Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is 2021 Releases I Was Excited To Read But Didn’t Get To. Here’s my list:
1. Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
2. The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
3. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
4. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
5. Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
6. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
7. Gilded by Marissa Meyer
8. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
9. Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
10. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
(All book covers from Goodreads)
What’s your list of books on your Top Ten Tuesday?
Title: The 4% Fix Author: Karma Brown Genre: Nonfiction Publisher: HarperCollins Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Audiobook Release Date: December 15, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
How to find guilt-free time for what you really want to do, and why it matters
Do you feel like you’re always busy, even as your to-do list continues to grow?
Do you think you can’t keep up as it is, let alone add another thing to your plate?
An award-winning journalist, avid reader and new mom, Karma Brown dreamed of writing her first novel. But between diapers and tight deadlines, how could she? Like so many of us, she felt stretched taut and hyper-scheduled, her time a commodity over which she had lost control. For Brown, the answer to this problem was to rise earlier every day and use that time to write. Although she experienced missteps along the way, after committing to her alarm clock and an online community of early risers, she completed a debut novel that became a national bestseller.
In The 4% Fix, Karma Brown reveals the latest research about time management and goal-setting and shares strategies that have worked for her as well as for others. Refreshingly, her jargon-free approach doesn’t include time-tracking spreadsheets, tips on how to squeeze in yoga exercises while cooking dinner, or methods that add bulk to those never-ending lists.
How will you use this one hour—only 4% of your day—to change your life?
Review:
In the 4% Fix, bestselling author Karma Brown tells her secret to success. She gets up early in the morning and uses that early hour to write. An hour of your day is 4%, so if you get up an hour earlier every day, you can use that hour to write or complete any hobby or task that you want to get done, but can’t find time during your regular day. That hour can be used for any project or skill, not just writing.
The arguments against the 4% fix were also described in this book. Some people say “I don’t have time,” so that’s why you get up an hour early and use that time for your task or project. I’m guilty of arguing, “I’ll be too tired.” The solution to that is to go to sleep an hour earlier. I’m a night owl, so it’s difficult for me to get to sleep earlier, however I do notice an increase in my productivity when I do get up earlier in the morning.
I listened to the audiobook edition of this book. The conversational style made it feel like a friend was telling me her tips and tricks to success. There were interesting anecdotes about Karma’s life and examples of other successful people, which proved how these strategies can turn you into a success.
The 4% Fix is a great read for anyone who wants to find some “extra” time in their day!
Thank you HarperAudio for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown
Have you read The 4% Fix? What did you think of it?
This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!
What I just finished:
This weekend I finished The 4% Fix by Karma Brown.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m currently reading Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.
What I’m reading next:
Next I will be reading The Maid by Nita Prose.
What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?
The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
This Sunday I’m reading Compass to Vinland by Dani Resh.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Wren Larkin has a lot of things working against him-too tall, too thin, and living in a house that looks like an old boot. His only friends are a group of noisy crows that are always bringing him random trinkets. Needless to say, he’s not the most popular kid in town.
But things change when a girl named Maria moves to town and instantly befriends Wren. She continues to do the unexpected when she defends Rusty, the resident bad boy, who might not be as rebellious as Wren thought. Wren learns that it isn’t just coincidence that brought the three of them together when he discovers a shoe workshop under the heel of his house that’s holding-or hiding–three pairs of magical shoes intended for each of them.
When strangers arrive on Wren’s doorstep looking for the shoes, Wren and his new companions have no choice but to flee to Underfoot, an underground settlement full of magical creatures. In just a matter of days, Wren is immersed into a whole new reality that’ll take him on an incredible journey and reveal a lineage that might be better left secret.
Title: Monday’s Not Coming Author: Tiffany D. Jackson Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Source: Purchased Format: Hardcover Release Date: May 22, 2018 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Monday Charles is missing, and only Claudia seems to notice. Claudia and Monday have always been inseparable—more sisters than friends. So when Monday doesn’t turn up for the first day of school, Claudia’s worried. When she doesn’t show for the second day, or second week, Claudia knows that something is wrong. Monday wouldn’t just leave her to endure tests and bullies alone. Not after last year’s rumors and not with her grades on the line. Now Claudia needs her best—and only—friend more than ever. But Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.
As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday. How can a teenage girl just vanish without anyone noticing that she’s gone?
Review:
Monday and Claudia have always been inseparable. When Monday doesn’t show up for their first day of eighth grade, Claudia knows something is wrong. Their friendship was deeper than anyone knew. Monday would defend Claudia from bullies and rumors, and helped her keep her grades up. When Claudia asks her mom, Monday’s sister, and the school staff for help, they all brush her off. No one helps Claudia on her search, so she has to take matters into her own hands.
I’ve heard a lot about this book over the past couple of years. It has recently been banned by some school boards in the United States. The story itself was entertaining and suspenseful, but it also has an important message within it. This story shows the dark side of childhood, with many children left behind by the systems that are meant to protect them.
The premise and plot of this book were intriguing but it was put together in an intricate story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it, and I couldn’t read the story fast enough. This was one of those special stories where after learning the ending, you can flip through the book to see where all the clues and breadcrumbs (as Claudia’s mom would say) left a trail throughout the story. It truly is a masterpiece of a plot.
Monday’s Not Coming should be required reading for everyone.
What to read next:
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Have you read Monday’s Not Coming? What did you think of it?
Title: My Contrary Mary (Mary #1) Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: HarperTeen Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Audiobook Release Date: June 22, 2021 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?
Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she’s a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It’s a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail.⠀
Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But after the king meets a suspicious end, things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis are forced to navigate a viper’s nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary’s secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.
Review:
Mary Queen of Scots has a secret. She’s secretly an Eðian (a shapeshifter), who can turn into a mouse. Her best friend, and betrothed, Francis knows her secret and is keeping it for her. However, when Francis’s father, the King of France, dies suddenly, Francis is put on the throne. Francis and Mary have to navigate this political world, while also facing supernatural threats.
This book is the first in a trilogy which continues from The Lady Janies books. One thing that I love about these books about historical figures is that they alter history to have the outcome everyone wants. There are some things in Mary’s real life story that I would have liked to be different, and they were written that way in this story.
I love the hilarious narrators with clever references. There were numerous references to the TV show Reign, which was about Mary Queen of Scots. I learned a lot of that history from the show. There were many references to the show that weren’t necessarily historically accurate, such as characters who didn’t really exist, but I loved how that show was tied into the story. There were also jokes about modern day things which were hilarious. One character who could see the future would have visions of movies or inventions from our time. The characters in the story didn’t understand, but it was a hilarious break from history in this story.
I listened to the audiobook edition of this book and I loved it! The jokes were so fun to listen to. I highly recommend this austiobook.
My Contrary Mary is a great historical retelling!
Thank you HarperCollins Audio for providing a copy of this book.
What to read next:
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Reign: The Prophecy by Lily Blake
Have you read My Contrary Mary? What did you think of it?
Title: The Annual Migration of Clouds Author: Premee Mohamed Genre: Science Fiction, Novella Publisher: ECW Press Source: Library Format: Ebook Release Date: September 28, 2021 Rating: ★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
In post-climate disaster Alberta, a woman infected with a mysterious parasite must choose whether to pursue a rare opportunity far from home or stay and help rebuild her community.
The world is nothing like it once was: climate disasters have wracked the continent, causing food shortages, ending industry, and leaving little behind. Then came Cad, mysterious mind-altering fungi that invade the bodies of the now scattered citizenry. Reid, a young woman who carries this parasite, has been given a chance to get away – to move to one of the last remnants of pre-disaster society – but she can’t bring herself to abandon her mother and the community that relies on her.
When she’s offered a coveted place on a dangerous and profitable mission, she jumps at the opportunity to set her family up for life, but how can Reid ask people to put their trust in her when she can’t even trust her own mind?
Review:
Many years in the future, the world has faced climate disasters, resulting in food shortages and parasite diseases. Reid lives with her mom, and both of them are infected with Cad, a parasite that tries to control what they do with their bodies. When Reid is accepted to a university in one of the only preserved cities left, she’s eager to leave. Most of the people in their community are proud of Reid, but her mother is suspicious of this too-good-to-be-true offer. Reid has to figure out how to make sure her mom is taken care of while she’s gone, while also contemplating if she should leave her mom and the community.
This story has a disturbing look at what the future could look like. They didn’t have any of the conveniences we take advantage of, including available food and running water. There had been viruses that had killed people, and Reid was currently infected with a parasite. This story had a creepy possible future that could happen if we don’t look after the planet.
I predicted the way this story ended fairly early on. It was a literary style book, and it had an open ending. I didn’t get the closure that I wanted. I would have loved to see this story continue because I want to know what happens next, though I know that’s the style of the story.
The Annual Migration of Clouds is a creepy dystopia story.
What to read next:
Gutter Child by Jael Richardson
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Have you read The Annual Migration of Clouds? What did you think of it?
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is #MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil.
Goodreads Synopsis:
@doctorfusionbebop: Some 17 y. o. chick named Dee Guerrera was just sent to Alcatraz 2.0 for killing her stepsister. So, how long do you think she’ll last?
@morrisdavis72195: I hope she meets justice! She’ll get what’s coming to her! BWAHAHA!
@EltonJohnForevzz: Me? I think Dee’s innocent. And I hope she can survive.
WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.
When seventeen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn’t commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she’s innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners kill them off one by one?
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
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