Books

Re-Reading Books // Let’s Talk

- Bunny 1 Comment

Hi Friends,
Today we are going to have a decision on re-reading books. There are a lot of opposing opinions when it comes to re-reading. Some people re-read their favorite books multiple times throughout the years. While others are a one and done type of reader.

I don’t think that you necessarily have to consistently re-read your books to justify buying them. But, there are some books that warrant a re-read. You should 100% re-read the previous books in a series before picking up the next installment. If you are anything like me then you would have forgotten a whole lot about the series while waiting to read the next book.

I find that when you re-read books in a series it gives you a fresh start and gets you more excited to continue on with the story. As for non-series books, re-reading books can change your opinion of a book. Maybe you will enjoy the book better the second time around. Or, you could actually end up lowering your rating for the book.

In 2021, I re-read ‘The Afterlife of Holly Chase’ by Cynthia Hand for the first time in three years. I had originally given the book 3 stars, but after my re-read I bumped the book up to 5 stars. So, re-reading can help show how much your reading taste has changed. Personally, I’m trying to get more into re-reading and being captivated once again by my favorite stories. I would like to re-read some books that I didn’t enjoy, and see how I’ll feel about them years later.

I might be wrong, but I think re-reading is becoming less and less common. There are so many new books being released that readers forget about previously loved books. In the bookish community we are always talking about the books we’d like to read, which typically doesn’t include a re-read.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think we should focus just as much on re-reading as we do on reading new books. Most of us can watch are favorite shows and movies a million times, or listen to a song on repeat than why not re-read a book.

I have a list of some books that I would like to eventually re-read. Hopefully I can make them more of a priority. What are your thoughts on re-reading? Do you re-read books? Remember not to leave before following the blog to get posts notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #4

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I am here to do another Friday reads post. I didn’t do so well last weekend, so I’m hoping to make up for lost time. For some reason I have been in a huge reading slump, but maybe my weekend reading plans will pull me out of it.


“From the author of You Must Not Miss comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.”


“#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes your next obsession. You’ll never feel the same about family again.”


“They were cowriting literary darlings until they hit a plot hole that turned their lives upside down.”


“The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestseller, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! More dark secrets are exposed in this addictive, true-crime fueled mystery.”

Those are my overly ambitious reading plans that may or may not work out. However, if all I do is kick this reading slump then I will call this weekend a win. What are you reading this weekend?

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Intimidating TBR // Book Tag

- Bunny 2 Comments

Hi Friends,
I saw this tag BookTubber LiterallyLo channel, and wanted to do it for myself. I feel like most readers always have some intimidating books on their TBR, and I am no exception. As always, let’s jump right into the questions.


For me that would be ‘Long May She Reign’ by Rhiannon Thomas. I bought this book on a whim. Truthfully, it was a cover buy. I read about 40%, but for some reason I put it down and picked the book up again. I might eventually like to finish it, still it could go either way.

I would have to say ‘It’ by Stephen King since it is extremely long. I’d like to see what the hype is all about, and I have seen both versions of the movie. However, the audiobook being 45 hours is quite intimidating.


I don’t really get this question, because it should be obvious that you can’t read a sequel without reading the first book in the series. I guess some series I would like to start, and at least get to the sequel this year are ‘The Hawthorne Legacy’ by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and ‘Meg and Jo’ (The March Sisters #1) by Virginia Kantra.


Emma Lord’s ‘When You Get the Chance’ that came out in January 2022. It is a Young Adult Mama Mia style retelling. I mostly listen to audiobooks using the Libby app, but with it being a newer release there is a long wait to read it.


This question is easy for me to answer ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ by Casey McQuiston. I read ‘One Last Stop’ by Casey McQuiston, which was a pretty disappointing read. I have heard great things about this book, yet I don’t want to be disappointed again.


The third book in the ‘The Thousandth Floor’ series ‘The Towering Sky’ by Katharine McGee. I fell into a slight reading slump after the second book, so I have been hesitant to pick up the last book in the trilogy.


Honestly, I could say Stephen King’s ‘It’ again, yet I think I shouldn’t repeat answers. So, I will go with ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas, because not only is the first book pretty big but the books get longer as the series progresses. Also, I kind of think that SJM is overrated.


I am not normally a cover buyer, but I am guilty of doing it every once in a while. My most recent cover buy was ‘We Are the Wildcats’ by Siobhan Vivian. Now I’m unsure if other will find this cover all to enticing, yet I find the cover pretty. The sad part is I am unsure whether I’m going to actually enjoy the book, since it isn’t a story I would typically gravitate too.


It would 100% be ‘The Love Hypothesis’ by Ali Hazelwood. This book is probably one of the most raved about books of 2021, and it is still getting attention to date. However, I am just starting to read more adult romances so I am so scared that I am not going to love the book as much as others. The hype is super intimidating making me not want to risk giving it a chance.

I want to tag so awesome book bloggers! I would like to see Becky’s Book Blog, The Midnight Book Blog and Comfort Reads do this tag. Don’t forget to give my blog a follow because it honestly makes my day. As well as reading your comments.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #3

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Hi Friends,
It’s time for another Friday reads post. In these posts I will share what I plan on reading throughout the weekend. I usually have some ambitions reading plans especially since I am 4 books behind in my reading goal.


“Fans of I Was Here by Gayle Forman and Far from the Tree by Robin Benway will be floored by this heartbreaking yet uplifting teen novel about a grieving girl who follows a mysterious list across the country after her older sister’s death.”


“What’s better than one deliciously cozy, swoon-worthy holiday story? Four of them, from some of today’s bestselling authors.”


“Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A modern classic, this stunning debut marked #1 bestselling author John Green’s arrival as a groundbreaking new voice in contemporary fiction.”


“In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer . . . or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?”


“From the author of You Must Not Miss comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.”

Yep, I most likely will not get to all these books but I am sure as hell going to try. I have been wanting to get some of these books for a while, and what better time than the present. Let me know what you are reading this weekend in the comments. And, give my blog a follow to get notifications for all my bookish posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

I Wish Was A Movie // Thriller Books

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Hi Friends,
I love books as much as the next reader, but sometimes I read a book that I wish had been a movie instead. This might sound odd since there are movie adaptions of books. However, if I read the book before seeing the movie I cannot help but compare the two. And, usually the book wins. These are some thriller/horror books that I’ve read and haven’t read that I would preferr being a film.

The Violent Season by Sara Walters: I was lucky enough to get approved for an audiobook ARC copy from Netgalley. Unfortunately, I got 30% of the way through it and had to DNF the book. There wasn’t anything particularly horrible about the plot or characters. But the whole time I was listening to it I could only imagine it as a film. The plot was a bit all over the place, so I think seeing it would have been easier seeing the story play out on screen.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power: This is a feminist retelling of ‘Lord Of The Flies’ by William Golding. It is a sapphic horror that is said to be pretty dark at times. The plot follows a group of girls that must quarantine inside their school due to a deadly toxicson. This straight up seems like a thriller film. It’s like ‘The Faculty’ meets the Hulu Original series ‘Freakish’. I would totally watch this movie, but I’m not necessarily inclined to read the book.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson: I can already see these books as Netflix original movies. I started the first book, but put it down before even making a dent in the story. The pacing was slow and didn’t grip me. I think that if these books were films or a mini series the drawn-out plot wouldn’t be so bad. Granted I didn’t get very far into story before setting it aside, so it could get better. However, I still think the this book series would be perfect to adapt for film or TV.

There you have the three books I would chose to be films over books. I want to note that these author are all incredible, which their work proves. It isn’t so much the writing, but the plot that screams movie. Before you go do all the fun things like, share and follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Caraval | Book Review

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About The Book
Scarlett’s dreams of seeing Caraval seem lost after her father arranges her marriage—until an invitation arrives. With a mysterious sailor’s help, her sister Tella brings Scarlett to Caraval, only to be kidnapped by its enigmatic master, Legend. Now, Scarlett must race through the elaborate game to find Tella before the five nights end and she vanishes forever.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4eXaiLx

My Rating

This book was captivating from the start, and the plot never slowed down. The concept of a magical carnival was fantastic, as I find carnival-centered stories fascinating—though I haven’t read many others yet, so my opinion might change in the future.

Scarlett, the main character, often second-guesses herself and is afraid to break rules, which is understandable given her tough home life. Still, I found her likable and didn’t mind her more cautious traits, though I could see how others might find her frustrating. Her sister, Tella, is a bit reckless and immature, yet I understood her desire for a better life for both of them. She came across as stronger and smarter than the book might show at first.

The story kept me guessing constantly, never quite knowing who to trust. At one point, I thought I’d figured everything out—but then something happened, and I was back to having no idea what to expect. I tend to enjoy books with unpredictable plots, which I think resonates with most readers.

The world-building was outstanding. The author brought Caraval to life, making me feel like I was playing the game alongside the characters. Without lengthy descriptions, the author gave enough vivid details to make the Caraval feel real.

“Hope is a powerful thing. Some say it’s a different breed of magic altogether.”

The book explores themes of sisterhood and relationships, though more as a subtle backdrop. It’s dark and whimsical, with the whimsical elements helping keep the story light. The plot ultimately shows that everyone has an agenda and that everything comes at a price.

Another major theme of the book is control, and being controlled. It seemed like almost everyone wanted to control Scarlett—even Tella. I didn’t like how Tella pressured Scarlett into things she was against, even if it was out of love and a desire to protect her. It still felt underhanded. By the end, I really felt for Scarlett. Speaking of the ending, there’s a minor cliffhanger that has me intrigued, and I’m curious to see what comes next!

Despite all the positives, the story didn’t quite make it to a 5-star rating for me. However, Julian, the love interest, was definitely a highlight—he was very swoon-worthy. One thing to know about this book is that, while it’s essentially a fantasy story, it does address some heavy topics. You can check the book’s page on Book Trigger Warnings for more details.

Please share this post with other fantasy readers, and comment with your thoughts on the book if you’ve read it. I love interacting with my readers in the comments! And don’t forget to follow my blog—it truly makes my day!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Friday Reads #2

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Hi Friends,
I am doing another Friday reads post. This weekend, my reading plans aren’t too crazy, since I feel a reading slump coming on. I only have two books that I hope to finish.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne
I have been in a mystery-thriller mood, so I wanted to pick up one on my owned TBR. This is a private school murder mystery about a group of girls that would do anything to get into the college of their choice.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I need to finish this book! Like, badly. Me and my husband have been reading this book slowly since last year. I would really like to finally finish it, and move on to the second book in the series.

Fool Me Twice by Carrie Aarons
This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while, and I started it a few days ago. I haven’t gotten too far into it, so I would like to make it to the 50% mark by the weekend’s end.

Those are all my reading plans for the next couple of days. In the comments, tell me what you are currently reading. Also, don’t go before following the blog, which keeps you notified on all my new posts.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Radio Silence // Book Review

- Bunny 2 Comments

Author: Alice Oseman
Published: 2016
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Mental Health
Rating:Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder

Synopsis
Engaging with themes of identity, diversity and the freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation.

This book gave me ‘Catcher in the Rye’ vibes, since both stories don’t have a ‘true’ plot to them; it’s more of an important message. The whole point of the book was about finding yourself, doing what you love, and not conforming to others’ opinions of you. Life isn’t about making other people happy, but making yourself happy.

The characters were enjoyable to read about. And, there wasn’t a true romance plot, which is different than most YA contemporaries out there. It showcased friendship, and how guys and girls can be just friends. The book featured hardship and conflict, something that we all go through.

There were funny moments that made me laugh out loud. Other times it was sad, and making me feel empathy for the characters. Their emotions were raw and real. The plot wasn’t particularly fast paced, but the slower moving story helped to get the message across better.

“Hello. I hope somebody is listening.”

The underlying theme of everyone wants different things in life was amazing. There was such an element of truth within the story that the author captured well. Even when you think you know your life plan, it might not be as straightforward as you believe it to be. Following your heart is sometimes more important than what others expect from you.

There was a lot of focus on college, and if it is the only path in life. As someone that doesn’t have college degree, I know that school isn’t for everyone. At least it wasn’t for me. I want to mention the trigger warnings in this book, since I want other readers to know what to expect before going into the story. There is the death of a pet, suicidal thoughts, depression, and emotional abuse by a family member.

This book was a whirlwind of emotions, and a powerful story. I think it is best suited for older YA readers, who may understand the point of the story better. Please leave me your thoughts in the comments below. And it would make me smile if you shared and liked this post. Following the blog would make that smile even bigger!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

To Be Read // March 2022

- Bunny

Hi Friends,
It is TBR time again, but this month is going to be a little bit different. I was debating on doing the ‘Tis The Damn’ readathon, which is a Taylor Swift inspired readathon. This was the first readathon I participated in when I started my blog, back in March of 2021. However, I would like to do more mood reading. This isn’t to say that I going to stop doing TBR’s, but the way I do them will change. I have come up with three bookish categories. I will only be talking about the books I hope to read from each of them. The rest of the month I will mood read.

Previous TBR: This is a book that I have put on a TBR from the previous year of the current month. Not sure if that makes any sense. But, since we are in March 2022, it would be a book from my March 2021 TBR.


Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a “literary phenomenon” and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times).

Next In A Series: This one is pretty self explanatory, but I have a lot of series that I need to finish.


Perfect for fans of Kiera Cass and Anna Godbersen, and with all the drama, romance, and hidden secrets from The Thousandth Floor and The Dazzling Heights, this explosive finale will not disappoint.

Owned TBR: I am really working on reading the books I already own, which is good since I have a lot of options.


From the author of I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a laugh-out-loud story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck.

I have a list of other books I’d like to read this month. Most of them are YA thrillers and contemporaries. You can follow me on GoodReads and Twitter to stay up to date on what I am reading. And you can follow the blog to see my reviews of the books as I read them.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

Reading Helps // Coping With Mental Health

- Bunny Leave a comment

Hi Friends,
I have stated before, or at least I believe have, that I suffer from mental health disorders. Well, lately, my mental health hasn’t been the best. I have my highs and lows, and this has definitely been a low month. However, reading has always been a solid coping mechanism for me. So, I wanted to share some ways that reading helps me, and might help you, cope with mental health struggles.

#1. Clears Your Mind
Honestly, reading completely takes your mind off your problems. When you are reading a high fantasy, you aren’t thinking about your everyday struggles. When you are falling in love with the boy next door, you aren’t worrying about the days to come. A good story captivates you, and everything else falls away.

#2. Problem Solving
Reading could possibly solve your problems. You may actually read a book about a character dealing with similar issues, or pick up a self-help book. Advice type books might not be your thing, but they can be useful when dealing with mental health. Books can give you clarity, or a new way to look at something, which is important.

#3. You’re Not Alone
Books featuring characters with mental illnesses are very beneficial, especially if the characters are facing the same diagnosis as you. Simply reading about somebody that is struggling with a disorder can be comforting. You don’t feel so alone, because you can relate to the character in one way or another.

#4. There’s No Competition
This might seem like a weird reason, but pretty much everything we do, or I do, feels like a competition. We see people online, or friends and family, doing these things that make us feel like we aren’t doing enough. Essentially, people are always competing against each other. But you aren’t going to compete with a book character. You can feel at ease and pressure-free.

#5. Happiness
The number one reason that books can help you with your mental health is because they make you happy. If you don’t enjoy reading, then none of the other tips are going to work. You have to read because it brings you joy, if everything else is to fall into place. Honestly, how could reading not ignite happiness?

I must admit that when my mental health is bad, reading doesn’t always do it for me. But, I try to remember these tips during the low periods, and keep reading. Please leave me a comment to brighten my day. And, like always, I ask that you follow the blog.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny