reading wrap up – Maps and Meanderings

That’s a Wrap! The Best and Worst of my 2020 Reading

Published on January 28, 2021January 25, 2021 by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hello Lovely Readers! I hope your week has been treating you well. My day job has been ridiculously busy and stressful this month and I have barely done any reading. Unless something drastic changes this week, my January wrap up is going to be short… unless we can count hours played in Stardew valley?

Now that we are over halfway through January, I figured that I should get around to doing a 2020 reading wrap up. Despite everything negative about 2020, I had a successful reading year. I read over 100 books and, though most of those books were within my comfort genres, I did stretch myself a bit to read outside my comfort zone. I hope to continue stretching myself in 2021.

I wasn’t sure where to focus this wrap up or how to wrap up an entire years worth of books in one post, so I picked just a few categories to discuss. I decided to share my favourite reads, my least favourite reads, and my favourite series’ from this past year. I picked 5 entries for each category, and the lists below are in no particular order. It is hard enough to pick only 5 for each category without also trying to rank them.

5 Least Favourite Reads in 2020

1. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

I discussed this book in more detail here, and I won’t go into the details of why I didn’t enjoy it in this post. Suffice it to say I was very disappointed with this read. I had memories of reading and enjoying a book or two in this series in the past, and so I had high hopes going into this one that were not realized. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more books in this series.

2. 1st to Die by James Patterson

I debated including this one here because I still think that the series has potential, and I may still give it a second shot. But this book was not high on my list of reads this year. While I didn’t actively dislike this one in the way I did others in this category, it also did not hit the mark. And, considering the high expectations I had for such a high profile author, even a mediocre enjoyment of this one was bound to be disappointing. I may try book 2 in this series if it comes available while I’m in the right reading mood.

3. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

If you read my wrap up of this one, you will know that I was incredibly disappointed with this read. As it is written by Agatha Christie, I had a certain level of expectation going into it and those expectations were not met. This book wasn’t terrible by any means, but it also wasn’t to the level I would have expected and there were more many aspects of the story that grated on my nerves. If you are looking to get into Christie I would recommend that you do not start with this one.

4. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich and Promise of Love by Tamie Dearn

So I am cheating with this entry by listing two books, but I wanted to include both of them without removing any of the others. I started to put this list together early in December, so one book was already given a reprieve after I read these two. I won’t go into details of why I didn’t like these books, because I discussed them both in my last post, but I actively did not enjoy either of these books.

5. He Started it by Samantha Downing

With two books in the previous entry, this book shouldn’t be on this list. And in many ways, this book doesn’t really belong in this category since I didn’t dislike it that much. But I wanted to leave it here because I know that I have an unpopular opinion when it comes to Samantha Downing. I have now read both of her books, and I have not enjoyed either of them. The writing, in my opinion, is just okay and I found myself having to force my way through both of them. It’s never good to be bored while reading, and it’s even worse when the book is supposed to be a thriller. Many people have enjoyed this book, so I think it just may not be the style for me. I don’t think that I’ll be reading any more books by this author.

5 Favourite Series I read in 2020

1. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

I imagine that you are tired of hearing me talk about the Dresden Files series, but if we’re talking about the series’ I read in 2020, this one needs to be on the list. After picking up book early in the year, I made it a good way through the series by the end of December. Though there are aspects of the series that I haven’t loved, I am so glad that I picked it up and I think that there is a lot to love about this paranormal/fantasy mystery series. I particularly enjoy the combination of fantasy with mystery and, despite his numerous faults, I like Harry Dresden. This is a series I will definitely be continuing in 2021.

2. The Paranormal Investigation Bureau by Dionne Lister

I came across this series by accident as a daily deal on Amazon. I had the first three books in the series in a bind up, and since they were short, easy to read, and immensely enjoyable, I quickly found myself hooked. I blew through the first few books in the series in a matter of weeks and then took a break to prolong the enjoyment. I am more than overdue to pick the series back up again. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a fantasy or supernatural twist, then I would highly recommend picking up this series.

3. Band on the Run by Samantha Chase

It is hard to believe I first picked up this series just over a year ago, but January 2020 really does feel like such a long time ago. Over the past year, Samantha Chase has become one of my favourite romance authors. Though this is the only fully series I have read so far, I enjoyed each of them. Chase always leaves me wanting more with her books and I look forward to reading more in the upcoming year.

4. Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare

As I mentioned earlier, I never would have expected to enjoy this series so much if I was going solely based on the covers. But I loved the first two books of this series this year, and I can’t wait to read the next books. I think it is amazing how Dare combines humour with romance, and I love that her characters have depth and exhibit growth over the course of the book. This series definitely caused me to reconsider how I view the romance genre.

5. League of Extraordinary Women by Evie Dunmore

When everyone was raving about this series early in 2020, even those who don’t normally read historical fiction, I knew that I had to pick it up. While I didn’t love the first book as much as some, it was a really fun read and I enjoyed it more than enough to know I wanted to read book 2. And book 2 was what landed this series on this list. I loved the characters in book 2 and I found that I resonated more with the story. Dunmore is also able to combine humour and romance in a wonderful way and I look forward to book 3.

I read so many great books in 2020 and I escaped to so many amazing worlds. I wish that I had the space, and the time, to look back on the year in more detail, but I think that these lists do a decent job of summarizing the year’s reading. I had initially intended to include some reading goals in this post, but I think that this post is more than long enough for one week, so the look ahead to 2021 can wait until next week.

Until next time,

December 2020 Reading Wrap Up

Published on January 14, 2021January 12, 2021 by Meaghan Elizabeth1 Comment

Hello Lovely Readers! It has been awhile. I hope, despite everything that was different about this year, that your holidays were good and that you were able to find some bright spots. My Christmas was definitely different, but there were still bright spots and happy memories that will come out of it. In some ways it was also nice to have a more relaxed season and to have a few days that were genuinely “off” time to recuperate a bit from how busy December was for me work wise.

Early in the month my reading got a major kick start when In A Holidaze came available from the library. I was on the wait list since the release date and was certain that it would come available in time for Christmas in July if I was lucky, so I was beyond excited when I got it in perfect time to read for this Christmas. As you will see below, it was exactly what I needed to get me into the reading mood.

If you can think way back to the beginning of December, you might recall that I am testing out the idea of setting myself both seasonal and monthly reading Bingos. We are currently in the middle of the first seasonal Bingo, so I’m not going to talk about that one, but I have completed the first of the monthly Bingos, and I am going to incorporate the results into the wrap ups below and then at the very end we can take a look at the finished product and see how I did with my board.

1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (3 Stars)
Family and Friends

I originally added this to my TBR back in October with the intention to read it for one of my spooky or atmospheric reads. I didn’t have any trouble getting it from the library, but I had real trouble actually picking it up, and then even when I finally started it, I could not get past the first chapter. I wish that I could say that it was worth pushing through and finishing, but I found it to be an average read. I gave it a 3 stars because I didn’t dislike it in anyway, and there were aspects of the main character that I really enjoyed, but overall I found it just okay. I used this book for the “Family and Friends” prompt, and if you have read this book you will know that it’s a bit tongue in cheek but also very fitting.

2. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren (5 Stars)
A Book Published in 2020

This is the latest Christina Lauren romance, and this time there is a bit of a time travel twist mixed in that I was 100% there for. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and though I have only read 3 Christina Lauren novels so far, this one may have pushed The Unhoneymooners out of it’s place as my favourite, though only time will tell. I loved the groundhog day/time travel aspect and I loved how the romance developed between the main characters. I also really enjoyed seeing the main character’s growth and the way she came into herself over the course of the book. Overall, this was the perfect holiday romance for this year and it was exactly what I needed to get me into the reading mood.

3. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich (1 Star)
A Christmas Mystery

This is the first Janet Evanovich book I have read and, based on her popularity I expected so much more. I may still give her another try since I have since discovered that Goodreads has very mixed reviews for this particular novella – people either love it or they absolutely hate it as compared to her other works. The only thing I enjoyed about this novella was that there was occasionally a great line of dialogue or thought from the main character that makes me think she may be enjoyable in a different story. Not only was this story too short and underdeveloped, but some of it was borderline, if not outright offensive. I don’t give 1 star ratings very often, because I think that sometimes it is just that a book was not right for me, but in this case I would actively recommend that you do not pick this book up.

4. Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves by Harper Lin (4 Stars)
Many Happy Returns

Americanos, Apple Pie and Art Thieves by Harper Lin

This is book 5 in the Cape Bay Cafe mystery series, and like the others in this series, I really enjoyed it. I have found this to be a solid cozy mystery series and I don’t know why I’m not making my way through it quicker. I like the main characters and all the secondary characters, and I really like the relationships that the characters have with each other. I am also a sucker for a cozy series set in a cafe, so there is that. The only thing that could have made this better was if I was on the “Christmas” book of the series instead of the Thanksgiving book.

5. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams (4 Stars)
A Book with Green on the Cover

This book technically could have counted for one of the free spaces, but it felt a bit cheaty to me to count a book as both “free” and something else. So here we are. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this one, but I had a lot of fun with it. I like the concept of a group of guys reading romance novels and banding together to help each other fix their relationships. I also liked the commentary about romance novels that appeared throughout the story. If you enjoy romance novels, this is one that I would recommend, and I look forward to picking up the second book in the series.

6. Snowy Nights at the Loney Hearts by Karen King (3.5 Stars)
A Christmas Romance

Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel by Karen King

This book was a pleasant surprise. It was one that I picked up on a deal on Kindle, and since I have mixed success with those picks, I am always happy when I find a winner. I liked that the Christmas theme was prevalent throughout the story instead of just being a thin backdrop to an otherwise normal romance story. In this case, the main character is tasked with taking over and running an annual Christmas dinner at her sister’s Bed and Breakfast while her sister is unable to get home from her vacation in time. Overall, this was an enjoyable seasonal read and I am glad that I picked it up. I would read more from this author.

7. Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (3.5 Stars)
A book that includes Baking

After the disaster that was Visions of Sugar Plums, and my mixed enjoyment of the Leslie Meier seasonal mysteries, I was happy to find myself thoroughly enjoying this book. I liked all of the characters, and I liked that the main character has a bakery. I read this as an audiobook, so the recipes included at the end of each chapter were a bit distracting, but once I realized they were always at the end of the chapter, they became easy to skip. Even after discovering that, I found myself listening to them on more than one occasion – who would have thought that listening to someone read a recipe aloud could be so enjoyable. This is book 26 in the Hannah Swensen series, but it is the first one that I read and I had no trouble understanding what was going on. I will be adding more in this series to my TBR over the upcoming year.

8. Promise of Love by Tamie Dearen (2 Stars)
A Book with Red on the cover

After being pleasantly surprised with the last two books on this list, this one was a let down. I wanted another fun Christmas romance, and though this one fit the category, I did not enjoy it. I didn’t like the main character, I didn’t like her love interests, and there was something off about the pacing. I wrote in my Goodreads review that the book felt like it was trying too hard and I stand by that still. I don’t think I will be picking up anything else from this author.

9. Small Favor by Jim Butcher (4 Stars)
A fantasy Read

I don’t really have anything to say about this one other than that it was another solid, and enjoyable entry in the Dresden files series. I am still enjoying this series, though I am starting to get concerned because I know that there is a book coming up shortly that takes the series in a different direction that people either love or hate. I am both looking forward to that book and dreading it.

Other Completed Squares

Read 5 Books
Snuggle up by the Tree or Fire
2 Audiobooks
Hit 100 Books in 2020

Missed Squares

A Book Under 100 pages or a Short Story
Both Free Spaces

I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but I managed to complete all but 3 squares on my Bingo this month – and two of those were free spaces! I am also didn’t need to use any book for more than one square – not counting the “other” category. I would say December Bingo was a success, though honestly I’m not sure how much it shaped my reading. I can’t tell if I picked books to fit the squares or if I got lucky, so I think it’ll take a few more months to determine if this is a good tool to help me meet my reading goals.

And along those lines… you may have already guessed this, but there is not going to be a Bingo for January. It’s only the second month in and I’ve already missed it. I am going to try for February, because I did enjoy the process, but I may end up abandoning the monthly Bingos and focus on the seasonal ones only. I love the idea of Bingo, but I can’t help feeling there has to be some other, more original, game idea that would work for me.

How did your reading go in December? Has your January reading game started out strong or, like me, are you struggling to actually pick up a book and read? Let me know your favourite read from December in the comments.

Until Next Time,

Fall 2020 Reading Wrap Up – How Did I Do?

Published on January 12, 2021 by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hi Friends, as I was working on my new post for this week, I discovered that this post somehow got stuck as a scheduled post and never went live. Since I spent the time working on it, I decided to post it even though it’s late. I hope you enjoy this bonus, very late, fall wrap up. I will see you with my December wrap up on Thursday!

Hello Lovely Readers! I am a bit behind with this post (can you believe next week is Christmas?!), but I still wanted to take the time to review my fall reading. For those of you that are new, I am terrible at following reading lists and reading goals, but I still like to set myself seasonal challenges and goals to work towards. I try to keep them broad and include many categories so that I don’t get bored or discouraged.

This Fall, I set myself a number of reading goals that I shared with you all here, and now it is time to see how I did. I decided that the easiest way to review my goals was to list them below alongside the discussion of whether I met the goal or not. I set myself 4 main goals each of which had either specific books listed along with them or sub-goals.

I read a total of 23 books, 9 of which were audiobooks. I DNF’d 2 books and my average rating was 3.5 Stars.

Goal #1: Fantasy

My focus for this goal was to read more fantasy overall and focus on those that were atmospheric or had “fall vibes.” Of the specific books that I listed for this category, I read only one – Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab. Though I didn’t do well with reading the specific books that I chose, I am going to mark this goal as successful. Overall this Fall I read 8 Fantasy novels and 5 or 6 of them were atmospheric. My fantasy game was on point this season.

My favourite book from this goal was probably Dead Beat by Jim butcher, but almost any of the books I read from the Dresden Files would fit.

Goal # 2: Fright

This category included more than just your typical scary books; it also included some mysteries and thrillers and some fantasy. When I first reviewed this goal, I thought that I was unsuccessful, but when I looked a bit further, I did not too bad. I would say that I had mid-level success in this category.

I read Home Before Dark by Riley Sager and The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, which were both on the list. I did not read We Have Always Lived in the Castle but I started it and, hopefully, I can finish it this month. If I didn’t slip into a bit of a reading slump, I would have finished it since it is short. I also read a couple of miscellaneous thrillers, with mixed success, as I didn’t love any of them.

My favourite book from this goal was definitely Home Before Dark, which I think was also my only 5 Star read this season. If you have not picked this one up yet, and enjoy books that are ghostly and creepy but not too scary, then I would highly recommend this one.

Goal #3: Cozy and Chic

This goal was intended to be a mixture of cozy, and less intense, mysteries as well as chick-lit. It’s an odd combination, but it worked for me. There was one sub-goal in this category that I did not meet (reading a Murder She Wrote novel), but overall I did very well. It was probably the most successful category this season. In addition to the specific sub-goals below, I also read 3 additional books in this category.

I) Read at least 2 Leslie Meier books – I read all 3 of Meier’s Halloween themed mysteries. I still have mixed opinions about this series, but I don’t regret reading any of them, so that is a bonus. I am going to continue reading this series.

II) At least 1 Agatha Christie – Though I successfully met this goal, the book I chose was my most disappointing read this season. I read Hallowe’en Party and I did not enjoy it. You can see more of my thoughts here, but I would not recommend this one if you are looking to get into Agatha Christie.

III) Start a new series by Samantha Chase – I started the Shaugnessy Brothers series this fall, and I am really excited to continue reading it. The book I read, Made for Us, wasn’t my favourite by Chase, but it was a solid read and exactly what I was looking for out of this type of romance novel.

My favourite book from this goal was A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore, which I talked about last week.

Goal #4: Miscellaneous

I had 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. When I set these goals, I suspected that they would be the ones I was least likely to accomplish, and I was only partially correct in that prediction.

I) Make some progress on my “Book Lists” – I didn’t do all that well with this category, though I did read one book off my “must reads list” for this year. After putting it off for so long, I finally picked up An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green, and I am so glad that I did.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green — I ended up enjoying this book more than I anticipated. An excellent intro Sci-Fi read in my opinion

II) One or Two Non-fiction books – I actually managed to read one non-fiction book this season. I wasn’t going to count it, because it was a book I had to read as part of a weekly Bible study I joined. But then I decided that I chose to join the study, and I chose to read the book each week, so it should count. Baby steps.

III) Graphic Novels – I read one book for this category, and though I really enjoyed it, I would say that I was not successful in meeting this goal. The primary reason for setting this goal was to read The Lumberjanes and I did not do that. This goal will continue into the winter season.

IV) Something Mermaid – I am so disappointed that I did not accomplish this goal. I had a book for this category out from the e-library for at least a month, maybe two, and I just never picked it up. Perhaps I’ll read it in the next few months.

V) Start a ‘Walking Book’– I did not meet this goal even a little bit. Though I was doing well at walking most days during the week during September, I didn’t manage to keep up with that habit, and when I did walk, I was either with someone or listening to music. I do still want to work towards walking more, so maybe this will be a goal I revisit next year, but we shall see.

Though there were a few sub-goals and books on this list that I did not read or accomplish, I think that overall I had a successful reading season. I met many of my goals, and though I didn’t read as many books as I would have liked in November, I read a lot of books this fall that I really enjoyed. Depending on how you do with goals, you may think that my results are disappointing, but knowing me as I do, I would say this is a resounding success. I am looking forward to seeing how I do with my Winter Reading Goals that I shared last week.

How would you rate your fall reading? Did you accomplish your reading goals or read all the books you hoped to read? What was your favourite book that you read this fall? Let me know in the comments!

Until Next Time,

November Reading Wrap Up & December Reading Bingo

Published on December 3, 2020December 2, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth1 Comment

Hello Lovely Readers! It has been a couple weeks since my last post. Work has been kicking my butt for the last couple weeks, and then I caught a cold that added it’s two cents into the butt kicking. But I am back and ready to jump back in, and what better way than with a look at how my reading went in November.

Despite my best intentions, November was another mediocre reading month for me. It is not uncommon for my reading to slow down at the end of the year, and then when you add in the extra life stress that I experienced this month, it’s not entirely surprising that I didn’t read as much as I wanted. It also didn’t help that the first two books I picked up in November were disappointing.

I finished a total of 6 books in November. I read 2 audiobooks, 2 e-books, and 2 physical books. My favourite read of the month was A Rogue of One’s Own and my least favourite was Hallowe’en Party. While you will see a non-fiction book on this wrap up, I can’t count it for Non-fiction November since I’ve been reading it in weekly portions since September.

1. Slayer by Kiersten White (3 Stars)

I had a really difficult time getting through Slayer. I enjoyed it while I was listening to it, but as soon as I turned it off, I didn’t feel any pull to pick it back up. Many evenings I didn’t listen to anything before bed because I just didn’t care. This book had a lot of potential, and all of the elements of a book that I should have enjoyed. I can also see the potential for the rest of the series (that ending, though!). But unfortunately, overall it fell flat. I will most likely pick up book 2, but if I feel the same way about it that I did about this one, I don’t think I’ll force my way through it.

2. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie (3 Stars… maybe 2.5?)

I hate to say it, but this book was so disappointing, and I had such high hopes. A Halloween themed Agatha Christie? How was it possible I had never heard of that before. But it did not live up to expectations. It wasn’t terrible by any means, but it was long and it was tedious. I had the motive figured out pretty early, but it was a long process to get to the final reveal and the culprit.

I also had a hard time with the amount of time spent on the possibility that the murder was likely to have been committed by someone who had recently been let out of a psychiatric institution. I don’t know if this was an issue relevant to Christie at the time, but it was overdone and unnecessary. Even as a misdirect for the murder, it was such an obvious misdirect. While I am glad to have read this one, it will not be one that I recommend to those looking to pick up Agatha Christie.

3. The Girls Weekend by Jody Gehrman (3.5 Stars)

I considered giving The Girls Weekend 4 stars, but I settled on 3.5 because I had mixed feelings. I enjoyed it more than I have enjoyed some other thrillers lately, but there was just something about it that didn’t quite hit the spot. I was drawn right into the story at the beginning, but by the time it reached the middle, my interest began to wane, and then the ending was just okay. Based on the build up throughout, I wanted more intrigue and spice from the ending. In the end, it wasn’t my favourite, but I would pick up another book by this author.

4. A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore (4 Stars)

This is the second book in the A League of Extraordinary Women series. I really enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. This series is historical romance with a humorous side, and it completely hit the spot for me. I consistently enjoy all of the characters in this series, and I loved the interactions and the romantic build up between our two main characters. Though I loved the humour in Book one, I liked the relationship better in this one.

5. White Night by Jim Butcher (4 Stars)

I’m not going to say too much about this, other than to say that I am still really enjoying this series. If you are new to this series, it definitely takes a few books before it hits it’s stride, but I have been consistently giving 4 star ratings to the past few books I’ve read in the series. Though the main draw is definitely the fantasy world and the humour, I also love the characters and the way they interact with each other. Looking back, one of my criticisms of the first few books is that I didn’t always believe the relationships, and I am so glad that aspect has improved and settled in.

6. None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different from Us by Jen Wilkin (4.5 Stars)

This book is different from what you normally see on this blog, and I think this is the first non-fiction that I have completed this year. I read this book over the past couple months as part of a weekly virtual Bible study that I participated in, and I really enjoyed it. The author challenged me, and made me think, and she presented the concepts and attributes of God in ways that I had never considered before while remaining very accessible. If this is something that you are interested in, I would highly recommend this book.

Last month I introduced a new feature where I look at some of the books or goals that I anticipate reading in the upcoming month. Looking back on last month’s preview, I did a mediocre job of predicting my November reading. I predicted I would need to read like it was my full time job in November to meet all my goals, and you already know I didn’t do that.

While I did continue reading some of the spookier, thriller type books, I didn’t read all that many of them. And I certainly didn’t read a big fantasy book. I picked one up and got about 50 pages at the most into it. Suffice it to say, I didn’t do all that well at meeting my November goals.

December Preview

This month’s preview looks a bit different yet again. I am testing out the idea of a monthly Reading Bingo to help guide and direct my reading for the month. I’ve tried to keep the prompts general so that they fit my goals for the month, but aren’t too specific that they won’t work for others, because I would love for you to join in!

In addition to the picture below, I have attached the PDF file. Feel free to download it and join me this month in working towards a BINGO or two! And let me know in the comments if you’re going to participate, or what you think of the prompts, because I’m thinking of continuing these monthly boards in 2021 and would love the feedback. (Spoiler Alert There may also be a seasonal board coming in the next couple weeks.)

Here are the prompts for December, and a bit of explanation where necessary. Depending on how much of a challenge you want, you can either use one book to fulfill multiple prompts, or use only one book per square.

A Christmas Romance
A Fantasy Read
Christmas Cookies – Read a book that includes baking
Family and Friends – Read a book that features family and/or friends. This one is open to your interpretation.
Listen to 2 Audiobooks – If you don’t read audiobooks regularly, feel free to challenge yourself to read one instead of two.
A Book with Red on the Cover
Many Happy Returns – A Book you were meaning to Read this Year. If you’re like me, you have a list of books you intended to read this year, now is the time to pick one and cross it off your list.
Read 5 Books
Snuggle up – Read a Book in front of the Tree or Fire. It is completely acceptable for this to be the fire on your television.
A Book Published in 2020
Free Space! Use this for any book of your choosing.
Hit 100 Books read in 2020. Okay, so this one is specific to me. Whatever your goal is for books read this year, insert that in this prompt.
Presents! This is a bonus free space that you can use for any book of your choosing.
A Christmas or Seasonal Mystery
A Book with Green on the Cover
A Book under 100 Pages or a Short Story

December Reading Bingo

Until Next Time,

October 2020 Reading Wrap Up

Published on November 5, 2020November 16, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hello Lovely Readers! It is that time of month again already. The time when we look at all the books I managed to read in October.

Can I tell you a secret? I had this entire post written and ready to be edited and then my computer crashed. And somehow I lost the entire thing… So now I am going to attempt to recreate what I had written in time to still go live on Thursday. If you’re seeing this, you’ll know if I succeeded, and I hope the future is treating you well.

Overall, October was a mediocre reading month for me. I managed to make progress on my fall goals, and I read a number of Halloween themed books, but even though I enjoyed most of what I read, and nothing was really terrible (with the possible exception of one DNF), the whole month just felt a bit “meh.” I’ll have to see if there’s anything I can change up to make November feel more successful.

Speaking of changes… When I started these posts back in the spring, I mentioned that I wasn’t sure how long I would continue with this format of posts. In that time, I have found that, while I enjoy writing wrap ups, I also am not completely sure if I love the format for me.

Personally, I enjoy reading and watching other people’s wrap ups. But while I enjoy traditional wrap ups from some of my favourite creators, I also love ones that twist up the format. Some of my favourite wrap ups are the “Balancing the Books” videos Emma from @drinkingbymyshelf. Just the slight twist of needing to see how many books went on and off her TBR makes the videos unique and interesting, even if she doesn’t do a full wrap up for each book. I am also a fan of other TBRs or Wrap ups that incorporate some form of game.

All that to say that I am considering a change. And while I am thinking about what I want to do going forward, I am curious about what types of posts you prefer. Do you enjoy reading wrap up posts – either traditional or with a twist? Or would you prefer more in depth book talks instead of the short blurbs I give in wrap ups? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Now, on to this month’s books! I read a total of 6 books in October, I got part way through one other, and I DNF’d 1. I read 3 audiobooks and 3 e-books. The DNF was the only physical book I picked up. My favourite read of the month was Dead Beat and my least favourite was Candy Corn Murder. Now on to the blurbs.

1. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett – 3.5 stars

This is a YA contemporary, and it is the second Jenn Bennett novel that I have read. Though I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Alex, Approximately, I did have a lot of fun reading it. In particular, I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. I liked how the main character was a mystery aficionado, and how her love interest worked with that to spend time with her. As someone who also loves mysteries, I thought it added a fun twist to the typical romance plot line.

2. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher – 4 stars

This was the next book in line as I work my way through the Dresden Files series, and I could not have planned the timing better if I tried. This book took place at Halloween, and the main case involved necromancers and Zombies. It was the perfect read at this time of month and I think that the atmosphere added to my enjoyment of the story. That and all the parts that made me literally laugh out loud.

3. The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates 3.5 stars

This is the first book I have read in the Lighthouse Library series, though it is not the first book in the series. Though there is a good amount of suspended disbelief required for the premise (there is no way that you can fit a library, a rare book room, and a small apartment into a library), I really loved it and am excited to read more in this series. I know that it’s not possible, but I want a small apartment in a lighthouse library, doesn’t that sound perfect? I Will definitely be picking up more in this series.

4. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher 4 stars

Since I enjoyed reading Dead Beat so much this month, I jumped right into the next book in the series, so it was a two Dresden Files month. This book also ended up being perfect for October, as it featured supernatural monsters disguised as horror movie monsters. I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as Dead Beat but I still had a lot of fun reading it. I especially liked how this book integrated a number of the recurring characters from previous books and I am excited to see how some of the new developments unfold in the upcoming books.

5. Made for Us by Samantha Chase 3.5 stars

This is the first book in The Shaughnessy Brothers contemporary romance series. This wasn’t my favourite book by Samantha Chase, but it was a solid and enjoyable read. I really liked both the main characters as well as the side characters, who I know will get their own books as the series progresses. This book was exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. One of the things that I love about Chase’s romances is how she develops the relationship between the main characters and how there’s the perfect amount of tension and steaminess for me. Not too hot, not too cold.

6. Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier – 3 stars

I think that this completes my reading of Meier’s Halloween themed Lucy Stone novels. Chronologically, this one falls between the previous two that I read, and I would say that my overall enjoyment of it fits right in between those two as well. Particularly my enjoyment of Lucy. This book supports my theory that Lucy gets less irritating as the series goes on. My main complaint was that there was too much lead up to the murder and then not enough tension or intricacy between the discovery of the body and the revelation of the murderer. The way that Meiers went back and forth between the past and the present had such potential, but in my opinion it didn’t tie together as well as it could have. Will I continue reading this series? Probably. But if you know of another author that writes seasonally themed mysteries, I would love to check out your recommendations.

DNF The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

I wanted so badly to enjoy this book, but I just couldn’t get into it. On the surface, it had everything I was looking for. Vampires. Murder. Atmosphere. Romance (I’m assuming?). But it was so boring. I read about the first 130 pages and I just kept wondering when I would get drawn in, and that’s not because there was no action. There were 2 or maybe 3 murders in that time, and we were introduced to what I am fairly certain is a secret society of supernatural or magic beings. All of this should be highly engaging! And yet, I had no problem returning the book to the library when my loan expired. So what I would like to know from you is this. If I am feeling this way 130 pages in, is it worth it for me to borrow it again and push through? Does it get better? If you have read this book, let me know your opinions – either yes it’s worth it, or no let it go – in the comments.

And now for a new feature… the November Preview!

You might have noticed that I don’t post TBRS unless it’s for a specific read-a-thon or challenge. I am the worst at sticking to them, and I don’t see the point in posting something that is at best a rough guideline of what I think I might read that month. BUT I am tossing around the idea of including a preview of what I’m thinking of reading in the next month. So, here we go.

In November I am continuing to try and make progress on my fall reading goals since it is the last month to accomplish them. I want to continue to read thriller and/or spooky books but I am also feeling that Fantasy feeling and would love to pick up one of the big fantasy novels I talked about last week. Add to that a non-fiction book for “Non-fiction November”… and it looks like I need to read like it’s my full time job this month. Obviously that’s not going to happen, but it will be fun to see where I end up. Perhaps I’ll abandon it all and read nothing but romance. But you will need to come back next month to see 🙂

What kind of a reading month was October for you? Did you read everything that you were hoping to read? What was your favourite book of the month? What are you looking forward to reading most in November? Let me know in the comments!

Until Next Time,

September Reading Wrap Up

Published on October 8, 2020November 16, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth

Hello Friends! Is it just me, or is anyone else surprised to find we’re already into October? I honestly feel like September just flew by. Despite how quickly it went, I still managed to get a lot read, and I’ve also made some progress on my fall reading goals that I talked about last week.

I also finally took the plunge and bought an e-reader that supports Overdrive, and this has made a world of difference to my library e-book reading game. In the past, I have used my iPad mini or my phone to read library e-books, but this is not my preferred method, especially as I’m trying to limit screen time before bedtime. More and more I found that I wasn’t picking up library e-books, and that was starting to limit my reading. I am loving having an actual e-reader for library books now, and I think that helped me read more books overall this month.

In total I read 11 Books and DNF’d 1
– 3 Physical
– 4 E-books
– 4 Audiobooks

1. Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff (3.5 stars)
If you are unfamiliar with this series, it is a dark, gritty (sometimes explicit) fantasy that follows a young woman who was training to be an assassin in the first book. It is a bit more gritty than I am typically comfortable with, so if that is something that bothers you, then stay clear of this series. I won’t say much about this one, since it is the second book in the series, but I will say that I mostly enjoyed it. It took me a bit to get into, and there were some story lines I didn’t enjoy at all, but I liked it overall and am excited to read book 3. That twist at the end!

2. 1st to Die by James Patterson (3 stars)
I think this is the first James Patterson book I’ve read and, honestly, it was just okay. I strongly disliked the beginning and don’t think it was necessary to the story, unless I completely missed something. I almost didn’t read the book, I disliked it so much. Overall, I enjoyed this one enough that I think I’ll pick up book two to see if I can get drawn into the series. If you read Patterson, do you have a book or series that you would recommend?

3. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (5 stars)
I loved this one! There were a few bits that I didn’t enjoy, but for sheer enjoyment it was 5 stars. It was exactly what I was looking for – a creepy, mysterious ghost story set in a Haunted House. I loved the way the story went back and forth between the present day and the “book” that the narrator’s father wrote about their experience with the ghosts at the house when the narrator was little. If you are looking for a ghost story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I would highly recommend this one.

Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier (Cover)

4. Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier (3 Star)
This was a low 3 star read for me. Though I enjoyed the concept and the mystery itself, it reminded me of all the reasons I didn’t like Lucy Stone the first time I picked up this series. The Halloween vibes were great, and I loved the parts that talked about the old homes and renovating and restoring them, but I almost didn’t pick up the next book in this list because of my general annoyance with Lucy.

Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier (Cover)

5. Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier (3 star)
This was also a 3 star read, but it was inching up towards 3.5 stars. This book is much later in the Lucy Stone series than the one listed above. Lucy has started to come into her own by this point and I didn’t find her nearly as annoying in this book. Though the Halloween vibes weren’t as strong in this one, I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one enough that I’ll most likely read more in this series. The fact that Meier writes so many seasonally themed books is a major draw for me.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (Cover)

6. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (4 Star)
I have been meaning to read this book for so long. I was initially drawn to it because I have enjoyed Hank’s videos for years, but this was also the thing that made me hesitate to pick it up. In the time that it’s been out, however, I’ve consistently heard good things about it from others who were initially skeptical. As someone who does not read a lot of sci-fi, I would say that if you don’t often read in this genre, but want to try it out, this would be a good book to pick up . Who wouldn’t want to read a story that combines giant robot statues with a commentary on humanity and social media? I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to picking up book two soon.

7. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher (4 Star)
I know from scrolling through the reviews that people have very mixed opinions on this series, and I can understand the objections, but I am really enjoying it. It’s not perfect, and there are times I roll my eyes at Harry, or find myself wanting to have a serious conversation with him about some of his more questionable trains of thought, but aside from that, I’m really enjoying this series. I love the humour, and I found myself literally laughing out loud in sections. I am looking forward to continuing this series.

8. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw (3.5 Star)
This was almost everything I was hoping it would be. I had a day where I was exhausted, and overall feeling blah, and this was the perfect book to cozy up with that evening. I read it in almost one sitting. I just wish that it would have been longer, and that we could have had more time to really dive into the characters and the plot. I loved the premise of the ghosts of 3 women drowned as witches coming back to revisit a town every year for 200 years to enact their revenge, I just wanted more of it.

Heavy Vinyl by Carly Udin, Nina Vakeuva (Cover)

9. Heavy Vinyl, Vol. 1: Riot on the Radio by Carolyn Urdin, Nina Vakeuva (4 Star)
I cannot remember where I heard about this graphic novel, but I am so glad that I picked it up because I really enjoyed it. The basic premise is that there is a group of young women who all work at a music store. The story is set roughly in the 90s, which is excellent in and of itself, and then on top of that they are also part of a secret society, vigilante girl gang, fight club. It was so much fun, and I picked up the second volume shortly after finishing the first.

Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab (Cover)

10. Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab (4 Star)
This is book two in the Cassidy Blake series, which is a middle grade series about a young girl whose parents have a television ghost hunting show. Her mother is a believer, her father is a skeptic, and Cassidy doesn’t need to take it on faith because her best friend is a ghost. When Cassidy and her parents move to Europe for the television show, Cassidy discovers a new mission to send stuck ghosts on through the veil. In this instalment they are in Paris and hunting down a poltergeist. I am really loving this series, and as much as I loved book one, I thought this one was even better. Highly recommend.

He Started It by Samatha Downing (Cover)

11. He Started It by Samantha Downing (3 Star)
this was another low 3 star read for this month. This is Downing’s second book, and I think I might have to say that I just don’t mesh well with her writing style. As much as I love the premise of both books, the writing just drags for me. For both of Downing’s books, I have been simultaneously hooked on the story and bored by it. If you like family drama thrillers with an unreliable narrator, you may enjoy this book, and don’t let my negativity turn you away from picking it up. I am definitely in the minority in not loving Downing’s books.

DNF. Deep in the Alaskan Woods by Karen Harper
I had such high hopes for this book and was excited to read a book set in Alaska, so I was very disappointed when I made the decision to DNF it. Though I have read at least one other book by this author in the past, I just could not get past the writing style. The writing was clunky and confusing and I wasn’t nearly interested enough in the story to continue. I think this one could have benefited from a good edit.

Overall, I think September was a pretty solid reading month. I had a couple books on the lower end of the ratings, but the ones that I enjoyed, I really enjoyed and that made up for the low ones. I am really enjoying all of the fall vibes in the books I’ve been reading and am hoping to continue that trend into October.

What about you? How did your reading go in September? What was your favourite book that you read this past month? Have you read any of the books on this list? If so, do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?

Until Next Time,

Summer Reading Wrap Up

Published on September 25, 2020November 16, 2020 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.

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

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.

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.

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,

June Reading Wrap Up

Published on July 17, 2020November 16, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth

In my May wrap up, I said that I thought my reading slump was over. It turns out that was a little bit right and a little bit wrong. I did have a pretty good reading month in June, and I managed to complete 9 books. But I read the majority of those books in the last part of the month. I finished two books by June 7th and then I didn’t pick up another book until the 18th. 7 of the 9 books I read were completed between the 18th and the 30th.

Now that we’re halfway into July, I think I can confidently say the reading slump is over. It helped that I figured out the type of book I was in the mood for and that I picked up some shorter books. When you’re having a difficult time with reading motivation, it can be helpful to pick up shorter books.

When you finish books that are short and quick to read, the sense of accomplishment can spur you to pick up another book right away. I love reading long books, but it can be hard to pick up a 600 page book when you can’t even bring yourself to read for 5 minutes before bed.

Okay, enough rambling, and on to the books I read in June.

1. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher (4 Stars, Audiobook)

This is book 3 in The Dresden Files series. I am really enjoying this series. I’ve been listening to the audiobooks from Overdrive, and there’s always been at least a few weeks of hold time between each book, so I’ve been going through the series at a nice, leisurely pace so far. This one was overall enjoyable, though not my favourite so far. In this instalment, we’re starting to get into the bigger story of the series, and the stakes for Dresden are high throughout the book.

2. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore (3.5 Stars, E-Book)

This is the first in a new historical romance series. It is also the first book in a series of me going on a fairly significant historical romance and romance reading kick. Set in 1879, this book follows a young woman determined to get her degree at Oxford University. As part of her scholarship, she has to participate in a suffragist group, where she is tasked with getting the Duke of Montgomery onto their side. As you can imagine, sparks fly. Overall this was a very fun read, and I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out this fall.

3. Reborn Yesterday by Tessa Bailey (3.5 Stars, E-Book)

There are two things you should know going into this book. First it is a Vampire book, and second it is a steamy romance. If you don’t like either of those things then I would suggest you steer clear. I enjoyed the vampire aspect of the story, though it was more steamy than I prefer, so I found myself skimming over parts. The main character is part owner of a funeral home, she designs and makes dresses, and her sense of humour is terrific. I look forward to picking up Book 2 in the very near future.

4. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare (4 Stars, E-Book)

This is the first book in the Girl Meets Duke historical romance series and I had an absolute blast reading it. When I think about this type of romance, for some reason I never expect them to be funny, but this book was at times laugh out loud funny. The characters were great, and I genuinely enjoyed the story. This is a steamy romance, so that is something to be aware of if you pick it up. I will definitely be reading more – and book 2 is sitting on top of my TBR pile as we speak.

5. Damaged by Pamela Callow (3.5 Stars, E-Book)

This is the first in a mystery/suspense series set in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The series follows Kate, a lawyer who has recently started a new job at a high-powered law firm after breaking off her engagement. While a serial killer is stalking the streets of Halifax, Kate is pulled into a tangled legal conspiracy that puts her right into the crosshairs of that same killer. This book was engaging and suspenseful, and I look forward to picking up book 2.

6. Destiny’s a Witch by Lucy May (2.5 Stars, E-Book)

I would like to give this book 3 stars, because even though there were aspects of it that I enjoyed, but overall it fell flat for me. My biggest complaint is that the mystery could have been better developed. The mystery felt like a side plot throughout the story. There wasn’t enough time dedicated to it, and it wrapped up too quickly. I may give this series another try, because I am always on the lookout for new cozy mystery series with a witchy or paranormal twist, but this first book was, unfortunately, lacking for me.

7. Witchnapped in Westerham by Dionne Lister (4 Stars, E-Book)

I found this series through an e-book deals email, and I am so glad I gave it a chance, because I am hooked! This is a cozy mystery series with a witchy twist, and it did not disappoint. The mystery and the magic are well balanced and the world building and magic system have clearly been well thought out and developed. I would tell you that I look forward to reading more, but as you will see in the next two entries, that has already happened!

8. Witch Swindled in Westerham by Dionne Lister (5 Stars, E-Book)

This is book 2 in the Paranormal Investigation Bureau series, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first book. These are fairly short, quick reads, and every time I finish one I want to immediately pick up the next book. In this book, we get to know all of our main characters a bit more, and our main character Lily starts to get more familiar with the Witch world as she learns how she can use her magical talent to help solve a case where someone is using magic to swindle millions out of unsuspecting retirees.

9. Witch Under cover in Westerham by Dionne Lister (5 Stars, E-Book)

This is Book 3 in the Paranormal Investigation Bureau Series and it has quickly become one of my favourite cozy mystery series. Lily is a great main character, and I love how Lister develops her character and shows us more about her in each book, while she also gradually develops and gives us more information about the witch world. In this instalment, Lily helps the PIB in the hunt for a murderer with a possible link to art fraud. And could there be a romance in Lily’s future? Only time will tell.

Those are the books that I read in June. It was definitely a whirlwind at the end, but I can confidently say that I came out of June on a reading roll. I hope to get to some of the bigger books on my TBR over the next few months, but I’m also not fighting the reading whims. If I want to read nothing but romance and witchy cozy mysteries for the next two months, that’s what I’ll do.

What have you been reading lately? Do you find that you are reading more now that it’s summer? Have you read any of the books on this list, and if so, what were your thoughts?

Until Next Time,

“Stalking Jack the Ripper” Series Wrap Up

Published on June 11, 2020November 16, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth

As I mentioned in my May Reading Wrap Up, I recently finished reading the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco. I started this series around the time when the first book came out in 2016, and then I was paused on it for a bit and read the last two books this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and it is one that I am already thinking about re-reading, so I thought that I would do a series wrap up with my overall thoughts.

The Stalking Jack the Ripper series is a Young Adult mystery/thriller/historical fiction series set in the late 1800’s. The first book is set in London during the Ripper murders (as the names implies), but the series does not stay in London and later books explore other historical events and figures such as Vlad the Impaler, Houdini, and the White City Devil.

For this wrap up, I’m going to give a brief synopsis of each book and then I will sum up my thoughts on the series in a few points. I am going to keep this wrap up spoiler free. There are a few things (such as mention of a romance), that could be considered spoilers, but they are mentioned on the backs of the later books, or in the Goodreads descriptions, so I’m going to consider them not spoilers… And I promise I won’t go into detail about those “border line” topics.

I want to note that I listened to all 4 books on audiobook, and thoroughly enjoyed them in that format. If you enjoy listening to audiobooks, these are ones that I would highly recommend checking out.

Book #1 – Stalking Jack the Ripper

Throughout the series we follow our main character Audrey Rose Wadsworth, and we see the events through her eyes. She would much rather spend her time in her Uncles’ laboratory learning about forensics and investigating murders than in engaging in the typical societal pursuits. In this first instalment, Audrey Rose, her Uncle, and her new, often aggravating acquaintance, Thomas Cresswell, are right in the middle of the Jack the Ripper investigations. The investigation quickly becomes personal as Audrey Rose and her companions rush to discover the identity of Jack the Ripper and put an end to his reign of terror.

Book #2 – Hunting Prince Dracula

In this story, we leave London and follow Audrey Rose and Thomas to a school of forensic medicine in the heart of Romania. The school is located in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler – also known as Vlad Dracula – making the setting dark, creepy, and atmospheric. Our main characters are once again faced with a series of murders to investigate, these ones bearing a terrifying resemblance to those of the Impaler. The lines between myth and reality become blurred as Thomas and Audrey Rose, along with a number of new characters, rush to identify and stop the killer.

Book #3 – Escaping From Houdini

In this book, we once again follow Audrey Rose, Thomas and her Uncle, this time as they embark on a week long voyage across the Atlantic travelling from London to New York. They are to be entertained nightly on their voyage by a troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers and a daring young escape artist (three guesses who…) The voyage is not destined to be one of pleasure only, however, as young women begin to go missing and then people begin to die in brutal and shocking ways. Thomas and Audrey Rose must rush to figure out who the murderer is before they arrive at their destination, and before someone close to Audrey Rose comes to harm.

Book #4 – Capturing the Devil

In this finale, Audrey Rose, Thomas and her Uncle are on the hunt for the elusive killer known as the White City Devil. In this instalment our main characters travel from New York to Chicago in the hopes of capturing the killer who has not only been hunting in New York, but who they suspect to be connected to the murders on their voyage across the Atlantic, Thomas and Audrey Rose find themselves in the middle of an investigation that threatens to turn deadly at every turn.

My Thoughts

1) History with a twist

One of the things I loved the most about this series was the way Maniscalco took historical events and people as inspiration but then expanded on the well know stories to create new and exciting plot lines. Knowing the true stories, especially in the case of Books 1 and 2 for me, didn’t take away from the plot of these books in anyway because Maniscalco came up with ways to make the stories fresh and unpredictable. The world the books are set in is clearly our own, and yet not quite ours all at once.

2) The Second Book Slump?

I have long enjoyed books that combine the history of Vlad the Impaler with a touch (or more) of the mythical and fantastical. And this book was no exception. The mix of legend and reality in the story was well executed and throughly enjoyable, but for some reason, looking back, something about this one fell just a bit flat. I can’t put my finger on why – maybe second book syndrome? – but this book was probably my least favourite of the series.

3) Thomas and Audrey Rose’s Relationship

I loved this aspect of the series. It may not be for everyone, and I read a couple reviews from people who thought the romance/friendship was given too much space and time as the series went along, but I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the way their friendship and relationship grew and developed over the course of the series. Both Thomas and Audrey Rose made mistakes and they hav disagreements to work through, but they also grew in their relationship and learned how to compromise, respect each other and communicate. And I really liked that aspect of the story.

4) Character Development and Growth

Along the same lines as my previous point, I enjoyed how both Audrey Rose and Thomas changed over the course of the series. Neither are exactly the same people in book 4 as they were in book 1. They both grow and change and are impacted by the events that they face in each book. I was impressed with how Maniscalco had her characters grow and develop as individuals along with growing in their relationship.

5) The Connecting Plots

Each book in the series centres around a different mystery and investigation. Despite this, you really shouldn’t read the books out of order. There is a story line, outside of the character development and relationships, that connects the entire series. Jumping in out of order would leave you missing references and feeling quite confused. Sometimes with thriller and mystery series’ it can be difficult to have a balance between a new, gripping mystery and series development and growth in each book, and I thought Maniscalco did a good job finding this balance.

6) A few miscellaneous “cons”

Very few books or series get everything right all the time, and this series is no exception. Though I would say that the pros for this series definitely outweigh the cons. One thing that took me out of the story frequently was Maniscalco’s tendency to overstate some of the themes or points she was trying to get across. While I almost always agreed with the points, and understand that we were supposed to be seeing the themes through Audrey Rose’s perspective, it felt a tad heavy handed at times. This improved as the series went on and these points were less clunky by book 4

My only other complaint would be the loose ends. I think it’s good when a series doesn’t tie up all loose ends or storylines. I like to be left feeling like the characters are going to continue living and having adventures after the last cover closes. But there were a few things in this series, in particular with relation to certain side characters, that I would have liked answers to, or a little bit more information about.

One other thing I would like to mention before we wrap up is that something a bit odd happens as part of the conclusion to Book 1. I thought it was an interesting twist, but I can see it being the type of thing that turns some off from the series. I would say, though, that if you didn’t love that part but enjoyed the characters and the rest of the story, it might be worth checking out the rest of the series.

In Conclusion

I highly enjoyed this series, and would give it an overall rating of 4 stars. This isn’t an average, I gave a couple of the books 3 star ratings, but since the last two books have made me want to re-read the series, and pick up something else by Maniscalco, I think that 4 is what I am going to settle on for overall rating. Consider it a “whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts” type of situation.

If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers with a touch of fantasy and a solid side of friendship and romance, then you should definitely pick this series up. The characters are fun and exciting and I enjoy that the author is exploring forensic medicine and investigation against a Jack the Ripper time period and back drop.

Have you read any books in this series? If so, what did you think of them? Can you recommend to me any other mystery/thrillers similar to this series?

Until Next Time,

May 2020 Reading Wrap Up

Published on June 4, 2020November 16, 2020 by Meaghan Elizabeth

If you’ve been around the book blog or Booktube world, for any length of time, then you will be familiar with wrap ups. They’re generally monthly, but they can be other frequencies as well – quarterly tends to be popular, as are end of year wrap ups. I’m not sure yet if I want to continue to post monthly wrap ups, or if I want to post them less frequently, but we shall see how it goes.

After having a very successful reading month in April with the Magical Readathon, May was borderline a reading slump. I’ve still been watching/listening to a fair amount of YouTube, so I haven’t listened to as many audiobooks as normal, and right up until the last week of the month, I could not bring myself to pick up an e-book or a physical book. I didn’t know what I wanted to read, and I had zero motivation. I still managed to have a not bad reading month, and I finally read a book at the end of the month that seems to have snapped me out of my slump… so here’s to hoping for an even better June!

The Books I Finished in May

Audiobooks = 3
E-books = 2

1. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (2 Stars, Audiobook)

I was so disappointed with this book. Years ago I read a later book in this series and I can remember enjoying it, but never pursued reading more of the series. So, when I found the first book available as an audiobook at my library, I was excited to give it a try. I don’t know if it’s a matter of the series getting better as it progresses, or if this is a series that doesn’t hold up across the years or the way that I have changed and grown as a reader, but there was too much that bothered me and not enough enjoyable about the story to balance it out.

The book is dated in its language and some of its themes, and there was a lot that made me cringe. I am generally willing to provide a certain amount of leeway to account for the time in which a novel was written, but I had a hard time doing that in this case. And quite frankly, other than the information about coffee included throughout, the story itself was not engaging enough for me to overlook the many things that I didn’t like. I doubt that I will read more in this series.

2. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (4 Stars, Audiobook)

I originally gave this book 3 Stars on Goodreads, but on looking back, I think it’s closer to a 3.5 or a 4. This is the second book in The Dresden Files series, and I am really enjoying the series so far. The series focuses on Harry Dresden – a wizard living in Chicago, who specializes in paranormal investigations and consultation. He also consults for the police department… or at least he did.The start of this book finds Harry dealing with some of the consequences of his actions in the first book, and on top of all that, it seems like Chicago might have a werewolf problem.

Harry is a man of many flaws, many of which he is starting to become more aware of over the course of this book. I can only hope his personal development will continue. The mystery in this instalment was solid, and well written – even more so than that of the first book – and I really enjoyed it. And I am thoroughly enjoying the mixture of mystery and fantasy. So far, this series is shaping up to be everything I hoped it would be.

3. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (4 Stars, E-book)

The blurb describes this book as “Steel Magnolias meets Dracula,” and though I’m not overly familiar with Steel Magnolias, I would say that’s not a bad description. This is the book that pulled me out of my reading slump. Instead of needing to force myself to pick it up, I absolutely couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the first page to the last – even if it made me somewhat worried about a vampire crawling into my bedroom window.

I don’t read a lot of horror because I don’t like a lot of gore or gruesomeness, and I often find that the topics in horror novels make me uncomfortable outside of the creepiness. I don’t often like to read those types of topics, so I have a hard time finding horror that I want to read. Because of that, I want to make it very clear that this book dealt with some very uncomfortable and terrible topics, and it will not be for everyone. The bad things are condemned by the book and the characters within it, but it is still uncomfortable, and at times upsetting, to read.

This book was creepy, and uncomfortable, and infuriating, and it was supposed to be. But I enjoyed the story and the women who were the main characters, even if they also drove me nuts at times. And don’t even get me started on the husbands. Overall, this was a hit for me, and I absolutely loved how the author pitted his monster against a group of Southern housewives.

4. Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco (4 Stars, Audiobook)

This is the fourth and final book in the “Stalking the Jack the Ripper” series, and I loved it! I’m not going to go into too much detail, since it’s the 4th book in the series, and I don’t want to include any spoilers here. I am also planning on doing a spoiler free wrap up of the series next week. What I will say is that I think this was my favourite book of the series, and I am going to miss the characters very much. I will definitely be picking up whatever the author writes next.

This book takes us on a thrilling chase from New York to Chicago in search of a serial killer stalking the White City. Based on the true story of the White City Devil, which I did not know much about prior to now, this book has moved Erik Larson’s non-fiction Devil in the White City higher up on my TBR for sure. Set against the background of the World’s fair, and with the main characters facing just about as much drama in their personal lives as in their search for th killer, this book was definitely a wild ride. Stay tuned for my series wrap up coming soon.

5. Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale (3 Stars, E-book)

This was a nice, light, summery read. Set in a small, coastal town in Maine, this story feels like summer through and through. The main character, Babe, is in that last summer between High School and the rest of her life. And her summer is not going to go anything like what she had planned. Between having a major fall out with her best friends at the start of summer, and breaking her one rule of “never dating a summer boy,” her summer will be one to remember, even if she’s not sure she’ll enjoy the memories.

While not joining the ranks of my favourite YA contemporary romances, this was enjoyable and fun. I had a hard time getting used to the main character’s name being “Babe”, which is a silly complaint, but it took me at least the first half to get used to it, and before that it was very distracting. I also wish that there had been a bit more depth to the characters. I always felt they were holding me at arms length, and I didn’t get as drawn into their lives as I would have liked. But overall, it was an enjoyable and fun read. I think this would be the perfect beach read.

Those are all the books that I have in May. Though there was one book that I really didn’t enjoy, overall I think that I had success with the books that I ended up reading. I think my favourite book from this month would have to be Capturing the Devil.

What about you? What was your favourite book that you read in May? Do you enjoy reading wrap ups? Or do you prefer to read individual book reviews? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Top 5 Reads of 2020

1. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

2. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

3. Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

4. A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore

5. The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

5 Least Favourite Reads in 2020

1. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

2. 1st to Die by James Patterson

3. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

4. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich and Promise of Love by Tamie Dearn

5. He Started it by Samantha Downing

5 Favourite Series I read in 2020

1. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

2. The Paranormal Investigation Bureau by Dionne Lister

3. Band on the Run by Samantha Chase

4. Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare

5. League of Extraordinary Women by Evie Dunmore

1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (3 Stars)Family and Friends

2. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren (5 Stars)A Book Published in 2020

3. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich (1 Star)A Christmas Mystery

4. Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves by Harper Lin (4 Stars)Many Happy Returns

5. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams (4 Stars)A Book with Green on the Cover

6. Snowy Nights at the Loney Hearts by Karen King (3.5 Stars)A Christmas Romance

7. Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (3.5 Stars)A book that includes Baking

8. Promise of Love by Tamie Dearen (2 Stars)A Book with Red on the cover

9. Small Favor by Jim Butcher (4 Stars)A fantasy Read

Other Completed Squares

Missed Squares

Goal #1: Fantasy

Goal # 2: Fright

Goal #3: Cozy and Chic

Goal #4: Miscellaneous

1. Slayer by Kiersten White (3 Stars)

2. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie (3 Stars… maybe 2.5?)

3. The Girls Weekend by Jody Gehrman (3.5 Stars)

4. A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore (4 Stars)

5. White Night by Jim Butcher (4 Stars)

6. None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different from Us by Jen Wilkin (4.5 Stars)

December Preview

1. Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett – 3.5 stars

2. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher – 4 stars

3. The Spook in the Stacks by Eva Gates 3.5 stars

4. Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher 4 stars

5. Made for Us by Samantha Chase 3.5 stars

6. Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier – 3 stars

DNF The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

July

August

My Thoughts

The Books I Finished in May

1. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (2 Stars, Audiobook)

2. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (4 Stars, Audiobook)

3. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (4 Stars, E-book)

4. Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco (4 Stars, Audiobook)

5. Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale (3 Stars, E-book)

1. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (3 Stars)
Family and Friends

2. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren (5 Stars)
A Book Published in 2020

3. Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich (1 Star)
A Christmas Mystery

4. Americanos, Apple Pies, and Art Thieves by Harper Lin (4 Stars)
Many Happy Returns

5. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams (4 Stars)
A Book with Green on the Cover

6. Snowy Nights at the Loney Hearts by Karen King (3.5 Stars)
A Christmas Romance

7. Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke (3.5 Stars)
A book that includes Baking

8. Promise of Love by Tamie Dearen (2 Stars)
A Book with Red on the cover

9. Small Favor by Jim Butcher (4 Stars)
A fantasy Read