December Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

Sadly, my favorite month of the year is ALREADY over. I can't believe how time is flying when you're having fun.

The last few weeks have been amazing with loads of friends and loved ones. With loads of yummy food and sweet presents.

I celebrated my boyfriends 26th birthday and tonight I will celebrate an amazing year with a nice glass of champagne.

2019 has been great. Work wise I started working a day less and I switched grades, which was the best decision ever. 

I played handball and did some running here and there.

I did LOADS of fun things, I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am to be able to do all this.

I made some amazing trips all over the world to Kenya, Mallorca and had a nice road trip through Eastern Europe.

I can't wait for 2020 to bring me more amazing moments with friends and loved ones. To have great days of working with the kids in my classroom and to just celebrate life!

I hope 2020 brings you all you wish and I do hope to see you back on the blog.

🎆🎆🎆

Review: The Die of Death (The Great Devil War #2)

Author: Kenneth B. Andersen
Started reading: December 8th 2019
Finished the book: December 24th 2019
Pages: 317
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Published: October 5th 2018
Source: A digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.09
My score:

Synopsis

Philip's adventures as the Devil's apprentice have changed him—in a good way. Although he misses his friends in Hell, he has made new friends in life. But when the future of the underworld is threatened once again, Philip’s help is needed. Death's Die has been stolen and immortality is spreading across the globe. Philip throws himself into the search—and discovers a horrible truth about his own life along the way.

Goodreads: Your Year In Books Meme 2019

Hi there and welcome to the blog!
I'm so excited to do the Your Year in Books Meme. This is a meme that I created two years ago. It is a way to write a blogpost about the Goodreads Your Year in Books and to share it with others.

I was hoping that bloggers would participate, and that worked out pretty well last year! I hope I can get it even bigger this year.
This is actually a yearly meme where you write your final 2019 wrap up. Instead of the usual monthly or weekly memes.

I'd love for people to participate so please share your link at the end of this post!
You're free to write the blogpost in any way you like just to wrap up 2019.

Review: New Moon (Twilight #2)

Author: Stephenie Meyer
Started reading: November 29th 2019
Finished the book: December 22nd 2019
Pages: 563
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Published: September 6th 2006
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 3.53
My score:

Synopsis

I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect - not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella could ever have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning...

Booktag: 5 Star Predictions

Welcome, welcome, dear reader!
Welcome to the blog.

To day I'm doing the book tag 5 Star Predictions.

I'm going to predict which books in the upcoming year, I'm going to give 5 stars! I will include books that I'm going to try and read this year.


Feel free to join in, I'd love to read your posts.

Review: The Missing Barbegazi

Author: H.S. Norup
Started reading: November 28th 2019
Finished the book: December 7th 2019
Pages: 256
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published: October 4th 2018
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.00
My score:

Synopsis

Tessa discovers the healing power of wishes when she sets out to find a missing Barbegazi, said to live in the mountains near her village. Meeting one is only the beginning of an adventure that unites generations and teaches Tessa that trust is at the heart of the best relationships.

A delightful story about families, love and learning that some secrets are best kept secret - forever.

Sunday Post #12

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Review (re-read): Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)

Author: Suzanne Collins
Started reading: October 27th 2019
Finished the book: December 1st 2019
Pages: 390
Genres: YA, Dystopian
Published: August 24th 2010
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.03
My score:

Synopsis

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

Review: Kingdom Soul (Kingdom Cold #2)

Author: Brittni Chenelle
Started reading: November 4th 2019
Finished the book: November 26th 2019
Pages: 248
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Published: May 31st 2019
Source: Digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.51
My score:

Synopsis

Besmium has been reduced to rubble, and sinister Camelot reigns supreme. Abandoned by Minseo, brother of the fallen king, widowed Charlotte's path is perilous. New to life beyond her walls, she's forced to face the winter and motherhood alone, while being hunted by a soldier whose life's goal depends on her capture.
When whispers reach Minseo that Queen Charlotte survived, he decides to leave his drunken shame behind and seek his lost love. He knows finding her won't be terribly difficult but protecting both her and daughter Morgana is a different errand--one requiring more than time's power to heal.
Beyond the landscape of lies and treachery, Charlotte will need to navigate her feelings wisely. Can Minseo be trusted with the ultimate secret? Wherever young Morgana goes, a trail of ash is left behind, in consequence of something sought by sorcerers and mortal fiends...united, closing in.

November Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog!

This month was a busy one for me, with two weeks of teacher/parent conversations. These take up to 30 minutes per student and are held after 3 PM. I have 25 kids in my classroom, so I had two very busy weeks and I was home late, almost every day.

This week I was back to my normal schedule and had a lot of fun stuff to do, like dining with co-workers and dining with my sister.

Because I was busy, busy I didn't read and write blog posts as much as I usually do. I was able to finish some books and with that I've completed my Goodreads Reading Challenge of this year with 75 books! There are still two books waiting to be reviewed, so I'm actually at 77 books, but November is over... Oh well.

I'm very excited for December. I'm going to buy my Christmas tree next weekend and I'm just so happy to be celebrating Christmas, my favorite holiday of the whole year!

I do hope you'll have a very merry December with loads of loved ones and good books.

I look forward to see a lot of participants in my Your Year In Books Meme and I can't wait to see all your yearly wrap-ups!

See you later on the blog! 🎄🎅

Review: Stoner

Author: John Williams
Started reading: November 8th 2019
Finished the book: November 24th 2019
Pages: 320
Genres: Fiction, Classics
Published: 1965
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.30
My score:

Synopsis

William Stoner enters the University of Missouri at nineteen to study agriculture. A seminar on English literature changes his life, and he never returns to work on his father's farm. Stoner becomes a teacher. He marries the wrong woman. His life is quiet, and after his death his colleagues remember him rarely.

Yet with truthfulness, compassion and intense power, this novel uncovers a story of universal value.

Stoner tells of the conflicts, defeats and victories of the human race that pass unrecorded by history, and reclaims the significance of an individual life. A reading experience like no other, itself a paean to the power of literature, it is a novel to be savoured

Review: Legend of the Stone Keepers (Legend of the Stone Keepers #1)

Author: J.L. Trepanier
Started reading: September 28th 2019
Finished the book: November 8th 2019
Pages: 293
Genres: Fantasy
Published: December 8th 2018
Source: Audiobook from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:

Synopsis

Young and inexperienced, Elaro of Agraxia is made captain of a journey with stakes of life and death for the whole world of Terranum: to prevent the endless winter that has plagued his land from taking over the rest of the world.

To save the world, he and his companions must heal Terranum's soul by reuniting its shattered fragments. One of which is The Stone of Courage, a magic relic kept by the humans.

But centuries' worth of bad blood between the Agraxians and the humans, Elaro must find a way to recover the human’s soul fragment without succumbing to his greatest fear: becoming the monster the world believes him to be.

GIVEAWAY: Riyria Chronicles & Riyria Revelation (US & Canada)

Hi there, welcome to the blog!

Today I'm featuring an AWESOME Giveaway on my Blog.

I'm kinda sad that I'm not in the US or Canada, because this is a giveaway for 7 signed copies of the Riyria Chronicles & Riyria Revelation!

Sunday Post #11

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Blog Tour / Review: Things That Art

Author: Lochlann Jain
Pages: 128
Genres: Graphic Novel, Art
Published: October 3rd 2019
Source: Physical copy from publisher

Lochlann Jain's debut non-fiction graphic novel, Things That Art, playfully interrogates the order of things. Toying with the relationship between words and images, Jain's whimsical compositions may seem straightforward. Upon closer inspection, however, the drawings reveal profound and startling paradoxes at the heart of how we make sense of the world.

Review: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Author: Ken Kesey
Started reading: October 13th 2019
Finished the book: November 3rd 2019
Pages: 325
Genres: Fiction, Classic
Published: February 1st 1963
Source: Kindle Copy
Goodreads score: 4.19
My score:

Synopsis

Tyrannical Nurse Ratched rules her ward in an Oregon State mental hospital with a strict and unbending routine, unopposed by her patients, who remain cowed by mind-numbing medication and the threat of electric shock therapy.
But her regime is disrupted by the arrival of McMurphy – the swaggering, fun-loving trickster with a devilish grin who resolves to oppose her rules on behalf of his fellow inmates. His struggle is seen through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a seemingly mute half-Indian patient who understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the powers that keep them imprisoned.
Ken Kesey's extraordinary first novel is an exuberant, ribald and devastatingly honest portrayal of the boundaries between sanity and madness.

Review: Friend or Fiction

Author: Abby Cooper
Started reading: October 21st 2019
Finished the book: October 27th 2019
Pages: 272
Genres: Middle Grace, Magical Realism
Published: October 8th 2019
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.21
My score:

Synopsis

Jade's life hasn't exactly been normal lately, especially since her dad's cancer diagnosis. Jade wishes her family could leave their no-name town in Colorado already--everybody else does sooner rather than later, including every best friend Jade's ever had. So she makes one up. In the pages of her notebook, she writes all about Zoe--the most amazing best friend anyone could dream of.

But when pretend Zoe appears in real life thanks to a magical experiment gone right, Jade isn't so sure if she likes sharing her imaginary friend with the real world. To keep her best friend (and even make some new ones), Jade learns how to cope with jealousy, that friends should let friends be true to themselves, and that maybe the perfect best friend doesn't exist after all..

October Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog!

October is over and I've loved his month SO MUCH.

I lit the first candles and had my first Autumn walk. The nature is beautiful and the temperatures are low. I just love the cold when going outside. I had a week vacation and that was nice too. I was able to meet a lot of friends and do loads of fun stuff like going to the cinema and have dinner and lunch dates.

This also gives me that Christmas feeling, which is less than two months away!

This was a good month on the blog. I did two Sunday Posts, a Short Story post and another Get To Know Me Tag! I've read a lot of books and wrote a good amount of reviews.

I also made a new banner with a little hedgehog next to my own logo, to stay in the Autumn theme. I'm so happy with it! I hope y'all like it too.

I do hope everything is well with you. 

I wish you a great November, with maybe some Christmas shopping?

And see you later on the blog! 🍂

Review: Wildcat (The Caledon Saga #1)

Author: J.P. Harker
Started reading: October 11th 2019
Finished the book: October 27th 2019
Pages: 552
Genres: Historical, Fantasy
Published: September 4th 2016
Source: Physical copy from author
Goodreads score: 4.24
My score:

Synopsis

Rhianwyn of the Caderyn is conflicted about giving up a warrior’s life to become a wife and mother, but her love for her new husband is enough to at least make her consider it. However, with the conquering Gaians moving ever closer to her homeland a peaceful life may no longer be an option, for Rhia or for any of her people. With rival tribes, old suitors, and the dangerous General Lepidus to contend with, Rhia soon finds her new family in unprecedented danger, and her choices now must be about more than just herself...

Wildcat takes place in a fantasy land inspired by Iron Age Britain and follows Rhianwyn's story as she encounters a civilisation unlike any she could imagine, and is constantly forced to learn and adapt through trial after deadly trial.

Get To Know Me Tag #5

Hi there!

It's been five months since I did a Get To Know Me Tag. Waaay too long!

I'd like for my readers to know the person behind the blog, so in this blogpost I'll be answering some questions and you'll get to know me a little better!

Thanks for reading, and have a nice day! 💖

Review: 100 Word Horrors 3

Author: Kevin J. Kennedy and others
Started reading: October 11th 2019
Finished the book: October 13th 2019
Pages: 110
Genres: Horror, Short Stories
Published: September 4th 2019
Source: Digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.75
My score:

Synopsis

Book 3 of the 100 Word Horrors Series

Over 100 drabbles by some of the finest horror authors writing today.

Sunday Post #10

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Review: Twilight (Twilight #1)

Author: Stephenie Meyer
Started reading: September 18th 2019
Finished the book: October 11th 2019
Pages: 501
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Published: October 5th 2005
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 3.59
My score: 

Synopsis

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.

Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Review: A Pack of Vows and Tears (The Boulder Wolves #2)

Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Started reading: October 3rd 2019
Finished the book: October 9th 2019
Pages: 418
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, YA
Published: May 28th 2019
Source: Digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: 4.30
My score:

Synopsis

Ness Clark's place amongst the Boulders and at Liam’s side is compromised. First, when her cousin claims Ness helped him elude his death sentence. And then, when August Watt, Ness’s childhood friend, comes home to Boulder.


Although August’s plan was to pledge himself and return to active duty, he finds himself incapable of leaving. This becomes problematic for Liam and Ness, because a mating link has clicked into place between Ness and the ex-marine. If not consummated, the link will fade, but that’ll take months. How long and hard can two people fight a physical attraction that renders their bodies unreceptive to anyone’s but their mates?

Review: Love Me Not (Helen Grace #7)

Author: M.J. Arlidge
Started reading: September 18th 2019
Finished the book: October 2nd 2019
Pages: 368
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Published: May 18th 2017
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.15
My score:

Synopsis

She Loves Me
A woman's body lies in the road. At first it looks like a tragic accident. But when Helen Grace arrives on the scene it's clear she's looking at a coldblooded killing. But why would anyone target a much-loved wife and mother?

She Loves Me Not
Across town, a shopkeeper is killed while his customers are left unharmed. But what lies behind the killer's choices?


She Loves Me
Who lives? Who dies? Who's next? The clock is ticking.

She Loves Me Not
If Helen can't solve this deadly puzzle then more blood will be shed. But any mistake and it might be her own ...

Review: Fractured

Author: Dani Atkins
Started reading: September 3rd 2019
Finished the book: September 18th 2019
Pages: 289
Genres: Romance, Fiction
Published: July 1st 2013
Source: Kindle Copy
Goodreads score: 3.77
My score:

Synopsis

Rachel’s life is perfect. A handsome boyfriend, great friends and the prospect of starting at university in a few weeks means she’s never been happier. But in a single heartbeat her world falls apart forever.
Five years later, Rachel is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that changed everything. Returning to her hometown for the first time in years, she finds herself consumed by thoughts of the life that could have been. But when a sudden fall lands her in hospital, Rachel awakes to discover that the life she had dreamed about just might be real after all.

Sunday Post #9

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Two Short Stories #6

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is a prequel to a longer series and the other one is a graphic novel.

Let's dive right in!

September Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog!

September is almost over and this year is just FLYING by. 

This month was my birthday, but I didn't ask for any books, because my shelves are seriously full. So I asked for gift cards and fun things to do instead! I also had a fun day of baking all the nice goodies for my birthday. It's been ages since I had a day full of baking. I made an apple pie, cheesecake and vanilla cake, yum!

I did read a lot of books and I'm sure I'm going to reach my Goodreads Challenge goal of 75 books.

I love that it's almost October. I just love fall. I love the colours and the weather, the rain and the storm. It's just so cozy outside and I can light some candles and curl up with a book. 

I'm an all-season lover. I always love when a new season is just beginning.

What's your favorite season?

Have a great October. I wish you loads of cozy reading nights and fun Halloween celebrations. 🍁

Review: Spinning Silver

Author: Naomi Novik
Started reading: August 13th 2019
Finished the book: September 14th 2019
Pages: 466
Genres: Fantasy, Retelling
Published: July 12th 2018
Source: Received as a gift
Goodreads score: 4.25
My score:

Synopsis

Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders... but her father isn't a very good one. Free to lend and reluctant to collect, he has loaned out most of his wife's dowry and left the family on the edge of poverty--until Miryem steps in. Hardening her heart against her fellow villagers' pleas, she sets out to collect what is owed--and finds herself more than up to the task. When her grandfather loans her a pouch of silver pennies, she brings it back full of gold.

But having the reputation of being able to change silver to gold can be more trouble than it's worth--especially when her fate becomes tangled with the cold creatures that haunt the wood, and whose king has learned of her reputation and wants to exploit it for reasons Miryem cannot understand.

Review: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee

Author: Beth Vrabel
Started reading: September 14th 2019
Finished the book: September 24th 2019
Pages: 384
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Published: September 16th 2019
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads score: 4.17
My score:

Synopsis

From her kindergarten self-portrait as a bacon with boobs, to fourth grade when she peed her pants in the library thanks to a stuck zipper to seventh grade where...well, she doesn't talk about seventh grade. Ever.
After hearing the guidance counselor lecturing them on how high school will be a clean slate for everyone, Pipi--fearing that her eight humiliations will follow her into the halls of Northbrook High School--decides to use her last year in middle school to right the wrongs of her early education and save other innocents from the same picked-on, laughed-at fate. Pipi McGee is seeking redemption, but she'll take revenge, too.