Nothing Beats A Cup Of Coffee And A Good Book

Anything and everything book related! Follow my story graph for what I’m currently reading: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/coffeeandlit

[coffee-and-lit]

First read of 2022 - Jade City by Fonda Lee 💚

[coffee-and-lit]

“I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both” - The Poppy War

Current read: The Burning God by R. F. Kuang (the final book in the Poppy War trilogy)

[coffee-and-lit]

Currently reading: the Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern 📚

[coffee-and-lit]

Just finished: These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan 📚

I haven’t been loving young adult fantasy but this book reminded me of why I fell in love with reading fantasy. It had every element I want in a young adult fantasy - fae, a nicely done love triangle, and flawed but lovable main character, and easy to follow world building.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[coffee-and-lit]

Currently reading 🎄 Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

I’m loving this book so far! Dani and Max are both such likable characters and I cannot wait to see how it all ends. It’s feeling very friends to lovers and I have no complaints.

Definitely recommend if you’re looking for an easy to follow romance. I will say it’s technically a companion to A Princess for Christmas (which I didn’t read and don’t feel confused at all!) For those who want know.

[coffee-and-lit]

JOMPBPC - December Goals ❄️

My TBR (not including audio and ebooks because I apparently have no chill this month)

Books in the picture:

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Yolk by Mary H. K. Choi

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

The Burning God by R. F. Kuang

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Wish me luck!

[coffee-and-lit]

Cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait for the sequel to be released at the end of this year.

I will say it took me about 20% into it for me to fall head first. There was quite a bit of story that needed set up before we dived into the action and heart of our beloved Juliette and Roma. Once it all fell together, I couldn’t put it down.

The story is a new, fresh retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in Shanghai in the 1920s between two warring gangs, and the heirs to both who were once in love but are now sworn enemies. They both must learn to work together to find the source of a mysterious ‘madness’ that is killing people no matter which side they are on.

[coffee-and-lit]

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Verity was nothing like what I thought I was getting in to. I read in one sitting as I could not walk away not knowing what was going to happen next. I’ve read some good thrillers but this tops them all.

If interested, I recommend reading the content warnings (story graph does a great job showcasing them for any book) as it is discusses some disturbing concepts that may be hard for some to read.

[coffee-and-lit]

All’s Well by Mona Awad 4.5/5

Miranda is a former stage actress who, after an unfortunate fall, develops chronic pain that prevents her from living and enjoying life the way she used to. Moving from the stage to behind the scenes, she gains a role as a theater director and her college students will be putting on the play All’s Well that Ends Well, despite their resistance.

That’s the plot at its core. What makes this novel unique, and maybe even polarizing is the story is told directly from Miranda’s POV who is established quite early on as an incredibly unreliable narrator.

I would recommend if you enjoy an unreliable narrator and a whimsical story where reality and fantasy are blurred. It lost .5 as the pacing was a little off at times but overall I really enjoyed it and curious to read her other big hit, Bunny to see what I think.

[coffee-and-lit]

Recently finished The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. 5/5 stars

Daniel, a young boy in 1945 Barcelona discovers a novel titled the Shadow of the Wind by a mysterious author Julian Carax. As Daniel begins looking for more books by this author, he soon discovers a mysterious figure has been burning all of Carax’s works. This sets Daniel off on a mysterious and dangerous journey to find answers.

If you’re looking for mystery, murder, and romance, I would highly recommend. Also, if you are able to read Spanish, I’ve heard the untranslated work is even more beautiful.

[coffee-and-lit]

I have finished the Daevabad trilogy and I honestly don’t know how I am supposed to read another fantasy series. It truly checked all the boxes for me.

In this series we follow Nahri, a young woman living in Cairo who is a particularly talented con artist who accidentally summons a djinn. Thus thrusting her on a journey to the magical city of Daevabad where she must learn how she fits into this new world as well as who to trust.

If you are wanting to move from YA Fantasy to Adult or from Urban to High fantasy. This series will do the trick.

[coffee-and-lit]

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is a middle grade horror/mystery written by Tehlor Kay Mejia.

In it we follow Paola ‘Pao’ who is a rational 12 year old and definitely doesn’t believe in the stories and warnings her mother has given her growing up to avoid the banks of the Gila River. Now when her best friend goes missing along that very River, Pao and her other friend Dante must expand their beliefs, fight monsters, and trust in the stories they learned growing up in order to not only save their friend but their home as well.

If you aren’t a fan of horror but want something spooky, I would recommend 👻

[coffee-and-lit]

Current read: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

[coffee-and-lit]

September Wrap up 📚

Also finished two ebooks:

Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski (4.5 ⭐️)

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (3.75 ⭐️)

[coffee-and-lit]

Currently reading House of Leaves in honor of it’s officially October 🍁💀👻

[coffee-and-lit]

I know a lot of people prefer the UK cover of this book but I have to say the US cover wins in my book.

Currently reading: the Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty

[coffee-and-lit]

Lately I’ve been rereading the Mortal Instruments as part of a buddy read and I’m loving being back in this world.

If you’re looking to get lost in an elaborate magical world with lovable characters, highly recommend.