May Hopefuls

May 2, 2021 imfullybooked2 Comments

Hi. I’ve written a few TBR posts before but I haven’t really stuck to them at all. This month I’m being quite ambitious, though, and I thought what better way to keep myself accountable than with a TBR? So, here are my May “hopefuls” – books I’d like to get to, if possible.

First of all, I have a few NetGalley books I am planning to read.

I got approved for these three recently and I already made a dent in two, so I’m quite convinced I’ll read them soon. Spin the Dawn isn’t a new release and I’m not sure why it was on NetGalley, maybe because the second book is coming out this month and people will be more likely to request it and review it if they also get the first book – but I was smart and requested just one, in case I don’t enjoy it. I have a feeling I will, though.

It’s my birthday halfway through the month and I’m lucky to be getting MANY books. I picked a few I already own, and a few I’ll be receiving to read physically. It’s quite a big stack of books, but it’s the 2nd and I’m already halfway through one. Many of these are my most anticipated releases of this and last year and I think I’ll fly through them.

Audiobooks really boost my numbers every month, and I enjoy them immensely. I can journal, clean or shop AND read all at once! There are a few audiobooks on Spotify, which I’ll definitely be listening to.

And lastly, I’d like to continue with some series I have as ebooks. Luckily, all of these are novellas, rather than full length novels. Although I’d like to read all of them, I’d be happy with reading one of each.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

That makes… 19 books. More than I’ve ever read in a month. If I read them all – perfect. If not, I’m positive I can read MOST of them.

Any books on here you’re looking forward to reading? Or maybe you’ve read them already? What did you think?

Thanks for reading. As always, talk soon!

October 2020 TBR

September 29, 2020 imfullybooked1 Comment

Hi, lovelies! Posting two days in a row and NOT for a tour this time?! Who is that girl, because I know it ain’t the old Zaneta.

So, I’ve kind of retired TBRs early this year to “mood” read whatever I felt like and not pressure myself, and while that worked for a while, I found myself receiving more review copies and joining multiple tours and having to plan half of my monthly reading anyway. That felt a bit too chaotic to me, I like to be organised. Hence this post. I’m bringing back the TBRs! It might be a bit too ambitious but we’ll see.

First of all, I have some arcs.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

You’ve seen these on my list of most anticipated releases. The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker already came out, but I didn’t get a chance to finish it and am hoping to do so in October. The Once and Future Witches is coming out on the 13th, and Addie LaRue, which I got approved for TODAY is out in a week time. I will be trying to focus on these 3 at the start of the month.

I’ve decided to get to books that have been on my shelf for a while, also, as I feel I’ve been neglecting them for long enough.

The Mermaid by Christina Henry, Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk, The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

I’ve a dark retelling, which if I’ve to judge by Henry’s other book I read – Lost Boy – I’m going to thoroughly enjoy, Haunted, which is a collection of scary short stories and… The Guinevere Deception which I know doesn’t much fit the season but the second book in this series is out in November and I just really want to get to it.

I will also be picking up some audiobooks.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, My Name is Monster by Katie Hale

I’ll be getting these from my library, even though I own Gone Girl physically. I’m in the mood for thrillers and really enjoyed the movie when I watched it, so I wanna give the book a try. As for My Name is Monster… I don’t know much about it at all, but I heard it described as weird and that sounds right up my alley.

These are all the books I’ve put on my TBR so far. I don’t want to overdo it again, and let’s face it, I haven’t been able to read more than 6 books a month in a while, so I’ll leave it at that. I might pick up more audiobooks, depending on my shifts at work.

Do you see any of your favourites here? How big is your TBR? Let me know down below.

Thank you for reading! I’ll be back tomorrow with a September wrap up!

Most Anticipated Releases of the Third Quarter of 2020

July 1, 2020 imfullybooked5 Comments

Hi! This time I didn’t like when I said I’ll speak to you soon. July means we’re entering the third quarter of the year, which in turn means it’s time for my quarterly new releases post. These are my most anticipated releases for the months of July, August and September (for UK paperbacks mostly, which are my preferred editions).

Release date: July 7th

Burn Our Bodies Down is another queer mystery/thriller/horror from Rory Power. I really loved Wilder Girls, so I’m looking forward to picking this one up. It follows Margot, a girl who was raised by her mother alone, who decides to look for her family and ends up in her mother’s hometown, where she realises her mother left for a reason. What reason? No clue, but it sounds mysterious and a bit spooky and I’m all here for it.

Release date: July 16th

This beauty is a Middle Grade story about pirates, if you couldn’t tell by the cover. As a sidenote, can anyone explain to me how MG books are consistently so stunning? I don’t know exactly what the book is about other than it has female pirates, but honestly that alone is good enough for me. I will be reading it and reviewing it for you very soon, because I’m on a tour for it!

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reeds

Release date: August 4th

Guess who got approved for an e-arc of this? I couldn’t be happier. It’s a coming of age story set during the Rodney King Riots in 1992 Los Angeles. I’m not going to pretend I know anything about that part of Black American history, but I’m looking forward to reading a book set during it and educating myself on the subject, too, and most importantly support a debut author.

Release date: August 5th

So… I included this in my last most anticipated releases post, but I think it got pushed back? All I know I can’t get it until August and it sucks because I really want to read it now. It’s a YA thriller, it has a podcast element (which I loved in Sadie, so I’m intrigued) and murder mystery element and honestly just sounds fantastic.

Release date: September 1st

I read Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young and ever since, I know I want to read everything by her (don’t ask why I haven’t picked up her second book yet and don’t shame me further, please). Fable is a story about a girl trying to escape a dangerous island on which her father left her and taking her rightful place on her father’s crew. It sounds like a great YA fantasy, and the cover is to die for.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James

Release date: September 3rd

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know much about it other than it’s a paranormal fantasy where all of the characters are ghosts with different powers? Doesn’t that sound fanfuckingtastic? It has (supposedly) the found family trope, which is one of my FAVOURITES! I’m pumped.

Release date: September 15th

Another YA fantasy that sounds amazing! From what I know of it it’s a modern King Arthur retelling of sorts with heaps and heaps of representation, and… demons. The synopsis says it’s in the vein of City of Bones (and though I recognise it might not be a compliment for many and TMI is not a masterpiece of any sorts, I kind of understand what they mean, by marketing it as such), which lets me believe it’ll be addictive af. Also, the cover… what a stunning book!

That is all for this post. I’m sure there are many more terrific books being released in the next 3 months, so if you feel like sharing some of your most anticipated releases in the comments below, please do – my TBR might not need more books, but I certainly do.

Thanks for reading!

Lowest Rated Books on my TBR

May 11, 2020 imfullybooked4 Comments

Hi! I’ve been slacking off on posting (and working and reading, too), but I thought, in the vein of my previous posts where I discussed all of the highest and lowest rated books I’ve read, I’d write one about the books on my TBR, too!

From the lowest to the highest rated ones (according to Goodreads), here they are:

Sam & Ilsa’s Last Hurrah by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Goodreads rating: 2.83

Ouch! This author duo really can’t catch a break, can they? Sam and Ilsa’s last hurrah is about twins throwing a New Years party, where each can invite 3 guests and not tell the other who’s invited until they arrive. The amount of 1 and 2 star ratings on Goodreads I’ve skimmed for this book is staggering, and it really put me off reading it. I will give it a try, but probably closer to New Year’s as I hate reading seasonal books… off-season?

Goodreads rating: 3.08

Honestly, I have no clue what this one is about or why exactly I added it to my TBR (I don’t know when either), but a quick read of the synopsis tells me it’s a mystery/thriller about a woman stalking a famous actress. Apparently it’s not very good. But it’s short, and Mona Awad (the author of Bunny) thought it was “a perfect dark pleasure” so I might still give it a go.

Goodreads rating: 3.19

Poor David! So many of his books have terribly low ratings. What does that say about my taste in books (since he’s one of my favourite contemporary authors)? Marly’s Ghost is a sort of a retelling of A Christmas Carol, but set around Valentine’s. I have it on my physical TBR and was going to read it in February, but didn’t get to it and now I feel like it’s off-season again and I’d rather wait until next year. Is that silly?

Goodreads rating: 3.23

Okay, I was confused about Looker, but at least mystery/thriller is a genre I read quite often, so it’s somewhat understandable that it was on my TBR. This one, thouh? I have no idea why I added it, what it’s about and honestly, I don’t care to find out (I still did, and it’s time to say bye to it, because I don’t see myself picking it up willingly).

Goodreads rating: 3.27

Claire North seems to be a polarising author. I’ve read 3 of her books and liked 2 of them, and I would consider her to be a writer I like, so I’m still very interested to read 84K. It’s a sci-fi dystopian story where people can pay off their crimes and get away with them (is it really a dystopia, then?) It’s been sitting on my shelf for a while, too, so I should really pick it up soon and see how I feel about it myself.

Upon a Burning Throne by Ashok K. Banker

Goodreads rating: 3.32

Sometimes I add books to my TBR based off a vague description I hear… Like this one. I know it’s an epic fantasy and it’s Indian inspired and by an Indian author. It has to do with kingdoms and taking over the throne, maybe? Not terribly unique, but still something I could potentially want to read, though reviews say it’s long and slow.

Goodreads rating: 3.33

I admit, I might’ve added this one to my TBR purely based on the cover, because, let’s face it, it’s stunning! The Antidote is a YA fantasy set in a world where magic is forbidden and the main character (who obviously has magic) has to save her best friend (and the crown prince) with it. Does this sound absolutely typical? Yes. Will I read it, still? That’s a maybe – it’s a standalone, which appeals to me a lot. I’ve started too many series!

All of this is True by Lygia Day Penaflor

Goodreads rating: 3.36

A YA mystery – it was bound to pop up on this list! As far as I can remember this one is about a group of friends who befriend an author and she ends up writing a book about their lives and drama ensues. It sounds good to me, I’m not sure why the ratings are so average. I wish my library had it…

Goodreads rating: 3.36

I had no idea what this is about, so I read the synopsis and it’s giving me major Ready Player One vibes. That, in turn, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Hey, if you’re new here, I HATE Ready Player One. This is coming off the TBR straight away, sorry.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

Goodreads rating: 3.42

Last but not least, this is a mystery/thriller/horror and it’s meant to be weird, that’s why I added it to my TBR. I don’t know much about it and I don’t want to, because I prefer to go into these kinds of books blind. I kinda forgot about the existence of it until now, and it made me want to put down everything I’m currently reading and pick this up instead. So, I guess, thanks me for looking through my books on Goodreads and having this fantastic idea for a post – I owe me one!

Th-th-th-that’s all, folks! As always, thanks for reading! I’ll speak to you when I’m a year older (it’s my birthday in 2 days and let’s face it, I probably won’t post 2 days in a row).

Most Anticipated Releases of the First Quarter of 2020

January 25, 2020 imfullybooked2 Comments

Hi! Today I would like to talk about some new books I’m excited to read. I decided, instead of one huge post with all my most anticipated releases of 2020, I’ll do four throughout the year, one for every season. It’s more manageable that way, and I still have time to find more books to include for later on this year.

So… there are quite a few books that are coming out (or, for a portion of these, have already came out) this winter I really want to get to this year. I might not be picking them up as soon as they are released, but nevertheless, I am excited to read all of them.

This one is already out – it came out on January 7th and it’s a sequel to The Hazel Wood. I read The Hazel Wood back in 2018, not too long after its release, and really enjoyed it. It was a great debut fantasy novel, very atmospheric, fast paced and whimsical. I read it in one day (it’s 360 pages long, so you decide if that means anything) and the ending got me crazy excited for the second book. Though the excitement died a bit over time, I’m still itching to pick up this sequel.

19 Love Songs also released on January 7th and managed to fly right under my radar until I saw it in the bookstore and FREAKED.OUT. I always make a point of saying how romance is not my genre and how much I hate it, but the truth is, I’m trash for Levithan. Give me all of the Levithan’s romance. This one is an anthology of short stories centred around Valentine’s Day and they feature some characters from his other books and I will definitely be getting to it in February.

I’m always up for fantasy, and always looking for adult fantasy specifically. This one sounds really good and gives me The Queen of the Tearling vibes (not sure if it’s the cover or the title), which I adore with all my heart. Also, the full quartet comes out this year – this book has been out for 4 days, and the 3 remaining ones are to follow one month apart. So, if I enjoy this one, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khuory

Also out already, since 21st of this month, a MG novel about a girl who goes to a music school to learn magic. It sounds amazing, fresh and like heaps of fun. MG stories are always great to read when I feel like an adventure story and this one reminds me of Nevermoor, which I loved.

Some of ye might be getting Night Spinner in February, but anyone who is looking to purchase a paperback copy in Ireland or UK sadly needs to wait until March 1st. I’m not going to lie to you – I don’t know much about this book other than it’s a Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling and it’s full of magic. Sometimes that is all I need to be sold on a book (insert a shrug here). It’s meant to be light on the romance, too, which is always a plus (with the exception of David Levithan of course) as I feel all of YA fantasies in the last couple of years have had so much romance in them, it’s quite frankly nauseating.

Also out on March 1st is this stunning debut from Adalyn Grace about mermaids, pirates and blood magic. Tomi Adeyemi rated it 5 stars so it must be good, right?? I honestly need some YA fantasy to not suck and this has the biggest potential ever to be good and I can’t wait to pick it up and find out if it reached it.

I haven’t read anything by N.K. Jemisin yet, but this book sounds right up my alley and N.K. Jemisin is such a well loved author, I think I will really enjoy this. It’s an urban fantasy (adult one, too, which somehow seems more promising, though I am not shitting on YA) about New York city and her five souls! Evil is brewing, trying to destroy her five protectors. It sounds fantastic! It’s out on the 24th of March, so not too long to wait.

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

And last, but by no means, least (and also out on the 24th of March) is the long awaited novel by Emily St. John Mandel – The Glass Hotel. It’s been a good couple of years since her debut novel came out, and also a couple of years since I’ve read it, but I really enjoyed it (how many times can I say that in one post, honestly…), especially the writing style, and so I’m eager to read something else from her. This one is a literary fiction (I thought it was sci fi for the longest time) and I have avoided looking into what it is actually about – I feel like with some stories it’s just better not to know. You can still be very excited to read a book even if you don’t know what it is about, right?

That would be all for now. Today’s question is something I’d really appreciate your answer on and it is How do you find new releases? I try to look through Goodreads every now and then, but I don’t find it a very reliable source, I feel like lots of books slip under my radar.

I will talk to you soon!

Books I wish I read in 2019

December 18, 2019 imfullybookedLeave a comment

Hi! Only 2 weeks left of this year (and this decade) – can you believe it? I’m having a 1/3 life crisis, but I won’t get into that for all of our sakes. What I do want to talk about today is all the books I didn’t get to this year but had big plans on reading. They’re on top of my tbr pile and I’ll be getting to them asap.

First is Five Dark Fates. I’ve caught up with the series in September – just before this was released, and planned on picking it up straight away, as the ending of Two Dark Reigns had me shook (for a lack of a better word)… and life got in the way. That’s literally the story of my life. The plan is to buy a copy and read it early next year, so all is fresh in my memory and it doesn’t hinder my enjoyment of this finale.

I know how the story ends – we’re told in the very first chapter of Nevernight. But I still want to know so many things. I’ve had a very strange relationship with this series, while reading the books, but distance makes the heart grow fonder and I am dying to read Darkdawn (especially after the Youtube miniseries done by Piera Forde. Have you seen it?!) It’ll be happening when this releases in paperback, or if my library has it.

I only read Scythe in March this year, and I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I kinda gave in to the hype and… oh, boy, was it worth it. As with most books I’m excited to read but don’t end up reading – I don’t own these, and I can’t always afford new books, especially when there’s like 60 unread ones sitting on my shelf, staring at me. I am planning on getting these very soon, though, and probably binge reading them.

I don’t buy hardcovers if I can avoid them (they’re expensive and awkward to hold while reading), so I didn’t get Skyward when it came out last year. The paperback released by now, but I’ve been too busy reading Sanderson’s other books and kinda forgot to pick these up. It will happen, hopefully soon, as everyone seems to love it (including my boyfriend).

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Okay, I have no excuse for this one. I own it. It’s been sitting on my shelf since the second week of November and I just haven’t picked it up yet. I’m kinda scared, because while I loved the author’s And I Darken series, and I quite enjoyed The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, I’m currently reading Slayer and can’t get through it. I’ve been anticipating this book like crazy and I don’t want to be disappointed.

An honorable mention to The Diviners by Libba Bray, a book which I’ve been thinking of maybe reading for years and years, but only committing to recently.

Are there any books you really wish you read this year?

I’ll talk to you very soon!

December TBR

December 2, 2019 imfullybookedLeave a comment

Hi! I’ve been thinking about this list for the last couple of days and I managed to finally slap together a makeshift TBR for the month. After my reading slump in November, I’m not going to overload myself with books – we all know how busy December is for all of us working in retail/hospitality/customer service, and I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility for the coming month because I’m a people pleaser (but that is completely beside the point, I’m just complaining because I regret my decision BIG TIME), so I know I won’t get to as many things as I would like to.

Here are my vague reading plans for the month:

Carrying this book over from November. I decided to put it down for now, but I’d like to finish it before the end of the month, so fingers crossed it’ll happen.

After finishing Words of Radiance, I’m dying to continue with the Stormlight Archive series. As it’s recommended to read Edgedancer before Oathbringer, I’ll be doing just that, and very soon, because I CANNOT WAIT! Ya girl’s excited.

(Look at the paragraph above)

I badly want to join the hype. I just know I’m going to love this book (I mean, I don’t know and I’ll be crushed if I don’t), so I plan on reading it ASAP.

What can I say? I need Ronan back in my life. I love The Raven Cycle and I’m excited to find out more about the world and magic in said world. The reviews have been great, too, which makes me even more hyped to read it.

This one is an early January release I need to get to. I’ve had an ARC for a while now, so it needs to happen soon. I don’t like the comparison with Ready Player One – that book is probably one of my most hated books EVER, so if they’re similar in any other way than just plot wise (which I still find interesting and think it can be well done – RPO just was terribly done), then I’m super unlucky.

Some would say those are still very ambitious reading plans, especially with Oathbringer being such a brick of a book. If I read all of those – great! If not, I won’t beat myself up.

How many books are on your December TBR?

October TBR

October 2, 2019 imfullybooked2 Comments

Hi! It’s day two of Blogtober and I thought I’d share my TBR for this month with you all.

Because I seem to have caught a bad case of crazies this month, I’ve put 10 books on my to-be-read pile. From the last two wrap ups I think you can tell I don’t read that many books a month, but let’s pretend Halloween season gives me superpowers, and let’s get into the books.

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Not pictured above, as it is a carry over from last month and I’ve already finished it.

I’m currently listening to it on audio, but since is nearly 45 hours long, I don’t think I’ll finish it any time soon, so it’s my only audiobook for the month.

One of many thrillers on my list, as it is October, the spooky season. I picked this one because of BooksandLala.

I really liked her other book, I See You and thought I’d give this one a try.

My first ever Liane Moriarty book and I’m excited! I’ve heard loads of praise for Big Little Lies, and if the writing of this is to my liking, I’ll pick it up, too (obviously not this month, though).

Also my first Shari Lapena (I don’t read mystery thrillers usually, though I like them, don’t ask me why), and I was highly influenced by Lala to pick it up. What can I say, the girl has good taste?

Perfectly Preventable Deaths by Deirdre Sullivan

This one is exciting, as it is written by an Irish author and set in Galway – which is very close to where I live (everywhere in Ireland is, to be honest). It’s also a bit of a break from all the thrillers, being a YA fantasy. AND it’s about witches!

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Another YA fantasy, this one historical. I loved Kiersten White’s And I Darken trilogy, so this one is very exciting.

I read anything Schwab writes, and love all of it, no exceptions. This should be fun and quick. It’s not pictured because it’s actually on the way to me now.

I have an eARC for this one and it’s coming out on the 25th of the month!

Do you see any books you’ve read and liked? How many books are on your tbr this month? Let me know!

I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

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Category: TBR