Tag: fiction

To All the Books I’ve Loved Before Book Tag

Published on by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hello lovely readers! Today I am doing a type of post that I don’t think I’ve ever done before – a book tag! Not only am I doing a tag, but I was actually tagged to do it by another blogger. Thank you so much @whisperingstories for tagging me! I was very excited to receive my first tag.

As you have seen from the title, today I am doing the “To All the books I’ve Loved Before Book Tag.” I did a bit of research and it looks like this tag was initially created by a YouTuber whose channel is called Franky Days. The tag was created a few years ago now, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like she’s still creating videos, but you can check out her introduction to the tag video here.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

This tag is based on the book “To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han, which was also made into a movie within the last couple years. Moment of truth? I have not yet read the book or seen the movie… I know! I know! It’s scandalous. I have been trying to read the book recently. The audiobook became available from my library recently, but I had so many other books come available at the same time that the loan expired… it is now back on hold and hopefully I’ll be able to read it by the end of the year *fingers crossed*.

Despite not yet having read the book, I still thought that this tag looked fun, and the prompts are general enough that I can answer them without any knowledge of the book. I had the most difficult time picking books for each category (how do you choose between all the books you’ve ever read?!) But I think I am satisfied with my choices.

1. Kenny from Camp – Your first book love

I have two answers for this question (look at me breaking rules right out of the gate). The first is one of the first novels that I remember loving as a very small child and that is Brown Ears at Sea by Stephen R. Lawhead. I absolutely loved it. I don’t think that many people have actually heard of this book, so let me know in the comments if you’ve read it.

Brown Ears at Sea by Stephen R Lawhead

My second answer is Nancy Drew. I have gone back to this series over and over again since I read my first book and I think that I will always love it.

Nancy Drew and The Secret of the Old Clock

The other reason I want to put this one here is that Ned Nickerson was my first real book crush (at least the first one I can still remember). To this day I have refused to read any of the series’ where Ned and Nancy are not together. Because I am weird that way. (Don’t even ask me about my feelings regarding Nancy’s love life in the new CW show… I am a hot mess of contradictions about that)

2. John Ambrose McClaren – The book that got away
(a book that may not be your all time favourite now, but you’ll always love it)

I had a really difficult time with this answer (something that was a recurring theme for this list). I have a difficult time picking favourites at the best of times, and there are so many books that I wouldn’t consider to be my favourites but will still always have a special place in my heart.

I decided to go with the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I have not read all of the books in this series, I haven’t even read most of the books in this series. But I did start the series (and read the first 3 or 4 I think) back when they initially came out. And I enjoyed reading them – they were such a roller coaster ride of emotions!

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

After my first initial wave of reading, I kind of just stopped and never went back. I have toyed with the idea of picking up the series again, especially when I hear some of the reviews for the more recent books, but I also worry that they won’t live up to my expectations. In some ways I would rather just enjoy the memory of that first experience.

An honourable mention for this category would be The Little House on the Prairie series. Though it is a series that I hope to revisit with my own children or nieces sometime in the future, I don’t think it’s a book series I would go back to on my own. Even though I loved it when I was young (and am toying with the idea of rewatching the show soon…)

3. Lucas from Homecoming – Your favourite LGBTQ+ character or book

I had a few choices for this category that I went back and forth between, but I ended up going with one of my more recent reads. I loved Calamity Jane from My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows. This is book 3 in the the Lady Janies series. I had so much fun reading it and I loved Jane as a character.

My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

An honorable mention for this category would be The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. I thought Monty was such a great (and also at times terrible) character and I had lots of fun with that book, even though I have yet to pick up the later books in the series.

4. Josh Sanderson – the book book next door
(a book that you’ll love no matter how many times you read it)

Even just looking through this list here, there are so many books that I have read that could be put into this category, but in the end, there was only one that really called out to me, and that’s Going Postal by Terry Pratchett.

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

This was the first Pratchett that I read, and I think it will always be my favourite. It doesn’t matter how many times I read it, it is always laugh out loud funny and it always makes me happy. I also just couldn’t go this whole list without including a Pratchett title somewhere.

4. Peter Kavinsky – your one true book love

Is it even fair to ask a book lover to name their one true book love? Isn’t that like asking a parent to choose between their children?

That being said, I picked The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I can’t decide if it’s truly “my one true book love” but the Narnia series is probably the one I have re-read the most of all the books I’ve read in my lifetime, and it never fails to disappoint. I will forever wish to find a secret world in the back of a wardrobe… actually, let’s be real. I will forever hope to stumble upon Narnia itself in the back of a wardrobe. Even though I know that Tumnus couldn’t possibly be there to greet me.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I want to include an honourable mention for this category as well since it seemed wrong to only include one… The other series I considered for this category was Anne of Green Gables. I will always have a soft spot for the Anne series, and it has had such an impact on my life. Also – Gilbert Blythe may be my one true love book boyfriend… just saying.

I completed a book tag! While I was working on it, I felt sure that I wouldn’t be able to come up with any books to fit into the categories, but I did it, and I had a lot of fun doing it. As much as I don’t like being forced to make choices about the books in my life, it is also good to stretch out of my comfort zone from time to time. I may just seek out some more tags to do in the upcoming months.

Now, onto the people I tag! I am still fairly new to the Book blogging world, but these are just a few of the blogs I’ve been enjoying lately.
1) Elaine Howlin
2) Cherelle the bibiophile
3) Soph’s Book World
4) You! If you are reading this post and think that it would be fun to participate, then consider yourself tagged! And let me know if you’ve done it in the comments so I can check out your picks!

Until Next Time,

Meaghan Signature

Fall Leaves on a Book

Fall 2020 Reading Goals (September – November)

Published on by Meaghan Elizabeth

Depending on what you consider to be the start of fall, this post is either quite late or pretty close to right on time. I tend to start my ‘fall reading’ at the beginning of September because, regardless of the weather, that always seems like the unofficial start of fall to me. The kids go back to school and cooling temperatures and changing leaves are on the horizon. So, from my point of view, this post is very late… but c’est la vie. We are here now.

I don’t stick too closely to seasonal themes in my reading, but I do like to try to read at least some books that fit within the seasonal theme or feel. For me, in recent years anyways, that means cozy, slightly spooky, more “atmospheric” (whatever that means) books for the fall. In practice this generally means a lot of mystery, some thrillers, some that are loosely horror or supernatural, and then fantasy.

These seasonal aspects, along with the knowledge that we are entering the final stretch of this year and I have not made nearly as much progress on the reading goals I set out earlier this year, are the things that shaped my reading goals for this fall.

Goal #1: Fantasy

Fantasy Book Cover slices
Fantasy Books Cover slices

What you will soon discover, if you have not already, is that I read fantasy year round. The amount can vary depending on the mood I’m in, but fantasy is a staple in my reading diet. At this time of year, I tend to gravitate towards some of those darker, atmospheric (there’s that word again) fantasies that just seem so well suited to fall. Since my summer reading was light on fantasy this year, I want to focus on reading more fantasy overall along with focusing on the fall vibes.Here are some of the books I’ve picked for this category.

I) Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff
As you’ll see in my September wrap up next week, I read the second book in this series, Godsgrave, at the end of August. This dark, gritty series is perfect for fall and I hope to finish the series off this year.

II) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
This was on last year’s fall list and it didn’t happen, therefore it needs to happen this year. If ever there a year to read about an unlikely duo trying to stop the apocalypse, it feels like this is it.

III) Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab
Cassidy Blake can see ghosts and in this instalment on particularly unpleasant poltergeist is loose in Paris. I really enjoyed the first book in this middle grade series when it came out. With it’s ghostly vibes and setting, I think book 2 will be the perfect fall read.

IV) Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett
I have not read nearly enough Pratchett this year, and that needs to change. This instalment, focusing on the Grim Reaper, seems to be a seasonally appropriate choice. If ever there was a year that needed a few laughs…

V) House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
I don’t think this one really fits with the atmospheric vibes, but it’s been on my list since it came out earlier this year, and I am crossing my fingers it will be my turn at the library soon.

Goal # 2: Fright

Fright Books Cover slices
Fright Books Cover Slices

This category includes more than just your typical scary books; it also includes some mysteries and thrillers and some fantasy. I don’t gravitate towards intense horrors (even though sometimes I think I might like to) because I like to sleep and my imagination mixed with horror doesn’t always allow that. But I really enjoy a certain level of scary, so I am always on the hunt for the perfect level of scary.

I) Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
This book features a haunted house and dangerous ghosts. What more really needs to be said? (Seriously though, if you want a wee bit more than that, come back next week for the blurb in my wrap up)

II) We have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
If you haven’t heard of this one before, Jackson is the same author that wrote The Haunting of Hill House, and I have heard that this one is even better than that one.

III) The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
Every year the small town in this book is revisited by the ghosts of three young woman that were drowned as witches 200 years prior. The women inhabit the bodies of living young women and proceed to drown young men to enact their revenge on the town. The synopsis as I have given it sounds terrible, but I have heard excellent things about this one.

IV) The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
You may have figured out by now that I love stories that include an aspect of a “retelling.” I don’t know much about this one, and I’ve actually heard very mixed reviews for it, but as it fits into this category of retelling, I am looking forward to giving it a shot.

V) Assorted Thrillers, Horror and Mystery
I have more specific titles on my personal list, but I am largely at the mercy of the library hold list as well as the “reading whims.” The “reading whims” have strong feelings about which books in this category I am drawn to pick up. Also – I am always looking for recommendations of books that are spooky, creepy, and scary, but that aren’t too scary or gory. If you have any, I’d love to hear them in the comments!

Goal #3: Cozy and Chick

Cozy and Chick books Cover Blocks
Cozy and Chic Books Cover Blocks

Here there be cozy mysteries as well as anything that I might classify as “chick lit.” Okay, okay, I hear you. This is a bit of a 180 from the previous two categories, but hear me out. There are a lot of cozy mysteries and contemporary/romance books that are either clearly set in fall, or give off intense fall vibes, and that is largely what I want from this category. I also just really love this category of books and know that if I don’t put any on the list I’m likely to go off the rails and abandon all other categories…

I) Read at least 2 Leslie Meier books
I have not read many Leslie Meier cozies, and the ones I have read have left me very indecisive as to whether I enjoy them… but she writes so many seasonally themed mysteries that I want to give her another shot.

II) At least 1 Agatha Christie
I’m not sure if I want to read the other Christie that is on my “Twenties” reading list, or if I want to read something completely different, but after reading the Mysterious Affair at Styles earlier in the summer, I am feeling drawn to pick up another one of her books.

III) A Murder She Wrote novel
Yes. I am that girl. I am 100% unsure of how good this series of books based on the show will be, but I am also quite addicted to Murder She Wrote these days, so I figure, why not?

IV) Start a new series by Samantha Chase
This one doesn’t fit with my “fall vibes” theme. I enjoy Chases’ romance novels and haven’t picked on up since I finished the series I was reading earlier this year. I want to start a new series so I have it on the back burner going into winter.

Goal #4: Miscellaneous

Leaves on an open book
Image by ksyfffka07 from Pixabay

I have a few more general reading goals for the fall and a few books that didn’t fit into the other categories that I wanted to share as well. Full disclosure – if these goals were being ranked in a high school year book, they’d probably receive “most likely to not be completed”… just saying.

I) Make some progress on my “Book Lists”
Along with some of my themed reading lists that I’ve shared here over the past year, I also wrote a “Must Reads” list for 2020 at the beginning of the year. There are 20 books (plus optional sub ins) on this list, and up to this point, I have read 9 of them. And don’t even ask me how I’m progressing on my themed lists…

II) One or Two Non-fiction books
I am trying to get back into reading non-fiction at least occasionally, and there are a few books in this category that I have really wanted to read for some time. Let’s see if I can finally convince myself to dive in. If it’s on a list, it has to happen… right?

III) Graphic Novels
On my personal goals list, this was specifically to pick the LumberJanes series up again. I am still planning on that, but I also feel drawn to graphic novels in general right now. I have only dipped my toe into this category, so if you have any that you could recommend, I am always open to suggestions.

IV) Something Mermaid
I know, I know, this is both oddly specific and extremely vague. Basically, I know there are some more spooky mermaid fantasies that I want to read, but it will all depend on library availability (and my ability to remember what they are…)

V) Start a ‘Walking Book’
Yes. This is another strange one. This goal is tied into a goal I have to go for walks more consistently. I have the idea that if I start an audiobook that can only be read while walking, I’ll walk more… so far I have succeeded in increasing the number of walks I’ve gone on, and listened to zero audiobooks on the way. So this might be a doomed goal, but we shall see.

There you have it, all of my reading goals for Fall 2020. I know that it might seem like a lot of goals, but I make my reading goals the same way that I make my themed reading lists. Think of it like a reading goal buffet – you want to have plenty of options to pick from to be prepared for whatever mood that strikes. Sometimes you want salad and mains, and sometimes you want 3 helpings of dessert…

…now that I’ve made myself completely hungry, I think that it’s a good time to wrap up this post. What about you? Do you find that you tend to read seasonally? What are some of your favourite fall reads?

Until Next Time,

Meaghan Signature

Summer Reading Wrap Up

Published on by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hello Friends, and welcome back! It has been awhile. When last we spoke, it was the middle of July and I was bringing you my June reading wrap up. And here we are in the middle of September and, though I’m back with another reading wrap up, it’s now for the entire rest of the summer.

I took a bit of an unplanned writing hiatus this summer. Between the stresses of figuring out whether or not we were still going to Newfoundland this year, and a number of big family things that happened between the end of July and the end of August, writing just didn’t happen. My one week break turned into two, and then next thing I knew, it was the middle of September, and it had been two months without a single post.

With previous blogs and writing projects, this break would have been enough to make me quit the project all together. But I’m trying really hard not to do that this time. 2020 has been such a crazy year that I’m trying to give myself a good measure of grace when things don’t go the way that I’ve planned. Sometimes life demands that you take a break from your projects, and that is okay.

So I’m going to pick myself up, dust of my keyboard, and get back to it. And this month you’re going to get a wrap up that covers two months instead of one.

Speaking of the wrap up… since this post covers two months, and quite a few books, I’m only going to comment on a few of the books individually, and I’m going to try to keep those comments short and sweet. I’m also not going to stay strictly chronological to allow me to group books together to talk about them. Sound good? Okay, let’s get to it.

Book on a blanket in summer. Image by Innviertlerin from Pixabay

July

I had a rocking reading month in July. I read a total of 12 books, 2 of which were audiobooks. I started off the month continuing the paranormal mystery series by Dionne Lister that I started in June. Because these books are like candy, and are fairly short, quick reads, they gave me a significant amount of reading momentum to carry through the rest of the month. I also got on a bit of a romance kick this month, which kept me moving through books at a quick pace.

Dionne Lister book collage

I read 4 more books from the Dionne Lister series I started in June. I enjoyed some more than others, but overall I cannot get enough of this series. I actually had to force myself to pause my reading of this series, because I didn’t want to devour them too quickly. (That reminds me, I think it’s time to pick up the next book…) I won’t go into each book, but if you enjoy cozy mysteries and also enjoy stories that have a paranormal aspect, I would highly recommend you look into this series.

1. Witchslapped in Westerham by Dionne Lister

2. Witch Silenced in Westerham by Dionne Lister

3. Witch Haunted in Westerham by Dionne Lister

4. Killer Witch in Westerham by Dionne Lister

Romance Reads book collage

I read quite of bit of romance this summer and, though they were a mixed bag in terms of quality and enjoyability, for the most part I enjoyed them all. I also think that some of my complaints were less about the books themselves and more about my personal preference when it comes to romance (in particular steaminess level). Of the books listed below, my favourite was without doubt “The Governess Game.”

5. Against Her Rules by Victoria Barbour
You might recognize this title from my post about books set in Newfoundland. If I manage to read a few more from that list, I’ll do a bit of a wrap up, but for now I’ll just say that this one was enjoyable, but the style wasn’t my favourite. If you don’t enjoy “insta-love,” maybe pass this one by. For me, it depends on how it’s done and this one fell just short of the mark.

6. Swipe Right for a Cowboy by Karen Foley

7. Falling for the Highlander by Emma Prince

8. The Governess Game by Tessa Dare
This series is is pretty much everything I want in a romance series. There is plenty of steaminess, and romance (of course), but Dare also incorporates humour, and brings a depth to her characters that is sometimes absent from others in this genre. I cannot wait to pick up book 3.

Mystery and Fantasy Reads book collage

These last few books from July include a little bit of mystery and a little bit of fantasy (okay a lot of fantasy) and, all but the Agatha Christie book, include a combination of both. I have touched on the Jim Butcher series before, and I will again most likely in an upcoming post, so I’ll just tell you a bit about the last book for now.

9. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

10. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

11. Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

12. My Calamity Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodie Meadows
This series (each of which can be read as standalones), is a perfect combination of historical fiction, fantasy and humour. I would highly recommend the audiobooks, because the narration adds an amazing aspect to the story, especially as the narrators often provide commentary on the story. Even if historical fiction is not your thing, if you enjoy fantasy with a good dose of humour, I would highly recommend you give this series a try.

August

My reading slowed down quite a bit in August. This was partially because work was so busy that I just didn’t feel drawn to reading in the evenings, and partially because I started working on some art/craft projects more regularly. This list is also a bit skewed because I read a very long book at the end of August that I didn’t finish until the beginning of September. In total I read 5 books in August, 2 of which were audiobooks.

Books I read in August book collage

1. Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown

2. Sweet Nothings by Kim Law

3. The Cat Came Back by Louise Clark
This is the first book in a series that, oddly enough, I forgot I started. This gap in memory is not a comment on the book so much as it is a comment on the craziness that was August. This is another new cozy mystery series that includes a good dash of the fantastic and paranormal. This was a solid first entry, and I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series. (A tip to draw you in… there is a talking cat and he is amazing).

4. Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
I had a lot of fun with this rom-com style book. It was funny, and cute, and I thought the relationships were well developed. I did guess the twist, but despite that the ending was completely worth it and it was just different enough from how I guessed to keep my interest to the very end. If you enjoy fun romances with quirky characters and plenty of movie references, then I would highly recommend you pick this one up.

5. Death Masks by Jim Butcher

Altogether this summer I read 17 books, and I would say that is quite the accomplishment. I enjoyed most of the books I read, and I found a couple new series and new authors that I am excited to continue with. How did your summer reading go? Did you read as many books as you were expecting? What was the best book you picked up this summer?

Until Next Time,

Meaghan Signature