my bookish lair

Well, well, well …

If that’s not my “persevering” alter ego, then I don’t know what is.

Anyway, I’m not into explaining my disappearance so let’s just go straight to the main point here…

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday Topic – Things that make me pick up a book?

To be honest, nowadays, a book to get my attention is really hard because if I see the chosen one trope, or one more love hexagon (or any other angled figure) I’m going to cut someone. Ahh, and let’s not forget the “poor and broken” boy, who feels like need to be rude to everybody except the special snowflake.

With that being said let’s continue on to more pleasant and cheerful things.

And here goes my list:

1. Representation.

If a book has POC or is based on a nation/ world which is not often showed – chances for me to choose to pick it up are really, really big. Like for example the Middle East and its myths sound amazing right now.

2. Mythologies.

Rick Riordan’s book or the series which are being represented by him. I want to read them all. “Aru Shah and the end of time” is one of my favorites for last year and cannot read to read the next book in the series.

I love myth and this kind of stories a lot. There is something absolutely magical and is helpful sometimes. So give me more of those and my soul would be happy.

3. Auto-buy authors.

It’s not really important for a book to include some characteristics for me to read it. Is enough to be written by my buying-by-default authors such as Leigh Bardugo (aka my queen), Cassandra Clare, Rick Riordan, Scott Lynch, Matthew Reilley… It doesn’t matter what the book is about – just take my money.

4. Crime, Mysteries – you know, this stuff.

Sometimes I just need to relax (I know – weird, right?!) and this is where crime fiction comes in handy. Because: 1) it’s enjoyable; 2) there is enough suspense to make you flip the pages; 3) actually your brain is trying to solve the puzzle with the MC. Agatha Christie’s books are a favorite summer read of mine.

5. Group of outsiders, or of strange people goes on a heist.

After Six of Crows, I’m so into those kinds of tales. 1) adventure; 2) great characters – you can find at least 2 who don’t piss you off; 3) action, action, action. I don’t know about you but I’m keen on the action and rather have action and fighting scenes than romantic subplot who takes over because you see the author doesn’t know what else to do …

6. Strong females who kick ass.

This is to the females who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, are loyal, know what they want, actually think – ~~and not about which boy to pick.~~ And not become a wailing baby later on.

Well, actually, really depends on the story because it might be promising from the synopsis and then to turn one of those YA pathetic stories that I’m tired of seeing.

7. Retelling.

Just a retelling of my favorite fairytale would persuade me to pick the book up. Or even not a favorite, because I want to see something different from the original. It’s exciting to see what the author has included and how the story has changed to a new one.

8. The World.

If the synopsis gives enough information about it and especially if it considers the future – it’s sold.

On the other hand, open to new magical worlds any time, any day. It’s basically like an excursion without traveling on the uncomfortable bus (assuming not reading books on the public transport – but that’s another thing) and being annoyed by those little kids who cannot shut their mouths.

9. Magic, Supernatural stuff, etc.

Who doesn’t like magic?! At the same time, the Math student’s book can pass for one as well.

I want more shapeshifters!!! And dragons!!!!

On the serious note – magic powers but with a twist, because we already have so many scenarios and it is not cool. I don’t care if they can control the elements one more time if it’s done correctly and presented well – awesome.

10. Colorful cover.

There we go with the basics here. Last but not least.

You cannot tell me you’ve never picked a book because of the exquisite cover at least ones! It’s unbelievable!

Anything from colors of the rainbow to complete gold, or white and gold has my attention and especially if the font is kind of cursive or circled, or edgy or ……

questions:

what are your must-haves in a book? and what about your favorite creature?

4 comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

Hello, everybody!

You see the life of a reader is pretty much what book to read next and secondhand embarrassment because of that one particular character. Another pretty accurate thing is wishing to be in the main character (or a side one) place.

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is about exactly the latter so here we go...

1. Rose Hathaway from “Vampire Academy” by Richelle Mead

Well, since Rose is one of my all time favorite characters I’ve couldn’t choose a better character to start with. Anyway, what girl doesn’t like to kick some asses from time to time; be so confident in herself and loyal to her friends at the same time. Yes, I look up to this character because she has all the characteristics which I want to have as well, and to be in her place would be a dream come true.

2. Inej Ghafa from “Six of Crows” duology by Leigh Bardugo

Grishaverse is my favorite bookish world so of course if I had the chance I’d choose to be a character from a Leigh Bardugo’s series. Here, it’s basically for the same reasons as aforementioned ones, plus Kaz Brekker’s schemings and deadly heists on which the characters go. I mean I’d enjoy every minute but the chances of making it till the end are close to 0%.

3. Boo from “Aru Shah and The End of Time” by Roshani Chokshi

Umm, here we go with my ordinary bizarre choices. Because if you’re not familiar with that book – Blu is actually a pigeon. Yeah, yeah, you’ve read that right. But you see, this character made me laugh a lot through the book – it’s such a drama queen. In addition to that, it can fly. And we’ll just ignore the fact that this pigeon is cursed.

4. Isabelle Lightwood from “The Mortal Instruments” by Cassandra Clare

Okay, back to the “basics” now. First and foremost, I’d choose to be in Isabelle's place is because of her superpower to run in heels (really helpful these days) and the whip that takes the form of a bracelet in its free time.

5. Emma Carstairs from “The Dark Artifices” by Cassandra Clare

Another of my favorite characters that I love because of her sarcastic nature and ready-to-fight-anything by default. Julian is just another plus (shhh)

6. Alina Starkov from “The Grisha Trilogy” by Leigh Bardugo

Here we go with another of Bardugo’s characters. What did I tell you?! Oh, how I was going to play with the sun summoning the power of hers. Wakey, wakey, kids!

7. Annabeth Chase from the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

This one is here because I just love mythologies and adventures, plus she has great qualities.

8. Lysandra from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas

Shapeshifting is probably my favorite power of all. Can you just believe in all the different things that you could be?! Amazing! Probably it’d be just bird and human so I can travel all over the world for free.

9. Jude from “The Folk of the Air” series by Holly Black

This girl right here! She is a storm and an unremarkable Slytherin. (Evil laugh). I’ve read only The cruel prince but whatever Jude had done in it I’d do the same. Well, without that last thing cause I’m not as smart and as cunning as her. So, to be her would be absolutely deadly amazing.

10. Amy Gumm from “Dorothy Must Die” by Danielle Paige

Firstly – pink hair

Secondly – Oz

In conclusion – I want to be her right now.

questions:

are any of those characters on your list? what super power would you like to have? (math counts as well)

10 comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

#monthlyrecap January - a new start

Hello, everybody,
and Happy New Year since this is my first post for 2019.

For this year I've promised myself to upload more posts and be more active in general. We will see how this will go. Hope for the best but anything can happen.

January for me went really fast not like it was supposed to. Honestly, I didn't feel it at all. Maybe because I've got caught between my work and my bed.

But let's go to the important stuff ...

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★☆☆ - I don't even know why I've read this book. Personally, Warner is far from a favorite character but we all make mistakes sometimes. Tahereh Mafi's style is great tho.
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★☆☆ - I wanted to hit Juliette, through 90% percent of that book, with something hard. Way too much drama. Kenji was the only ray of sunshine.
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★☆☆ - I don't know the reason behind author's idea of turning Adam's character out like that but it wasn't a clever one. At least Juliette has become something that's not a total waste of time. Warner *rolling my eyes*. Kenji is the best thing to this series, period.
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia ★★★☆☆ - it was cute. There were a lot of points made about real-life issues. Was kinda surprised how the problem has been inserted. The characters were nice. As a whole, I liked that book. It was a light read.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black ★★★★☆ - now to this piece that I left at the beginning of 2018 and picked it up again in the first week of this one. I didn't particularly love it. Let's go for - I like it enough to continue on with the next one. Jude is a different kind of female character. Not to what I was used to. She has her own witty plans. Cardan is intriguing enough to not fall into the category of typical YA male characters - I have enough already. Action, blood, family drama, jaw-dropping moments.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo ★★★★★ - okay, I almost forgot to include this book. Yes, I'm ashamed of myself as well. Anyway, I didn't pick up this book for the longest time out all of the unread ones. So glad that I've finally done it but at the same time sad that the story has ended. I need more of these characters and this world. In my opinion, it was way better than the first one because the backstory of the characters was really interesting and haven't bored me to death, or made me forget what was the actual scene. I loved the scheming games, the heists, the unexpected plot twists - I really don't need it the last one but I'll find a way to get over it somehow. Basically, Leigh Bardugo for once more proofed why she is an auto-buy author for me.

I haven't finished anything this month. I'm finding it hard to concentrate on something which is longer than 20 minutes and it's not a book or homework. I can only watch movies in the cinema.
Although I've started ~~again~~ The Good Place - it's just twenty minutes and I have trouble with keeping my attention on it.
And ALF - this show it's really old, but it still makes me laugh. It's about that furry creature from another planet that doesn't have a zip on its mouth and has a desperate love for cats. Not it the good way.
It's pathetic. Because I'm seeing all of this new shows coming out and they look so interesting. But my mind won't concentrate. Maybe I should play it like I'm in the cinema. will update you on how that goes.

Well, that's how the month in these two categories went for me. I expect February to be a lot more. Even though it's the shortest one. Anyway, we'll try.

Again, I'm going to put more books than I actually can read. Too bad that we cannot absorb books while we sleep. Things then would be so much easier. But we have to get the best of the current situation so without further ado here is my tbr ...

☐ Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

☐ A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G.Drews

☐ King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (If my copy finds its way to me)

☐ The Wicked King by Holly Black

☐ The Exact Opposite of Okay by Laura Steven

☐ City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (I should have read it by now. Oh, dear...)

question:

How the month went for you? Have you read any of the books the I've mentioned? Did you do something excited this month?

No comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

top 5 wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday: Most Anticipated 2019 releases

As if my tbr is almost gone that I want to add more to it. Let's laugh together.

I'm thinking that I'm so left behind with all of the books. New ones are keep coming. Not nice.

Hopefully, around Christmas, I'll have enough time to catch up. But for now, let's see what's gonna be added to my pile from the upcoming year.

You know what?! All of the books mentioned below are coming out in January. That's how you start the new year.

1. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo.

Publication Date: January 29th, 2019

That's mine auto-buy author. Grishaverse is my favorite book world so there's that too.

Can you even imagine how awesome a book about Nikolai will be?! How many quotes to highlight will be inside of it? The laughter and the adventure?

Well, one thing is sure - I cannot wait for this book to come out.

2. Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye.

Publication Date: January 22nd, 2019

The Crown's Games duology was great. Her style is really light and the story interesting that you don't know when you've finished it. I expect nothing less from this one as well. Also, I hope there is as much food as there was in the other series.

It's about brother and sister - marked by the gods to be trained in magic and the fighting art so they can protect their kingdom. They want to prove themselves but in a kingdom free of violence it's difficult to make their mark. Until one day they encounter a strange camp ...

3. Slayer by Kiersten White.

Publication Date: January 8th, 2019

This series is a spin-off and takes place in the same world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer after Buffy’s time when a new Slayer is chosen.

I don't know about you but I'm all in. So excited to read this one. I don't have any words.

4. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi.

Publication Date: January 15th, 2019

I loved Aru Shah and the End of Time, and this one sounds a little Six of Crow-ish. We have a group of different people that are going on a heist. Well, I'm sold. I can get over that is placed in the past. At least is in Paris so...

5. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer.

Publication Date: January 29th, 2019

Not the biggest fan of The Beauty and The Beast but a big one of retellings in general.

We have a boy that is cursed, and a girl whose life is anything but easy.

It's simple: Fall in love, break the curse. Break the curse, save the kingdom.

So did you see ?! There are 3 books that are coming on the 29th of January. The first month of the new year is going to be a long one. Too much waiting.

***

what are some books coming out in 2019 that you're excited about?

No comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

top 5 tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Books I didn't get to in 2018

Hello, everybody!

December is here?! Excited? Yes. Terrified? Also yes.

I wanted to read so many books these past months. I actually kinda did but my tbr has not changed even a bit. That thing grew bigger. It did it behind my back, again.

So here's the list for the books that have been on my shelf for a while now. For some of them, I don't have a proper explanation so I'm just going to hide behind my tbr and complain.

Information about Top 5 Tuesday - HERE :)

1. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amy Kaufman.

Okay, I want to hide somewhere because of that. It stays unread for 2 years and a half at this very moment. Literally.

I've been trying to get to it but there are other books that are coming and are making me read them first.

By the end of the next year, I'll finish the trilogy. Pinky promise.

2. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo.

Here's a little hint: This list is only getting worse.

But let's start laughing now. Shame, shame, shame. I know.

But the reason is that I don't want it to end. Still, when King of Scars comes out I had to be finished with this one.

3.The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

And now it's time when I should probably hide somewhere for real...

I can feel it.

Anyway, back to this beautiful book. In my defense (pathetic!) I've read 50 pages of that book and then ...

Well, you can see what happened.

4. City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty.

I feel so bad that I haven't read this book yet because I've been hearing so many good things about it. And the cover is just *heart eyes*

For sure I'm going to read it in the next few months as well. Another promise here.

5. Vicious by V.E.Shwab.

This one I've ordered in September so it's not so big of a deal.

I love V.E.Schwab's writing so much and her books are so bloodily great that cannot wait to get to this one.

As you can see the shame has covered this post. I know I'm not the only one in this. We've been there and some of us are still crawling through our tbr pile. Will we see it end soon? Probably not. Will we give up? No way.

***

How is your tbr pile doing? Did you try at least to make it smaller? Or is it going to fall on you one day when you least expect it?

No comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

top 5 wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday: Characters You'd Want at Thanksgiving

No comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

book review

Двор от крила и разруха - Сара Дж. Маас/ A Court of Wings and Ruin - Sarah J. Maas

Най-лошото е, когато втората книга от трилогия ти вдигне дори и малкото очаквания за следващата, и последната разруши всичко.

След много дълги размисли и четене на различни ревюта реших и аз да споделя моето мнение за третата книга от поредицата "Двор от рози и бодли". И с това да приключа с нея веднъж завинаги.

ВНИМАНИЕ:

Ако не ви харесват отрицателните ревюта за книга, която ви харесва - по-добре не продължавайте.

Моля, не се опитвайте да ми променяте мнението. Няма да се получи!

Сега след като се изяснихме да продължим напред с нещата от книгата, които ме доведоха до решението ми да ѝ дам ★★★☆☆ .

герои
развитието на Фейра като героиня не ми се понрави хич (е, имаше кратък лъч светлина във втората книга), но тук отново става като в първата книга - самочувствие за милиони, поради това, че е получила титла и всички едва ли не я боготворят. Тя нищо не прави отново. В началото имаше един силен момент и после край. Отново да благодарим на мъжко влияние над действията ѝ. Искаше да се докаже и с това си и остана. В моите очи не я видях като нещо, което си заслужава.

Рисанд - Защо Сара ми опропасти по такъв начин героя?! Къде е Рисанд от първата книга, който харесах, който палеше интерес? Имаше мнение и го казваше? Или втората книга, където показа и другата своя страна? Той стана нереален, перфектен, изкуствен. Изгуби си чара.

Амрен - може би единственият герой, който си заслужава. Ама, пак този Валиан откъде се появи там при нея. (Няма лошо да оставиш някоя героиня без "другар" - не е проблемно)

Мор - лъч светлина, интересен образ, който също си струва, но Сара иска да прави хората щастливи и е развалила всичко.

Касиан и Азриел - първият с много добро изразено присъствие, така както трябва да е и Рисанд. Аз си беше същият, както си го помним от втората книга - мил, тих, скромен, лоялен.

Илейн - ползата от това пък същество каква беше?! Тя рева и се тръшка през цялото време, но иначе накрая я представяме като силна героиня...

Неста - тя ми беше любимата от трите сестри, но и нейният образ замина на кино. През цялото време се правеше на интересна и не ѝ пукаше за нищо, после пък чувства имаше.
Тамлин - този пък! Сара наистина ни кара да го мразим. Всъщност се държа точно както се очаква от един човек, предаден по такъв начин да действа.
сюжет - започва страхотно книгата, така и очаквах да е (сега идва редът на "но-то"), после имаме 400 страници дето просто ни заливат с някакви неща. Информацията от тях можеше да се представи много по-сбито и интересно без да се губи излишно време. Но не, трябваше да гледаме опропастявеното на библиотеката и опитите за секс и романтични сцени.

После като тръгна да придобива развитие, всичко едно по едно се сгромоляса. Естествено, краят е направен по типичния доър начин да ти привлече вниманието с хубаво действие, неочаквани развръзки, но нищо толкова учудващо за "Браво". То се знаеше, че главен герой няма да се остави мъртъв, а ще хвърлим някой, за който дори сме забравили, че съществува и не е от полза за историята изобщо. Прекрасно!
Безучастието на Фейра не го очаквах, толкова говори, прави и накрая - да благодарим на мъжките образи за пореден път, а и на Амрен!
връзката между героите/романтика - cringey much. Нямаше я емоционалната връзка между Рисанд и Фейра, или поне не я усетих в сцените, където бяха само двамата и "ставаше горещо", всичко беше толкова "ей така" направено. Това, което трябваше да е секси и романтично - пълна боза! При сюриела имаше повече чувства, отколкото между Рисанд и Фейра. А, с използваните думи все едно се четеше за животни, които се чифтосват, или хора, които ще си правят "пир" с тях. Отвратително.

злодей - Някъде бяха ползвали фразата "дисни злодей", заради начина, по който умря. Много лесно, а уж беше толкова силен и бла, бла, бла. Нали се готвихме за тази битка 60% от книгата, а то накрая един нож в гърлото и чао-чао?!
думата "другар" - overused, че и повече от това. Навсякъде "моят другар; другарят ми; друга; другар" и т.н.
разнообразието от герои - идеята е хубава, но начина, по който бяха вкарани в историята не мисля, че беше най.подходящия. Можеш още малкода се потруди за тях, отколкото над сцените между Фейра и Рисанд (колкото по-малко по-добре за очите ми).

Е, това е като цяло мнението ми за третата част от книтата, даже спестих доста отрицателни думи и наречия. Нека да е сбито и ясно.

Не мисля да продължавам с поредицата занапред. Пожелавам всичко най-хубаво, защото Сара умее да пише и знае как да държи в напрежение, просто не е моята история, нито герои.

No comments

, by Yulia @ {My Bookish Lair}

Pages

Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Summer Reads

Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 “Unputdownable” Reads

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like To Switch Places With

#monthlyrecap January - a new start

Top 5 Wednesday: Most Anticipated 2019 releases

Top 5 Tuesday: Top 5 Books I didn't get to in 2018

Top 5 Wednesday: Characters You'd Want at Thanksgiving

Двор от крила и разруха - Сара Дж. Маас/ A Court of Wings and Ruin - Sarah J. Maas

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