Mount TBR 2018 discussion

Pike's Peak:
1."The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic" by Leigh Bardugo
2."Daughter of the Pirate King" by Tricia Levenseller
3."Cruel Crown" by Victoria Aveyyward
4."Envy" by Anna Godbersen
5."Rebel of the Sands" by Alwyn Hamilton
6."A Darker Shade of Magic" by V. E. Schwab
7."Traitor to the Throne" by Alwyn Hamilton
8."Glass Sword" by Victoria Aveyard
9."A Pocket Full of Rye" by Agatha Christie
10."The Archived" by Victoria Schwab
11."Adulthood is a Myth" by Sarah Andersen
12."Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon #6" by Naoko Takeuchi

Mt. Blanc:
13."Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories" by Stephanie Perkins & co.
14."Warcross" by Marie Lu
15."A Gathering of Shadows" by V.E Schwab
16."Sapphire Blue" by Kierstin Gier
17."Emerald Green" by Kierstin Gier
18."Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer
19."Big Mushy Happy Lump" by Sarah Andersen
20."Dealing in Deception" by Samantha Joycer
21."Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
22."The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
23."The Grift of the Magi" by Ally Carter
24."The Score" by Elle Kennedy

#25:
"Dorothy Must Die Stories vol.2" by Danielle Page
Finished on: April 29, 2018
Rating:★★★★
Comment:I really like how this novellas adds some world building to this series, as well as background for both the characters and the plotline. It's slowling creating the back story for the main series and giving the readers insight in how Oz turned into what we see in the first Dorothy Must Die book.

April has not been a good reading month for me - with 4 books, it's the least I've read so far and only 2 of them counted towards this challenge. May will hopefully be better!

#26:
"Half-Blood" by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Finished on: May 06, 2018
Rating:★★★ - actual rating 2.5 stars
Comment:DNF at 22%. I don't know, I just couldn't care to continue with the book (or the series, for that matter). The entire thing felt a lot like Vampire Academy, and Alex sounded exactly like a more stubborn and childish Rose Hathaway, with the difference that Rose is loyal and fierce and there's the whole Moroi court politics going on and there's the bond with Lissa. The world building of the Vampire Academy series is better and the secondary characters are interesting and have good story lines as well. That doesn't happen here. Although the writing is fluid and is an easy book to read, I felt myself putting it aside more and more and every time I picked it up I felt like I've read that before - so, obviously, everything became too predictable. So, moving on to more interesting books.

#27:
"Wake" by Amanda Hocking
Finished on: May 06, 2018
Rating:★★
Comment: DNF at 25%. I was really hoping to enjoy this book and continue with the series because I LOVE sirens, mermaids and co. mythology and I like the concept the author wanted to use here. And though I would like to read more about how she developed it, I just couldn't stand the two main characters. Especially Harper and her over-protectiveness and mother-like behavior towards her sister. Also, the plot is absolutely predictable and the romance is so sugary-sweet (although very natural and seemingly well-developed) that it made me roll my eyes a lot. I did enjoy Hocking's writing, it's easy and fluid and addictive, so I'm giving her other series (2 of which I have all the books on my Kindle) a chance.

#28:
"Grave Mercy" by Robin LaFevers
Finished on: May 20, 2018
Rating:★★★★★
Comment:Finally a book that got me excited and made me read into the night - it's been a while since that. A lot of people recommended this trilogy (now a book series with 2-3 more books) for a while now and I'm finally diving into it, and if this first book was any indication, I'm going to LOVE IT. I LOVED the concept of the book, the badass characters, the romance, the plot...everything. Ismae is such a brave, smart and independent girl and I loved how she stood up for what she thought was right till the end, and questioned everything when she thought something was wrong - she doesn't simply blindingly obey orders, she's not a mindless 'soldier'. She believes in her God and her faith and found a way to serve without compromising her beliefs. I really liked her friendship with the other novices at the convent, and her relationship with Anne and Duval's friends, especially Beast. And Gavriel...he's so loyal, and kind, and smart, and driven! The romance was nicely developed, it didn't feel rushed or forced and rather based on trust and kinship. I like the political intrigues and the world building, but I'm curious for the next book's plot. because everything seemed pretty much resolved after the end of this book. An easy 5 stars for me and I can't wait to continue with the series.

So, May was still a slow month - I'll probably close at 4 books again because I'm finishing 2 other books right now that will count towards the challenge. BUT I'm finally done with college and I have a full month of 'vacations', so I intend to make good use of it to make a dent on my TBR.

#29:
"Days of Blood and Starlight" by Laini Taylor
Finished on: May 31, 2018
Rating:★★★★★ - actual rating: 4.5 stars
Comment:Laini Taylor's writing is so lyrical, so poetic and so beautiful it's impossible not to be suck into the world she creates. Although the beginning of the book was a little slow for me (and that's the only reason why I took half a star), it soo picks up the pace and ups the game and everything is happening all at once and everything gets better and then gets worse and THEN it gets even worse. I can't wait to see how everything will turn out in the final book because now is full on war and I'm probably not ready, because the author is unapologetic and kills lovable characters without mercy, so I'm gonna suffer a lot.

#30:
"The Thousandth Floor" by Katharine McGee
Finished on: May 31, 2018
Rating:★★★★ - actual rating: 3.5 stars
Comment:YAS, I can't believe I am finally done with this book! I started this October last year and for some reason I couldn't pick it up again...until now. I enjoyed it, it reminded me a little of a futuristic Gossip Girl. Some characters shined for me and I really cheered for them, like Rylin (her fling with Cord was just so cute and I love how protective of her sister she is), Wyatt (I like him and I love Nadia's sarcasm. I wanted him to be with Avery) and most of all Eris (my strawberry-blond queen deserved BETTER). Still, at times this was too much teenage-y, and I rolled my eyes a lot with all the drama going on. The ending left me so so mad, because it felt like everything just went to hell and everyone was powerless to do anything and things will be left like that. I do hope that the author will fix it in the next 2 books!

And with that I wrapped up May! Again only 4 books, but now I'm on vacation and have more time to read! Hopefully I can get to 9 books in a month again!

#31:
"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Finished on: June 5, 2018
Rating:★★★★
Comment: I'm glad to have finally finished this novel. I went in expecting a "Pride & Prejudice" kind of romance, but the romance aspect of this book was my least favorite thing of all. I absolutely loved Jane's strong-willed, independent character. Mr. Rochester just made me angry most of the time, especially after the big reveal of his secret. The way he treats Adèle and Mrs. Fairfax is just horrible and honestly Jane deserves better than him. I overall liked Jane's story a lot, with a few exceptions. Another classic down!

#32:
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens
Finished on: June 7, 2018
Rating:★★★★
Comment: And June is "Classic Reads" month, because that's another one down! After a slow start and lots of foot notes, I finally got engaged in the book and the story. I liked the duality in all things, the metaphors and the historical aspect of the novel. I also enjoyed the slow reveal of things until almost the very end, the way every character is connected somehow. Some plot twists were kind of obvious, but I liked them all the same and it was a nice change in the story. I might risk other novels by Dickens in the future, but I need a rest from classic novels right now.

#33:
"Scythe" by Neil Schusterman
Finished on: June 21, 2018
Rating:★★★★★
Comment: I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, despite all the positive reviews. The story started out a bit warm and it took me a while to understand the world and get into the plot and the characters, but once things started to happen, I found myself not wanting to put the book down. There weren't many plot twists and none of them were really the 'oh my god' kind, but I liked the whole philosophical discussion in this easy, understandable way and how the author managed to make some very accurate and well-timed social critiques on humanity, death, power, corruption and what it means to love and be human. I am excited to get my hands on the sequel!

I'm currently going through several other books (I think 5?) and made some real progress on The Chronicles of Narnia omnibus I own FOREVER (I could never get past Prince Caspian and guess what? I FINALLY reached Voyager of the Dawn Treader! YAY!), so I'm hoping to get at least one or two books done in June. Most of this various reads includes TBR books, so I'll be able to count them towards this challenge.

#34:
"Very Good Lives" by J. K. Rowling
Finished on: June 10, 2018
Rating:★★★★★
Comment:This is the print edition of the speech J.K gave to the Harvard Class. I acquired this sometime last year when it came out but other books kept me from it. But, since my own graduation is coming, I picked it out of the shelf. And man, was it exactly what I needed. She talks about her own life, her own choices, her own struggles during her career in such a honest, open way and it really warmed my heart to read her advices - which I though were sound ones. I think everyone about to start their professional life, or choosing what they want to do in life, or even if you already have a career,, should read this book.

#35:
"Our Dark Duet" by Victoria Schwab
Finished on: June 30, 2018
Rating:★★★★★
Comment:Wow, this book! It may not have been as full of surprises as the first one, but it was just as action-packed and dark (actually, darker) than the first one. Schwab's writing is compelling and imaginative, and the universe she created is rich and full of amazing, complex characters. I wished she could have explored the other territories a bit more, but unfortunately I also don't think it would have fitted into the plot of this book - maybe a spin-off with the Wardens? I really liked the parallels she created between August and Kate, and the whole violence being shaped into monsters things - it really made me think on humanity, violence, empathy, love and other things. I devoured this book and thankfully, I think it got me out of a reading slump! I'm ready to move on to other books that have been on a stand still on my shelf.

And with that I wrap up June - 5 books, which is a good average. We're halfway through the year and if I keep up this pace, I may reach at least Mt. Vancouver again and will surpass BY FAR my GR goal!

#36:
"A Tyranny of Pettitcoats" by Jessica Spotswood & 13 female authors
Finished On: July 15,2018
Rating:★★★★★
Comment:This book is such a unique experience and I loved every second of it. It's a collection of short stories about women figuring themselves out, breaking the rules and being generally badass. About women who don't fit the mold of what is expected of them, and how they found their own voice in a time where they were told they shouldn't have any. I love the research that each author put into their story - every time period and place was just accurate and the authors managed to transport me into the story and every single one of the protagonists resonated with me somehow. I also enjoyed how there were mixed stories too - some were realistic and relied on the historical period and the struggles of women in that time and others had a touch of fantasy and focused on mythology and different cultures (like Mother Carey's table, Marie Lu's Inuit folklore story, El Destino and the mexican/Texas culture, and so on). This was a very empowering and heart-warming book for me and I'm excited to add it's 'sequel' of sorts to my To-Read pile, as well as other anthologies who dwells on the same theme.

AND THAT'S A FLAG ON MT. VANCOUVER, WHOHOO!
That was a very slow climb, but I'm ready for the next peak!