Sine it’s June and the middle of the year, it’s time to think about all the pies we’ve eaten.
Oh um, wait a second…I seem to have gotten confused and think I am a food-blog instead of a book-blog. Again.
HAHAHA JUST KIDDING WITH YOU!
I’m totally a food blog.
Today we need to talk about (a) the best books 2017 has thrown at my face, and (b) pie charts. Because I love pie charts. I love pie. * And I’m also a very avid stat-keeper about my reading habits. Honestly half the joy I get out of books is organising them in long lists of stats and graphs. It’s very sad. I tried to reform myself once and not calculate how many purple books ** I’ve read this year but #alas #no. I need to make a spreadsheet gosh darnit.
So let’s take a very smol stroll through some mid-year-reading-stats and then I’m going to smack you in the face *** with the best books I’ve read this year! And it’s a bit pathetic, but there’s only 8 on my “best of the year” shelf on goodreads. I’m getting old and gnarly and hard to please.
I’ve also read 130 books because I have no life apparently.
* Apple pie, to be specific. Chocolate pie too. Because I still get confused by the fact that some desserts don’t contain chocolate??? I mean, is the recipe broken??? I can’t even.
** IT’S 10 PURPLE BOOKS BY THE WAY IF YOU WERE INTERESTED. Which I know you were because who wouldn’t be.
*** VIRTUALLY!! STOP CRYING!! IT’S OKAY!!! I’M A NICE PERSON!!
I’m also linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for their prompt “Best Books You’ve Read In 2017 So Far” and I haven’t linked up in FOREVER because I tripped and fell over Australia while moving house and I’m still recovering. 100% do not recommend moving house if you own a sheer ton of books.
ACTUAL GIF OF ME
There are many MANY things we can gather from Cait’s reading habits of 2017.
A brief summary:
- The parents in YA most generally always SUCK.
- Cait is a library addict.
- Cait pretends to re-read books but she really is doing horribly at it.
- Girls girls giiiirls everywhere for the narrators. Cait admits she wishes there were more male protagonists around.
- Cait has enjoyed basically 47% of the books she’s read. Which seems good?????
- DIVERSE LITERATURE IS THE AWESOME.
- Cait is terrified of books in the 400+ page count.
- Cait talks about herself in 3rd person sometimes.
- It’s a bit weird but we go with it because we want her to feel loved and accepted and not like the peculiarly odd dragon lizard she truly is deep down inside.
So has 2017 been a good reading year for me?
Well the stats say YES because 47% of my reads being 4 or 5 stars seems great! But honestly…if I hadn’t have looked at my own stats, I would’ve said…
I do think that’ll change for the 2nd half of the year, though, because I’m waiting on mY FAVOURITE AUTHOR OF EVER: MAGGIE STIEFVATER AND ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS (!!!!) and also omgggg John Green’s book (!!!) and I expect to die in due time over feels for them.
But I have been flailing rabidly still. And so here stand still — yes yes just stand RIGHT THERE — and let me throw my favourite 2017 books at you. Bonus points * if you guess them before I list them because I’m a LITTLE enthusiastic about most of these over on #bookstagram!
* And when I say “bonus points” the bonus point is that you can buy me a cake, you stalker.
1. A CONJURING OF LIGHT (#3) BY VE SCHWAB
I MEAN. OBVIOUSLY.
SCHWAB CAN DO NO WRONG.
Look I was so anxious about this book that I read 500-pages in like one night, which is unheard of for me who is a self-confessed child in the face of a book over 400 pages and prone to exploding. I did explode. But with pure pure pure adoration. I also had a mammoth hangover for like 2 months so #thanks #for #nothing.
Brief Summary Of The Characters:
Kell: *wants to save the world except Alucard pls can he just die*
Rhy: *loves everyone with passionate abandon*
Alucard: *loves two things, including Rhy and annoying Kell to death*
Lila: *stabs things and begrudgingly saves stupid boys who keep breaking the universe*
2. OUR DARK DUET (#2) BY VE SCHWAB
WHO IS APPARENTLY OBSESSED WITH SCHWAB BOOKS?
Hmm, yes, I thought so. It is a little obviously Cait. Just a SMIDGE.
Least to say if you were wondering: Schwab is perfect and all her books are perfect and her characters are perfect and I hurt. Which is everything I require from a book honestly. Monsters and violins and grim reapers and a city like Gotham but sans-Batman and just ALL THE DARKNESS AND BLOOD AND MURDER.
Also a cute cat.
3. LORD OF SHADOWS (#2) BY CASSANDRA CLARE
I’M STILL REELING. Also trying not to start each of these segments off with shouting BUT !! AM !! FAILING !! THEY’RE SO GOOD IT’S NOT MY FAULT.
Anyone, I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob. * And then I realised I had to wait 2 years for the next one and I spiralled down a mountain of terror and sat at the bottom and just threw a little tantrum. These books mean so so much to me. I can’t even explain it. But I was very very emotionally distressed, okay?! It was perfect and beautiful and ajfdaksldjfdska I CAAAAN’T EVEN I NEED THE NEXT ONE. I NEED TO READ IT AGAIN. I JUST —
Me.
* If you get this reference….I’ll just be over here a little embarrassed about my childhood.
4. STRANGE THE DREAMER BY LAINI TAYLOR
YOU KNOW THAT FEELING WHEN A BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN YOU READ IT AND THEN PART OF YOUR SOUL EXPLODES WITH THE PURE APPRECIATION OF WORDS BECAUSE WOW.
Me.
Also there are (A) monsters, (B) the most intense book appreciation, (C) it stars a boy who walked into a wall because he was reading, (D) delicious sweet cakes, (E) beautiful beautiful beautiful worlds, and (F) Lazlo gets so excited going on an adventure he starts narrating it out loud in 3rd person and is so adorable everyone adopts and loves him.
I can’t can’t caaaaan’t love this one enough.
“You’re a storyteller. Dream up something wild and improbable,” she pleaded. “Something beautiful and full of monsters.”
“Beautiful and full of monsters?”
“All the best stories are.”
5. RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES (#2) BY SCOTT LYNCH
Okay but pause for a minute and appreciate that it is a book about pirates AND IT’S IN AN ACTUAL SHIP. AREN’T I CLEVER. YES, CAIT, YOU ARE CLEVER.
#PositiveSelfAffirmation
Now I knoooooow I’m a YA blog and this post is looking suspiciously like my Peter Pan soul has fled because WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ADULT BOOKS HERE, CAIT — but I like my fantasy a little darker and well, hello there adult epic fantasy. Fulfilling all my dreams. Plus also I love love LOVE LOVE LOVE the Locke Lamora books! They’re sassy and hilarious and absolutely bloody. And this sequel has FEMALE (!!) EPIC (!!) PIRATE (!!) WOMEN (!!!) and is basically all I want in life.
An actual summary of these books is:
Locke: I will steal EVERYTHING and SASS the the world to destruction because I am so CLEVER!
Jean: and when you fall over and hurt yourself I’m just going to say I told you so–
Locke: *FALLS OVER AND HURTS HIMSELF*
Jean: ok fine I will pick you up now stop crying omg locke i can’t even with you
#LowKeyAggressivelyShipsIt
6. GEMINA (#2) BY JAY KRISTOFF AND AMIE KAUFMAN
It’s like I keep reading this series thinking it’s going to turn out okay but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
I love it though. The plot twists are the kind that TWIST YOUR BRAIN INTO SPAGHETTI SOUP.
Also proud of myself! I just spelled “spaghetti” without spellcheck and this has like taken me up to the next level of Clever Blogger Of Awesome because usually I go spaghettititiththi and then cry.
I am…I am not good at word.
7. THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS BY ANNA-MARIE MCLEMORE
This was just gorgeous. Gorgeous writing! Gorgeous characters! Everything was a bit tragic! There are boys who are birds and girls who have scales. And there is a little bit of bleeding and a little bit of crying (NOT FROM ME I HAVE NO HEART OBVIOUSLY) and it’s so whimsical and imaginative and #writergoals.
8. A LIST OF CAGES BY ROBIN ROE
This one is like a pocketful of tragic and beautiful boys and I’m in love with how it was written. Also kind of in pain but you know, books! You say “hey I like you book” and the book returns your affection by STABBING – YOU – IN – THE – FACE. #nice
I also appreciated the loving disability rep and the emphasis on friendship.
9. THE CROWN’S FATE (#2) BY EVELYN SKYE
I’m stupidly in love with this book for three reasons: (1) the most creative magic ever, (2) RUSSIA, and (3) all the food. Like after they made an edible Christmas tree I just hit myself in the face with the book and said “Hi Cait, you’re done. This is your book. This is you forever.”
Also: I want an edible Christmas tree.
Imagine, and it shall be. There are no limits.
It just really inspired me as a writer too! Like everything is possible and words are incredible and stories are powerful.
Also there was a freaking EDIBLE CHRISTMAS TREE AND I JUST.
10. THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE BY MACKENZIE LEE
Okay I won’t even pretend to be calm. I love this book just THAT MUCH. It’s right up there with my all time favourites of all the evers! It is actually HILARIOUS and I’m such trash for witty banter. The ship is the cutest and most pure and sweet. This book is just a cinnamon. IT IS THE CINNAMON. And it’s not even out yet, so this is mildly cheating: but seriously go getttttt it. Hug it. Pet it. Tell it that it’s done a good job by just existing.
Also while it’s quirky and hilarious and witty — it actually has quite deeply emotional and moving undercurrents. It’s super diverse (lgbt and disabilities) and super beautifully told and IT KIND OF JUST SNEAKS UP ON YOU.
I’m just basically bookishly exhausted now.
So. much. book. flailing. I wish to just fill my pockets with cake and good books and go eat a moon. Books are fantastic buckets of magical and I’m so thankful they exist. Shout out to my Vulcan self for having an emotion!
It won’t happen again.
And also here’s to hoping the rest of 2017 produces some amazing bookish feasts!
My pre-order of The Gentleman’s Guide is delayed and I shall now weep forever….
I also have Red Seas Under Red Skies and ACOL on my list. Yeay! But they were so great. Have you read the third Locke book? I’ve just started it. <3 I'm all kinds of excited. And scared…
I’M SO SAD FOR YOU. I’m also sad that it was coming out in June and then got pushed back to August??? Like why. Such cruel. Such unfair.
I have read the 3rd Locke Book! I still LOVED it but I don’t think it was as good as #1 and #1.
Oh your last ones were all ones I had read before, not so much the ones before. But I agree with all of them, especially the Weight of Feathers! Here’s mine: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/tt-best-book-2017-far/
Eeep, it’s so nice that you love Weight of Feathers too!! I feel like it’s totally underrated, right?!
Definitely ! It needs all the love
Books I have loved so far this year: The Edge of the Abyss by Emily Skrutskie, Chameleon Moon by RoAnna Sylver, Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray, Noteworthy by Riley Redgate, The Radium Girls by Kate Moore, Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Mean Little People by Paige Dearth. Those are some absolute faves i’ve read so far this year .< Chocolate pie is the best pie. Here's to a great second half of the year reading!
For some reason all I had written in notepad didn’t copy paste…so here’s what it left out. I keep a few spreadsheets of my reading stats, just started this year. 🙂 I want to read a book VE Schwab but I haven’t yet. Also I read Illuminae in November of last year, loved it, but haven’t picked up Gemina yet! I know I know I need to get on it! >.<
Oh oh I want to read Noteworthy so I’m super glad to hear you loved it! ALSO SO MUCH LOVE FOR QUEENS OF GEEK AND HATE U GIVE!! I adored them too.😍
CHOCOLATE PIE OBVIOUSLY. I think chefs are getting worse and worse and breaking recipes? WHERE IS THE CHOCOLATE?
Ahem
But I simply ADORE the pie charts (GIMME PIE) and it’s so wonderful and perfect and maybe people could hire to make pie charts for them. You’d be a STATS baker! I mean You are obviously the best foodie blogger so far!
Favourite Reads for me?! STRANGE THE DREAMER TOO – I loved and LAZLO IS SUCH A CUTE ADORKABLE LITTEL SOUL AND I LOVE HIM FOREVER. (I kind of want my nose to be like Lazlo’s because a heavy book fell on it #REALGOALS)
Ink and Bone were SUPER SUPER SUPER good (yet so un-hyped #rude!) and I see you re-reading it. OBVIOUSLY NOT SOME CREEPY STALKER WHO OBSESSED OVER YOUR BLOG. haha, that would be weiiirrdd!
A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC (I justs started the series) was SO PERFECT AND GOOD and KKEEEEEEEEEEEELll (‘s coat) I can’t eait for the rest of the series!
I can’t believe but I only read Six Of Crows and CK this year?! It feels like forever since I and Nina ate cake! I READ A MONSTER CALLS and I. All. The. Freakin’. feels!
ALSO, THE ACCIDENT SEASON WAS FANTABULOUS and THE SERPENT KING STOLE MY HEART AWAY AND CRUSHED IT. The Hobbit was SO INSANELY SQUISHABLE (read it Cait. you’ll love Bilbo I KNOW YOU WILL)
I read this book called The Girl In The Blue Coat and IT WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BOOK, My soul. MY SOUL
2017 has actually been A FABULOUS YEAR FOR BOOKS!
CHOCOLATE PIE IS DELICIOUS, ESPECIALLY WITH STRAWBERRIES AND ICE CREAM BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY. And I’m so glad you like my pie charts. (You can make them on canva haha…it’s super easy and quick!)
And LAZLO THOUGH. LIKE WAS THERE EVER SUCH A PERFECT BOOK BOY???? (Although I call it adult not YA like the internet does because like…it seemed more like adult fantasy.) I LOVED THE BOOK APPRECIATION LEVELS I NEARLY DIED WITH LOVE FOR IT.😍😍
Hey yes!! I’m re-reading Ink & Bone in preparation for the rest of the series!! *flails* I looooooove it. And pfft, no of course you’re not some creepy stalker…
*RUNS AWAY SCREAMING*
HAHAHA I’M JUST KIDDING. YOU’RE THE BEST I WILL GIVE YOU CHOCOLATE PIE AND SQUISH YOU WITH APPRECIATION.
afjdkslad The Accident Season and The Serpent King are two of my favourite ever books.😍😍
Okay so I now want to read 100% of the books you’ve spoken of and that’s not kind with me because I’m poor 😭
Also, I’ve just read Everything Everything and it’s SO DAMN GOOD
I’m sorry for writing this cruel cruel post. 😭😭 Libraries? Do you have a library?
Most French people don’t read in English so that’s unfortunately not a solution 😭 ;(
Love this Cait. I have A Conjuring .. by Schwab on my Kindle and I cannot wait to read it. I loved the first two books. And yes to Strange the Dreamer too. I must get a copy soon. I love that you have read so many books already!!
I so so hope you get to ACOL soon!! IT’S WORTH IT. Also, you know, pain…but worth it. 😍
Bee wishes there were more male narrators too. *cries*
YES. The Gentleman’s Guide is my faaave of the year so far, which surprised the heck out of me because Historical Fiction & me usually doesn’t work??? But this one is soooo diverse and I’m all for male POV and gay romances and sass and this book has all of it and gaaahhhh my love for it will never end. It is RIGHT UP THERE with Simon VS and The Serpent King on my all time faves list.
Speaking of sass… Locke & Jean are my ultimate bromance and I love them to death.
And also ACOL & Gemina were spectacular but… *whispers* I haven’t read This Savage Song and The Crown’s Game yet, I’m not a fan of Cassandra Clare & found Strange the Dreamer only meh… *runs & hides*
*FLAILS WITH MUTUAL GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE APPRECIATION* Anything with sass and tragedy is automatically my favourite, I shall not lie. But omg right up there with Simon Vs!?? HIGH PRAISE, BEE.😂
Wow.
What do you use for your charts? I love tracking mine but the free web version of Excel kinda sucks haha.
Gentlemen’s Guide looks AMAZING.
Cora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I just use google docs/spreadsheets.😂 It’s not very professional or functional how I set them up, but it works for me haha!
Oh yay, I’m pleased to hear good things about The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! Somehow I only heard about it about a month ago – how, I don’t know, because LGBT+ historical fiction is what I live for – but I can’t wait to read it. =) I also have yet to read any Scott Lynch and this is something I need to rectify… at some point. I really do want to read The Lies of Locke Lamora, there’s just so much else to read and so little time to read it in. D: #sendhelp
Definitely do try some Scott Lynch soon!! HIS BOOKS ARE DIVINE. I mean, I’ve only read 3 but. Whatever.😂 I’M A FAN. Also Gentleman’s Guide is beyond perfect and I hope you love it!!
I LOVE the parents pie chart. I need to track more things. For real. This year I’ve started tracking two stats (diversity and feminist) but I should track more… Do you have a spreadsheet template? Because I’d be all in for that!
Also: I did just type this into the search bar instead of the comment box. Oops.
Pie charts are amazingly fun.😍 I don’t have a template though, I just kind of make this horrible terrible spreadsheet up on my own. 😂 It works for me!! But it’s proof that I have no idea how to set up a proper spreadsheet. Hahah.
Woo, stats! 🎉
I honestly don’t know how you can be disappointed by your reading year with all those amazing favorites!! I mean, Schwab’s books alone make for a great reading year, haha.
I love that you have a pie chart for parents. I wish I’d been keeping track!
I feel like Schwab’s books keep being so amazing that everything else seems super meh compared?!? 😂😂
And yes! I wanted to know exactly how true it is about YA parents being super awful.😂
Wow.. It seems good reading year for you Cait 😊🎉🎉 Congrats! I have not checked my stats yet so I don’t know.. But I read faster this year. I have read 100 book until now and mostly novel. Usually it consist lot of comics.
100 books is AMAZING, Hanna!! Congrats!! 🎉🎉
Thank you 😊😘
It seems like you had a good reading year Cait! Not as good as last year though, right? Because I follow your goodreads and I seem to see more 1 or 2 stars review than last year… I’m so excited for Strange the Dreamer and Gentleman’s Guide! I think so far, 2017 has been very mediocre for me too?? I spent the first 2 months in a slump, this month’s read has nothing higher in 3.5 stars, and overall, I haven’t found THAT book that made me go ‘OH MY GOD YOU ARE MY NEW FAVORITE’ :/
I’ll be really interested to calculate the stats at the end of the year and see! I mean, so far, like nearly 50% is 4 and 5 star reads?!?? SO THAT’S A LOT. I feel bad though but my Goodreads negative reviews get more attention/likes/boosts so it often seems like I never read anything good.😭 Sorry about that!! I promise the higher rated books are there!!😂
I’m sad for your slump though. 😥😭 I hope it ends soon!!
I love your pie charts :D! It looks like you’ve had a great reading year so far :). I also keep track of lots of different stats, including the colour of the book cover! I’ve only read 3 purple books this year, which isn’t much, compared to some of the other colours. Somehow the colour that I’ve read the most books of, is blue. But then again, blue is my favourite colour, so.. maybe that’s why? Or are there just more blue books than purple books out there?! It’s great to find someone who also keeps track of the colour of the book (I keep track of the cover and spine colour, separately). I thought I was the only one who kept track of statistics like that! I love doing my book statistics and making graphs.
Some of my favourite books I read this year include: Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde (based on your recommendation!), The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas, Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh, The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, re-reading The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton, re-reading Poison Study and Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder (my re-reads count for 6.6%) (I haven’t re-read Fire Study yet), reading the first three books in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare (I need to continue with this series), It sounds like I need to read V. E. Schwab’s books! It will happen. I bought them, so. But my mood is not always cooperating.
Overall I have read some nice books in 2017 but also some less nice ones. I DNFed a couple, but most were at least somewhat enjoyable or even amazing. I will say that this year I haven’t felt as much like reading, particularly the past month. I’ve not read as many books as I did in half of 2015 and 2016, nor as many pages. And this month I’ve read maybe 1/3rd of the books I read in the May, April or March. But I’ve been busy and hopefully I’ll feel more like reading in a while.
This summer I’m planning to buy more book cases and re-organise all my books (give them more space). I am so excited about it. Maybe it will help my reading as well, maybe I’ll feel more like reading if I am looking at my beautiful books and re-organising them and holding them etc.
Oh and for pies.. I wish I could have one now! Chocolate pie sounds amazing, but we don’t see it often here I’m afraid. I do like ‘stroopwafelvlaai’ (syrup waffle pie) or apricot pie or cherry pie. I don’t like apple pie, perhaps because I’m a bit allergic to apples. If I eat too much of them, I get an upset stomach. But I’d love to try chocolate pie to see what that’s like! Google shows me some droolworthy images. I eat cake way more often than I eat pie, cake is much more common here and I wouldn’t really know how to make a pie, whereas I can make several kinds of cake. I know my brother has made apple pie before, and that one is common here, but I don’t like it, so :P.
I wish you a good evening / night / day :)!
AHhh I’m so pleased someone else keeps track of colour covers too!! I LOVE DOING THAT. I plan to calculate the most common type of covers at the end.😂 But I admit I actually avoid pink books?? I hate pink.😂 So I’m not being altogether fair.😂😂
OMG I’MS O GLAD YOU LOVED QUEENS OF GEEK. And liked my recommendation!! *blushes* #DAYISMADE Also I really really want to read Hyberbole. Pleeease definitely do try some Schwab!! I recommend the A Darker Shade Of Magic book the most loudly but her This Savage Song duology and also Vicious are PERFECTION TOO. Yes I’m a wildly rabid fangirl.
Good on you fro DNF’ing though! I have yet to learn that skill.😂
That is intense sadness on the allergic to apples part. 😭 Cake is better than pie anyway though, so I think you’re living a sensible life. *nods seriously*
First things first – the best kind of pie is apple pie, obviously.
Onto the books… it seems like you’ve had a pretty amazing reading year so far! I will agree wholeheartedly on V.E. Schwab because the Darker Shade of Magic books are just brilliant and she is a wonderful author. Also I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an accurate character summary as the one you provided – Alucard and Kell’s animosity remains one of my favourite things ever… along with how much Alucard and Rhy poke him for funsies.
I really need to get hold of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue when it’s released because it sounds SO good. I will be sure to follow your advice and hug it and pet it once I get my hands on it. 😛
I will make so much agreement with you on the apple pie statement. I mean. It is the CLASSIC and it is perfect and pure.
Schwab is just QUEEN!! I can’t get over how beautiful her writing and characters are. 😍 I think Kell and Alucard would be lost without each other to hate tbh. They’re so precious. Rhy is so amazing to put up with them tbh.
PUDDING PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEE!!!!!!
I love, love, LOVE that Newt gif! sursly my fave. <3
thats from veggie tales, right? I think I recignise it….but we have so many of those movies I get the small stuff mixed up. XP
I was actually concidering reading strange the dreamer…….but them I read the spoiler and NO. (I'm kind of a spoiler junkie) but i am glad I read the spoiler, because I can have my feels crushed ANY WAY BUT THAT.
PUUUURPLE BOOKS FOREVEEEEEEEEEEER!
I just got an instagram account and followed you, but you won't know it's me because I used my real name and real photo of me, and I'm following a bunch of other people I know online as olive and I kind of boxed myself in now that I think of it.
the most horrible thing happened…..I read Fablehaven, the first four books, (they are so good! do read them!) and the fourth book KILLED ALL MY FEELS. and I can't get the last one from the library because my siblings racked up $74 in fines from all the picture books they lost and MOM WON'T LET ME GET BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY ALLLLLLLLLLL SUMMER. BUT SHE WON'T BUY ME ANY BOOKS EITHER. cry with me.
Most crazily, ~Olive
NEWT IS AN ADORABLE THING. Awww sadness you’re not reading Strange The Dreamer?! IT’S SO GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL. There are more plot twists at the end than you might realise though. 😉
OMGGG THANK YOU FOR FOLLOW, OLIVE. (And omg to your siblings and their library fines! That’s intense! I cry with you!)
I haven’t read any of the books you listed but stats! I love stats. Pie graphs are beautiful *sheds tear* I would do stats for what I read but then I’d have to do tallies for every book I read and that would take too much dedication, especially since I’ve already read over 50 books this year. Maybe next year though…
Graphs and stats are things of intense beauty omg.😍 I mean why just read a book when you can obsess over STAT CHARTS ABOUT IT TOO. #priorities
OH STARS YOU USED THE REFERENCE! I recognized it and I got excited and there is no need to be embarrassed over your childhood because it was my childhood also, very much so.
Anyways. I am not at all surprised by any of the books on here. Some of them are on my TBR list, or the series are, at least. Not many of them, though, because I think you enjoy your fantasy darker than I do mine. I still enjoyed hearing about all your favorites, though!
WELL WE OBVIOUSLY HAD A VERY GOOD CHILDHOOD. *hi fives for talking vegetables* 😂😂
I’m so pleased you liked the post, Sarah, THANK YOU! And yes I do take my fantasy a bit dark.😂
The best kind of pie is chocolate pie, of course!
I also love keeping spreadsheets of the books I read. They make me feel so accomplished. I’m excited to read the Schwab books on your list. I’m on a giant waiting list for both of them, and it’s frustrating. I want them now!
CHOCOLATE IS THE REASON FOR LIFE, LET’S BE REAL HERE. (Especially if it’s chocolate pie or cake)
I’m so glad I’m not alone in adoring spreadsheets! They’re so satisfying.😍😂 I really hope your wait list goes faster so you get aaaall the Schwab soon!
Oh my gosh this post was so informative it could probably be a PAPERFURY READING UPDATE GUIDE: 27-06-17 version. (I need to learn how to write blog posts from you lol)
I totally agree with ACOL and A List of Cages. They’re in my TTT as well 😅
https://lightuptheshiningnightstars.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/top-ten-5-star-reads-of-2017-yet/
Bahhaha.😂 It was a massive reading update right?! And omg YAY that you love a List of Cages too! I think it’s entirely underrated. 😂
Yes to A Conjuring of Light and Strange the Dreamer just completely being beautiful and stealing away my soul. I still need to read Our Dark Duet, though! I put it on hold through my library and someone got it first and now I’m just waiting and wailing for them to bring it back. (And I know who has it so it’s taking everything inside me not to go over and ask her to BRING. BACK. THE. BOOK. Ahem.) I also thoroughly enjoyed Eliza and Her Monsters, the Dark Prophecy (Rick Riordan!), and The Evaporation of Sofi Snow.
ALSO HOW DO YOUD O THOSE BEAUTIFUL PIE CHARTS. I AM INTRIGUED AND HAVE A MIGHTY NEED TO DO THE SAME. (While eating pie, obviously.)
Also, it took me a second to understand that childhood reference, but then I read in my head IN HIS VOICE. And wow. Flashbacks. I love it. 🙂
They definitely need to hurry up and bring that book back BECAUSE YOU ARE IN DIRE NEED OF OUR DARK DUET’S BEAUTIFULNESS AND PAIN. #LoveIt And I’m so glad you loved Dark Prophecy. ME TOO. So funny.😂 I also just ordered Eliza And Her Monsters so squeeee I can’t wait till it comes.
I just did them on canva.com! Super easy. Easier than making actual pie, which is obviously a shame.
Amazing list Cait and I haven’t read a single one of those! What have I done wrong???
Buuut I’ve read some great books this year, too. Some of which are: Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I just loooove his writing style! He manages it somehow to write quietly dramatic and it’s pure perfection! Also the book took a turn for the weird? Which I did not expect? But mostly the characters are what I loved about it!
Second: The Scorpio Races! I loved it so much! And I didn’t Think I would? Because I have to confess I didn’t enjoy shiver that much? So I was kinda sceptical going into it, but gave it a Chance because I love The Raven cycle (currently reading The Raven King and loving it! Ronan!!) and I want to marry this book! It is soooo amazing and not only made it to my list of favs for 2017 but all time favs!
And Tales of Mystery and MAdness by Edgar Allan Poe illustrated by Grim Grisly! Soooo good! The illustrations fit the stories perfectly and I was a constantly awed Little Bookling
Oh and I love writing booksih lists too. I catalogue my books and everything around them (when did I get them, where or from whom, when did I read them etc.) but now I want to do awesome pie Charts like that! Great idea!! And so interesting to see!
YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR TBR PILE NOW THEN. *piles books on your head*😂 I’m so glad you’ve been loving the books you’ve been reading too!! EEEP. Also afjdsalkd The Scorpio Races is one of my ALL TIME favourite books of ever. 😍😍It was actaully my first Stiefvater and I’ve bene in love with her books ever seen ahhhhhh ALSO THE RAVEN CYCLE IS PERFECTION IN A BOOK. IT TRULY IS. Ronan tho. <3
It’s not like I’m not already in danger of dying because my TBR pile is so huge .. but sure, cait, go ahead and make me add more, because that’s nice!!
A few month ago I ordered a few (13) used books, so not very expensive, but well, thirteen more books. and my Mum came into my room with a very worried expression and told me that she is scared if I continue to buy books. And I was all like: You know I wouldn’t buy the books if I didn’t have the Money, I’m very responsible with money. And she said, Yes I know. I’m not worried about your money, but about your breathing space 😀
And she was only about 31% kidding.
THE DANGER IS REAL!
And I am just trying to create my own pie charts (and failing miserably because I forgot how to do Excel)
AND YEEEES! I always try to get People to read The Scorpio Races but they only look at me weirdly when I tell them there are carnivorous horses in there …
BAHAHAHAH “worried about your breathing space” THAT IS GOLDEN. 😂😂 Your mum is amazing. hehe.
Also my mum was HORRIFIED when I tried to explain the Scorpio Races to her.😂
Wow, your breakdown of your reading so far this year is impressive! And your list reminds me that I need to get around to Victoria Schwab’s books, they’re sitting on my TBR pile waiting to be read…
My TTT
Yessss you should!! They definitely call to EVERYONE with their glory.😍
I have not read any of these books! which would you recommend I start with first? Also, I have a question that’s been bugging me! In a previous post you wrote you didn’t like Sarah J Maas and I’m curious why. I haven’t read any of her books though I’ve heard alot about them.
I just realised how many of these are sequels WHOOOPS. But I definitely always recommend Schwab. ALL her books. You literally can’t go wrong with whichever you choose. 😉
I don’t like Sarah J Maas books because I believe (and this is just an opinion!) that they’re very ableist and whitewashed, and killing off the only POC characters is pretty unacceptable. I also don’t like how aggressive/male-dominating the romances are (generally they’re in “abuse is sexy” territory imo) and I don’t like how the characters treat their “friends”. So honestly a lot of things.😂 I have no hard feelings against those who love it!
Okay Cait, you need to show charts waaaay more often on your blog. Unless you already do and I’m missing them, but I don’t think that’s the case. Charts are wonderful and pretty. I also now have 3 more books to add to my reading list.
Right now I’m working on getting through Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie, but I’m a slow reader and not quite a quarter of the way through yet. Still, I’m ridiculously picky about what I like to read, and so far this book is pretty exciting since I haven’t given up on it yet. Score!
They ARE wonderful!! I used to do charts every time for my recaps but then I stopped and obviously that was a bad life decision. Charts are fuuuuun. ALSO PIE.
OOH, Burning Glass sounds really interesting! I’m super glad you’re loving it. 🎉
I’ve only loved 5 books so far this year 😭 What is my life becoming, is this whole adult thing making me impossible to please?
Pumpkin pie is the best with a ton of whipped cream!!
Ugh petition to not have adulthood.😭 IT IS MEAN TO US. I think we just read too many really excellent books and they show up the subpar ones?!
I am dying to read Our Dark Duet!!! DYING, I SAY. I require immediate medical attention.
I’ve read about half of the books you listed, and basically all the others are already on my TBR.
WASN’T GEMINA A ROLLERCOASTER??? I was having about three heart attacks per page. Also sadness to all the characters that died who were precious to me.
YOU MUST READ IT ASAP AND THEN COME MELT IN A PUDDLE IN THE FLOOR WITH ME AT THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS. NO. MORE. 😭😭 I say I love duologies but then…more.
Gemina was AMAZING and I think I died.
YES YES YES TO SO MANY OF THE BOOKS ON THIS LIST, CAIT.
ACOL absolutely DESTROYED me, and it’s the only book that I’ve ever properly cried at. Schwab seriously just can’t do anything wrong when it comes to her books, except torture my favorites too much + cause endless pain.
Strange the Dreamer and Gemina were also two of my favorites this year, too! Besides those, Tash Hearts Tolstoy, Vicious, Labyrinth Lost, + Queens of Geek are all in my top favorites. The Hating Game will probably take the cake for my utter favorite this year, though. I’ve already read it twice and I’d be ashamed to say I’m thinking about reading it again soon, but I love it too much to care. It’s absolutely perfect. <3
THE BEST KIND OF PIE IS THE CHOCOLATE PUDDING PIE MY GRANDMOTHER MAKES NEAR THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL OTHER ARGUMENTS ARE INVALID. I firmly believe it's the best thing on this earth, and one hasn't lived until they've had a slice.
I’M SO GLAD WE ARE IN AGREEMENT. CLEARLY WE HAVE EXCELLENT TASTE IN BOOKS. *hi fives*
ACOL was perfect and therefore awful because nothing else compares to its glory.😭❤️💔
I also loved Tash Hearts Tolstoy and Queens of Geek!! They were so pretty and wonderful and special. And also just now points out to me like that this list is solely fantasy.😂Also what is this Hating Game I hear?!? I must find it clearly.
CHOCOLATE IS THE MEANING OF LIFE. I CAN ONLY AGREE WITH YOU HERE.
I am such a fan of your witty banter. Also, I have three new series on my TBR list….. as if it wasn’t long enough. But you speak so highly of them that I just had to.
Happy reading!
Ahh, thank you, Hanna! MY DAY IS MADE. *flings books everywhere in happiness*
ACOL is definitely my absolute favourite book of the year so far (and it will take something truly unbelievable to top it in the next six months for it to not be my favourite book of the year overall). Honestly everything else I’ve read since has had an impossible job to live up to it, I’ve been reading a lot of 3.5 star books recently! Like you, I’m waiting for a lot of new releases in the autumn (well I guess it’s Spring for you!) from my favourite authors. I need to get around to Our Dark Duet, I read This Savage Song earlier in the year and I liked it but I read it straight after ACOL, so I think I was a bit meaner than I might have otherwise been if I hadn’t read it after that brilliance. I really enjoyed The Crown’s Game but haven’t got around to The Crown’s Fate (I see a pattern emerging here!). I really want to read Gentleman’s Guide because it sounds awesome. I don’t really do stats for my reading, I kind of just let Goodreads do that for me! As for the pie, I’m more of a cake person, chocolate cake is the greatest!
Basically Schwab’s books just live to ruin and destroy us in the BEST possible ways. 😍😍 If I can only pick one book of the year, so far it is definitely ACOL. *hyperventilates* But I do blame it for the fact everything else after seems subpar. 😂😂
Cake, I agree, is the greatest. Why are there not cake charts omg.
LORD OF SHADOWS! I just finished it, and am not coping very weellll and I have to wait 2 years for the next one??? No. Cant do it. But isn’t there another trilogy starting in November called The Eldest Curses?
I’m honestly not coping AT ALL. That cliffhanger was disgustingly cruel. WHY DON’T YOU LOV EUS ANYMORE, CASSANDRA CLARE. WHAT DID WE DO TO YOU. *gross sobbing* And I think there’s another series starting??? But like I don’t care. I WANT MY BLACKTHORN BOYS.😭😭😭
Awesome list! I love the Shades of Magic trilogy sooo much! I can’t believe I only started reading it this year 😮
Also, Strange the Dreamer is probably my favourite book of the year, Lazlo is precious!
ALLLLL THE STRANGE THE DREAMER APPRECIATION. IT IS THE PINNACLE OF BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS WRITING OMGG.
THIS POST MADE ME SMILE. It’s so much fun to see other people flail about books <3 It also reminded me that I REALLY want to read Strange the Dreamer, and something by VE Schwabb, because I've never done that (OOPS). But I've got a lot of unread books on my shelves too. DECISIONS.
Also, YAY FOR ALL THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES <3
I AM SO PLEASED, ANNE, MY JOB HERE IS DONE. 😀 *flails wildly* And yesss do read Schwab! DEFINITELY do. And Strange the Dreamer is so gorgeous and I also can’t recommend the audiobook enough. The narrator is 😍😍
VeggieTales was my childhood I loved it so muchh <3
Simi
*hi fives* 😂😂 I’m so glad people are getting that reference!
Love love LOVE this post and the pie charts, Cait – how do you have the patience to do these?! Also, I have to admit I kind of laughed when I saw the parents one. Then cried because WHY DO PARENTS SUCK SO MUCH IN BOOKS?! I don’t get it, really, it makes me quite mad. Anyway.
Your summary of the characters in ACOL is so ON POINT, I love it ahha. <3 It definitely was an incredible finale and series, that's for sure! 🙂
I have The Weight of Feathers on my TBR. It's been about a gazillion years – but someday I WILL read it because it sounds fabulous 🙂
ANYTHING FOR THE PIE. But truly it’s just canva.com and it’s super easy/quick to do them!!😂 And gah, yes, I wanted to see if parents in books are REALLY as bad as we think or do I just generalise a lot? But turns out they’re pretty bad.
EVERYTHING ABOUT SCHWAB’S BOOKS ARE PERFECT. I kind of just want them to love Alucard and Kell alone in a room for a while though and see who murders who first. Probably Alucard would die because he tried to smile at Kell or something. :’)
HUZZAH FOR VEGGIETALES. Seriously. No need to be ashamed. My sisters and I quote that line ALL THE TIME because IT IS FANTASTIC. When I get a book published I want someone to say that about it so it can be written on the back where they have all the quotes of praise. Can’t you just imagine?”
‘What people are saying about this book:
“I laughed. I cried. it moved me, Bob.”
– A Very Prestigious Author’
And then all the people who suffered Veggietales deprived childhoods will spend the rest of their lives wondering who the heck this Bob is and why this very prestigious author is addressing them. And I would just laugh like a maniac and be eternally happy.
As for books (because- oh yeah, this post wasn’t actually about Veggietales)… I haven’t actually read anything really explosively exciting. I mean- I love pain and agony and death and all that, but for some reason I haven’t read a lot of books about mortal peril recently (well, I re-read A Series of Unfortunate Events in February. That has death in it [for several weeks every time I saw a drinking straw I wanted to CRY]). I read “No Kidding” by Bruce Brooks. There were no cannons or sword fights or death scenes. It was just kind of normal humans living their lives. But it was emotional and it was about BROTHERS and the main kid was just trying so hard it made me want to CRY.
And for some reason I’ve been reading a bunch of pictures books. I ran into my cousin at the library and I had this big stack of picture books and she just sort of looked at me and said, “So… Do you just sit at home and read picture books?”
Why, yes I do. What else would I do with my life?
Ha ha just kidding. I do other stuff.
I read other books. I write about people eating sandwiches and suffering. I eat sandwiches and suffer. I run around the house and pretend to be a tornado. I curse the very air because HOW AM I SUPPOSED ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING WHEN I”M SNEEZING EVERY THREE SECONDS? Allergies are so fun.
Also I eat toast.
So yes, I have a life.
OMG I’M LAUGHING SO HARD!! ALL THE VEGGIE TALES CHILDHOODS ARE COMING OUT!!😂😂 *hi fives* It is a fantastic line, right? It can be said ever so subtly sarcastically too and I use it on my sister *all* the time. No regrets. Mwahhaa.
OMGGGG YES. THAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT BLURB. And it would be SUCH an inside joke. I’m laughing so hard right now.😂😂😂My day is made. And let’s face it, this whole post was just a cover up to talk about Veggie Tales…
Ahem.
I LOVE A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. (Excuse me but are we the same person.😂) And I reread the first 5 while watching the NEtflix show in January! I’ll reread the rest soon too I think. :’) Also picture books are awesome. I read them with my nieces/nephew and love it.😂 They can be so funny and clever!
YOU REFERENCED VEGGIE TALES YES WE HAD THE SAME CHILDHOOD. *sheds a small tear* and also I read “like gotham but sans-batman” and was like “I love batman, especially gotham itself, and therefore i must buy this book.”
so thank you, I am now poor. :p
THE FANTASTIC BEASTS GIF YES!
YOU’RE WELCOME. NOW YOU KNOW THE DARKEST SECRETS OF MY CHILDHOOD.😂😂 *quietly starts chanting songs about cheeseburger romances*
*sings about gated community* *and pirates that don’t do anything* *and also hairbrushes*
and kids who didn’t grow up with it still look at me like I’m absolutely insane if I quote one of the songs…. or reference king george and the ducky in any way… :p but to be honest, I’d look at me strangely too.
AND SOMEHOW NONE OF THE LOCAL LIBRARIES OR BOOKSTORES HAVE ANY SCHWAB BOOKS? so I shall have to order them and then wait years and years (a few business days) for them… and shipping ain’t cheap, either! *wails*
I just finished Life in Motion by Misty Copeland and I REALLY liked it. I don’t like reading nonfiction often, but this is one of the few I actually really enjoyed. 🙂
I just recently started organizing my reading habits for my blog, but I like sticking to lists. Graphs and pie charts require math so…how about…..no. XD
CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE IS THE BEST! I TOTALLY AGREE with you about desserts not having chocolate! I am NOT a fruity dessert person, like wouldn’t you rather eat that for breakfast? A dessert is not a dessert at all if there is no chocolate in it, in my opinion. 😀
Ooh that’s so awesome you found a nonfic to love!! I honestly barely ever read nonfic, and if I do it’s a memoir.😂 But it’s really good to shake up reading habits, I think!! (Says me who is like 100% fantasy.😂)
Math IS a downside to pie charts. *eats pie to compensate doing numbers things*
CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST TOO THOUGH. I MEAN REALLY.
Well if we’re being realistic than yes I would rather have chocolate for breakfast too 😂
And actually Life in Motion IS a memoir so maybe that’s why I liked it because I was surprised I could really relate more to Misty than I expected 😊
I love your list!!! I’m so happy you loved Strange the Dreamer; it was my favorite book this year! I literally thought of you when they were talking about cakes 🙂 The writing was absolutely gorgeous too…I wish I could reread that book forever!! I’m so behind – I need to read the V.E./Victoria Schwab books ASAP because I’ve heard such great things about them & I have FOMO. Also, I love how you keep stats and pie charts – the organizational part of me has serious heart eyes.
Omg really?😂My mind control powers KNOW NO BOUNDS. I’ve successfully trained everyone to see cake = think of me.😂
SCHWAB THOUGH. SCHWAB IS EVERYTHING.
What. is. wrong. with. me.
I haven’t read any of these yet.
-runs to the library-
*gives you cake to fortify you on your run to the library*
I AM OBSESSED WITH YOUR PIE CHARTS. They’re BEAUTIFUL and they make me want to create my own. *flails*
I 10000% agree with ACOL. And your summary of it is too accurate and makes me miss Kell A LOT. I haven’t gotten my hands on ODD and LOS yet (shame on me!!), but I’m sure I’ll love those two SO MUCH. I was a tad bit disappointed by The Crown’s Fate because for some reason I couldn’t connect with Nikolai at all??? I loved TCG so I guess TCF was actually my most disappointing read of the year :’)
Buuuut I’ve also read some great books this year. ACOL, obviously. I was obsessing over Heartless, adored Traitor to the Throne, loved The Hate U Give (but who doesn’t???), devoured Waking Gods and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and just recently read Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne which includes feminism and mental health and is pure awesome.
Again, I’m IN AWE of those beautiful pie charts!! Here’s to the rest of 2017!!
YOU SHOULD. PIE CHARTS ARE THE THINGS OF GLORY AND LIFE IN THIS WORLD. *flails* I use canva.com and it’s super easy to make them there!
Kell though. <3 <3 I wish that series wasn't over I MISS IT SO MUCH.
But that's so strange because I loved Nikolai and his dark side frolics SO much.😂 And YES! So much love for The Hate U Give! I should've had it on here instead of just 100% fantasy.😂 I can't even help myself. I'm such a fantasy addict. (I really need to read some Holly Bourne!)
My reading year as not been great, tbh. I’ve read more than I’ve ever read by this point in the year (at least since, like, 2008. 10y/o probably read way more than I did. She’s great), which is good, but … a lot of disappointments? Horrifically few five star reads? Actually I have this suspicion … can this be true … I THINK that the only five star reads I’ve had this year have been rereads? Of Romeo and Juliet and Skulduggery Pleasant books? CAN THIS BE RIGHT I’M GOING TO GOODREADS
OK YUP IT’S TRUE. (Apart from one Christian devotional book.) My five star fiction reads are Rom and Jul, The Faceless Ones, Mortal Coil, Kingdom of the Wicked and The Dying of the Light. At which point I would heave a sigh and say “at least Skulduggery can do no wrong, eh?”, BUT THAT’S NOT ACTUALLY TRUE, BECAUSE A TERRIBLE THING OF WOE IS HAPPENING TO ME. I’m currently reading book 10, Resurrection, that shocker surprise one that we didn’t know was going to happen, and I just … did this series need to come back from its state of Glorious-Finale-And-Now-It’s-Over? Did it? Or are we, whisper it, going back to something that really should have ended? I’ve nearly finished Resurrection and it’s BREAKING MY HEART because I really have so many problems and like … I kinda wish it had never happened?!!!!
SO READING SUCKS, BASICALLY, I SHOULDN’T DO IT.
It’s also because I’m so cranky in my old age, I expect Utter Perfection before I bestow those five shiny stars. Hence the hunners of four-star reads. Whoops!
Yayyyyy for reading a lot, Emily! THAT IS SO AWESOME THOUGH. Although I’m sad for you with the disappointments. I think if we read a lot we kind of have to expect more dodgy books?! IDK. Statistically??😂
Ahhh I’m so glad you love Skulduggery Pleasant though! I NEED to keep reading but I have this problem where I’ve forgotten a lot (I read up to book 6) and I don’t have time to reread them all because they’re such bricks hhaha. But we’ll see. Because RESURRECTION. <3
And why can't we ask for utter perfection in books. *starts a cranky old granny reader club for we old aged fiends* 😂
Omg, Cait. How do you write such epic posts? You’re a queen. I love how you are reading so much. I am like nearing my 30th book for the year, which is not as impressive obviously, but I am trying to increase my reading time. I am in love with your pie charts. I need to read more diversely. How do you find recommendations? Linkage please!
I have yet to read any Laini Taylor. You know how big books are just like, “Are you ready to commit?” And, I am like, “Never!” But, I can just tell that I am going to love her writing. Also, Schwab can do no wrong. She’s also another queen/word whisperer. I have read When the Moon Was Ours by Anna Marie McLemore but I still haven’t read The Weight of Feathers yet. I will, though, because she’s up there on my list of favorites.
And, Illuminae is on my TBR for the year. Hopefully we can fangirl together when I read it.
OMG THANK YOU, DINA. *gives you cake* ❤️ This pretty much makes my dayyyyyyyy!!
I get most of my books from publishers, tbh, so it’s just great that 2017 is showing a rise of lots of diverse books and authors! I also am a goodreads addict.😂 If you keep an eye out there, people are always reviewing/discussing diverse books.
Haha, I can totally understand with Laini Taylor! Her books are HUGE. But so so worth it. #Obsessed AND SCHWAB IS QUEEN. I haven’t read When The Moon Was Ours yet but it’s on my TBR! I have no doubts it’s going to be glorious. 😍
STRANGE THE DREAMER!!! Sounds like you’ve had a great year so far! These books all look awesome.
I would LOVE to have more guy narrators in YA. I mean, I’m partial to girls because I AM one, but sometimes I wish there were more variety!
I actually checked out Scorpio Races from the library, and so I will (finally) try reading Stiefvater! All your screaming has convinced me xD. Hopefully it’s good… 😉
Fantastic post!
Agreed! 😂 I’d just like to mix it up, you know?! Like books are about having other experiences, so I’d like to see from male protagonists’ perspectives too. I think maybe this is because there are less male YA authors? IDK. IT’S INTERESTING.😂
afjdlaskfd STIEFVATER.
MY DAY IS MADE. I AM SO PLEASED. IT IS THE MOST EXCELLENT OF THE STIEFVATERS. 😍
Definitely! I mean, I don’t really care about an author’s gender, but as women typically write form female POVs and men male, I do wish there were more male YA authors.
Yay for pie charts! I love those – so pretty and so informative. I love that you’re reading mostly from the library. I’ve got to get back to doing that – I’m drowning in ARCs……
This is an awesome midyear update and review – thanks for sharing!:)
Ahhh thanks for reading!! The only unfortunate thing is I just moved cities so I no longer have a fantastic library buuuut I LOVE LIBRARIES SO MUCH and always love supporting them. 😍 Plus it’s cheaper if one has a voracious bookworm appetite, right?!
Hahaha “actual gif of me”. I died!
Also? 29% of the parents are dead! That is just ridiculous!
I know right?!? Am I just picking morbid books or is this just the story of YA? So many dead parents…😭
I love the 1% bought books. It is like me. I am a broke grapefruit more miserly than Scrooge. Books cost so ridiculously much! I mean, really. We need a bookish Robin Hood to go around stealing books and passing them out to us bookworms who can’t afford them. Hmm… future career for me??
*15%. Darn typos. 🤦🏽♀️
Bahaha yes. 😂 Except as an author I kiiind of want to be paid someday, so I don’t mind that books are expensive…except the bookworm side of my soul is CRYING. *weeps and dies* Also I get people comment that I must be “so rich” and I just want to say NO I GET BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY AND PUBLISHERS OMG. 😂And part of that 15% is $1 books at library sales too.😂 #ScroogeBookworm
I GOT THE VEGGIETALES REFERENCE I am so pleased right now. Also spaghetti soup is the best kind (and I did start off spelling that sphaghetti (and just now shpahegeteti) so you are not alone).
EXCELLENT.😂 So many people did, I’m actually really really impressed, haha! Also spaghehututihui is just a mean word, let’s be real here.
I guess there has to be some payback for it tasting so good…
Your posts never fail to make me smile!!
For your pie question, Apple deep dish is truly the best, but chocolate is a very close second. 😊 Pie is very essential to the whole reading and writing process!
Hope you have an awesome ((checks time)) night!
AWww, this makes ME smile, thank you, Stephanie!! *flails happily*
Pie is like essential to LIVING LIFE.
oh, man, i totally need to get off my ass and read Strange the Dreamer and Gemina. also A Conjuring of Light but i am officially the only person in the known universe who hasn’t fallen in love with VE Schwab yet and honestly i’m scared. i just want to be loved. (or love, i guess.)
YES YES AND YESSSS. They’re so amazing and feels-punching and therefore glorious. 😍 And dooon’t be scared of Schwab! And don’t let the hype turn you off too! I promise her stories are thoroughly fantastic and complex and clever.
Hahah…should I even pretend to be surprised at seeing VE Schawb at the top of your list? 😉 And Cassandra Clare? And I had a feeling you were going to like Stranger the Dreamer a lot – I remember reading it and thinking “OMG this is such a Cait type of book!” Glad to see I was right. 😉 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! And I love the pie charts!
OF COURSE SCHWAB IS AT THE TOP.😂 I’m not even going to pretend to be fair anymore. *slaps Schwab appreciation everywhere and on top of every mountain* And YESSSS Strange the Dreamer just had everything I need in a book. Particularly when they ate the cakes. 😍
LOL! You never cease to amaze me with your witty remarks about books! I can’t believe I haven’t even read any books by Victoria S.!
AWW THANK YOU! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!😂
This is the first year where I’ve read like ZERO of the things you have. Which only gives me tons of book suggestions and, ugh, why. Why do you do these things to us poor bookworms with groaning bookshelves.
I love that you’re including parental statistics. xD They look pretty much just like I’d expect them to. Which is disappointing, frankly.
To be fair, a lot of these are sequels!! I didn’t even realise until I was writing this post the amount of sequels I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. 😍
It IS disappointing about the parent statistics. Although I need to work harder on this and have good parents in my writing too.🙈
Hey Cait! Sorry, long time no see! I’ve been sick :/ *Cries* but one good came out of it…I got to read a boatload of books 😀 while mom got me soup in bed all day for 4 days 🙂 Other than that being sick sucks! 🙁
Sooo…I see the dragon girl made pie charts and is discussing stats!! Very dragon-like Cait. Very. But you have literally half my TBR up there 🙂 I’m dying to start the Gentleman Bastard series, Strange the Dreamer, ADSOM etc etc and I’m so happy you love them all! My birthday is coming so maybe my friends will buy me at least one third of my TBR (If they don’t please do come by and scare them into doing so by spitting fire on them and other dragon things! 🙂 )
Best books so far for me? – Perfect by Cecelia Ahern, Six of Crowns and Seige and Storm by Queen Bardugo (I’m yet to review these two as I’m suffering from a mysterious affliction called ‘feels’) Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova, Truthwitch and Windwitch (I know you don’t like them 😛 ), The Night circus, Blue Lily Lily blue and a couple more books I can’t remember right now :/
Also I like apple pie best 😀 Great post you fiery dragon!
OH you don’t need to apologise! I’m sad you’ve been sick though! *SENDS YOU ALL THE WARM SOUP* At least you could read, right?! 😜 When I’m sick I Generally get no reading done at all, I just lay around quietly dying.😂
Very very dragon-Cait-like. Shiny books and pies and stats. #MyAesthetic And fajdksald I’m so glad a lot of these are on your TBR. You are in for a marvellous time clearly.
SIX OF CROOOOOOOOWS I’M SO GLAD YOU READ IT AND LOVE IT AS MUCH AS YOU WERE HOPING TOO!!! Also Blue Lily. 😍😍😍 I love that book so much.
I have sadly only read 2 of the books you mentioned BUT I PROMISE TO READ THE OTHERS EEK ESPECIALLY GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE AND OUR DARK DUET! Also I know the title said no pie but I was hoping you had a Cait shaped surprise up your sleeve and it was actually a pie 🙁 BUT AT LEAST THIS POST WAS AWESOME AND THAT MAKES UP FOR IT!
Not TOO much pie disappointment, right?😂 Although let’s be real: there should’ve been pie in the book photos. I am a pie failure.😂
I HOPE YOU LOVE BOTH ODD AND GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE BECAUSE I’M OBSESSED WITH THEM.
I like your pie charts, but where is the pie chart about how many books mention food/pies… 😛
I absolutely loved Gemina and Strange the Dreamer! So glad they both have a sequel, but I also feel like, will the sequel be just as good ? Is that possible???
My favourite pie is homemade apple pie 🙂
I honestly should’ve had pie in like all the pictures.😂 In a well ordered universe I’d be more organised haha. *cries because pie disappointment*
YES YES WE NEED MORE STRANGE THE DREAMER BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO BE STABBED IN THE FEELS AGAIN.
I would looooove some cherry pie rn… or lemon meringue pie. You’re making me hungry!
A Conjuring of Light is definitely in my top 5 of the year <3 reading Our Dark Duet at the moment!
Also loved The Valiant by Lesley Livingston! And Always and Forever, Lara Jean <3 oh and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. And I have so many highly anticipated books unread on my shelves…. oops
My posts are like DOOMED to leave everyone hungry.😂I’m the worst. #noregrets
FAJDSKLAFD I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE A SCHWAB FAN TOO THIS IS GLORIOUS. And Oooh I’e heard of The Valiant but wasn’t sure whether to get it or not. So it’s a definite must-read? *pushes it up higher on the wishlist*
I have the major problem of the fact OMGIREADTOFAST!!!! i read 170/180 books this year alone. you are lucky, trust me.
That’s amazing!! Your reading speed is incredible!
UM YEAH I LOVE EXCEL DOCUMENTS FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY: Tracking my reading down to things like the color purple. Yes, I LOVE IT AND I WAS INTERESTED SO THANKS FOR ACTUALLY TELLING ME HOW MANY PURPLES. Also, when I read pie, I was like, “This better say apple pie somewhere in here” and I was rewarded!!!! *throws apple pie in which the apples are dipped in chocolate at you* I may have to go figure out how to make that chocolate apple pie because that sounds unreal.
Okay, enough about pies and excel.
I need all of these. Right now. I have Lord of Shadows and Lady Midnight, I just haven’t read them yet because I’m currently reading City of Heavenly Fire (!!!!!!) because I’m trying to be a responsible human and finish the things I started before jumping to the next series in the series (??) I NEED CoHF to not be 700+ pages though…why must my soul be plagued with so many words at once???
Also, I have determined that you’re lowkey related to Lazlo Strange. You two are one in the same. Yep. I researched it.
TRACKING AND CALCULATING IS AMAZING. My scheming Slytherin heart is always so pleased. And I’m very very glad you weren’t too disappointed on the pie front. I mean, in a well-ordered universe I would have a pie in all the book photos BUT I WASN’T THAT ORGANISED. (Shame on me.)
Also chocolate apple pie sounds amazing?!??!? WANT.
AFJSDALKD I LOVE LADY MIDNIGHT AND LORD OF SHADOWS SO MUCH I MAY LOSE MY MIND. NO. ALREADY LOST IT. BUT IT’S AHRD TO TELL I KNOW.
I am absolutely sure I am Lazlo Strange’s long lost cousin. There is scientific evidence to prove this.
Pecan Pie Is The Only Pie. This is a Scientific Fact.
SO MANY OF YOUR FAVORITES ARE ON MY TBR. Especially the Shades of Magic series, ahhh. The trouble is that I want to finish the 100 series I’m in the middle of before starting a new one. :/ I love your charts! They’re such a fun way to visualize everything 🙂 I had a really good reading year for the first few months, but then everything took a sudden and disappointing nose dive. (I guess I ran out of good book capital??) I still read some awesome books, however! My favorites are The Martian by Andy Weir, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, and The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic.
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
Unless you’re allergic to nuts and then it IS the only pie because it’s your last pie. *cries piteously for self*
You’re really good if you actually finish series before starting new ones!! 😂 I, erm, suck at that.😂😂 And YAY I’m glad you like the pie charts! It is a nice fun overlook right?!
Ugh to the disappointing dive in books. I feel like sometimes if we read a lot, we’re more likely to hit the bad ones? IDK. I have a LOT of books on my TBR that I’m really excited for I just have to get to them. So squee, hopefully both of our rest of 2017 will turn up some great reads!
I’m glad you’re having a good reading year. I barely had enough books with decent ratings to get to five. 🙁 Although I have read (well, not quite, I’ve not quite finished Crooked Kingdom) that Six of Crows duology, and that is perfect. I mean. It’s perfect. I love it. New favourite series. XD
I need to read the rest of the Shades of Magic series. Like, I need to prioritise it. And I’m looking forward to The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue – that sounds right up my alley.
Aww, I’m so sad for you!! *cries* It’s never fun when a ready year is going suckishly. I hope you love Crooked Kingdom though because IT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING OF EVER AND SOMETIMES I JUST AJFKDSLADJKL OVER IT. And I really hope you like Gentleman’s Guide. 😍
Cait!!! You were a Veggie Tales kid?!!!!!! That was literally 70% of my childhood. “If you like to waltz with tomatos up and down the produce isle…”
YES YES THE DARK SECRETS COME OUT. 😂
How the heck do you have so much time to read a ridiculous amount of books AND post these kinds of posts??? Like, what even are you? *a book dragon, I know*
Nice pie charts! I like how you even made one for the parents, would never even think of keeping track of those with the books I read. You must have a really cool spreadsheet going on hahah.. and yeah, you speak in the third person at times but that’s okay, we all love you. 😛 And I haven’t even read any of your top ten. Though Strange the Dreamer and The Gentleman’s Guide are HIGH HIGH on my list!
Heyyy I don’t do that many posts. 😂I only blog about 3 times a week.
Aw, thanks! I do enjoy tracking strange things.😂I’m also tracking what colour covers typically are and what year books I usually read. :’) And I’m glad you accept Cait even though she talks in 3rd person sometimes. You are the kindest to her.
I’m not really sure how to do charts and stuff. Does Goodreads do that automatically for you? Are you some kind of math wizard? I’m going to have to look into that for myself because I’m horrible with numbers and much better with books. Obviously. 😉
I’ve been lucky to have a few five star reads this year and more than a couple four star reads. There have been a few stretches of 1 and 2 star reads, but let’s ignore them for now. 😛 George, Queens of Geek, and Allegedly have been among my favorite so far this year. I think Queens of Geek was really special to me because it was diverse and it took place at a comic book convention. 😀 Plus, the main characters were Australian! That’s not personal for me, but I thought it was really good because there are so few Australian MCs.
Pie, you say? Cherry pie is the obvious answer. I suppose you could do some kind of black forest gateau pie if you were creative enough (cherries AND chocolate!).
My TTT: https://thehermitlibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/top-10-tuesday-best-books-ive-read-so-far-in-2017/
Oh no I did mine on canva.com.😂 It’s really easy to put them together on there and all automated, which is GREAT because my brain doth not do math. I’m so bad at maths it’s actually hilarious.
Aww, I’m sad you haven’t had a lot of highly rated books. Allegedly was AMAZING though right?!? And i also found Queens of Geek super special and heartwarming. <3 And the nerd appreciation was BEST. Also so nice to see Aussie characters. ❤️
Ugh YOUR BOOK PHOTOS ARE ALWAYS AMAZING *flails from all the beauty*. Anywayyyy, looks like you’ve had an awesome year in books so far! (don’t kill me butttttt) I’ve actually never read anything by Scwab, but I’ve met her and she’s awesome and I have some of her books so I really don’t know why I haven’t yet! Lots of other great books I have to read. I can’t wait to read Mackenzi’s new book, and THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS was just bee-yooo-tifullll. So much love for it. Happy reading for the rest of the year!! 😀
Oooh that’s SO COOL that you got to meet her though! Definitely time to try one of her books now, though, right?! 😉
I love the pie charts, it makes the crazy organizational part of my brain soooo happy!
Yesss so much love for organisation I can’t even with how fun pie charts are.😂
Omg I seriously love this! I love your blog, I love the unabashed emotion you put into your posts! It’s so much fun and your book joy is contagious. 🤗
OHH THANK YOU!! *blushes* This just makes my day!! ALL THE CAKE FOR YOU. 💕
Now I just want pie, screw the books. Your GIF sums up my year perfectly. It’s fine, I guess. But nothing has really blown me away completely? I have only added 3 to my favorites list, which is SAD. 3/80 isn’t exactly goals? I liked Strange the Dreamer a lot though- AND I want to read so many books on your list, so maybe that will help. Idk what I am even doing anymore, apparently. I haven’t read a 5 star book in MONTHS.
I mean, I cannot make charts, because I can barely keep myself functioning, I feel like? Also, maybe it would depress me. But mostly the laziness. Also, I need pie. Seriously.
Pie is honestly what we all need in life. LOTS OF IT. Although I am saaaad that you haven’t had a lot of spectacular reads either.😭 I mean, I’ve actually rated quite a few books 5 stars but I guess having like 50% being 3 or lower makes it feel bleh-ish?!? (Shh, bleh-ish is a word.)😂
I HOPE YOU GET A 5 STAR BOOK SOON THOUGH.
(Also I just use canva! It’s super easy and quick. And like not that much maths involved ha.)😂
Pies! I love them both in the food variety and the chart variety <3
I also feel kind of unimpressed with my reading year despite the statistics showing it hasn't been that bad! I'm also crazy excited for All The Crooked Saints and Turtles All The Way Down (although I'm still confused by that title – what does it mean?!). And wow that is A LOT of diverse books and that is awesome! Only 47% of the books I've read so far this year have been diverse which I really want to work on.
ACOL was one of the few books this year I've given 5 stars to – it was incredible. I totally agree with your character descriptions and I live for the mutual dislike between Kell and Alucard. Have you seen the twitter account ADSOM as Vines? It is the most gloriously accurate thing I've ever seen.
I haven't read ODD yet but I really need to as soon as I reread TSS. I was in a reading slump when I first read it so I just couldn't get into it and didn't love it as much as Schwab's other books, but I'm hoping the second time around will change that!
Awesome post!
EXCELLENT. Your pie priorities are in order. :’)
I’m sad that you’ve been unimpressed with this year’s books too! GAH. 2017 needs to up it’s game, clearly! But afjdksald for John Green’s new book. 😍😍 I mean I don’t even really know what it’s about except for mental health but I’M EXCITED. I LOVE JOHN GREEN SO MUCH.
ACOL was just beyond perfect.😍 Schwab can do no wrong. And yES I love that twitter account. I crack up so much. It’s so so painfully accurate.😂😂
Charts make me very happy, I like charts. I specifically like the Parents pie-chart, it’s rather telling. A Conjuring of Light was heart-wrenching and beautiful and easily one of my favorites endings to a trilogy! I am still DYING to read Our Dark Duet but haven’t been able to pick it up yet for some reason!? I’ll rectify that soon. Also loved Strange the Dreamer and Gemina and The Crown’s Fate! AND I totally need to catch up on the Locke Lamora series, yikes, Here’s a to fantastic second half of the year of reading! (if that made any sense? I’m not sure how to phrase that… basically just I hope you continue to have a good time reading books from now through the rest of the year)
ACOL was too perfect and MY FEELS ARE ALL BROKEN AND DEAD. AHHHHH. JUST THE WAY A BOOK SHOULD BE. Also I’m super pleased you loved The Crown’s Fate too! I think that series doesn’t get nearly enough love.😍 LOCKE LAMORA THOUGH. I read them all super close together and I have suuuuch a Locke shaped hole in my life. *sobs*
I think I giggle every time I visit your blog.
There are a good number of sequels on your favourites list- I guess this means I should get started/finish some series.
A List of Cages was my absolute favourite read of the year- so amazing! I also really was blown away by The Unseen World by Liz Moore- that was incredible. Some of my other loves were Six of Crows, Lolita and Anne of Green Gables.
It’s been a good year- so far.
EXCELLENT. MY WORK HERE IS DONE. 😂
And I know right?! I didn’t even realise till I put it together how sequel-heavy it was. 😱 Which is actually unusual for me because I generally avoid sequels haha. AHHHHH SIX OF CROWS IS AMAZING AND I CAN’T LOVE IT ENOUGH.
ALL OF THESE BOOKS LOOK SO GOOOOOOOOOD ARGH CAIT WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS GROW MY TBR WITH YOUR EVERY BREATH. AND ALSO MY LOVE OF PIE/CAKE BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT.
Also your stats are amazing and I love them and #goals thank you very much.
BECAUSE I LIVE TO MAKE YOU SUFFER UNDER AN ENORMOUS TBR PILE. C’MON NOW. I KNOW YOU LOVE IT.
THAT DOESN’T MAKE IT GOOD FOR MY HEALTH. IF THAT WERE TRUE, I WOULD LIVE ON CAKE AND CHOCOLATE AND MAYBE CHEESY BRATS.
I’VE READ THREE OF THESE BOOKS. But I do intend to read A List of Cages and Lord of Shadows and A Gentleman’s Guide very soon (and by soon…who knows what I mean). I love that 29% of parents are dead though, that seems very characteristic of the kinds of books you read 😉 Whereas my beautiful contemporaries mainly just have deadbeat parents. It’s very sad.
HERE’S TO A STELLAR SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
You’re going to LOVE Gentleman’s Guide. I promise. 😉 Reeeeead it. *flails rather rabidly* 😂 And omg yes you can’t talk. I have read the Tiny Pretty Things series and I’m just horrified at EVERYONE’S PARENTS. I mean Gigi’s were nice but still somewhat frustrating because they kept doubting her passion for ballet. SO. Contemporary still has it’s parental issues.😂 They just don’t try to eat their own kids like they do in fantasies…(yeah IDK what I’m reading either these days).
Hi, Cait!
The need to read good books devours my soul. Honestly, I’m currently in this limbo phase that has me want to read good books but can’t decide on one of the TBR and I’m practicly only reading books that disappoint me lately and now I’m worried, that I won’t ever read a good book anymore. You know the ones that give you all the feelz? #currentlybookfeelzless #help
Very impressive stats btw. But I would not expect anything less from you, Cait. I loved Laini Taylor’s books and now I’m wondering if I should wait for the translation of “Strange the dreamer” or if I should just buy the english copy? I guess I have to wait for the German one and look at the cover and be super superficial and just pick the one that’s prettier. 😛
Have a great week, Cait!
LG, m
Oh no! I hope you pull out of this reading slump soon! Slumps are the WORST. I’m super pleased that I had a really good reading month in June and had a ton of 5-stars. Soooo I’m hoping you find some good ones soon. THIS LIST IS NOT A BAD PLACE TO LOOK FOR RECS.😂😂
Ahhhhh can you believe after all this time I have still not got round to reading VE Schwab well CLEARLY that has to desperately change. I’m sooo behind on all the current famous YA authors. Also Ive spent ten years successfully avoiding John Green just because I don’t like contemporaries as much as fantasy, but maybe I should give him a go? Turtles all the way down is SUCH a good title. I assume it’s a reference to Hindi (??) cosmology and I recognise it as a quote from a Crash course Mythology episode so yolo John live your best life and plagiarise your own bro I guess 😂😂 Yaaaay Maggie Steifvater!!!! I adore her ! And I’m fully with you on enjoying adult fantasy because it’s darker — I always freak out with joy when I find books that hit the sweet spot of being quite dark and scary with “adult” themes, but also with young(ish) protagonists and relatable romance! 😀
DUUUUDE, YOU NEED TO READ SOME SCHWAB. I WILL STAND HERE AND LURE YOU INTO SCHWAB’S BOOKS WITH PARTICULARLY DELICIOUS CAKE. And technically VE Schwab does more (as much? IDK) adult fantasy actually!
I love John Green so I’m biased to say YES!😂
Yessss…I want adult romance with younger characters, haha. It’s like then relatable + the darkness I want.😂 (I feel SO EVIL RIGHT NOW.)
WTF 130 books you are insane Cait! And i’m insanely jealous of that time you have to read! YAY for the diverse books, I feel like 2017 have had so many wonderfully diverse reads! Good to see the parental balance improving slightly.
Oh wait, there’s more! I need to finish the 2nd book in the Shades of Light series omg. And begin the monster one tbh. STRANGE THE DREAMER is def one of my favs this year! GEMINA GEMINA GEMINA
I’ve definitely been reading a lot of short ones too hhaha! But yes, ugh, I mean I’ve lost 2 days of work since moving towns.😭😭
And it is really nice to see how much easier and more usual it is to be finding diverse books, right?!? I’M SO PLEASED. Hopefully one day there won’t even be need to calculate a chart like that, because all books will be diverse as they should be. :’)
GEMINNNNNNAAAAAA. *screams*
YAAAYYY!!! Your Mid Year Book Stats are full of pure awesomeness! I hope you get the chance to read your favorite author’s (MAGGIE STIEFVATER) books in the next half of this year!
AWW THANK YOU!😊 *flails happily* And omggg I cannot wait for Maggie Stiefvater so bad.😂
Long books intimidate me like nobody’s business, which is probably why I haven’t read the TOG books. *sigh* Someday.
So many books I’ve read and loved this year, though to list them all would be akin to the length of a blog post. And that might be scary. 😉 I always forget about Evelyn’s series, but that’s one I’d really like to read! Guess the upside of waiting is less time between books.
(Also, yes! Parent’s in YA get either a passing mention while the kids get into MAJOR trouble with no guidance or they’re not the best role models which makes us go, “Ooo… so they come by it honestly.”)
BIG BOOKS ARE TERRIFYING. I mean, this list sort of terrifies me, because most of these are 500 pages!?? I’m proud of me. Also a bit terrified of me tbh. Who am I and what did I do with myself.
And the Crown’s Game is just a duology so now they’re both out it’s a PERFECT time to read!!
The pie charts were fabulous, Cait!!! (How did you make them, please???) And I love the things you tracked – particularly what kind of parents the MC had. Ha! So sad. 😉
Also I am just BURNING for some more male MC’s/narrators!!!
Okay. Cait. The pie charts. Let’s discuss this for a moment.
And by discuss, I mean let’s pretend I can high five you right now. *highfivesound*
I HEART YOU SO HARD FOR THOSE CHARTS.
I dies for stats. I was in a math based lecture today and snap chatted my staff because I found it so delightful.
I do not keep such detailed stats as you, but if I had my shit together a bit more I might. (as it stands, my favourite thing of reading digital library books is tapping the page to tell me what percentage I have read so far…)
As for books I have loved in 2017…of the 35 I have read, only 8 have been 3 or 2 stars (no 1s! yay!), so been a good year for me! The 5 stars have been: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (reread), Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun, and be Your Own Person, Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda (just typing the title makes me want to read it again…), Calling me Home, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (reread), and The Color Purple.
True story – I set my goal this year to 36 books, because I used to be a “before bed” reader, and starting a night shift job messed that up a lot…
….turns out the inspiration I needed to find a new reading routine was bookstagram, and here I am, half way through the year and already at my goal! WOOOO! (on the flip side, I used to stop adding to my TBR when it was in the 20s but y’all gush over so many delicious sounding books it is now OUT OF CONTROL…. which also fuels the reading-instead-of-sleeping-when-ICU-is-quiet habit…)
Finally, the best pie is strawberry rhubbarb… unless I am making the pie, in which case I am best at making lemon merengue. om nom nom.
*HI FIVES YOU BACK WITH GREAT HAPPINESS* I’m glad you liked my charts!! I am all for charts and stats. Seriously if I could turn everything into a chart I would. Charts are relatable and precious. :’) (And also I LOVE checking my percentage when reading ebooks so I’m with you there haha.)
I’m glad you’ve had a pretty good reading year so far! That is honestly super amazing. :’) SIMON VS IS THE BEST THOUGH. AHHHHH.
LOLLOLLOL Parents: “good” “bad” “good&bad” “uninvolved” and … … “dead”
but wow those pie charts are beautiful. maybe I’ll do something similar if that magical elixir called TIME rains from heaven. now I’m going to goodreads to look at my stats. and apparently I’ve read books in 2005, according to goodreads? have I had goodreads since I was 5?????
I recommend clones and, like, secretaries that are also dragons and therefore can double up and do your chores too. So much more time for fun things like sleeping, blogging, and destroying the moon.