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2022 READING AND BLOGGING RECAP // last year in review ft books read, 2023 reading challenge, even more social media stats and pie charts galore!!!
Hi hello and happy 2023 friends!!! Eeeep guess this is my first post of the year which is rare for me to be so on time with this. But we love the energy!!! I’m a tad behind on my fave books of the year post but that should be coming in the next few days, so please feast your eyes on the stats in the meantime. Let’s get to it xoxo READING OVERVIEW AND STATS I’m posting this to Instagram as well because why not? Hence my stunning graphics which I’m obsessed with so I hope you appreciate them *sighs* Me? Self-obsessed? Definitely not… Anyways, I’m happy with my 2022 reading but we’re on the third day of the year now and you’d think I’d have all the goals. But I honestly want to go with no expectations this year. I hit my reading goal of 50 books and I’m going to up it by 5 because of that, but 2023 shall remain goal-less. Speaking of reading goals, I apparently read fewer pages than my previous reading year, which is odd since I read 2 extra books??? Oh well. 2022 turned out well overall I think, but I have a…
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THE DEAD ROMANTICS BY ASHLEY POSTON // spoiler-free book review: you need this crazy romance book with ghostwriters that can see ghosts but also deals with grief in your life!!!
Today’s post is an incredibly exciting one because I finally get to cry about one of my favourite books this year!!! I read this one back in July actually, but ugh it was so good and I’m back to shove it down all of your throats *sighs* Let’s just get into the screaming!!!! Title: The Dead RomanticsAuthor: Ashley PostonPage count: 368Date published: 28 June 2022Genre: Adult contemporary romance 👻 Synopsis: Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead. When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father. For ten years, she’s run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself…
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KILL JOY BY HOLLY JACKSON // spoiler-free novella review: a short but so deliciously sweet mystery prequel you need to devour
I am absolutely never going to shut up about this series and you just have to deal with it. I actually read this a while ago now and to be honest, didn’t plan on doing a full review for this very short book but you only live once, so we’re doing it anyway! Let’s get started < 3 Title: Kill JoySeries: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book #0.5Author: Holly JacksonPage count: 130Date published: 18 February 2021Genre: Young adult mystery 🔎 Synopsis: Pippa Fitz-Amobi is not in the mood for her friend’s murder mystery party. Especially one that involves 1920’s fancy dress and pretending that their town, Little Kilton, is an island called Joy. But when the game begins, Pip finds herself drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder. But as Pip plays detective, teasing out the identity of the killer clue-by-clue, the murder of the fictional Reginald Remy isn’t the only case on her mind … 🔎 🔎 Big thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for review! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🔎 STAR RATING: (5 out of 5 stars) It’s official: I’m a Holly Jackson simp.…
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NOVEMBER RECAP // i turned 21 ft new fave series, graphic novel mania, new books and life is good again!!!
It’s me hi I’m actually not the problem today. BECAUSE I AM SO EARLY WOWZA!!!! Like my Taylor Swift reference? I’m just talking nonsense so let’s get into it!!!! — Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston {★★★★½}: Me? Actually reading a book that’s been on my tbr longer than I’ve had a TikTok account? A Christmas miracle. I’ve talked to death about how much fun I had with this series and I’m a pro blogger so I’m just sending you right over to the series review on the blog here <3<3<3 Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston {★★★★½}: My marketing skills are on fire if you ask me. Fab fab fab Anastasia in space duology to binge with just my typa romance, fast plot and glorious writing READ THEM NOWWW!!!! Series review here in case you didn’t click *wink wink* The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill {★★★★☆}: I have a free trial on Kindle Unlimited alright. I was in Poston withdrawals and decided to read these on my iPad. And UGH how cute, just as expected. This first instalment is probably my least favourite of the three, in terms of enjoyment. But the art is amazing and such a…
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DEMON IN THE WOOD BY LEIGH BARDUGO // spoiler-free book review: the darkling origin story in stunning graphic novel format that you need to read
Just realised I have never actually reviewed a graphic novel on here before and idk why this is notable but there you go. And you’re getting two posts in a row, I’ll call that a miracle! Anyways, really excited about today’s post and you have my personal permission to publically shame me if I don’t FINALLY read the Grisha trilogy after this. Seriously. Come back in like idk 3 months? A reasonable amount of time. I’ll stop now so we can get into the post!!! Title: Demon In The WoodSeries: Grishaverse book #0Author: Leigh BardugoIllustrator: Dani PendergastPage count: 200Date published: 27 September 2022Genre: Young Adult Fantasy 🖤 Synopsis: Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power. Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets…
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HEART OF IRON & SOUL OF STARS BY ASHLEY POSTON // spoiler-free series review: an action-packed sci-fi Anastasia retelling i didn’t know i needed in my life
I didn’t know that I’d be bringing you this post today but I actually just could not come and yell about this series that I have devoured over the last few days. Really colour me surprised but it was a great time and I want more people to read these gems! I read these back to back, hence this is a double review as my thoughts are sort of intermingled. But without further ado, let’s get into the review < 3 Title: Heart of Iron // Soul of StarsSeries: Heart of IronAuthor: Ashley PostonPage count: 467 // 400Date published: 27 February 2018 // 23 July 2019Genre: YA sci-fi 💫 Book One Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an outlaw by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called D09, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But D09—one of the last remaining illegal Metals—has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him. Ana’s desperate effort to save D09 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all…
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AUGUST, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER RECAP // uni had me by the neck but i finished ft. not a lot of reading, some movies, midnights & student exhaustion
If you honestly thought I could be prompt with these, then I thank you for your faith. You’re the best, you’re a real one and I love you to the moon and back. To everyone who had realistic expectations… yeah same. Let’s catch up! — Hothouse Flower by Krista & Becca Ritchie {★★★½☆}: looking back, my rating seems too generous because I don’t remember what happened in this book ahah. Still apprehensive about Daisy and Ryke, and literally what was stopping these authors from ageing Daisy up like two years? It’s weird. Their actual connection is quite sweet personality-wise, but eh I don’t care all that much. Tried continuing with the rest of this series but I’m a LiLo supporter through and through *hides* GR review here! Addicted After All by Krista & Becca Ritchie {★★★★☆}: This series slowly but surely came for my heart and I am so glad that the Internet wasn’t lying to me about this couple. It’s dang good and Lily and Lo are everything to me. Ugh adore and will protect them with my entire soul. Sad their series is over but also oof I tried continuing with the rest and it’s lowkey too much…
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JULY RECAP // tons of reading, vacation bliss, st4 broke me & back to uni ft. some new fave books
I read a lot of books. Like a lot. And it feels so good. Are you proud of me? I’m also fairly on time with this. Double proud. God, I’m conceited and I’m talking too much about myself. This is my blog, but not the Ruby show. I need to get it together. Anyways, let’s just get into this recap!!! — — See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon {★★★★★}: I was actually really nervous going into this as I’d seen some average reviews, but I’m absolutely here for college contemporaries and time-loop tales. It’s a great time. This book was just pure escapism and I loved every second. I loved the writing, the setting, the discussions on mental health, and the relationship between Miles and Barrow. It was all squeal-worthy and wonderful and I loved it to shreds. If you can’t already tell, you definitely need to hop on this stellar new adult time loop contemporary romance that will make you feel all the feels over and over and over and over again. This one shines with witty dialogue, swoon-worthy romance and tender-hearted characters. I HIGHLY recommend!!!! All the thoughts here *insert heart eyes* – Addicted To You by…
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MID YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG // 2022 edition ft. lots of new favourites, backlist books & exciting upcoming releases
Eyyyyy it’s that wonderful (belated) time of the year and here in book world, maybe better than Christmas. I don’t know what I’m saying either, but at least I’m getting this post up (semi) on time. Lmao, imagine this is future Ruby speaking to you because apparently, I’ve deemed this bookish Christmas in July in past tags AND I FORGOT. Ahaha at least I find this funny,,, Anyways, I shall stop babbling and just get into my second favourite post of the year!!! Though please ignore the fact that I’m behind on my reading goal, I am *trying* to catch up but it is a slow process friends. Absolutely love doing this tag, so let’s just get into it. If you’re keen to read last year’s for whatever reason, then here you go: Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2021 edition LET’S GO!!!! BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ THIS YEAR SO FAR ✯ Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett There are multiple options for this category, but I’ve managed to squeeze them in elsewhere and I also just love this book a whole lot omgggggg. I don’t even remember what finally pushed me to read this book, but boy am I slapping…
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BOOK LOVERS BY EMILY HENRY // spoiler-free book review: this author never ceases to bring me to tears aka a heart-achingly perfect adult contemporary that blew me away
Emily Henry is paying for my therapy bills and she just has to deal with it because I AM IN PAIN!!!! I mean, of course, I adored this book and it is a shame onto humanity that you had to wait this long for a review from me. I won’t even allow an excuse, yelling in my comments is required. This book was absolutely everything and I am obsessed and in love and I want to cry all at once and ITS A LOT SEND HELP!!!!!! Let’s get into the crying!!!! Title: Book LoversAuthor: Emily HenryPage count: 377Date published: 12 May 2022Genre: Adult contemporary romance ♥ Synopsis: One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming… Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books. Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he’s Nora’s work nemesis. Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she’s the woman men date before they find their happy-ever-after. That’s why Nora’s sister has persuaded her to swap her desk in the city for a month’s holiday in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. It’s a small town straight out of a romance…
