Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books Of 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week is my favorite post of the year. I get to talk about all the books I loved. So much positivity in one place! I’m not going to include rereads, and I’m not going to rank my favorites because that’s too hard. Also, I’m not limiting myself to ten, so welcome to Top Fourteen Tuesday. Let’s do this.

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The Sunday Post #205

I hope you had a super-fun Christmas!

Mini Reviews: I Know What You Read Last Fall

My life was pretty chaotic in September, October, and December, which means I read a lot of books, but I didn’t have time to review them. Instead of ignoring those poor books, I thought I’d do rapid-fire reviews. I’m not going to include summaries because then you’d be scrolling forever. Click the titles to open Goodreads.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Christmas List

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about the books I want for Christmas. I don’t know if I’ll be getting any of these, but I can always cross my fingers and hope I’m on Santa’s “Nice” list.

The Sunday Post #204

Have a delicious Christmas!

Book Haul: Santa Came Early

Welcome to Stacking the Shelves and Mailbox Monday, where I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. It’s not even Christmas yet, and I’ve already gotten a bunch of new books. Oops. “The more the merrier” can be applied to books, right, not just to holiday parties?

Top Ten Tuesday: What I’m (Hopefully) Reading This Winter

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about what I’m (hopefully) reading this winter. I’m so bad at following seasonal TBRs! I’m sure a few of these books have been on past season’s must-read lists. I still haven’t read them. Will I read them this season? No idea. The odds are not good.

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The Sunday Post #203

Mini Reviews: Nonfiction November

I read some awesome books during Nonfiction November, and I fell very behind on writing book reviews, so I thought I’d do some one-paragraph-style reviews. I’m not going to include summaries of the books because that would make this post colossal. Click the titles to see them on Goodreads.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Winter Book Recommendations

This week, we’re talking about winter book recommendations. When you think about winter, what comes to mind? For me, it’s snow, comfy clothes, more snow, holiday fun, darkness, even more snow, silence, ski trips, deadly cold, and delicious food. Also, books (of course. I’m always thinking about books.) Winter is a perfect time to read something cozy or something dark. Here are 10 books that I’d recommend picking up this season.

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The Sunday Post #202

Christmas mode ACTIVATED!

Wrap-Up: November 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Holiday Things

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m talking about my favorite things about the holidays. This post isn’t bookish, but you can handle that, right? We’re all grown-ups here. I love the time between Halloween and New Year. There are so many celebrations and aesthetically pleasing things. Here are 10 reasons why the holidays are the best.

The Sunday Post #201

If you don't read it, someone else will.

Mini Reviews: I Know What You Read Last Summer

Last summer was intense for me. I had so much stuff going on that I pretty much gave up on blogging. I didn’t give up on reading, though! I actually read some awesome stuff. Instead of ignoring all the books I finished in summer 2019, I thought I’d do rapid-fire reviews. I’m not going to include summaries of the books because that would make this post colossal, so click the titles to open Goodreads.

Top Ten Tuesday: I’m Thankful For . . .

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m talking about things I’m thankful for. I’ve done this topic several times in the past (because Thanksgiving comes every year, and I’ve been blogging for way too long), so I’m going to challenge myself. No repeats! These are all things that have not appeared on my previous thankfulness lists. A few of them seem insignificant, but whatever. They make me happy.

The Sunday Post #200

Reading And Walking: Sadie

Top Ten Tuesday: How Blogging Changed My Reading Habits

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about my reading and blogging life. I’ve had this blog for 6 years, so sometimes it’s hard to remember what life was like without it. What did I do with all my time? Here are 10 ways that book blogging has changed the way I read.

The Sunday Post #199

We're back, baby!

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall Book Recommendations

This week, we’re talking about fall book recommendations. When you think about autumn, what comes to mind? For me, it’s Halloween, pretty forests, hockey season, crippling back-to-school anxiety, long nights, cold days, first snow, and high-calorie foods. Also, books (of course. I’m always thinking about books.) Fall is a perfect time to read something beautiful, atmospheric, and a little sinister. Here are 10 books that I’d recommend picking up this season.

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Giveaway: Win A $100 Book Shopping Spree

I love the holidays and want to spread some holiday cheer. That’s why I’m giving away a $100 (US dollars) Book Depository shopping spree. The winner can choose one expensive book or a ton of cheap books. Whatever they want! The giveaway is open internationally, as long as Book Depository ships to your country for free.

If you already follow Read All The Things! on social media, thank you! You can still enter the giveaway. Just include links to the social media profiles that you use to follow the blog.

Like Santa Claus, I’ll be popping into the winner’s email inbox on the morning of December 25, 2019. The giveaway ends on December 24. Good luck!

Discussion: What I’m Reading For Nonfiction November

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Top Ten Tuesday: How I’d Die In A Love Story

This week, I’m going to blend two of the scariest things I can think of: Death and romance novels. If I was a character in a romance story, here’s how I would die.

Discussion: Nonfiction November Recommendations

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Top Ten Tuesday: Best Book Titles

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about book titles. A good title won’t automatically make me buy a book, but it will get my attention and make me want to know more. Here are 11 titles that caused me to stop scrolling aimlessly through Goodreads and start clicking the “buy me” links.

Book Haul: Weirdos In Love

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. Lately I’ve been acquiring books about characters who are a bit . . . odd. Check them out.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Character Traits

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about character traits. What makes a character compelling to read about? That’s a big question, but a unique and memorable personality definitely helps. Here are 10 personality traits that will make a character stick in my mind long after I close the book.

Book Haul: Death And Other Inconveniences

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. Lately I’ve acquired several books about death and other inconvenient things. Check them out and tell me what you think.

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Top Ten Tuesday: What I’m Reading This Fall

This week, we’re talking about what I’m (hopefully) reading in the fall. My work hours are getting cut down soon, so I might actually have time for reading! I’ve barely read anything this summer. These books will be my top priorities in the next few months.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Scared Of The Hype

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about hype. Some books are so popular and so universally loved that I’m scared to read them. What if I hate them and become the black sheep of the book world? Here are ten books I own but haven’t read yet because I’m too intimidated by the shrieking internet masses.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Romance Books For Romance Haters

This week, we’re talking about romance. I’m not the biggest fan of romance-heavy books. The love lives of random people don’t interest me. My own love life doesn’t even interest me. I tend to avoid romance-focused books, but here are ten that have earned my “Does Not Suck” stamp. The romance is part of the story, but it's not the whole story.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Best Tropes

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today, we’re talking tropes. In literature, a trope is an overused plot device, stock character, idea, theme, or motif. Basically, they’re anything that’s done so frequently it’s become cliché. Writing school teaches us that clichés are always bad, but are they really? I don’t think so. Here are ten tropes I’ll happily read over and over (and over and over).

Reading And Walking: Maniac Magee

Top Ten Tuesday: Truly Terrible Book Covers

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, we’re talking about book covers. When you spend as many hours on Goodreads as I do, you come across some . . . unusual . . . book design decisions. I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I question the eyes that slapped these covers together. Brace yourself, friends. Some of these covers will make you cringe.

Book Haul: Your Favorites

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. I saw these books on the “Best Books Of 2018” lists of various bloggers, so I thought I’d give them a shot. I hope I like them as much as you did.


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Book Haul: Politics And Other Problems

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. The books in this haul are all about politics and other society problems.


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Book Haul: A Little Bit Dystopian

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. These books may not be dystopian, but they have some end-of-the-world vibes.

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Review: City Of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

City Of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Series: City of Ghosts #1

Genre: Middlegrade fantasy / horror

Pages: 285

Content warning: Death, monsters, violence
Available at: Amazon | Book Depository

Cassidy Blake's parents are The Inspectres, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.

When The Inspectres head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn't sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn't belong in her world. Cassidy's powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead.

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Discussion: Best Books Of 2019 (So Far)

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Reading And Walking: The Higher Power Of Lucky

Book Haul: Troubled Children

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I get to show off the books I’ve gotten recently. All of the books in this haul are about children with troubles. I’ve already read a few of them. Look at me, being on top of things.



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Top Ten Tuesday: 2019 Adult Book Releases

Review: After Zero by Christina Collins

After Zero by Christina Collins

Genre: Middlegrade contemporary

Pages: 256

Publication date: September 2018

Content warning: Bullying, mental illness, death, family secrets, hunting
Available at: Amazon | Book Depository
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Elise carries a notebook full of tallies, each page marking a day spent at her new public school, each stroke of her pencil marking a word spoken. A word that can't be taken back. Five tally marks isn't so bad. Two is pretty good. But zero? Zero is perfect. Zero means no wrong answers called out in class, no secrets accidentally spilled, no conversations to agonize over at night when sleep is far away.

But now months have passed, and Elise isn't sure she could speak even if she wanted to―not to keep her only friend, Mel, from drifting further away―or to ask if anyone else has seen her English teacher's stuffed raven come to life. Then, the discovery of a shocking family secret helps Elise realize that her silence might just be the key to unlocking everything she's ever hoped for.

Top Ten Tuesday: Unpopular Book Opinions

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m putting on my armor and confessing my unpopular book-related opinions. Please don’t hate me! I swear I’m a good person!

Review: The Arsonist by Stephanie Oakes

The Arsonist by Stephanie Oakes

Genre: Young adult mystery

Pages: 493

Publication date: August 2017

Content warning: Arson, murder, suicide, war, mental and physical illness, prison, injury, death penalty
Available at: Amazon | Book Depository
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Molly Mavity is not a normal teenage girl. For one thing, she doesn’t believe that her mother killed herself three years ago. And since her father is about to be executed for his crimes, Molly is convinced that her mother will return to her soon. Finally, the hole in her heart will stop hurting.

Pepper Al-Yusef is not your average teenage boy. A Kuwaiti immigrant with serious girl problems and the most embarrassing seizure dog in existence, he has to write a series of essays over the summer . . . or fail out of school.

And Ava Dreyman—the brave and beautiful East German resistance fighter whose murder at seventeen led to the destruction of the Berlin Wall—is unlike anyone you’ve met before.

When Molly and Pepper are tasked with finding Ava’s murderer, they realize there’s more to her life—and death—than meets the eye. Someone is lying to them. And someone out there is guiding them along, desperate for answers.

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Modern Dystopian Books

This week, I’m listing my favorite dystopian and post-apocalyptic books. I’ve read so many novels from these genres that I needed a way to narrow down my list, so I’m keeping it modern. I’m only going to feature books published in the last 40-ish years.

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Audiobook Reviews: I, Alex Cross || The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books Published In The Past Decade

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m talking about my favorite books published from 2008-2018. I’m going to feature one book from each year. This list made me feel old. I can’t believe some of these books came out so long ago!

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Reading And Walking: From The Mixed-Up Files Of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler