Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 38
June 10, 2023
The Sunday Post: Rainy Day Comfort Streaming, Writing Updates, and Meditation
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Rainy Day Comfort Streaming, Writing Updates, and MeditationHey Bookdragons! Happy Sunday! How was your week? Mine has been pretty hectic to put it mildly. I’m way behind on returning comments (I’ll catch up soon, promise!), I just caught up on 3 upcoming ARC reviews, and I’m feeling a bit blue.
I’ve decided to finish writing the furthest along of my current writing projects in reverse – from the ending back. I’m feeling optimistic that this will allow me to complete the first draft by end of summer.
Piggybacking on last week’s talk about self-care, I tried out the meditation app Balance (which gives all new users a free trial for a year) to try to find more calm and happiness. I’m on day 6 and I think it’s helping somewhat. I feel more calm except when work got really stressful these past few days.
Yesterday we finally got some rain and I decided to spend the afternoon finishing my rewatch of Amazon Prime Video’s I Know What You Did Last Summer (tv show) then watched Halloween while using my candle melter lamp. It was very relaxing.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 5 June 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Where Echoes Die
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books That Feel/Look Like Summer
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Bones of the Story
Due to my life schedule, What I’m Binge-Watching will be moving to every other week to allow myself to make more progress on shows and actually have something to post about!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 12 June 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Fourth Wing
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Bookish Wishes
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Hemlock Island
What I’m Binge-Watching: June 2-16, 2023
The Friday 56: Book TBD
Book Review: The Shadow Sister by Lily Mead
Audiobook:
Amazon First Reads:
None This Week
June 8, 2023
The Friday 56: Fourth Wing
The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. How to participate: Grab a book, any book. Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. Find a snippet, short and sweet. Post it, and link up on Freda’s Voice so everyone knows to visit.
This week I’m participating with: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Blurb:Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros
Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.
But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.
Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.
Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.
There’s no approving smile when the colonel’s weary eves find mine, only a sigh that fills my chest with heavy sorrow when I hear it. I was supposed to be his star pupil in the Scribe Quadrant, his crowning achievement before he retires. How absolutely ironic that I’m now the least likely to succeed in this one.
What do you think? Would you read this book? I haven’t gotten far into this one and I’m skeptical about if I’m even going to like it. I haven’t really read or enjoyed much fantasy lately and I usually dislike really hyped up books… but I gave into the Bookstagram peer pressure so we’ll see.
June 6, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Bones of The Story!
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman
Thriller
eBook, Paperback, Audiobook, 336 pages
July 11, 2023 by William Morrow
Blurb:The twisty locked-room mystery from two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning author Carol Goodman, about a group of former classmates trapped on their college campus—with a murderer among them.
It’s been twenty-five years since the shocking disappearance of a female student and the distinguished Creative Writing professor who died while searching for her. The Briarwood College community has never forgotten the terrible storm that caused the double tragedy. Now, the college President—who has his own reasons for drawing attention to the notorious incident—is bringing together faculty, donors, and alumni to honor the victims from all those years ago.
On a cold December weekend after the fall semester has ended, guests gather on the vacant campus for the commemoratory event. But as a winter storm descends, people begin to depart, leaving a group of alumni who were the last ones taught by the esteemed professor. Recriminations and old rivalries flare as they recall the writing projects they shared as classmates, including chilling horror stories they each wrote about their greatest fears.
When an alumna dies in a shockingly similar way to the story she wrote, and then another succumbs to a similar fate, they realize someone has decided at long last to avenge the crimes of the past. Will the secret of what they did twenty-five years ago be revealed? Will any of them be alive at the end of the weekend to find out?
Why I Want to Read The Bones of the Story:Say it with me friends: Locked. Door. Mystery. My favorite thriller trope. I’ve read one other book by Carol Goodman, The Sea of Lost Girls, and enjoyed it. I like that this one is another book set at a college, another favorite of mine (books set in universities or boarding schools).
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
June 5, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books That Feel/Look Like Summer
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
10 Books That Feel/Look Like SummerThis week’s TTT is all about books that give us summer vibes. I went with books with bright colors, summer activities, and beaches on the cover and books with summer in the title.
1. Happy Place by Emily Henry
2. Boy Heaven by Laura Kasischke
3. The Corner of Heartbreak and Forever by Addison Cole
4. 99% Faking It by Chris Cannon
5. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
6. Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
7. The Hotter You Burn by Gena Showalter
8. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
9. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
10. The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis
What summery books made it onto your list? Let me know in the comments or drop me a link to your post!
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Where Echoes Die
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Socrates Book Reviews where you share the first paragraph of one of the books that you are currently reading. Each week bloggers will choose a book or books of the week (which will be one of the books that you are currently reading) and that book will take part in this book blog meme.
This week I’m participating with: Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould
First Chapter, First Paragraph:In Arizona, on the road between nowhere and somewhere, there is a moment where sunrise and sunset look the same.
Blurb:Beck Birsching has been adrift since the death of her mother, a brilliant but troubled investigative reporter. She finds herself unable to stop herself from slipping into memories of happier days, clamoring for a time when things were normal. So when a mysterious letter in her mother’s handwriting arrives in the mail with the words Come and find me, pointing to a town called Backravel, Beck hopes that it may hold the answers.
But when Beck and her sister Riley arrive in Backravel, Arizona it’s clear that there’s something off about the town. There are no cars, no cemeteries, no churches. The town is a mix of dilapidated military structures and new, shiny buildings, all overseen by the town’s gleaming treatment center high on a plateau. No one seems to remember when they got there, and the only people who seem to know more than they’re letting on is the town’s enigmatic leader and his daughter, Avery.
As the sisters search for answers about their mother, Beck and Avery become more drawn together, and their unexpected connection brings up emotions Beck has buried since her mother’s death. Beck is desperate to hold onto the way things used to be, and when she starts losing herself in Backravel and its connection to her mother, will there be a way for Beck to pull herself out?
In her sophomore novel Courtney Gould draws readers into the haunting town of Backravel and explores grief, the weight of not letting go of the past, first love, and the bonds between sisters, mothers and daughters.
What do you think? Would you keep reading? I received an eARC of this one and it releases June 20th so I plan to start it later this week.
June 4, 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 5 June 2023
#IMWAYR is a weekly meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at The Book Date.
Hey Bookdragons! I missed last week’s post because I was away for Memorial Day Weekend. I did get some reading done this past week though (and DNF’d a few)…
What I’ve Read Recently:Night of the Living Queers Anthology
I loved this anthology! If you want to get an early start on the spooky season, pick this one up when it released in August!
The Stranger in the Woods by Kiersten Modglin
This was a great novella and I loved the twist at the end!
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
I’m so glad I got approved for this ARC! I loved this one and couldn’t put it down. If you like slasher movies and are looking for an LGBTQ+ read for this month, pick this one up on June 20th!
Returned Home by Julie Strier
This is in the same novella series as The Stranger in the Woods. This author was new for me but I loved this dark, twisted thriller!
Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban
I DNF’d this one at 11%.
Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards
One of my most anticipated spring releases and I DNF’d it. I could figure out where it was going right away and it wasn’t anywhere interesting.
Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
I couldn’t stop listening to this one! It was so good and I love how this author has these sort of morally gray heroines in each book that you can’t help but root for.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
I’ve heard great things about this one but I’ve tried it twice – in different formats – and DNF’d it both times. The reformed junkie heroine is hard to feel for considering the occupation I’m in so I can’t get past 10%.
The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn
If you can’t tell, I’ve been in a bit of a book rut. I grabbed this on KU thinking it would be like Stolen Tongues but I found the characters unlikeable.
The Camp by Nancy Bush
Billed as Friday the 13th meets Yellowjackets this one did not live up to my expectations. Full review to come.
The Shadow Sister by Lily Mead
Another eARC I wish I would not have taken on. I just couldn’t get into this one.
Currently Reading:The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Another audiobook from Rachel Hawkins. This one is a loose modern-era retelling of Jane Eyre with a deliciously morally gray main character. I’m loving the narrators on this one.
Next Read:Where Echoes Die by Courtney GouldI just realized my ARC review of this one is due soon so I’m going to fit it in this week once I finish The Upstairs Wife.
June 3, 2023
The Sunday Post: Feeling Summery, Me Time, and Time Away
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
Feeling Summery, Me Time, and Time AwayHey Bookdragons! Happy first Sunday of June! How was your Memorial Day weekend last weekend?
I’ve been posting a little more sporadically the past week and a half as I was away over Memorial Day weekend and didn’t have a chance to schedule posts ahead of time. With summer being the busy time it is I might have to cut down on some of my posts depending on how my weeks go.
Speaking of summer, it’s been nice and hot this past week (upper 80s but with no humidity). Everyone has been complaining but I love it because I’m usually so cold, even bundling up at work when the A/C is on. This is definitely one of my two favorite seasons.
I’ve been trying to make more time for myself lately, which is hard with my schedule, but this summer I want to prioritize self-care, rest, eating better, moving around more, and trying to be happier. I was in such a bad mood the other day I came to realization that this is not the person I want to be. A lot of it is stress and lack of sleep as well as work at times putting too much pressure on me but I want to focus on being more calm and… idk… nicer?
Two Weeks Ago:
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 22 May 2023
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: The Stranger in the Woods
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Things That Instantly Make Me Want to Read A Book
Can’t Wait Wednesday… Night of the Living Queers!
What I’m Binge-Watching: 19-25 May 2023
The Friday 56: The Stranger in the Woods
Travel Planning 2023-2024 (from my travel blog, Taylor Sees the World)
Last Week:
Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Wicked Unseen
What I’m Binge-Watching: 26 May – 1 June 2023
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 5 June 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books or Covers that Feel/Look Like Summer
First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros: Where Echoes Die
Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Bones of The Story
What I’m Binge Watching: 2-8 June 2023
The Friday 56: Book TBD
Netgalley:Kindle Unlimited:
Free eBooks:
SIX THRILLERS IN WHICH THE HOUSE HIDES A SINISTER PAST (I’ve read Lock Every Door, Daisy Darker, and The Family Game on this list.)
May 31, 2023
What I’m Binge Watching: 26 May – 1 June 2023
What I’m Binge-Watching is a weekly meme to document all of our favorite binging obsessions. Follow along and let me know what you’ve been binge-watching lately!
Hey everyone! It’s June, finally! I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for the summer season to get here since like November 1st. But with that comes me wanting to get outside more. I was out of town for Memorial Day weekend but I still made progress on a couple of my shows.
Ongoing:
I’m already up to Season 4 of Stranger Things. I’ve already seen Season 4 but I’m watching it again because now I’ll be all caught up and everything will make sense.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
We’re now about to start Season 10. Grissom is gone and Laurence Fishburne has joined the cast. Plus we’re into the Dick and Jane Killer plot line which I hate.
Just Tried, Added to Watchlist:Yellowjackets
I watched the first episode of Yellowjackets because it was free on Amazon Prime and now I’ll have to subscribe to Showtime to binge the rest because now I have to see what’s going to happen. Even if it has a cannibalism plot line. 
Another show my family watches that I’ve only seen the two most recent seasons of and I should catch up on before the next season this fall.
What are you currently binge-watching? Let me know in the comments! Happy binging!
May 30, 2023
Can’t Wait Wednesday… The Wicked Unseen!
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released.
The Wicked Unseen by Gigi Griffis
YA, Horror, LGBT
eBook, Audiobook, 288 pages
June 20, 2023 by Underlined
Blurb:The new girl in town is having trouble fitting into a community that believes there’s a secret Satanic cult conducting rituals in the woods. When her crush goes missing, she starts to wonder if the town’s obsession with evil isn’t covering up something far worse. Perfect for fans of Fear Street!
From the moment Audre arrives in rural Pennsylvania, it’s clear she won’t fit in. After all, her nose ring, her horror movie obsession, and her family’s Ouija board collection aren’t likely to endear her to a town convinced there’s a secret Satanic cult conducting rituals in the nearby woods.
When the preacher’s daughter and Audre’s crush, Elle, goes missing on Halloween weekend, the town is quick to point fingers in Audre’s direction. With the cops busy harassing her family for being nonbelievers and everyone else convinced demons are to blame, Audre realizes she might be the only person who can find her friend.
But the deeper Audre digs, the weirder it gets. Has Elle fallen victim to a Satanic ritual, or is the town’s obsession with the occult covering up something even more sinister?
I know this book is set on Halloween but it sounds like a great summer read… which will also given me favorite season vibes. I subscribed to the author’s newsletter when I first heard about this book and the more I hear about it the more it appeals to me! I love that it’s compared to Fear Street and the satanic panic era gives me Stranger Things vibes for some reason which I am binging right now.
Will you be checking this one out? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
May 25, 2023
The Friday 56: The Stranger in the Woods
The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. How to participate: Grab a book, any book. Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay. Find a snippet, short and sweet. Post it, and link up on Freda’s Voice so everyone knows to visit.
This week I’m participating with: The Stranger in the Woods by Kiersten Modglin
Blurb:Arlie Montgomery is no stranger to tragedy.
In fact, tragedy brought Arlie everything she’d ever dreamed of in one fell swoop.
As a thriller author, Arlie should’ve had it easy. Growing up in the town of Crimson Falls, there was no shortage of inspiration, after all.
When her husband’s tragic death becomes national news, Arlie’s failing career skyrockets overnight. Suddenly she has everything she ever wanted, except the man she’d hoped to share her dream with.
As she approaches the anniversary of her husband’s death, Arlie finds a stranger in the woods outside of her town. A man with no memory of who he is or why he came to Crimson Falls. Desperate and lonely, Arlie takes him into her home.
With the town’s own anniversary—the cursed Founders Day—drawing near, crime levels rise and the annual murders begin. This year, the deaths take on a new twist: the killer is copying the murders from Arlie’s books.
As suspicions surrounding the stranger grow, Arlie must solve the mysteries she’s spent years writing. In a race against time, Arlie must stop the killer she may have created before he takes out the last victim from her books—her.
A standalone installment of the thrilling Crimson Falls novella series…
Do you dare to read all eight?
How do you know he’s not a stalker? If he did commit the murders, he could’ve targeted you. Maybe he’s a crazed fan trying to get close to you, and you’ve just let him into your house.
What do you think? Would you read this book? This was a great novella and I’m eager to read the other Crimson Falls stories!
