Thanks for the tag @myownlittlebookcorner! I also added pictures and I feel bad because I forgot to add “Circe” by Madeline Miller to this list!! Well, this is in no particular order:
BOOKS I’VE READ THIS YEAR IN ORDER OF HOW EMOTIONAL THEY MADE ME
1: Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee. This book isn’t that emotional but the author is the kindest person I’ve ever met and she made me cry. She’s a goddess, I love her, and I will worship her forever.
2: Saga (books 1-7): Brian K Vaughan is a genius and Fiona Staples is a goddess. It’s so beautiful, has excellent messages, representation for all types of people, enticing characters, and a THRILLING plot. Out of all these books, these were the ones i loved the most, and are now my favorite graphic novel / comic that I own, which is a hard title to win. I have already decided that I’m going to get a tattoo of Lying cat.
3: Teeth in the Mist by Dawn Kurtigich. FANTASTIC HORROR. She did such a fantastic job of writing the suspense, and keeping the suspense through all three storylines. The story of this house--of the mountain--was so thrilling. I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the aesthetic of it, the writing was done so creatively. Even the smallest details were beautiful, the cover was the perfect mix of strange and elegant. It made me fall in love with Dawn Kurtigich and I will now have to read every single thing that she’s ever written.
4: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: Incredible book all around. Such loveable characters, the scenes all had perfect imagery. Almost all the time in books that have multiple story lines, I always yearn for one in particular, but Blake does such an amazing job of making all of them equally enticing. It’s impossible to root for a single queen, and as much as that frustrates me, i love it.
5: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: I always go into books and try to take something that I learned from the book and apply it to my everyday life. This book makes that impossible. It in itself seems like an entire bible, with just as many lessons and morals but without the intent to hurt anyone. It is as enchanting as it is inspiring. I have annoted the hell out of it, but I think I will re-read it and add more things.
6. Anthem by Ayn Rand: It’s a very short novella and took me about an hour to read, but I want to spend days annotating it. It is a marvelous, marvelous masterpiece. I know it made me appreciate individuality and it made me ponder my purpose. I thought of all the things that individuality effects. I love this book.
7. The Wicked and The Divine: so SO creative. Terrific art, hilarious side chapters, absoluetly KICK ASS characters. I love the world building, I love the cast, I love this book so much. I think the only reason this book is on the bottom of my list is because I only read the first volume and still don’t have a huge taste of the plot. Still, I love book and will read the rest.
I didn’t necessarily love these next books, but they were a fun read and may be very special to you. Shatter Me by Tahera Mafi (Ah! Please don’t yell at me fans, I’m just not into YA), Macbeth, Children of Blood and Bone, Middlewest by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona, Asylum (and Sanctum) by Madeline Roux, The Guest List by Lucy Foley, Hinduism by Jeff T. Hay (very informative, well organized), Watchmen: Doomsday
Books I read but hated: The Last Necromancer by CJ Archer, Quarantined by Lex Thomas (i found it in the library and thought it would be funny to read but it was bad)
In all there were 24 new books I’ve read, which isn’t as much as I’d like, but I think I got them all.
My favorite trilogy is The Poppy War. Wow R. F. Kuang's writing and storytelling is impactful and incredibly beautiful. Gah I loved it so so much!!
The Burning God ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
[Image Description: a hardcover copy of The Burning God by R.F. Kuang is being held in front of a dark brown bookshelf. Various books and fill the shelves in the background. As well as a blue ue boom speaker...because I forgot to move it before taking the photo haha.]
i’ve started like 7 different books this year (all good and substantial and like edifying or whatever 🤢🤮) but have only finished one (a romance), so here’s what i finished last year, mostly all romance, bolded are favs
the wedding date by jasmine guillory
the princess trap by talia hibbert
by the book by amanda sellet
kim jiyoung, born 1982 by cho nam joo
let it shine by alyssa cole
an extraordinary union by alyssa cole
a hope divided by alyssa cole
sense and sensibility by jane austen
northanger abbey by jane austen
fix her up by tessa bailey
the right swipe by alisha rai
love hate and other filters by samira ahmed
the duchess war by courtney milan
the heiress effect by courtney milan
wrong to need you by alisha rai
serving pleasure by alisha rai
rafe: a buff manny by rebekah weatherspoon
take a hint, dani brown by talia hibbert
a gentleman undone by cecilia grant
a woman entangled by cecilia grant
a lady awakened by cecilia grant
Please pick a deck that you’re drawn to the most and scroll to the readings listed below!🖤✨
Group 1
Queen of Pentacles (reversed)
Strength (reversed)
Knight of Swords
Temperance
8 of Wands (reversed)
I hope none of those who chose Group 1 will flame me for this but this particular group screams “Get your shit together”. Having the Queen of Pentacles and Strength both in reversed tells me that you are feeling lost right now, and have never felt so unstable before. This instability (could be due to finance or just a general feeling) is causing you to be afraid, having self-esteem issues, which leaves you feeling vulnerable. However, the other cards suggest that you should charge forward regardless of how you are feeling - sometimes opportunities are fleeting, it could be gone forever if you fail to hold on to it due to a moment’s uncertainty. Doing this will bring back the balance and stability that was shaken up in the past (or even at the present moment). Not doing so may cause you to feel that things are becoming sluggish. I’m also hearing of taking things slow and at your own pace, but also ensuring that you are still able to get things done or grasping opportunities that you’ve wanted
Bonus: For those who chose Group 1, you are best represented at the Rabbit right now. You are feeling overwhelmed, causing you to be afraid of the things to come. The Rabbit is the natural prey of the Eagle, and it would speak to his friends of how the Eagle may swoop down and eat them. He speaks of them so much that the Eagle hears it one day and decided to act upon it. This is referring to your mindset being like the Rabbit right now. If you are constantly worrying over the future, it would instill fear in you, and this fear would continue to grow - but only you can stop yourself, because you are the one who planted the seeds of fear first. My advice would be clearing your mind out and having a day of silence with yourself. Take care!
Group 2
The Moon
The Empress (reversed)
3 of Wands (reversed)
10 Wands
10 of Pentacles (reversed)
Knight of Pentacles
For those who chose this group, the general vibe I pick up from you is confusion. You feeling confused as to why things had turned out the way they did, or why did some things happen to you - basically spilling your frustrations and the hardships you’ve faced. Not only that, you’ve been feeling insecure about the future. And some of you are also concerned about things related to beauty. Maybe your skin has been breaking out recently and it has added on to the stress on your shoulders, or maybe the change in weather has sensitised your skin etc. I also see that some of you were supposed to travel despite the ongoing pandemic. However, due to the recent surges in COVID-19 cases, you were not able to travel as planned. This further adds on to your stress, seeing how this trip is very important to you. In general, I feel that it’s supposed to be a business trip, but it could also be for family or your love ones. What I’m seeing for you is to stop putting all the stress on your shoulders, they will make you crumble one day, and your foundation and stability would be shaken much worse than it is right now. Instead, know your priorities, and also know for a fact that you have no control over the pandemic, and the ongoing travel issues right now. What you should do is to ensure that you remain healthy so that when the borders are open again, you are healthy enough to travel for whatever purposed you had planned it for
Bonus: For Group 2, you are best represented by the Moth now. Impulsive, hasty, and wishful, the Moth is always sure that the grass is greener on the other side. You may be attracted to easy solutions or anything new, but do know that sometimes these are distractions that prevent you from finishing what you have started. Do remember that life is complex, and no one is exempted from the rollercoaster rides that life gives us. We could try to enjoy the ride, or dread the end of the tunnel. An advice would be to look as life as a mystery rather than wishing it was easier or different. Take care!
Group 3
The Magician
Queen of Swords
5 of Wands (reversed)
Justice
Page of Swords (reversed)
Hello Group 3! At a glance, there is a lot of air energy dominating your spread. You may have a zodiac sign that falls under the air element (Libra, Gemini, Aquarius). I see that you are an individual that is very capable and skilled. You have a range of skill sets and abilities that can brings you success. I see you as someone who is quick-witted, and can easily engage others in a conversation with you. You could also be seeing the end of a disagreement or conflict if you are currently stuck in one. Although, alternatively, the end of it could also mean an all-out war, so keep your fingers crossed! With Justice in your spread, it is advisable to be careful with legal documents and be mindful or legal issues around you. You may also feel more compelled to speak the truth or speak on the side of the law this December. However, I do feel that you should be mindful of your choice of words. You may think of yourself is being truthful but people may see you as insensitive. This may cause you to be the talk of people’s gossip.
Bonus: If you chose Group 3, you are best represented as the Crow right now. The Crow is spiritually strong, creative, and watchful. You function best when you balance your life with a healthy diet and be with friends that bring you joy. An advice I would give right now would be to focus on meditating so that you feel well balanced mentally. This should give you enough energy to deal with the upcoming hustle and bustle life is about to throw your way. Take care!
