STAY AT HOME BOOK TAG

With all of us being stuck at home during this time, it can be quite difficult to stay positive. I decided to participate in this book tag to make myself feel a bit better about everything and to help me see the bits of beauty in all the chaos.

I first saw this book tag from the lovely Miss Maddy Chats. Be sure to check out her blog if you have not already!

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1. LAYING IN BED — a book you read in one day.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other…

My Sister, the Serial Killer is a blackly comic novel about how blood is thicker – and more difficult to get out of the carpet – than water…

I read this book for the O.W.L.’s Magical Readathon last month and could not believe I read it so quickly. I almost never accomplish that because I am a really slow reader. This book brought back my love for mystery/thrillers. It is a quick and gripping read that I would recommend to any lover of the genre.

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2. SNACKING — a book that is a ‘guilty pleasure’ read.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

Sarah J. Maas’ books are definitely guilty pleasure reads for me. I reread the ACOTAR series a few weeks ago and had the absolute best time. This book is my favourite out of the series.
To read my review of the entire series, click here.

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3. NETFLIX — a series that you want to start.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him—and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.

There are so many series that I want to binge but have not had the time to get to. With Midnight Sun being on almost every bookworm’s most-anticipated list of 2020 releases, I added the series to my TBR so that I can get to the books in the following month or two.

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4. DEEP CLEAN — a book that has been on your TBR for ages.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.

After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.

As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

This book/trilogy is one I have been wanting to read since it was first released and with winter here, I finally have the perfect time to get to it. Everyone has been loving it and saying that it is so magical and beautifully written which only excites me more.

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5. ANIMAL CROSSING — a book you recently bought because of the hype.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou’s, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou’s most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

So many people talked about this book these past few months that I finally bought it. I do not know much about it but I am really looking forward to get to it after hearing that everyone loved it.

Also, speaking of Animal Crossing, I am currently waiting for my Nintendo Switch Lite to arrive after caving from all the hype about ACNH. When it finally arrives, I just know I will not get any reading done…

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6. PRODUCTIVITY — a book you learned from or had an impact on you.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. 

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

This book had me in tears and taught me so much. I loved it with all my heart and it is a book I would recommend to anyone and everyone. All I can say is that it is absolutely life changing.

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7. FACETIME — a book you were gifted.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

Long before she was the Queen of Hearts, Catherine Pinkerton was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.

Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

My little sister bought me this book a few months ago on a class trip to the city. It is one of the most thoughtful and surprising gifts she ever gave me and I cannot wait to get to it.

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8. SELF-CARE — what is one thing you have done recently to look after yourself.

I have been taking time off for the majority of May to rest more. It is a really stressful time for everyone and all that is happening has been affecting my mental health. I am feeling tried all the time as of recently and just cannot bring myself to write blog posts and be active on social media. I also bought myself a Nintendo Switch Lite a few days ago to play Animal Crossing as a lot of people have been saying it is very relaxing and a great way to escape and keep busy. Reading is also something I have been trying to do more of these past few weeks.

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BONUS — an upcoming release you are looking forward to.

The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning

G O O D R E A D S  |  S Y N O P S I S

A PRINCESS
A STABLE BOY
A QUEST

When her father dies, Princess Amarande is given an ultimatum: Marry the leader of one of the four neighboring kingdoms, or lose her crown—and possibly her life. And to force her hand, her beloved, the stable boy Luca, is kidnapped.

But Amarande was raised to be a warrior, not a sacrifice.

And nothing will stop her from saving her true love and rescuing her kingdom.

The acclaimed author of Sea Witch turns the classic damsel-in-distress tale on its head with this story of adventure, identity, and love.

This book is one of the books I am looking forward to most. It just sounds so intriguing and the cover is so gorgeous as well.
Release date: 7 July 2020

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I had so much fun writing this blog post and finding books that fit each prompt.

For this book tag, I am tagging:
Em’s Bookish Musings
Az You Read
Ruby Rae Reads

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Keep on reading, and never stop telling stories.

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