10 Books I Want To Read Whilst We're Staying At Home // April/May TBR

I will have to admit that in the last 5 years I have really lost my motivation to read. It's not that I don't like reading anymore, I just have prioritised other things in my life over it. However, now that I have found myself with a lot more time on hand, this really is the time to pick up my love for reading again. 

I have 10 books that I want to read as we continue to stay at home and honestly, this has made me excited to start reading again! There is a mix of YA, Adult and Middle Grade novels to break up my list and keep things interesting. 

What Are You Currently Reading?

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My 2020 Reading List! (Finally)

I am well aware it’s the end of February and only now have I really decided on what books I want to read for 2020. 

Two months down and I haven’t read any on this list but hey, a girl can dream right?

I’ve tried to select a broad range of novels, from ones that have sat on my shelf forever to non-fiction books that I wouldn’t normally ever read. 

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery

2. East West Street: On the Origins of “Genocide” and “Crimes Against Humanity” by Philippe Sands

I've always wanted to read this but bought it 3 years ago and then keep putting it off because I was worried my intellectual capacity would not be enough to fully understand it. Well self-doubt is no longer a thing and I am so excited to read this.

3. A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

4. The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1) by Scott Lynch 

5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I tried to start this last year but never got around to finishing it, but really want to so I can watch the movie. 

6. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

7. Lethal White (Cormoran Strike #4) by Robert Galbraith

In 2018 I was obsessed with this series and was so happy to hear the fourth instalment was released. Hopefully it sucks me in as much as its predecessors. 

8. The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton 

Kate Morton is one of my favourite authors so I will read anything, ANYTHING, she releases.

9. The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You’ll Ever Need by Scott Pape

Your girl is trying to change her financial life in 2020 and you bet I jumped onto this craze. Here's to being in control and secure of my finances.

10. The Way Through the Woods by Jocelyn Koehler

This is a story about mushrooms. I'm being serious. And I am super excited for it.

11. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

12. Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder

13. Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

This was more of a recent purchase but I want to support Australian authors and have heard so much about how amazing this is. 

All of these books I currently own, and I chose these deliberately, because I find that I forget about ones I’ve purchased awhile ago and they just sit and collect dust. For instance, I’ve had Anne of Green Gables for at least 6 to 7 years now and haven’t opened it once. 

I’m currently almost half-way through The Clockmaker’s Daughter but have been sidetracked by another book (that is not on this list oops) and I think The Barefoot Investor is going to be a year-long project, but I’m okay with that. 

I’m actually super excited to tackle this list for 2020! I only chose 13 because I didn’t want to be overambitious and also wanted to make sure I was reading some quality books. 

You can find my 2020 Reading List Shelf on Goodreads here.

Good luck to me! 

What Are You Reading This Year?

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Bout of Books 14.0 TBR

Bout of Books is an annual, low pressure read-a-thon created by Amanda @ On A Book Bender.

Everyday there are different challenges and giveaways hosted on different book blogs to check out as well. 

Sign Up Post Here. 

Dates: August 17th - 23rd 

TBR List

I'm trying not to be over-ambitious, keeping my TBR list to just four books. Hopefully I can manage to finish them all, considering three aren't that very long and the fourth being something I can take over to the next week if I don't manage to finish it. 

Black Cairn Point by Claire McFall

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Picnic At Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay 

The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory 

       

Keep an eye out for updates along the way as well as see if I manage to finish the read-a-thon!

Will You Be Taking Part?

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Book Wish List: Narrowing Down What To Buy

My list of books to buy is always so long, that I tend to just go nuts and buy anything and everything. It grows every single month, especially since I haven't bought a book in 3 months. Actually, scratch that. I've bought one this month and that's The Retribution of Mara Dyer, because I have waited too long for this.

So this year I've decided to narrow down my list to make buying books for my birthday just a bit easier. Can you really believe that I spent $300 worth of books for my birthday last year? Oh wait. I think we all have that problem.

1. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
This has been on my wish list even before it was released, and I am so ready to get my hands on it.

2. Burn For Burn Series by Jenny Han
Finally the entire series is out, with the covers looking the same as well.

3. The Cure For Dreaming by Cat Winters
Yes to Cat Winters and her creepy writing. I loved her previous novel, and hoping that this one meets my expectations as well.

4. The Assassin's Blade: Throne of Glass Novella by Sarah J. Maas
Going to fill my Throne of Glass withdrawals with stories about Calaena, and her previous life.

5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I really want to watch this movie, but my book reading habits means I have to read it first!

6. The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente
A lovely series with such a magical feeling to it.

7. Dangerous Boys by Abigail Haas
I loved Dangerous Girls for its creepiness and thrilling read, and I'm pretty sure Dangerous Boys can deliver the same.

8. For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfruend
Let's be honest - this is a cover buy.

9. Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
I've wanted this for over a year already and I think it's finally I treat myself to something that's a bit pricier but very beautiful as well.

10. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A bit of psychological thriller - why not?

11. S by J.J Abrams and Doug Dorst
A story within a story, set up as a library booked. This is fascinating and creative.

12. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
The companion novel to Code Name Verity, I'm ready to get back into the historical war setting.

13. The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory
For a series that I've loved, I'm not sure why I haven't picked up the final instalment yet. I'm very ashamed of myself.

14. Sky Fall Series by Shannon Messenger
*Cough* another cover buy *cough*. What it's so pretty!

15. Once by Cameron Dokey
Three fairytale retellings bound up into one book - I'm excited to read the Mulan retelling because I've never read one.

Phew, now that's done. On second thought, I think 12 books and 3 series will equal to about $300. I did not think this through.

What are you planning to buy next?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Spring TBR List

Hosted By: The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish, where we list our top ten according to a topic of the week. I'm actually not participating in this weekly, only because I know that for some of the topics I really can't come up with a list of ten. For future topics though, check them out here.

Top Ten Books On My Fall Spring TBR List

It's not Fall where I'm living so I've tweaked the season a little! 

  

1. Bad Kitty (Bad Kitty #1) by Michele Jaffe 

2. The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray 

3. Every Day by David Levithan 

4. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

5. Anne of Green Gables by L. M Montgomery

      

6. Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

7. The Minnow by Diana Sweeney 

8. Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

9. Eyrie by Tim Winton 

10. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R. R Martin 

I'm not much of a seasonal reader, at least I find that my taste doesn't change according to the weather. However, for this list I chose a few contemporaries - Bad Kitty, Every Day, Eyrie - just to slide into a more light and refreshing read to mirror the warmth and sun that's just arrived. Other than that I'm getting started on some fantasy series that's been on my shelf for awhile. Also I know A Storm of Swords was also on my Winter TBR list, but this time, this time I'm going to get it finished. And I'm so excited to read Tarnish because historical fiction is love!


What do you plan to read?

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Talking Personal + Bout Of Books 11.0

Hi guys! If you didn't know, I'm Tracey, and I run this blog. Every month I'll be "Talking Personal" with you guys on what's been happening in my life, exciting announcements, events I'll be participating in and just random stuff I'd like to share!

Daily Life:

• I've started university again! Three weeks into my second semester and I'm already behind (no surprises there). I'm actually really enjoying uni at the moment, and loving what I'm doing. My study tip: do subjects you like so you don't feel bored out of your brains while in class. 
• I found a new Korean restaurant, Arisoo, with amazing customer service and really great food. It's small but easy to find, and the environment is pleasant. I think my family went a little nuts and ordered way too much food, but it was well worth it. I only snapped a few pics since I was too busy eating. 

         

                                   

Location: 285A Victoria St, Abbotsford, VIC 3067

Price Range: ~$15 - $20

• Part of my preparation for the start of warm weather includes tweaking my computer a bit. I love this desktop because, hello, ice cream. I actually got it from DesignLoveFest where you can find many more designs that are really adorable. 

Announcements:

• Giveaway Winner:

Last month I hosted my first giveaway to celebrate PrintedWordsAnd reaching two years. The giveaway was actually a lot more successful than what I expected. It ended this Monday and now I am going to announce the winner. *Drumroll*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Kayleigh, I should've e-mailed you already so hopefully your prize comes soon! 

• Book Sale: 

Alicia Kobishop's novel The Fine Line will be on sale on the 30th August - her birthday. The novel is available on Kindle at Amazon for 99c. That's actually, really cheap. 

Events:

• BOUT OF BOOKS 11.0

Bout of Books 11.0 is a week long read-a-thon starting on the 18th August and runs until the 25th. (Sign up sheet here). Keep an eye out for updates, but in the meantime check out what I'm reading for the week. Let me know if you're participating as well!

So that's a wrap up for the past 2 weeks of August.

What have you been up to?

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Winter TBR Plans

I'm in the midst of my exam period, but after that, it's a whole entire month to read, read and yep, do some more reading. This list is clearly, very ambitious, but you never know until you try right? Right?!

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Anticipated Novels '14

It's definitely hard to choose the books that I most want to read for this year, considering I want to read everything basically. I've somehow managed to condense the list down though. The list can be sectioned off into sequels of series I've started, series I want to start and stand alones - all of which will be released this year.

Clearly everyone is waiting for the 6th and final instalment of The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare - City of Heavenly Fire. Another series I am waiting to finish is The Cousins' War by Philippa Gregory. The last novel will be title The Last Rose. 


Series I want to start include Fate (Fate #1) by Laine Bross and The Winner's Curse (Winner #1) by Marie Rutkoski. Some stand alones are Tsarina by J Nelle Patrick and Jackson Pearce and Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell.

This is just a small glimpse at my list. Watch the video below for other novels I haven't mentioned in this list. You might find something you like as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqptO8j9z-g

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November TBR

Yes, I know it's basically halfway through the month already but I've only been able to start reading now.

Currently I am reading Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente, which has been quite interesting actually. I am definitely going to write a review on that. Then I plan on reading:

• A Clash of King ("A Song of Ice And Fire" #2) - George R. R Martin

If the the second book is amazingly captivating I am probably going to end up reading the entire series. If not:

• The Secret Keeper - Kate Morton


• Eyrie - Tim Winton

It's not much but seeing as I only have 16 days-ish to read, hopefully I'll get through it all.

Watch my video (where I talk about what I've written basically) here.

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