Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 70

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 4 January 2021

#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.
Happy Monday Bookdragons! Happy New Year! I hope you're off to good reading so far this year. My reading goal this year is to read more books I actually own before buying more.
What I Read Last Week: Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston I had planned to start 2021 with a different book but I'm trying to pack up my books to move and this one was on the top of my book cart. It was just an okay read. I liked the forest and I liked the fox but I loathed the main character (for no real reason that I could think of). It didn't stand out to me and I'm sure if you ask me a month from now I'll have forgotten entirely what the story was about. It's sad because I am obsessing over the cover. Currently Reading:Crier's War by Nina Varela I swear I tried to read this book once before and couldn't get into it but when I started reading it now it was clear that I have never attempted this one before. I'm enjoying it and about halfway through. I could do with a little less on how the government/rebellion is run and more on the development of Crier and Ayla's romance though. I feel it coming up and it's kind of thrown at you... not sure how well it will work on page. We'll see. 
Next ReadThe Grace Year by Kim Liggett
I've had a copy of this since it first came out and have heard really good things about it. Yet it falls into the pile of books I own apparently for no other reason but to take up shelf space. I think I'll give it a go next. 
*** 
What book was your first read of 2021?

Why Harper's Island Is The Best Mini-Series You've (Probably) Never Heard Of...

Allow me to let you in on an unusual New Year's Eve tradition of mine. For the past five or so years I've binge-watched all thirteen episodes of the horror/mystery mini-series Harper's Island. 

Never heard of it? That's okay, most people I mention it to can't remember its 2009 limited run on CBS. 

About Harper's Island:

Seven years after a series of murders claimed the lives of her mother and five others, Abby Mills returns to her hometown of Harper's Island to attend the wedding of her best friend, Henry Dunn, to heiress Trish Wellington. There's no happily ever after, though, as a serial killer begins picking off family members and friends one by one.

Bring yourself to this picturesque island if you dare... where secrets abound and the killer could be anyone... even the person laying right beside you. 

With a widely recognizable cast who blend together so well the viewer is hooked immediately onto the show as the guests wait on a yacht for all the stragglers to arrive before setting sail to Harper's Island, a fictional island off the coast of Seattle. But this is no quaint sitcom, which is abundantly clear when the first murder occurs in the first 10-15 minutes of the show. And we're off. 

While there are humorous moments in the first few episodes while the gruesome murders are taking place out of sight in the background the audience is well aware of the full picture... except for one thing. Who is the killer? The killer, never shown in full face until later could be anyone and as the audience guesses who and why - is it the original killer John Wakefield back from the dead? Or an insidious copy cat with an unclear motive - the characters soon begin to realize something is amiss as friends begin "disappearing" with weak explanations like heading back to the mainland for a hookup. Until all at once, it becomes clear that someone is targeting the wedding guests. Everyone is a suspect... trust no one... and watch your back.

As the cast begins to taper down viewers continue to try to figure out who the killer is. And bonus features reveal that even the cast didn't know who the killer was; only receiving each week's script a few days ahead of time and consuming it to see what would happen next. 

It's addictive, if gory, the first time you watch it yet it's the kind of show you could watch over and over again because the it never gets old (although I do try to limit myself to once a year - my New Year's Eve tradition. And the killer? Well I won't tell you who it is, but I can say that I didn't figure it out until the second to last episode - although I had a hunch. 

***

Do you remember this show? Wasn't it the best? 

{2020 Send Off} BIG New Year's Eve WRAP UP

I think we can all say 2020 was a shitty year. Not counting covid, politics, or social unrest in the past 13 months (because I'm counting December 2019 as part of 2020 for its' shittiness) my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (December 2019), my dad died (April 2020), and then after 3 months of on and off illness my beloved grandmother died (December 18, 2020). So, needless to say I'm ready to put this year in the rearview. Can you blame me? 
Every year I do a big blog post listing my favorite books of the year, some new-to-me authors I've started reading, etc. I think we can all agree that 2020 was a hard year to focus on anything, even reading which is usually an escape for a lot of people. I did read 71 books this year, most of which were thrillers (but not all) which definitely contributed to my favorites list this year...
Top Books of 2020: 
13. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas 
12. The Betrothed by Kiera Cass 
11. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen 
10. The Babysitter by Nancy Bush
9. The Elizas by Sara Shepard
8. Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
7. The Similars by Rebecca Hanover
6. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
5. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
4. One by One by Ruth Ware
3. Girl Gone Mad by Avery Bishop
2. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
1.The Return by Rachel Harrison

New Auto-Buy Authors: 1. Heather Hildenbrand 
2. Ella Maven 
3. Riley Sager 
4. Nancy Bush 
5. Stacey Gail 
6. Stacey Rourke 
7. Danielle L. Jensen 
Favorite Book Covers of 2020: Where Dreams Descend (Owlcrate) 
Bone Crier’s Moon 
Reborn Yesterday 
The Betrothed 
House of Earth and Blood 
Magic Dark and Strange Skyhunter 
The Boundless 
Winter White and Wicked 

Sequels/Series Enders: Send Me Their Souls by Sara Wolf
Ventus by Tyffany Hackett 
Broken by Stacey Gail Warmaidens by Kelly Coon 
Favorite Audibooks of 2020: The Bridge Kingdom Mexican Gothic

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Books of 2020

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 of My Favorite Reads of 2020This week’s TTT is a wrap of 2020. My full top 13 plus other yearly wrap-up lists will go live on Thursday but he's a look at the top 10...
10. The Babysitter by Nancy Bush
9. The Elizas by Sara Shepard
8. Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
7. The Similars by Rebecca Hanover
6. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
5. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
4. One by One by Ruth Ware
3. Girl Gone Mad by Avery Bishop
2. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
1.The Return by Rachel Harrison
***What were your favorite books of 2020?Let me know in the comments or drop a link to your TTT!Happy Reading Bookdragons!-Taylor

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 28 December 2020

#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.
Happy Monday Bookdragons! It's almost the end of the year and it's time to finish up any books we haven't quite finished yet. (I hate starting a new year off in the middle of a book because it looks weird in my reading trackers... is that just me?)
What I Read Last Week: About Tomorrow by Abbi Glines I really enjoyed this one, it's definitely among my favorites of Abbi's books. There was just a small plot twist toward the end that made me aggravated but thankfully it sorted itself out in the end. Currently Reading:Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore Have I read this book so many times I could quote passages? Yes. Do I still enjoy it? Yes! Does it still make me laugh in the appropriate places? You bet! I'm definitely enjoying my reread of this one.
Next Read / First Read of 2021:The Last Resort by Susi Holliday I'm eager to get back to my thrillers and since most of my physical books are packed away (moving again... *sighs*) I picked this one out of the books I've recently added to my kindle. It sounds really good and I got it free as an Amazon first read. Have you read it?
*** 
What book will be your final read of 2020?

I Can't Wait For... Firekeeper's Daughter!

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.
This one has been on my TBR since I first heard about it months ago and now we're only three months away from the release!

Firekeeper's Daughter
Standalone
by Angeline Boulley
YA #OwnVoices Thriller
eBook, Hardcover, Audiobook 320 pages
March 2, 2021 by Henry Holt & Co. (BYR)

Blurb:
Debut author Angeline Boulley crafts a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

As a biracial, unenrolled tribal member and the product of a scandal, eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. Daunis dreams of studying medicine, but when her family is struck by tragedy, she puts her future on hold to care for her fragile mother.

The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, certain details don’t add up and she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into the heart of a criminal investigation.

Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, but secretly pursues her own investigation, tracking down the criminals with her knowledge of chemistry and traditional medicine. But the deceptions—and deaths—keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home.

Now, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.

Add to Goodreads
***Will You Be Checking This Book Out? 

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Hope Santa Brings

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish and currently hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Hope Santa BringsThis week’s TTT is all about books we hope to get for Christmas. I didn't ask for any books this Christmas so these are a few books I want to treat myself to... eventually.
1. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
2. The Witcher: The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
 3. Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
4. Magic Dark and Strange by Kelly Powell
5. The Novella Collection by Katie McGarry
6. Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy
7. In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren
8. The Last Witness by Claire McFall
9. Skyhunter by Marie Lu
10.What She Found in the Woods by Josephine Angelini
***What books do you hope to get as a holiday gift (or to treat yourself to if you get any bookstore gift cards)?Let me know in the comments or drop a link to your TTT!Happy Reading Bookdragons!-Taylor

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - 21 December 2020

#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.
Happy Monday Bookdragons! I find myself in a bit of a book slump this week. I have plenty of books to read yet I don't really feel like reading. I may start my annual end of the year reread early and set aside everything else. 
What I Read Last Week: Mother of Shadows (The Chosen #1) by Meg Anne
I started reading this book last week but I'm just not feeling fantasy right now. I mean the story seemed good, I just couldn't keep my mind on the page. I'm going to set it aside for now and come back later. Currently Reading:In Between Books...Next Read:Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

I always reread this book around New Year's Eve but I think I'll get an early start on it this year since it's taking me forever to get through books lately.
*** 
What are you currently reading? Anything holiday related? 

Gift Guide: 10 Gifts That Are Perfect for the Fantasy Lover In Your Life

Hey Bookdragons! With Christmas only a few days away I thought I'd bring you a list of unique, fun gift ideas perfect for the fantasy lover in your life. *Note* This list is for entertainment purposes only. All of these items are available for purchase but I cannot guarantee that any would arrive by Christmas Day. If you do choose to order one of these items be aware that they might not arrive until January. 

10 Gifts That Are Perfect for the Fantasy Lover In Your Life                     1.   The Mines of Moria Door (LED)                               (Lord of the Rings) $39.99
2. The Lord of the Rings Wall Key Organizer $35.00
3. Game of Thrones “That’s What I Do, I Drink and I Know Things” Whiskey Decanter and Rocks Glasses $61.00
4. Game of Thrones Wooden Box / Jewelry Box $42.00+
5. Throne of Glass Eye of Elena Inspired Pendant $25.41+
6. Throne of Glass Quote Inspired Throw Pillow Case $20.00
7. The Cruel Prince “To the Incompetence of Our Enemies” Mug $46.00
8. The Folk of the Air Trilogy Special Editions $29.99-85.99
9.  $131.31
10. From Blood and Ash “Absolutely Stunning Murderous Little Creature” Glitter Wine Glass $15.00
What are some bookish gifts you've gifted to the people in your life (fantasy genre or not)? What are some of your favorite unique shops? Let me know in the comments! Happy Holidays!

I Can't Wait For... Moon Child!

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.
I saw and heard about this book for the first time while doing my Winter TBR Top Ten Tuesday post over the weekend. It had me from "The Craft meets The Shining..."

Moon Child
Standalone
by Gaby Triana
Gothic Horror
eBook, 300 pages
February 17, 2021 by Alienhead Press


Blurb:
The Craft meets The Shining in this slow-burn Florida gothic horror.

As the only daughter in her Cuban-American home, 18-year-old Valentina Callejas has been raised to do what her Catholic grandmother and mother say to do. But Valentina feels a different pull--an affinity with nature, a desire to read tarot cards and study the occult. After ditching her church's retreat and fighting with her family, Valentina flees her Miami home and ends up five hours away at Macy's house, a sister she's never met until now.

When a mysterious wolf leads Valentina to nearby abandoned Sunlake Springs Resort, she meets the "clairs," young psychics drawn to the hotel's haunted history. They've been waiting for her, they say, to open a magical entryway to the spirit world. But Valentina's sensitive hands tell a different story--of anguished spirits, menacing cracks, and hooded ghosts of Florida's hateful past. Even the local legend, the beautiful Lady of the Lake, all hint to the hotel's sinister history. To protect her new friends from the horrors awaiting them on the other side, Valentina must use her growing powers and decide, once and for all, if she's the witch she was always meant to be.
Add to Goodreads
***Will You Be Checking This Book Out?