Book things

The Mid Year Book Freak Out | Tag

aquapages // eline3 Comments

I’ve read 46 book this year, out of a goal of 50 books. I knew I would pass it when I set it, but seeing as there were a couple months I barely read any books – and for the first time in forever a whole month where I didn’t read any books – I’m pretty happy the pace has gone up. And that the books have gotten better after a unlucky couple months at the start of the year.

Best Books You’ve Read So Far This Year:

I reread Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi after many years and it’s definitely holding up as an incredible piece of work, in my mind. The best new read is (Don’t You) Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn! It’s so underrated and I nearly didn’t read it because it had been on my TBR for five years, but it had such a powerful story of facing reality and dealing with it or continuing making the easy decision of running from it. As a story it’s also on the line between fantasy, magical realism and dystopia in a way I haven’t seen before, set in a “paradise” where no one ever get sick or seem to die.

Best Sequels You’ve Read So Far This Year:

Legion: Skin Deep by Brandon Sanderson was a four out of five stars. I reviewed the whole Legion trilogy! I find that I usually like sequels, I just haven’t read many this year. In this series the main character Stephen Leeds “hallucinates” different people with their own characteristics and specialized skills which help him be the genius he is, but he’s also very aware that they’re not real. The way this is written becomes a bit repetitive, but otherwise the plot is still exciting.

New Releases You Haven’t Read But Want To:

I made a post of exciting book releases for the summer of 2019. Wilder Girls by Rory Power is coming out the day I write this, and what I’ve gathered is that it’s a queer horror YA where people die from a mysterious infection – so that’s intriguing.

Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2019

I’ve both loved loved loved books (Six of Crows) & hated books (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo, so I’m really interested to see what I’ll think of Ninth House, which is set to be released in October.

Biggest Disappointments:

I really didn’t like The Wicked King as a sequel to The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, which is strange because I feel like Black makes such amazing choices usually. I explain everything in the review, but Jude as a character felt off and it was like I could see outside influence of the popularity of fae books changing everything good about the first book. I’m even more angry as time goes past and probably would’ve given it a two out of five stars now.

Biggest Surprises:

I’ve talked about this short book, The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz, so much through the Pride Libary 2019 challenge. I never expected a romance between a robot and a AI techinican to be so wholesome and the book also portrays loneliness, or searching for something more I guess, in such a great way.

Favorite New Author:

Technically I’d never read anything by Richard Feynman before this and Six Easy Pieces showed why he’s considered the best teacher of physics, with introductory lectures shortened to fit 140 pages. I’m reading the sequel Six Not-So-Easy Pieces this summer.

Newest Fictional Crush:

My crush on Warner from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi resurfaced with full force along with the reread. I really liked him already when he was an abused murderous military leader. It feels like cop-out and I would give another answer, but the only other option is someone from the friendgroup of If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio, but then I remember how annoying people reciting passages of old plays would be in real life, because they do it in literally every situation, and just noope.

Newest Favorite Characters:

Everyone on the Running With Lions by Julian Winters sports team, my favourite “trope” is friends becoming closer as if they were family through tough circumstances.

Books That Made You Cry:

(Don’t You) Forget About Me brought out some personal memories of being very lost, along with describing the hopeless situation of the main character so perfectly. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman for being so adorable.

Books That Made You Happy:

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman both showed queer people in relationships and living their life to the fullest, supporting each other. Branches by Rhiannon McGavin is her first published poetry collection and it’s been so exciting growing up watching her spoken word poetry on youtube and seeing how she’s grown into this incredible writer.

Best Book To Film Adaptation:

Hands down, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman was the best film adaption this year and probably ever. Am I standing by that? Maybe not. But it was amazing to watch. So many details. I’m going to have to rewatch it to appreciate more what they managed to create.

Favorite Post You’ve Done This Year:

I really liked trying to compile a big TBR for all of 2019 because I frequently refer to it just to find out that I’m following it like maybe 40% of the time, by accident. I don’t think I have one specific post in mind as much as I like the format of the bi-weekly updates.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year:

I made a whole post on how Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky is the most perfect book, both visually and the descriptions. So much talent and work went into this.

What Books Do You Need to Read By the End of the Year:

I don’t currently know how far I’m into 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, as I left it behind on my Denmark trip, but you can trust me when I say it’s not far or any longer than the last time I mentioned it here.


I predict everyone who wants to have done this tag already, but feel free to tag me if you haven’t so I see it!

The Start of Summer | Book Bi-Weekly Update

aquapages // eline1 Comment

I started this past week with spending the whole day celebrating a family birthday and exhausting myself completely, for then to meet up with an old best friend among a lot of strangers. It was definitely worth it in the end, but I was honestly strangely (for me) anxious before getting there and it could’ve gone a lot better. It’s worrying how I go back to being a more uncomfortable and more socially anxious person when I’m back in my old hometown. Hopefully I’ll be able to work some on that this summer.

A summer night spent grilling with (new) friends

New book posts:

Other books I’ve been reading:

I reread of the first three books of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi: Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, as well as Restore Me

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore (currently reading)

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren (currently reading)

Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde (DNF at 25%. It’s just not for me? I really tried. Also I found out that fictional fanbases are some of my worst pet peeves.)

Added to TBR:

  • Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley (YA contemporary, lgbt, mental illness)
  • Furyborn by Claire Legrand (YA fantasy, bi/pan mc)
  • Soft on Soft by Mina Waheed (f/f romance, contemporary)
  • Nation of Rebels by Joseph Heath and Andrew Potter (nonfic, politics)
  • Find Me by Tahereh Mafi (novella)
  • Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me #5)
  • Space Boy by Stephen McCranie (graphic novel)
  • As Many Nows as I Can Get by Shana Youngdahl (YA contemporary romance)

“In one impulsive moment the summer before they leave for college, overachievers Scarlett and David plunge into an irresistible swirl of romance, particle physics, and questionable decisions.” ‘Particle physics’ is in the synopsis so here I am, wanting to give it a try, haha.

  • Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1) by Seanan McGuire (YA fantasy, mystery, lgbt w/ asexual mc & trans boy) – it’s compared to Miss Peregine’s Home for Peculiar Children and I’ve read reviews describing it as ‘disturbing’ so that sounds promising!
  • Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao (YA fantasy) – I still got to read Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, but I’ve got time as this is released this upcoming fall.

Posts I’ve loved by other bloggers:

  • Andy Winder gave great recommendations for 12 LGBT YA books with transgender protagonists.
  • Library Looter wrote a list of bi/pan MC book recommendations, which is where I found both Soft on Soft and Furyborn.
  • Cotton Candy Book Witch wrote a june rewind which was where I found Space Boy, Every Heart Is a Doorway, Song of the Crimson Flower and As Many Nows As I Can Get. My TBR is never going to decrease, is it? It’s good I’ve upped the pace I read, at least the last two months.

Three things on my mind:

  • I watched Rocketman (the Elton John movie) with my brother & dad and it’s sooo good and unexpected. So different from Bohemian Rhapsody, which I also loved, but it was quite another type of story. Personally I felt this focused more on trauma and dependency, drugs & dissociation as bad coping tactics. Like when Elton John felt like his life had gone too much into drugs and crazy, his idea of normalcy was to become like his more A4 parents and marry a woman, and then gradually you see his idea of normal change through his life until he gets the happier ending and accept himself as gay and ‘weird’. The portrayal of the suicide attempt was so well done. I also really liked the surrealism used to show how Elton was out of it at times because his life was such a grand chaos and also the amazing pacing, with putting a lot of images into a short amount of time. Will definitely have to watch this movie, or at least parts of it, over and over. I might also have been very enthusiastic when my 15 year old brother suggested the movie, because he’s lately shown tendencies to change himself to become more accepted and is about to start a new school. I hope watching media where people are different & accept themselves no matter what is a good counterweight to outside pressure. Also Elton John songs might’ve been playing the last four days straight, which I take as a good sign of it working.

  • I succeeded in packing up all my belongings before going on vacation to the other side of Norway. I both hated & loved it – I really like to be organized and I got to try out Marie Kondo’s Decluttering tactics for real. It was also kind of meditative, but at the other side it was too many memories and choices to be made. Also it took a goddamn long time.

  • I know I made summer goals, but I’m not going to even look at them before next week – when I’m in the countryside of Denmark with all the time in the world to read and study for the upcoming year. The only goal I currently remember is buying a year worth of tea in Aalborg! Also I’m currently walking/cycling everywhere and playing a lot of Wizards Unite and Pokemon Go like the nerd I am. Add me – Wizards Unite 2758 0361 7116 and Pokemon Go 9460 5606 5208.

Historic Cover | Friday Face Off

aquapages // eline1 Comment

This is a weekly thing created by Books by Proxy, but currently run by Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme: “The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe… has been answered” –  a cover featuring something/somebody historic 

My pick: The Diary of Frida Kahlo

Paperback (1998) by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC | Hardcover (1995) by Norma | Hardcover (1998) by Harry N. Abrams

Arabic (2011) by دار نينوى للدراسات والنشر والتوزيع  | Hardcover (2001) by La vaca independiente | Czech (2003) by Labyrint

Italian (2014) by Electa | Serbian (2002) by Clio

My favourite

I’ve loved Frida Kahlo’s work for a long time. People know her for her feminism, but the most important thing she’s shown me is how she conveyed the physical pain she felt. I think the 1998 cover is the only one I’ve found that really shows that part of her art.

Exciting New Book Releases Summer 2019

aquapages // eline6 Comments

I wrote an exciting new releases list for May to July so it’s time for a new one from July to September. There just had to be some overlap as some release dates were pushed back, we’re just going to ignore that detail.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Release date: 9. July

Why I want to read it: a queer horror YA where people die of from a mysterious infection?! And Savannah Brown recommended it?! How could I not be intrigued.

Heartstopper vol. 2 by Alice Oseman

Release date: 11. July

Why I want to read it: I already have through the free web comic! I just also want to hold the precious thing in my arms and hug it tight.

Jade War by Fonda Lee (Green Bone Saga #2)

Release date: 23. July

Why I want to read it: I liked the first book Jade City

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Release date: 30. July

Why I want to read it: the gorgeous cover helped, but mostly because it’s a YA novel with “mulan” mentioned in the synopsis and good ratings!

How To Be Remy Cameron

Release date: 10. September

Why I want to read it: I really liked Julian Winter’s “Running with lions” and how he portrayed gay & bi guys and a friendgroup bonding, I think that guy is talented enough that this book will be just as good.

Striped Cover | Friday Face Off

aquapages // eline2 Comments

This is a weekly thing created by Books by Proxy, but currently run by Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme: “And who decided which people wore the striped pyjamas” – A cover that is striped

My pick: I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Ok, I read this book once and it wasn’t for me, but the book cover is cool.

Hardcover (2014) by Dial Books, Paperback (2015) by Walker Books, Portuguese (2015) by Editorial Presença

Paperback (2015) by Speak, Swedish (2014) by Gilla Böcker, Icelandic (2018) by Bókabeitan

Vietnamese (2017) by Nhã Nam, NXB Lao Động, Georgian (2017) by პალიტრა, Chinese (2015) by 木馬文化

My favourite

This is a difficult choice this time?? I like the colourful droplets of the Portuguese edition and how it’s similar, but not the same to the original english one. But the font is so horrible. Actually I think the minimalism, but also obvious sun, of the last Chinese edition is the one I prefer.

Fierce Female Book Characters

aquapages // eline3 Comments

Growing up I started reading more adult fantasy mixed in with fairytale and folklore inspired children’s fantasy before the Young Adult category became popular. With YA fantasy came these fierce heroines that I absolutely fell in love with and taught me so much about strength, what I want to aspire to and also crushes. Yes, you heard right.

What made me think of this post is Katsa in the Graceling trilogy by Kristin Cashore. Growing up she was absolutely a character I both crushed so hard on and wanted to be more like. I love the morally gray characters, that has to take difficult decisions, because the world isn’t black and white, good and bad and I was angry when fantasy wanted to depict it that way. In Graceling Katsa has a magical ability that (without spoiling anything) makes her one of the kingdom’s best fighters. But she’s also got a big heart and despises her king uncle forming her into his personal assassin. Protective, badass girls with big hearts that can also kick anyone’s ass is absolutely my type. I mean – when this is on the cover … no chance I’m not going to love it.

A list of other similar kickass-characters:

Inej Ghafa from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Six of Crows is a book I could never overhype, as I’ve barely seen bad reviews of it. In the friendgroup she’s the spy and definitely dangerous. Artwork by the amazing Kevin Wada.

Vin, the protagonist of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. Found on the Mistborn wiki, I can’t seem to find the artist.

Renee from The foxhole court, All for the game series, by Nora Sakavic. She loves the pastel look, seems innocent most of the time, but could also kill you. It’s a sport series. Or is it? More about friendgroup bonding and finding your family. It’s a book you love or hate, and I absolutely love it. Art by hermosoharry.tumblr.com.

Mercy Thompson, the protagonist from the urban fantasy series with the same name by Patricia Briggs. She’s a mechanic, but can also turn into a coyote and grew up around werewolves! And look at her! Cover art by Daniel Dos Santos.

I think Celaena Sardothien deserves a spot on this list because of the first book Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and the prequel The Assasin’s Blade, before the whole name change and series falling apart (in my eyes). I stopped reading after book five. My fav character for a while was Nehemia. I have so many issues with the way that series went. But the assassin phase of Celaena and seeing her survive was amazing. Cover art by Alessandro Taini/Talexi Art.

Yelena, protagonist of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. I feel like Poison Study is more underrated than it should be, but absolutely worth a read for these characters. Art by Leabharlann.

happy, stressed & coming out | Book Bi-Weekly Update

aquapages // eline5 Comments

I watched a pink sunset like this one on one of the first days we moved into this village, and now there was one again as I’m packing up and about to leave.

New book posts:

Other books I’ve been reading:

  • Wild Beauty by Anne-Marie McLemore (DNF’ed)
  • Fence by C. S. Pacat (graphic novels)
  • Big mushy happy lump & Herding cats by Sarah Andersen (graphic novels)
  • Unleashed by Sophie Jordan
  • (Don’t you) forget about me by Kate Karyus Quinn
  • An enchantment of ravens by Margaret Rogerson
  • Sweet evil by Wendy Higgins (SOOO BAD.)
  • Once a witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Reviews coming as soon as possible!

Added to TBR:

  • A million Junes by Emily Henry (YA magical realism)
  • The seafarer’s kiss by Julia Ember (queer girls retelling of the little mermaid, bi main character)
  • Labyrinth lost by Zoraida Gordova (witch, bi girl protagonist, latinx)
  • How to be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters (gay protagonist, I already loved reading “running with lions”)
  • The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli (ya fantasy with DRAGONS!)

Posts I’ve loved by other bloggers:

Three things on my mind:

  • No one should feel ashamed for not being out as queer/gay because it’s not safe or not right for them at the moment. I’ve seen this highlighted more often this year by out gay celebrity and others, which I think is so extremely important. But also – I came out as bi to my mom yesterday (as I’m writing this at least). I’ve been out to friends from a few months to over a year, but a lot of things held me back. I’m extremely close with my mom, we’ve been through some tough times as a family in terms of illness. I never felt like I was hiding my sexuality before, even if I hadn’t made it explicit. But then its place in my life grew which – along with various other reasons like moving away for university – brought a sense of urgency. It went down well, even if it brought a bit of shock. The timing felt absolutely right, which is all I wished for.
  • Along those lines, I feel like the term “bi village girl” is one I’ve favored much this pride month and this (last) week I finally finished my last (postponed) exam, two weeks after everything else was done. I got top grades and soon I’m only a village girl by heart, as I move on to university. I need to write a love/hate post about living in a tiny community of 1000 people, because aaaaaa it’s been a peculiar road. Waking up at 5am for three years, commuting an hour each way by bus on tiny roads, in every climate and snow-chaos – it’s all over. Which hasn’t really set in yet. Most of the novel I’m working on was created in my head on those very nauseating mountain roads.
  • One of the other reasons I’m genuinely happy: I read books instead of cramming for exams. There was too much shit going on, first I was supposed to have my math exams and started studying for that. Four hours later it’s cancelled because of this big scandal of miscommunication. A week passed and I was so tired of everyone’s shit and also in bad shape physically as I just threw in the towel and escaped into books, and it still went great. I’ve turned around my grades since starting the month of march at the hospital and I’m genuinely proud and shocked over what I’ve been able to accomplish.

This has been a long post, but I need to add another note to it. Things are shitty sometimes. Things will be shitty, actually soul-crushingly shitty, in the future. I really find peace & worry in believing that “everything is temporary”. Still, right now, I’m also proud and relieved, maybe even with sizable time-chunks of happy. And with every bad thing that happens I find comfort in knowing that I’ve gained experience in how to handle it if something similiar hould happen in the future. Dealing with crises makes you better equipped for dealing with future crises. And in the meantime, which is now, it’s best to worry as little as possible, and to do as much of what feels right, honest and great.

This type of bi-weekly update has gone from my least liked post by others to one of the most liked, which I really appreciate ❤

Summer 2019 TBR | Top Ten Tuesday

aquapages // eline7 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl to bring bookish friends together. A new topic is posted each week.

My Summer TBR doesn’t have a lot of summer books this year? So I’m going to write another post with summer recommendations to give you all the fun & warm vibes of it, and not the university-preparing, trying-to-get-better-at-writing, learn-to-cook reality that this TBR turned out to be, haha! Some of the science books, like “physics of the impossible” and “alex’s adventures in numberland” was recommended by physics youtuber Simon Clark (here’s the link to the other books he recommended as well!)

Science books

A brief history of time by Stephen Hawking

  • Yes, I’ve read other books by Hawking like “The grand design“, no I’ve never gotten to read this one. Why? Don’t know, it’s a disgrace that I have to change quickly.

The body in pain by Elaine Scarry

Alex’s adventures in numberland by Alex Bellos

Physics of the impossible by Michio Kaku

Six not so easy pieces by Richard Feynman

  • I read and absolutely loved how “Six easy pieces” (review here), the easier first book of this type, explained concepts and hoping to watch a lot of Feynman’s lectures this summer as well.

Food

Frida’s fiesta by Marie-Pierre Colle and Guadalupe Rivera

  • Guadalupe Rivera was Diego Rivera’s daughter and because of that has a close connection to Frida Kahlo, so I’m so excited to see what kind of cookbook this is.

Salt fat acid heat by Samin Nosrat

  • Ilustrated cookbook! I need it! Also heard a lot of great things about it and Nosrat seems like a person that knows her stuff when I heard from her at the Reply All podcast, hosting another very limited podcast. Ah I love how much effort went into that joke and episode.
  • It’s also a Netflix show by the same/similar name, which I have yet to watch.
  • I love how Nosrat love salt. That speaks to my heart. I’ve read a couple pages of this book, all of the different types of salt there are, beautifully illustrated. SALT! Ok, let’s move on now –

Fiction

The vanishing stair by Maureen Johnson

  • The sequel to Truly Devious (review here), which I loved.
  • A part of my 5 star predictions post, so I’ll have to read it to find out, don’t I?

The serpent king by Jeff Zentner

  • Another of the 5 star predictions post

Writing

A poetry handbook by Mary Oliver

  • I don’t write poetry. I’m going to read it anyway, she’s my fav poet and I’ve got a feeling it could help me write and compose stories in general.

On writing by Stephen King

  • Here’s a secret – I’ve never read a Stephen King book. I don’t know why! I have no explanation. I started reading this one more than a year ago and found the perspective very helpful, but I didn’t have time for doing the writing practices he proposes so I’ll go back now this summer when I have time to really delve into it and commit.

Five Star Predictions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

aquapages // eline5 Comments

After predicting Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro would be a five out of five stars and ending up being a disappointment, I looked at my TBR and what other books I think will be new favorites.

Hopefully I’ll revisit this in not too long and see if I predicted right! (And I might have already read some of the books when this is posted because a couple posts were postponed because they clashed with posts for the Pride Library challenge.)

Heartstopper vol. 1 by Alice Oseman: I’ve heard such great things, actually only great things, about this graphic novel and already know the art style is right in my alley! I love the colors so much, and Oseman is a great storyteller.

The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson: The previous book, Truly Devious, was one of my favourites last year, with boarding school & mystery it was probably one of my all-time fav YA books. So I have high hopes for this one as well, Maureen Johnson is a great author overall.

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling: This book has a great synopsis with queer witches that seem badass and I just hope I love this new release.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner: Also a book I’ve heard great things about, with a close friendgroup and the main character (as me) looking at graduation with mixed feelings. It’s also another debut novel.

Fence vol. 1 by C. S. Pacat: I’ve seen so many book blogs love on these graphic novels as well. I’ve fallen in love with queer sports teams before, and fencing shouldn’t seem to be an exception? Also I’ve had mixed feelings about C. S. Pacat’s books before, but to me it’s no doubt that she has talent in making catchy characters.

Sweet Cover | Friday Face Off

aquapages // eline3 Comments

This is a weekly thing created by Books by Proxy, but currently run by Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme: “Coraline opened the box of chocolates. The dog looked at them longingly.” – A cover featuring something sweet

My pick: Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

Paperback (1992) by Farrar, Straus and Giroux | Paperback (2007) by Commemorative Edition | Kindle (2017) by Open Road Media Teen & Tween 

Hardcover (1982) | Paperback by Farrar Straus Giroux (1998) | Spanish (2019) by Kakao Books

My favourite

First published in 1982, this book got a lot of varied covers through the years! I found several sources where the author talks about how much she hated the first cover arts, presumably the 1982 one because they talk about how masculine the characters were made to seem. It’s a YA with two girls falling in love, and until recently I regularly heard the misconception of two ‘feminine’ or ‘girly’ girls wouldn’t choose to be together, the whole ‘one guy and one girl’ thing. I’ve not yet read this book, but based on what I know of it the retro, but wholesome romantic vibes of the 1992 cover is my fav. The spanish one is like taken out of Frozen animators (aka too much), and the 1998 one is cute, but doesn’t make it explicit that they’re more than friends.