great things about it from people who have gotten early copies. I bet this book is going to be on a lot of peoples T5W this week.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
This book sounds like an interesting young adult, contemporary book, that has the very important and current topic in today’s society: The Black Lives matter movement.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice. –Goodreads
A List Of Cages by Robin Roe
I have seen this contemporary YA book around the book community lately, but it was Emma from EMMABOOKS (on youtube) that sold this book for me. Go and read her Goodreads review on this book. LINK
Gilded Cage by Vic James
Another fantasy YA book that sounds like a really interesting and exciting read.
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
I have to admit that I had to do some research on books from debut authors, and I came over a list containing this book. This is what they wrote about this book:
This is intergalactic space opera Game of Thrones with a diverse cast and a kick-ass female protagonist. –Inverse.com
Can it be any better than this? This book sounds amazing.
-Rakel
-Which books did you choose for this week’s T5W?
2017 Reading Challenges
It is that time of the year for goals and reading challenges. I have seen a lot of 2017 Reading challenges going around in the blogging community lately, that people are participating in. I thought it would be fun to participate in some. I’m trying to be selective, because I don’t want to get overwhelmed, I feel like that is so easy to do. I have tried to do the Book Riot challenge before, but now that I have a blog to share my fun (or struggles) I think it is so much easier to continue and not ditch it a few months into the year. Here are some of my favorite challenges that I want to participate in this year.
1.Beat The Backlist Challenge
This challenge is about beating, attacking and murdering those TBR shelves (ok, ok just kidding maybe not murdering, no booklovers want to ruin their books). This challenge is so simple, the only thing you have to do is read the books you own that you bought before 2017. There is also a point system where you can get points for your Hogwarts house, I’m Ravenclaw btw. I’m not sure yet how you do it, so you better go and read what the creator of this challenge is saying about it. I have to do more research on it.
Beat The Backlist Challenge is hosted by: Novelknight.com
I have a huge TBR shelves of books I want to read, but haven’t had the time or gotten around to read. After posting this post: Books I Really Want To Read & Series I want To Start in 2017! some weeks back, a lot of people suggested and recommended me to join this challenge. This is going to be my main challenge for 2017. I’m going to make a document of all of my books that I own, and crossing them out whenever I read a book on the list.
2.2017 Dystopia Reading Challenge
I’m joining the dystopian reading challenge because I love dystiopian books. It sounds like lots of fun, especially the Dystopia Bingo.
Dystopian Reading Challenge is hosted by: Cornerfolds.com & Mysoulcalledlife.com
3.Book Riot Read Harder Challenge
“Just as in years past, there are 24 tasks, averaging to two per month over the course of the next 12 months. You may count one book for multiple tasks, or read one book per task. I’ve said it the last two challenges, so it bears repeating: “We encourage you to push yourself, to take advantage of this challenge as a way to explore topics or formats or genres that you otherwise wouldn’t try. But this isn’t a test. No one is keeping score and there are no points to post. We like books because they allow us to see the world from a new perspective, and sometimes we all need help to even know which perspectives to try out. That’s what this is – a perspective shift – but one for which you’ll only be accountable to yourself.” –BookRiot
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge is hosted by: Book Riot.com
1 Read a book about sports.
2 Read a debut novel.
3 Read a book about books.
4 Read a book set in Central or South America, written by a Central or South American author.
5 Read a book by an immigrant or with a central immigration narrative.
6 Read an all-ages comic.
7 Read a book published between 1900 and 1950.
8 Read a travel memoir.
9 Read a book you’ve read before.
10 Read a book that is set within 100 miles of your location.
11 Read a book that is set more than 5000 miles from your location.
12 Read a fantasy novel.
13 Read a nonfiction book about technology.
14 Read a book about war.
15 Read a YA or middle grade novel by an author who identifies as LGBTQ+.
16 Read a book that has been banned or frequently challenged in your country.
17 Read a classic by an author of color.
18 Read a superhero comic with a female lead.
19 Read a book in which a character of color goes on a spiritual journey (From Daniel José Older, author of Salsa Nocturna, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series, and YA novel Shadowshaper)
20 Read an LGBTQ+ romance novel (From Sarah MacLean, author of ten bestselling historical romance novels)
21 Read a book published by a micropress. (From Roxane Gay, bestselling author of Ayiti, An Untamed State, Bad Feminist, Marvel’s World of Wakanda, and the forthcoming Hunger and Difficult Women)
22 Read a collection of stories by a woman. (From Celeste Ng, author Everything I Never Told You and the forthcoming Little Fires Everywhere)
23 Read a collection of poetry in translation on a theme other than love. (From Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty mystery series, including The Unquiet Dead, The Language of Secrets, and the forthcoming Among the Ruins)
24 Read a book wherein all point-of-view characters are people of color. (From Jacqueline Koyanagi, author of sci-fi novel Ascension)
❤ -Rakel
-Are You Participating In Any 2017 Reading Challenges?
Top 5 Wednesday January 4th: 2017 Goals
Top 5 Wednesday is created by Gingerreadslainey. Each week there is a new bookish topic, where everyone can join and create their top 5 list. You can find more information on the Top 5 Wednesday goodreads group. This week’s topic is:
2017 Goals
-These do not need to be reading goals specifically, they can be any goals you want to talk about. Reading goals, blog/channel/instagram goals, personal goals…anything!
I have a few goals for 2017. My Goodreads reading goals is not on this list, because I haven’t decided yet how many books I want to read in 2017. I’m planning on maybe starting school in the fall, and that will take a lot of my time. What is a manageable goal? I don’t know. My goal for last year was originally 40, but I changed to 50 halfway through. In total I read 53 books in 2016, and that is a lot for me. I’m thinking of maybe lowering my goal to 40 or 45 books. I can always increase the number if I want to like I did in 2016. What do you think?
My goals for 2017 is:
1.Keep on posting 3 blog posts every week
2.Comment more on other blogs
3.Shorten my TBR pile
4.Read more nonfictions, classics and books from Norwegian authors
5.Getting better with my health
mirakelbooks.com 