Wrap Up| December

How is it January already?!? Last year really went by so fast. Seeing how it’s the beginning of January, it’s time to share our December Wrap Up. What did we read last month? Being the last month of the year, are we happy with how much we read in 2018? Let’s take a look!

Candyce

December started off as a really slow reading month for me. I got so sick that I couldn’t even read (that normally never happens!). In the end, I still managed to read 15 books and 2 novellas. That brings my grand total to 248 books read in 2018!! I’m so proud of myself. I really hope 2019 is another amazing reading year.

Lord of Shadows – Cassandra Clare

I started this one in November, but it’s so big that it took awhile, haha. Lord of Shadows was such an emotional and intense book. I’m so glad that I finally sat down to read this book. So much happens in this story!

Queen of Air and Darkness – Cassandra Clare

After the ending of Lord of Shadows, there was no way I was waiting to finished this trilogy. Queen of Air and Darkness starts off where Lord of Shadows ended and I couldn’t put it down. It’s 900+ pages, but I won’t complain about that. While a lot is finished at the end of this story, there are many things that make me want new books.

One Day in December – Josie Silver

The back of the books said One Day in December is the must read during Christmas and I have to agree. I read this book while traveling to work and I read more pages than I normally do while in the train. We follow the characters during a few years of their lives. My review will be posted on the blog soon!

City of Ghosts – Victoria Schwab

So far I’ve loved all of the books I have read by this author. I’m glad I got this book for Christmas. Being a middle grade book, I read this a lot faster than other books. I love the whole world created though and can’t wait for the next book.

Enchanted by You – Hilaria Alexander

This is Hilaria’s newest book and I enjoyed the story. The main character just got out of what she now realizes was an abusive relationship, even if it wasn’t physical. She stays in a small town while she sorts things out and starts to fall in love. I loved the small town and group of characters she meets.

This Lie Will Kill You – Chelsea Pitcher

This Lie Will Kill You was described as Riverdale meets Clue. I didn’t even have to read any further to know I needed this book. I received and ARC for the blog tour and couldn’t wait to start. While the setting of this book was amazing and the whole idea of a dinner party, things really fell flat for me. I was actually pretty disappointed!

Wrapped in Love – Lexi Ryan

Wrapped in Love is a book in The Boys of Jackson Harbor. This one just happens to take place around Christmas, which I am a big fan of! The characters are known to us if you’ve read the previous books! It was nice seeing these characters find each other and everything else that surrounds them!

Every Exquisite Thing – Cassandra Clare

Another novella in Ghosts of the Shadow Market. We meet Anna Lightwood in this story and while I love that she really wanted to be herself, I felt it didn’t fit well with the rest of what I’ve read so far. Reading part of Tessa’s background was interesting as well!

The Goal – Elle Kennedy

I can’t believe how long it took me to finish this series! The Goal is the last book in the Off Campus series. This one is once again filled with lots of humor, touching moments and a great romance! Something about men loving their child just made this story even better!

Fixing Him – Miranda Elaine

Fixing Her was one of my favorite romances this year and Fixing Him was just as much fun. Once again this author wrote about characters you can’t help but love! I really wouldn’t mind more from this author!

Let’s Be Textual – Teagan Hunter

Friends of mine are in love with these books, so I took a chance with it on the bus ride to Germany. I wish I’d read them sooner! I never knew a book filled with text messages could be so much fun! I was laughing out loud and fell in love with these characters.

Veracity – S.M. Shade

After the cliffhanger at the end of Duplicity, I needed this book so bad!! It was really interesting and I loved every minute of it. Even though I really don’t like one of the characters, I need to read his books. I know I’m going to eventuall like him as well.

The Star-Touched Queen – Roshani Chokshi

This author has a beautiful way with words! Her writing is so beautiful. The Star-Touched Queen is a very interesting story and rather unique. It uses a lot of mythology I never knew about. I will be reading A Crown of Wishes this month to see how one character’s journey continues.

A DiMarco Family Christmas – Jennifer Hanks

Jennifer wrote this short story for her fans. After reading Kate, I said I wouldn’t mind being a part of the DiMarco family. Their Christmas was just as I thought it would be and I loved how every character had their own POV at a certain point in the story.

Abi and the Boy Next Door – Kelsie Stelting

I’ve read and reviewed for this author a couple of times this year and love her stories. She doesn’t write the typical contemporary books there are a lot of. Kelsie Stelting tackles the harder subjects as well. Abi hasn’t had an easy life, but after things got out of hand at home she moves with her grandmother. I loved reading about Abi and seeing her getting stronger. My full review will be posted soon!

Nightchaser – Amanda Bouchet

This author wrote The Kingmaker Chronicles, which I loved. So when I saw I could request an ARC of her newest book Nightchaser, I was excited. I was even lucky enough to get approved. I couldn’t put this book down and need more as soon as possible. My favorite character was her cat, Bonk, haha.

Hotshot Doc – R.S. Grey

Move over Grey’s Anatomy! Hotshot Doc was so much fun and I think my favorite book by this author so far. I loved all the Grey’s references and the fact that her sister loved reading. I really took my time with this book, because I didn’t want it to end!

Isabelle

Lord of Shadows – Cassandra Clare

Candyce and I did a The Dark Artifices buddyread with Melissa and once I was finally in the mood again I read Lord of Shadows super fast! This was my favorite book in The Dark Artifices series and I’m so glad we’re doing buddyreads. It really helps me pick up certain books and it’s so much fun.

Moonstruck Vol. 1 – Grace Ellis & Shae Beagle

I came across this pastel fantasy graphic novel on Goodreads and saw it for a decent price on Bookdepository almost immediately after that so I obviously ordered it right away haha. And then I also read it pretty soon after. This was an enjoyable start of a new series but I do hope it will improve in the next volumes.

Queen of Air and Darkness – Cassandra Clare

I can’t believe my ride with The Dark Artifices is done! This book is HUGE but I finished it super quickly. It was very enjoyable and especially the second part was filled with a favorite trope of mine and alll the feels. This book makes me super excited for the upcoming Shadowhunter novels and I’m so happy to be back in the world.

A Study in Charlotte – Brittany Cavallaro

I listened to the audiobook for this one and hope to post my review soon. The premise for this one sounded really cool and I like that we’re following the actual descendants of Holmes and Watson. The mystery was good, and I didn’t guess where it was going right up until the end. But there were some things I didn’t like as well unfortunately. Will continue the series though!

Hunting Prince Dracula – Kerri Maniscalco

I started reading this one in October I believe but had put it down in favor of some other books. This month I finally picked it back up and actually finished it pretty quickly. I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series and am excited for the third book. If you’re scared of spiders (like me) there will be a terrifying scene haha.

Little Monsters – Kara Thomas

Candyce and another friend of ours really like this book so when I came across it for a good price I immediately picked it up. This month I also saw that the audiobook was on my subscription service so I listened to it. It was really enjoyable and I already got a new Kara Thomas YA mystery!

A Touch of Gold – Annie Sullivan

This was another audiobook for me this month and I was so happy to see it on my subscription service. I heard good things about this one and the author is so nice, so I’m glad I enjoyed it so much! There will be a sequel this year and I’m already looking forward to it.

The Murderbot Diaries – Martha Wells

All Systems Red
Artificial Condition
Rogue Protocol
Exit Strategy

These science fiction novellas are so much fun!! I loved the very relatable A.I. Murderbot and have my reviews planned in for you guys already. Not all of the storylines were as enjoyable but overall this was such a fun experience. I listened to the audiobooks for these and laughed out loud so much! There will be a full-length Murderbot novel in 2020 and I’m excited!

Just For Clicks – Kara McDowell

I got a copy for this one from Netgalley and for once decided to read it right away haha. This was a super quick read and I really enjoyed it. My full review will up closer to the release date in February but I can tell you I highly recommend picking this one up. Just For Clicks is the kind of contemporary novel I do like to read.

The Backstagers Vol. 1 – James Tynion & Rian Sygh

I saw this graphic novel mentioned on Booktube and decided to get a copy for myself this month. As soon as it arrived I started reading it and finished it in no time. I enjoyed the art work and really like the concept in this one. There is a wonderful magical element and I’m so excited to see what the next volumes will have in store for us.

Morrighan – Mary E. Pearson

I didn’t know this existed until I came across it on my audiobook subscription service. As soon as I saw it, I started listening to it and it did not disappoint. It was wonderful being back in this world, even though it was only for a short time. I really like exploring the history of fantasy worlds and love all that the author put into coming up with the world. Can’t wait to pick up the new duology in this world!

Slay Bells – T.C. Weston

This was another Netgalley book and unfortunately it was not one I enjoyed that much. I really like cosy mysteries and they’re usually quick, fun reads. This one took me forever to read and if it wasn’t a review copy I would have definitely DNF’d it. There wasn’t anything wrong with this book, but it also didn’t bring anything to the table. The characters are very forgettable and I’m not sure the way the crimes were committed would have been possible.

The Rook – Daniel O’Malley

When I’m writing this I’m about 80% in The Rook and I will definitely finish it before 2018 is over! I am HIGHLY enjoying this and am so glad I picked this up. It was on a top 10 list on my Scribd and I added it for somewhere in the future when someone commented on Facebook that they just finished and loved this book. So I decided to go ahead and listen/read this right away and I’m glad I did. This will also be a tv show in 2019, so this is the time to pick up The Rook.

Both of us had a good reading month! How was your reading in December? What was your favorite book? Definitely let us know!