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Show Us Your Books: September!

September 11, 2018

Life According to Steph

It’s been 3months since my last link up but for most of the summer I was running around like crazy getting ready for the move so I didn’t get a lot of time to read.  But for some the amount of books was probably still more than normal.

 **Reading Challenge Update as of 9/11/18: 86 of 120 books read for the year!**

Here are some of my favorites from the past 3 months…..

Still Me (****) I wasn’t a big fan of the 2nd book in the series but I wanted to give this one a try and I am glad I did. I enjoyed it, I loved following the experience of a new city with Louisa and the dreaded insecurity in long distance relationships! 

The Kiss Quotient (****) This was a fun read, definitely interesting. I am not sure quite sure how I felt about the guy but I appreciated the different take (her having Aspergers)

Soulless (***1/2) I don’t know what I was expecting but sometimes it felt like there was just enough to keep me interested but also parts that I could catch myself skimming because there was a useless amount of words to describe something…if that makes sense? They are a mix of like steampunk, supernatural, romance…I still went on to read the other 2 books in the series…Changeless, Blameless, and I’m currently reading the last one. 

Flawed (****) I liked these but I am also such a fan of weird post apocalyptic societies and weird rules. I wanted to punch some of the characters which I like since it means Im getting invested. I went on to read Perfect too…but I think that is probably where my interest ends. If the series continues I probably won’t read the next.

Carve the Mark (****) So I started the book…got a little bored and time ran out on my library rental (only 21 days) I ended up adding it to the list again and once I got past the beginning I really enjoyed the book. I’m currently  #54 on 6 copies so it could be awhile till I get to read the next one!

Dumplin’ (****) This was on everyone’s list awhile ago which is why I just got around to reading it…thank you stupid library waitlist….but I thought it was a fun read. I started using it as my poolside read for the week. The jealous friend thing is so real for that age, I couldn’t help but be amused.

I didn’t have any DNF which was nice…but sometimes when I get on a romance kick I end up reading like 4-8 books in a row…soo….I ended up reading a bunch of Ellen Hilderbrand books including…

The entire Winter Street Series!

  • Winter Street
  • Winter Stroll
  • Winter Storms
  • Winter Solstice

That is my little recap. There were a few more books but I didn’t want to make this a giant list! I can’t wait to read all your posts and add to me TBR list!

Filed in: Books, Show Us Your Books • by Monica •

Show Us Your Books: June!

June 12, 2018

https://www.lifeaccordingtosteph.com/p/reading.html

Its that time again!! I read 12 books in May…and it was definitely romance heavy. I thought I read less but looking back at my goodreadsI did a pretty good job.

I didn’t read a non-fiction book last month…fail for me! But I plan to try and read two in June(try being the key word)


Every Fifteen Minutes (****)
I came across this one last month in the link up. It was a good read, I couldn’t put it down. I was shocked in the end because I 100% had it wrong the whole book so that is always a plus for me. If any of you read this and catch on right away then please message me and let me know how I missed it!


the Weekenders (****)
I didn’t really know what to expect so I was pleasantly suprised that this book had some interesting turns. A bunch of the reviews shit al over it but I don’t really care I thought it was a fun and interesting read.

Little Fires Everywhere (****)
I can see why this book is everywhere and everyone wants to read it. I don’t really know what I thought it would be like going in but I really enjoyed it because it was at times awkward and sometimes I just didn’t want to put it down. I personally think that makes for a great book. I am also hoping to read Everything I never told you soon!

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (****)
Another book from last month’s link up. First off I am obssessed with bookstores, love them, want to own one, all that fun stuff so a story set in a bookstore pretty much is a given must have for me. The explanation for this book doesn’t really give you an idea what is really about and I love that because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I loved it!

Dear Aaron (****)
So I love Zapata…except for the one book that just didn’t do it for me (i’m looking at you from Lukov). But I really loved the way this one read. The emails and messaging was fun and feels so relevant because that is pretty much how all communication goes at this point.  She does that slow burn so right that you are so ready for them to hookup!

Those were my favorites…some other notable mentions….

  • The Hazelwood I was hyped for this book so I am sad that it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it. I originally thought I just needed a day to let it sink in but it turns out I maybe just didn’t enjoy it like I thought I would. It was definitely interesting though. 
  • The Coincidence of Coconut Cake  This book was adorable and made me want to make the coconut cake! Also, its set in Milwaukee which is fun because it kind shows a side of the city I had no idea about.
  • The Mclendon Family Saga (Books 1-3, 5, 6, 7) I blew through the first few books. When I start reading romance or erotica I binge. Especially if I like a storyline. This one is fun because the books build on the same characters from the family just tells their love story in each new book. #7 I had to DNF. I am so over the virgin girl and macho man who “claims” her that I had to stop.  **These have a lot of graphic sex, often with more than just 2 people at a time so beware. 

Filed in: Books, Show Us Your Books • by Monica •

Show Us Your Books: May

May 8, 2018

Life According to Steph
Its that time again! This is my favorite link up, i love finding new books every month and seeing who is reading what! For April I read 10 books…For some reason it was a slow reading month for me. 
Bringing Up Bébé (****) In keeping with my one non-fiction book a month this was April’s choice n recommendation of a friend. Considering my career I find books like this interesting, especially since I work in a different school environment than the normal public education. I thought the book was great, she does a good job of pointing out what she sees on both sides without ever really saying one side is wrong and one side is right. She is 100% right about the amount of pressure that parents face and “advice” they are given about what is right and wrong for parenting. I also very much enjoyed reading the comments/reviews from butthurt moms though! 
 One Dark Throne (Three Dark Crowns #2) (****)
Guys…I was so excited when this ebook was ready from the library I almost pooped myself. Seriously. I read it in less than 24 hours and then I was super pissed at myself because the next book doesn’t come out till September. SEPTEMBER. WTF. I thought it was a good read, leaving you so ready to read the next book! It also is kind of hard to decide which sister you want to become Queen….well..actually only 2 of them.
Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) & Kings Cage (Red Queen #3) (****) 
When I start to read a series I like to request all the books from the library at the same time so I don’t have to wait. I had to wait 3 weeks for Glass Sword after reading the first one so I was pretty sad about that. I zipped through it, loved and I was so ready for Kings Cage…which of course took a week to be available. You know when the next one comes out?? In 2 weeks. Dammit. I enjoyed them both…towards the end of Kings Cage I was like ok..alright…come on now. So I think more than anything I need to read the next one because I need closure. Still recommended though. 
 The First Wife & The Other Girl (****) 
So I saw the First Wife on like everyone’s list recently and then had to wait forever for it. Some people say it was predictable. I don’t think it is. I was surprised. At the beginning I thought I had it and when it ended I was like well shit…didn’t see that coming. So that makes it a good read for me. 
As for “The Other Girl” same thing except I had it completely wrong with who I thought it was. I ended up reading this one because I usually get on a genre kick after reading something I like and I am glad I did. 
Those were my favorites…here are some other notable mentions…
  • The Bone Witch (The Bone With #1) I liked this book enough to request the second book from the library but I wouldn’t say I want to rave about it. I am definitely interested in where it is going and I like the Geisha like lifestyle mixed with Magic. 
  • Resisting Roots I don’t know…this book was fun but also annoying misogynistic. The main male character was overly macho, you can have a player character who isn’t gross.  Also, if some dude I’ve never met calls me gumdrop before using my real name he is going to get attitude.  
  • Love & Gelato I think I maybe should have realized the book was YA early on but I sort of didn’t. It was cute, super cute in fact and worth the read for a kind of fluffy book. 
  • The In Between Girl I didn’t like the ending which is probably why I won’t read the next book. I think the author could have done a better job but that happens. It wasn’t bad so I did finish it but I don’t think I would recommend it.

Filed in: Books, Show Us Your Books • by Monica •

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