september book haul

it’s rare that i do a book haul. however, september was my birthday month and it was also hot new releases month. i think all of us book worms can agree that september is one hot month for book releases lol. i am seriously looking at the pile that is on my night table wondering WHERE will these books go. *freaks out forever* nevertheless let’s get started!

*titles will lead you to goodreads page

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These three were gifted by my wonderful twin Lilly @ Lair of Books. Check out her beautiful diverse book blog where she’s always reviewing the newest releases.

  • Monstress Vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu
    A continuation of the graphic novel/comics. Filled with steampunk elements, witchcraft, poet cats, and monsters. I cannot wait to read this one. I have a full review for Vol. 1: Awakening here.
  • They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
    “On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure and to live a lifetime in a single day.”
  • Ringer (Replica #2) by Lauren Oliver
    The continuation of a YA Sci-Fi trilogy about clones aka replicas. Oliver takes us to questioning humanity, what is real, and life between two girls. In a dystopian world, Oliver creates a book that can be read in three different ways. I have a full non spoiler review for the first book Replica, here.

 

15993203I also was gifted The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen #1) by Alison Goodman. A huuuuuuge thank you Debbie @ alwaysbooking for this book!! I cannot wait to read it. I know a few bloggers who highly recommend this one. The setting is perfect and definitely something I would read.
“London, April 1812. On the eve of eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall’s presentation to the queen, one of her family’s housemaids disappears-and Helen is drawn into the shadows of Regency London. There, she meets Lord Carlston, one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of demons infiltrating every level of society. Dare she ask for his help, when his reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her intelligence and headstrong curiosity wind up leading them into a death trap?”

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  • The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
    “In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.
    Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.
    But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.”
  • Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) by Jay Kristoff
    An adult fantasy book (or crossover genre of YA and Adult) where we continue the journey of Mia Corvere. The first book follows Mia going to a school of assassins in order to learn and then avenge for her family’s death. Mia who also happens to have a gift for speaking with shadows is also on the run. I have a non-spoiler review for Nevernight here.
  • Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu (arc review here)
    “For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.
    Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.”
  • Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
    After the events of Stalking Jack the Ripper, our main character Audrey Rose finds herself in what might be a similar situation. This YA Historical Fiction/Mystery will have you wanting to know what takes place after each page. I have a non-spoiler review for Stalking Jack the Ripper here.
  • The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson
    If you’ve been following me for a while, you might be wondering what is this collection doing in this book haul. The wonderful K.Y. Robinson got published by Andrews McMeel and this version was revised with more new poems!! This collection is about “trauma, shame, injustice, and mental illness.” I have a review for the self-published version here.
  • The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo
    “Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid’s voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy’s bidding but only for a terrible price.
    Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.
    Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.
    This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves.”

32711722I tried for the most part to participate in #ARCAugust before life came and hit me. At the beginning of #ARCAugust, I was a part of the twitter chat that was going on. I ended up winning an ARC!! Thanks to @shellysrambles for this ❤

These Things I’ve Done by Rebecca Phillips
“Before: Dara and Aubrey have been inseparable since they became best friends in sixth grade. Dara is the fearless one, Aubrey the prodigy, yet despite their differences they support each other unconditionally. However, as they begin their sophomore year of high school, cracks in their friendship begin to form, testing the bond they always thought was unbreakable.
After: It’s been fifteen months since the accident that killed Aubrey, and not a day goes by that Dara isn’t racked with guilt over her role in her best friend’s death. Now, after spending a year away from home in order to escape the constant reminders of what happened, Dara is back at her old high school to start her senior year. Dara thought the worst thing about coming home would be confronting the memories of Aubrey that relentlessly haunt her, but she soon realizes it’s not half as difficult as seeing Ethan, Aubrey’s brother, every day. Not just because he’s a walking reminder of what she did, but because the more her feelings for him change, the more she knows she’s betraying her best friend one final time.”


and that is it for today’s post! have you heard or read any of these books?? what were your thoughts? let’s chat in the comments! ❤


instagram: @chicnerdreads
twitter: @chicnerdreads

The Mid Year Freakout Book Tag

Hello everyone!!! It’s been months since I’ve done a tag and I really like this one. I was tagged by the wonderful Azia @ The Uncharted Word, you all need to check out her beautiful page.

To play fair because I know this tag is super late, I will only count the books I have read from January 1st to June 30th. Let’s start!


133309431. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This was such an easy answer because it’s really stuck with me. It’s actually one of the very first books I read in the beginning of the year. I have a full non-spoiler rave review here.

 

 

 

 

 


our dark duet2. Best sequel of 2017 so far?

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab! Hands down, best sequel I have read so far. I do plan on reading A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light in the next half of the year so I wonder if any of these will take it’s place lol. I have a non-spoiler review here.

 

 

 

 

 


294145763. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee! This book has asexual representation and if you don’t know, I identify as gray ace (demisexual). A lot aces in the book community have been raving about this one so yes!!!! Here is the synopsis:
After a shout-out from one of the Internet’s superstar vloggers, Natasha “Tash” Zelenka finds herself and her obscure, amateur web series, Unhappy Families, thrust into the limelight: She’s gone viral.

Her show is a modern adaptation of Anna Karenina—written by Tash’s literary love Count Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy. Tash is a fan of the forty thousand new subscribers, their gushing tweets, and flashy Tumblr GIFs. Not so much the pressure to deliver the best web series ever.

And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba award, Tash’s cyber-flirtation with Thom Causer, a fellow award nominee, suddenly has the potential to become something IRL—if she can figure out how to tell said crush that she’s romantic asexual.

Tash wants to enjoy her newfound fame, but will she lose her friends in her rise to the top? What would Tolstoy do?


300794394. Most anticipated release of the second half of 2017?

Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle. Thanks to my twin, Lilly @ LairofBooks for mentioning it to me. Ever since she mentioned Spellbook, it’s been on my planner waiting to be released and purchased lol.
Here’s the synopsis:
One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it’s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won’t talk about.

Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers: Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they’re mourning losses – and holding tight to secrets.

When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it’s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found . . .


314511745. Biggest disappointment?

Lol I am going to get major side eye for this one and maybe lose a few more followers like I already did when I posted my spoiler rant review. However, I have to be truthful with myself. The answer is A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTWAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas. I found the book to be very problematic. The thing that upsets me most about this one was that it had a lot of potential (in my opinion) to be great. I really absolutely adored A Court of Mist and Fury so to read this one and see the outcome was just utterly disappointing.

 

 


eliza6. Biggest surprise?

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia! I loooooved that book so much! It was heavily compared to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and I didn’t enjoy Fangirl at all. But! I loved Eliza and the graphic novel inserts. I wrote a non-spoiler review here.

 

 

 

 

 


303252317. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

K.Y. Robinson!!! I read her debut poetry collection The Chaos of Longing that was self-pub and is now officially signed by Andrews McMeel. The re-release of Chaos of Longing will be out in September. The Chaos of Longing made me cryyyyy!!! She also published two other poetry books under a pseudonym and I really loved them.

 

 

 

 


8. Newest fictional crush?

I don’t have a fictional crush……

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297489259. Newest favorite character?

Sarai from Strange the Dreamer!! Gosh her character arc is amazing and her power is great too. Also, if you haven’t read Strange the Dreamer, you definitely should. I have a non-spoiler review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 


2720780710. Book that made you cry?

soft magic. by Upile Chisala. This debut poetry collection that came out a while back had me seriously tearing. There was so much beauty and honesty. Amazing poems of women empowerment. I would definitely recommend this! Here is the synopsis:
‘soft magic.’ is the debut collection of prose and poetry by Malawian writer, Upile Chisala. This book explores the self, joy, blackness, gender, matters of the heart, the experience of Diaspora, spirituality and most of all, how we survive. ‘soft magic.’ is a shared healing journey.

 

 


3289047411. Book that made you happy?

The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember! I have a non-spoiler review for it here. Finally a mermaid book with some norse mythology that was worth every second of my time!

 

 

 

 

 

 


12. Favorite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?

I don’t have an answer for this because either I cannot remember watching anything or I haven’t watch a book to movie adaptation this year. And I am going to lean with the latter.


13. Favorite review you’ve written this year?

This answer goes hand in hand with the first question. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! It was really fun to write that review, add quotes from the book, and aesthetic ❤


Kindle14. Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?

Lol this is going to sound really pretentious but I have to go with my own poetry book love, and you. I am obsessed with my own book and the cover. Sorry not sorry haha *hides face in embarrassment*

 

 

 

 

 

 


15. What books do you need to read by the end of year?

Whoa I have so many books to read by the end of the year but I’ll just insert the covers here and ones that are already out:


and that is all for today! let’s chat in the comments about your thoughts and opinions on some of my answers! thanks so much for stopping by ❤


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February Wrap-Up 2017

Super late with this February Wrap-Up but hi everyone!! I hope you are all doing well. As many of you know, I was on a little blog hiatus since I’ve been working on my poetry book. Which by the way, the release date has moved up to April 4th, 2017. I will have a separate post talking all about that sometime very soon. I love sharing this process with you. And thanks to everyone who’s been riding with me.

February was pretty much a life changer for me and my bestie/twin Lilly. Many of you also know her as Lair of Books. It’s all so great because we both didn’t expect our lives to kind of change drastically for the good. She won a “lotto” and got this amazing apartment here in NYC and I had the honor of helping her one day throughout the move. Funny because I was reorganizing her bookshelves (YES SHE LET ME TOUCH HER SHELVES!!!!) while she sat and read/edited my book. That moment was kind of life changing because we were both experiencing our own brand new happiness in a shared time and space. And I’m so happy that we both got to enjoy this bliss together, regardless of all the stress it came with.

I didn’t really read that much in February. I read a total of 5 books.
2 Dark New Adult
3 Poetry Books (I read those in one sitting)

What I Read:

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Pennies (Dollar #1) by Pepper Winters ★★★★★ 
Genre: Dark New Adult
The themes of this book would usually drive me to the opposite direction because this one has a ton of trigger warnings but after reading enough non-spoiler reviews, I gave it a chance. And I am so happy that I did because it was soooooo good. I have a mini-review here.

 

 

 


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Dollars (Dollar #2) by Pepper Winters ★★★★★ 
Genre: Dark New Adult
I needed the second book to this series after reading Pennies. I devoured this one and it never suffered from second book syndrome. I cannot wait for the rest of the series to release. I need to know what happens next. I also wrote a mini-review for Dollars here.

 

 

 

 

 


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Uncaged Wallflower by Jennae Cecelia ★★★★
Genre: Poetry
Full of positivity and motivation, this collection is definitely a pick-me-upper. I have a review here that includes some poems from the book.

 

 

 

 

 


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The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson ★★★★★ Genre: Poetry
I NEED ALL OF YOU TO PICK THIS ONE UP RIGHT NOW!! I can’t stop gushing about it but seriously this collection is so raw and beautiful. Definitely a high-fave in the poetry spectrum. I will boast about it for days. If you want to check out some of the poems, I have a full review here.

 

 

 

 

 


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It Starts Like This by Shelby Leigh ★★★★★ 
Genre: Poetry
An amazing debut collection. Shelby wrote a poem every single day in 2015 and this collection shows some of her favorites. If you want to know more and read some of the poems, you can check out my review here.

 

 

 

 


 

Poetry:
Since I was on a blog hiatus, I only posted one poem and that is:
oh hi, i wrote a thing


 

ICYMI:

The cover reveal to my poetry book ‘love, and you’ was posted February 20th!!! I still cannot believe this is happening! Less than a month away, my first book will be out to the world…ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

love, and you has a Goodreads page!

I also received my first physical proof copy in the mail and it was surreal. I cried.

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I want to thank everyone who’s been supporting me through this journey. You all make this so effortless. Thank you all.


how has everything been on your end? i hope you are all doing well! let’s chat in the comments =)


Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson Spoiler Free Book Review

Title: The Chaos of Longing
Author: K.Y. Robinson
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

The Chaos of Longing is a prose and poetry collection draped in raw honesty, ache, and eroticism. The collection explores trauma, love, heartbreak, and the realizations from it all. 

The book is divided into four sections. “Inception” briefly examines formative years and its effects on how one loves. “Longing” reflects on love and sexuality. “Chaos” explores toxic relationships, unrequited love, and heartache. After chaos, there is order with self-love and healing poems in “epiphany”.

Some content may be triggering.


 

You can’t hear me but I’m screaming because YOU ALL NEED TO PURCHASE THIS COLLECTION OF POEMS!!! So so so good!! So freaking amazing and inspiring and just reading her poetry and knowing what she has been through, the way she writes is fantastic.

K.Y. Robinson has divided her poems into sections titled Inception, Longing, Chaos, and Epiphany. And it’s told almost like a story where she talks about her trauma as a child, how loving another was effected because of that trauma. She also talks about heartbreak, toxicity, healing, and self love.

The author takes us through her growing experience with these poems. I literally cried with some of these and after reading her first two poems, I was sucked in and knew I was going to relate in such a deep way. After reading the poems, I saw how closely related it is to my own poetry book.

I felt relieved in a way to know that my experiences weren’t just my own and that someone else had related to them in her own way.

K.Y. Robinson is a WoC (women of color) and she even mentions her roots in some of the poems which was so raw and excuse me but so fucking beautiful. It was empowering and I feel like we need more of that in the book community, in poetry, in all aspects of life. Women speaking of their roots. She talks about herself unapologetically and I applaud her for that.

Yes, some of these poems are sad and full of so much deep emotion. However, there’s a message and there’s positivity in the end.

Some of my favorite poems:

blood

i’m half jerk chicken
and collard greens
suffocating
in this nightmare
called the american dream.


faada

he only said
he loved me
when i was being
reprimanded.
that’s when i learned
i had to tempt chaos
to feel loved.


self-love

if you eat men
and still feel
like you’re starving,
you’re craving something
that they cannot give.

don’t expect men
to fill vessels
that were gifted
to you to overflow.

darling,
find passion
and self-worth within
instead of
locking them
inside of men
who like swallowing keys
so they can keep you
all to themselves.


And that is it for this review! I would love to know your thoughts, let’s chat in the comments =)


Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)