Café Con Monica

Show us Your Books: October

It’s that time again! Linking up with Jana Says & Life According to Steph for Show us your Books! I haven’t participated since July!

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So first I want to share my Book Goals updates.

  • 15/25: Books I didn’t choose for myself
  • 11/12: Non-Fiction Books
  • I’ve officially moved @Withcurlsandcocktails IG to just books as of October 15!
  • #Unreadshelfproject2019 – I am so far behind on this I dont even know!

Since it has been so long I decided to just talk about my favorite 4 & 5 star reads since July.

Audiobook

  • The Craftsman Best described as chilling. I did not guess who the killer was and didn’t find it too predictable. I felt like it really called on history a bit and the writing was fantastic. I am excited to read more by Sharon Bolton.
  • Theme Music This one really did me in, I was so sure I knew what was going on until I didn’t. I was slightly annoyed by Dixie but I think that is part of what makes it a good listen because you have to pay attention.
  • Daisy Jones & The Six I am so glad that I chose to listen to this book rather than read it. I was so weary about reading it to begin with because I wasn’t sure I would like the format. But listening to it did this book justice and it makes complete sense why so many people raved about it. I am going to do a full review later.

Kindle

  • Lock Every Door – I almost gave up on this book 1/4 of the way in. It was slow moving and not grabbing my interest. Had it not been for the fact that it the library time was coming up I might not have tried again. I’m glad I pulled through though because it picked up an ended up being a good twisty read.
  • Fix Her Up – I love a good slow burn and this one did it well! It was a sexy, fun read and just right for in between a lot of dark and scary books.
  • The Bride Test – I loved the Kiss Quotient so I was nervous going into this one thinking it was going to fail hard but it didn’t. It wasn’t as good but it was a solid cute romantic read. I’m excited to read the 3rd when it finally comes out in 2021

Physical Book

  • A Spark of Light – This book is hard to review. It touches on some very very emotional topics and should/does come heavy trigger warnings. It was far more graphic than I thought it was going to be but I love a book that faces things head on and really forces you to see. As my first Jodi Picoult book I can definitely say I want to read more. If I had a complaint it would be the going in reverse, sometimes I was a bit confused.
  • Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating – I identified with Hazel right away. I do a good job of being “normal” in public but if I let my weird out she and I could be the best of friends. Just like her having someone in my life who likes my weird makes me so happy. This book was funny, adorable, and a sexy slow burn without being too much (for those of you that don’t appreciate the really dirty stuff like I do). Is it going to be the best book you have read in 2019? No. But I always appreciate a book that has diversity in it’s romance, quirky characters and is light and fun. It is definitely a break from the virgins, assholes male characters, and hate to love.
  • Red, White & Royal Blue – So here is the deal. I went into this book not realizing that there was going to be a gay romance. OOoh was I super excited when I figured that out. I have zero idea how I missed that or if I had just forgotten by the time I got it from the library. (Thank you 8000 holds) I enjoyed it. I don’t care if it was unrealistically HEA and that the explicit scenes faltered sometimes because they built it up and you were like “𝕪𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘” and then it skipped to they had sex. Oof. #dammit and still I liked it. I appreciated the politics (Texan Democrat Woman….hey, it could happen…eventually💙) I’d recommend it to anyone who loves light, fun, romance books that aren’t your typical characters. ⁣

What have you been reading?

Don’t forget to check out my Instagram! If you love reading I post all about that here! Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Pinterest or Bloglovin

Show us Your Books & Book Goals Update: July

It’s that time again! Linking up with Jana Says & Life According to Steph for Show us your Books!

_____________________________________________________________________________

But first I want to share my Book Goals update!

  • 6/25: Books I didn’t choose for myself
  • 5/12: Non-Fiction Books
  • Posted 3 bookish photos on Instagram & 1 Bookish blog posts
  • #Unreadshelfproject2019 – I read the book before I realized it qualified so I am 2.5/6 of actually reading the books for this.

Now let’s talk about what I read in June…..

I had a pretty decent reading month in both May & June but since May is crazy I didn’t get to post those books so I am really going to share my favorites from both!

Wundersmith ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I hardly give out 5 stars, I have to really love a book. I fell in love with Nevermoor and I couldn’t wait to read Wundersmith. It did not disappoint. I’m a fan! It gets you emotionally invested in the characters and the world is so fun.

American Duchess ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I saw some conflicting reviews on this one but I really liked it. Historical Fiction is always hit or miss for me but I loved Consuelo Vanderbilt in this and wanted to know what was going to happen to her.

Lady Smoke ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’d been waiting for this book for about 2 months from the library so I was so excited when it finally came up. Theo is a badass and this book, like the others, is dark which is something I am here for. The 2nd book in a series often ends up being filler for the end but this book stood out on it’s own and left me so ready for the 3rd.

Of Blood and Bone ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I made the mistake of reading some gossip about this book and it’s title but nevertheless I persisted because I really enjoyed Year One. I’m a fan of the post apocalyptic books and magic and rebuilding as well as the dark side of human nature all work for me and wrap up into this good 2nd book of the series.

A Discovery of Witches ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apparently I like to give myself large books to read all in one month. Which is why between this book and the June GBC Book (Radium Girls) I had to put GOT on hold. I first saw this book at the Half Price Books and I wanted to read it but I just wasnt sure but I requested it in the library and forgot about it. When it came up I got wrapped up in the book and finished it in a couple days, then immediately requested the next in the series. I loved the characters, there were some slow parts which is why its 4 instead of 5 stars but not enough for me not to like it. I can see it building and I am so very excited for the next book.

Radium Girls ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I read this book for the Girly Book Club read of June but it has been on my list for about a year already. I really enjoyed the book and I think that it was a great choice for a book club read. I learned a lot of things I had no idea about. It was incredibly sad that these women had to go through what they went through. I also couldn’t believe that one of the main factories was in Illinois and we were not taught anything about it in school growing up.

Books I wouldn’t recommend….

  • A Curve in the Road – If it wasn’t for the fact that I host book club therefore need to read the book to lead the discussion I would have put this book down quick. The whole finding out what dumb crap your “great husband” did after he died is played out in so many other better written books. My entire group did not like the book either.
  • Alaskan Holiday – I still don’t even know if I liked this book because the person doing the audio for was so awful that I couldn’t deal with listening. The idea of the story is cute and cheesy and a light read but good God the audio was bad.
  • Two by Two – The entire time I was listening to this book I was mad because the wife is a manipulative awful person and the husband is allowing it to happen. More than once the wife’s behavior is definitely emotionally abusive and it just makes you mad.

I know that was a lot to read, thanks for hanging in there! Have you read any of these? I look forward to seeing what you all read in June!

Don’t forget to check out my new Instagram! Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Pinterest or Bloglovin

Show us Your Books & Books Goals Update: May

It’s that time again! Linking up with Jana Says & Life According to Steph for Show us your Books!

______________________________________________________________________________

But first I want to share my Book Goals update for May!

  • 4/25: Books I didn’t choose for myself
  • 4/12: Non-Fiction Books
  • Posted 6 bookish photos on Instagram & 4 Bookish blog posts
  • #Unreadshelfproject2019 – I read the book right away so I am 1/4 of actually reading the book I chose.

Now let’s talk about what I read in April…..

I had a ridiculous reading month. I think it made up for January-March where I was struggling to get books read. I read 16 books in April.

Check out my GoodReads and add me so I can see what you are reading!

Born a Crime ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ve seen some mixed reviews for this book but I really enjoyed it. I kind of wish that I had listened to the Audiobook but I try to keep really light reads to audio. I really enjoyed learning his history and it definitely led to me googling things about Apartheid and South Africa that I did not know about. I love when a book makes me google for more information. I hope that he comes out with another book that tells more about his journey in Comedy. I laughed, I cried. It was good.

Eligible ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have to tell you guys. The only Jane Austen book I have read is Pride & Prejudice and I don’t recall loving it all that much. I know, I know. That being said, I enjoyed this book. I love modern re-tellings of stories because its fun to see modern versions. The sisters. Oh the sisters were all so annoying. I wanted to slap the youngest of the them but then it was so realistic. We all know someone like that.

Nevermoor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is only the 2nd book I have given 5 stars to in the last 4 months. I know people said it felt like HP and all that but I didn’t think so. I think they built the world and I wanted to know what happened. I liked the characters, I found myself picturing them in my head and I was super frustrated when I found out the 2nd book has like a million holds in the library. I thought this might be too young for me which is why it took me forever to get to it but I think it was just right.

Year One ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really enjoyed this book. I love a good Dystopian book and I appreciate that there multiple story lines that converge. I think maybe some parts might have been a bit cookie cutter but at some point there will be overlap if you read a lot of the same kinds of books. I am excited to read the next book in the series.

The Disasters ⭐⭐⭐ .75 This was definitely a YA book. I know that seems weird since it is one but there are plenty of YA books that you can read as adult and not feel like you read a middle grade book. I liked it but I didn’t love it. I think that while they were trying to make the LGBT and diversity seem so common place it actually ended up seeming forced to me.

Books Reviewed on IG

Books that Deserve their own review

  • On the Come Up – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I feel like I would not do this book justice giving a short review so look for a full one coming soon!
  • Beautiful Creatures – ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 (right now) I am still trying to decide how I feel about this book so I am going give it a separate review.

I know that was a lot to read, thanks for hanging in there! Have you read any of these? I look forward to seeing what you all read in April!

Don’t forget to check out my new Instagram! Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Pinterest or Bloglovin

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