Hello there! The last month of 2016 was filled of so many ups and downs but I am grateful that we have started a new year with new expectations and goals. I am very satisfied with how I ended my year in reading. I read a total of 5 books and 1 I DNFed (did not finish). Let’s get onto the books and what I’ve been up to this month!
What I Read:
Midnight Hour by C.C. Hunter ★★★★★
Genre: YA Paranormal
Midnight Hour is the 4th book to the Shadow Falls: After Dark spin off series. I wrote a full non spoiler review for that book and you can check it out here! This is one of my favorite series and I still cannot believe that it is over.
Replica by Lauren Oliver ★★★★★
Genre: YA SciFi
This is the first book the Replica series. A book all about clones and two girls that are linked in all of this somehow. One of my favorite reads of 2016. I definitely would recommend this. If you want to read a in-depth non spoiler review, then click here!
RoseBlood by A.G. Howard
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling
This is the book I DNFed. This is what I wrote on Goodreads: DNFing at 80 pages. I really thought I was going to love this book but I found the story too slow paced for me and a little all over the place with the elements involved. Nothing was really making sense and things got a little repetitive already.
The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden ★★★★.5
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Adult
A Russian Folklore that will have you wanting to read every single word and will make you feel like you are there in the village with the family. I have a full spoiler free review here. Definitely a book worth reading.
we carry the sky by McKayla Robbin ★★★★★
Genre: Poetry
A poetry collection about femininity, identity, violence and healing. One of all time favorite poetry collections. I have a spoiler free review that includes some of the poems here.
Black Butterfly by Robert M. Drake ★★★★★
Genre: Poetry
A poetry collection about the transformation and rebirth of life and death. r.m. drake wrote this for all the people who have lost someone either living dead. I have a full non spoiler review that includes some of the poems here.
Poetry:
I know I didn’t post much poetry this month and that was because since the holidays were around I didn’t want to post dark things during happy times. I decided to back off a bit on it but nevertheless I did post and in case you missed it:
not what you say i am
a question and a question and a question
People I Once Knew – Part 14
untitled; a teaser from the book i’m writing
it’s not that easy.
I’ve also been working on my poetry book and I posted a couple of Waiting on Wednesdays, Top Ten Tuesday, Standalone Sunday, and Series Saturday. If you want to check out my memes then please click here. I hope you’re all having a lovely new year. Have you read any of these books or plan on too? Let’s chat in the comments!
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Friend me on Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)
Shadow Falls 😍😍 I really can’t wait to get to the After Dark series! Do you think I’d be good to jump right into it, or should I reread the original novels first? You had a very successful reading month!!
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You can jump right into them without rereading the first series =)
and thank you so much ❤
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Shadow Falls is one of my favorite series but I haven’t read it’s spin off, so I really hope it’s as good as Shadow falls. 😀
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IT IS AS GOOD!!! YOU NEED TO READ IT PLEASEEEE PRETTY PLEASE LOL!!
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I am so nervous that you and Lilly DNF’d Roseblood 😦 I have it sitting here and literally am hesitating to pick it up. I want to love this book so bad..
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I wanted to love it too! But don’t be discouraged! Sometimes the books others didn’t enjoy, may just be the book for you =)
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Here is to hoping! 😘
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You had a FAB reading month my bookish twin! it being a heavy holiday month & all. You made progress with your book which I think is AWESOME! I also enjoyed all of your poetry collection recommendations & have added them to be hauled in Feb. Yup I go dark during the mth of Love & I like it that way LOL! I’m excited to finally be in the year that I read the Shadowfalls series *eeeeK* Happy reading Gray! 😉
& yea Boooo to Roseblood LOL! sorry Danielle 😉
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YAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *dances all over the place* I also love to go dark in the month of February…actually all year round let me stop playing myself lmao. I cannot wait for you to read Shadow Falls..i just cant wait! I hope you have a great reading month in January xoxo
roseblood…bleh bleh bleh lol whelp
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LOL I was about to SAY! you lie like a rug! dark 365 days of the year 😉
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lmfaoooo =D
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How awesome you’re writing a poetry book! Your poetry is wonderful,, looking forward to reading more if it this year!
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That means so much to me! Thank you so much ❤
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What a great collection of books and posts! The Bear and the Nightingale is next on my TBR and I couldn’t be more excited after seeing you enjoyed it. That is a GREAT sign for me. 🙂 Now, time to binge on your poetry… ❤ ❤ ❤
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Awwww I can’t wait to see your review on The Bear and The Nightingale, you’re so indepth with your reviews. I love em!! ❤
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That means so much to me Gretchen!! Thank you. I can’t wait to read it! It keeps getting displaced by other books for face to face book clubs. Perhaps I’ll sacrifice some sleeping for reading this weekend. 😆
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oh no!!!! I really hope you get it on your hands quickly!
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Me too. 🙂 The good thing is that my book club books are all paperbacks, but The B&N is on Kindle. Take that, sleep! I won’t be getting much of you soon.
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Lol!!
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I’m so happy you’re working on your poetry book girl! 😊
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Thanks love!!
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Great recap for this month Gretchen. It seems like you got through some amazing books, and for the most part they all sound like amazing reads as well. I need to pick up The Bear and the Nightingale and We Carry the Sky soon.
Oh but it’s a shame you didn’t enjoy RoseBlood. That’s a book I’m highly anticipating and even though I’ve seen some mixed reviews for it I’m still looking forwards to it’s release.
I hope you have an amazing reading and blogging month for January as well! 😀
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I hope you love Roseblood!! Some books aren’t meant to be and I hope it’s meant for you. I’m looking forward to your review for that one. Thank you for your support. I hope you have an amazing reading and blogging month as well sweets xoxo
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I’ve seen some good reviews for it so I guess I’m just going to go in with an open mind and see where it goes I guess.
That’s all right. Thanks as well Gretchen! 😀
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You’re welcome!
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So glad you liked Replica. I asked for a copy from the library. I’m still waiting on it. Seeing that you DNF Roseblood makes me happy that I didn’t get an ARC. That books seems pretty hit or miss and mostly miss from the reviews I read.
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It seems your December held some really great reads for you! I’ve heard some pretty great reviews on Replica, so it’s encouraging to see that you loved it, too! I’m sorry you didn’t like RoseBlood, though. I was looking forward to picking that one up, but I’ll go in with lower expectations now that I’ve heard some mixed reviews on it. The Bear and the Nightingale isn’t a book I’d usually read but your review has definitely piqued my interest 😀 I hope your January proves to be a wonderful reading month! ❤
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Thanks so much Azia!!! I really hope you love Replica and give The Bear a chance! Sooooooo good!
I feel like I’m the type of person who doesn’t like super hyped up books sooooo maybe you’ll love Roseblood, who knows! If you’re indecisive, i would say to go the library route and not spend your $
I hope January is amazing for you!!!!!!
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I hope so too! 😀
And I’m usually indifferent to hyped up books unless I already know the author, but I don’t know much about this author so I’m going in with a neutral attitude. I should probably borrow it first LOL
Thank you!! ❤
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You’re welcome!
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So glad you enjoyed Replica! That was such a fun read.
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Yes! It was so amazing ❤
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There are sooo many books that I want to read from your list but especially We Carry the Sky, you got me so hooked on poetry that I’m literally craving all of them! So I got one this month, I start reading the princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace as soon as I finish my present read!
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*will start
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YAYYYY!!!!!! THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!! I really hope you love it =)
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🙂
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It’s good to see you loved Replica! I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a copy and might just do so. Looks like you had a great month!
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Thank you!! I really hope you love Replica! It was amazing ❤
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I’m working on a post that celebrates bloggers in this community that have been a support and inspiration to me. I hope for you to participate by letting me know two things. One, is What are you passionate about? Two, is what is your favorite quote? Thank you so much for your comments and wonderful posts!
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Hello! You were sitting in my spam..sorry I didn’t comment sooner!! I would love to participate so here we go:
“What are you passionate about?” I’m passionate about writing, reading, women empowerment, having a voice, just simply being yourself, and helping others.
“What is your favorite quote?” It’s what I have tattooed on my ribcage “I was reborn when I was broken”
Please tag me in this post once you post it, so I can see it! thank you love ❤
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Thank you for this! I adore your answers. That quote is powerful, we are reborn by what was meant to break us down and sometimes we do break, but we come out stronger for it.
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Yes exactly! And no, thank you for asking and thinking of me to participate.
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