To The Mattresses!

An Analytical Battle On All Things Pop Culture. By Someone Obsessed With All Things Pop Culture.

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - Bad Blood (And a bonus DNF’d!)

1.      The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

Duration: 7 hours an 38 minutes

Review: DNF’d it. First few chapters were pretty tedious. The Audible reviews confirmed it wasn’t worth my time. 

2.      A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3.      The Player - Claire Contreras

Duration: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Review: Have you ever read (or listened) to a book and immediately after finishing it thought: “Yup. That was a book that was written, and I read it.” and nothing else? If not, meet The Player.

4.      Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5.      The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6.      Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 4 hours and 25 minutes

Review: Carrie Fisher was such a gem, and her second of three memoirs is short, sweet, sassy and classic Carrie. Not as entertaining as Wishful Drinking, but her reflections on death of her father and friend bring a new depth, especially after her own.

7.      Lies - Kyle Scott

8.      She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

Duration: 9 hours and 52 minutes

Review: An in-depth insight into breaking the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, and in turn kick starting the #MeToo movement, She Said provides pivotal behind-the-scenes action on what the journalists had to do to get the story written. However, I felt that the inclusion of the Kavanaugh confirmation, while insightful as well, seemed tacked on. I wish they would have spent more time discussing consequences of the scandal itself and provided other examples of how it effected the culture.

9.      The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10.  Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11.  The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12.  The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13.  The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 5 hours and 10 minutes

Review: Aside from capitalizing on the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and romanticizing a meaningless affair (on his side) that occurred over forty years ago, there really was no point to Fisher’s third (and unfortunately last) memoir. Shame that this was her final written piece.

14.  Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15.  The Home Front – Audible Original

16.  The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17.  Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

Duration: 11 hours and 37 minutes

Review: Detailing the spectacular rise and even more spectacular fall of Theranos founder, and certified crazy person, Elizabeth Holmes, Bad Blood dives into the incredibly specific details of how this company began with a heartfelt promise but ended belly up due to her lack of awareness of techniques simply not working. While the story isn’t told as gossip-like as other behind the scenes tales (like Fire and Fury, for instance), Carreyrou does a splendid job of providing so much in-depth information that you’ll find yourself wishing you made a cheat sheet. 

18.  Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19.  Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20.  The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21.  Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22.  Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23.  Columbine – Dave Cullen

24.  The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25.  Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26.  The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27.  A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28.  Becoming – Michelle Obama

29.  How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30.  A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31.  Roomies – Christina Lauren

32.  Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33.  Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34.  Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35.  In Pieces – Sally Field

36.  Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37.  The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38.  Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39.  Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40.  American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41.  Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42.  Emma – Jane Austen

[tothemattresses]

#ThirstyThursday - Royal Edition!

The Royal We is one of those rare books where every piece of the story is necessary to tell the complete tale, while at the same time the text is in dire need of being edited down. While on the surface the book is about an American woman falling in love with a British prince, in actuality it's about the couple, her sister, his brother, their friends, their family, their enemies, and the help. It can get a little exhausting trying to keep up with the entire crew. And while could have used some whittling down here and there - do we really need to get a full recap of a friend's designer dreams? Or of the countless practicing the heroine has to do in order to not show her "bits" while getting out of a car? - the overall story is very cute.

Using the courtship and marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton as the inspiration, Cocks and Morgan weave a love story about Nick and Bex that begins with an unusual courtship - as in, it's not really love at first sight - and ends with a (spoiler!) marriage. But how they get from beginning to end, and all of the ups and downs they experience due to outside forces, is the real story itself and provides the reader a roller coaster of a time. But, perhaps maybe because the authors wanted to provide that roller coaster feeling, it's almost as if they threw everything but the kitchen sink into the mix.  Another spoiler - several of the friends' lives are also explained in complete detail and really add nothing to the story.

If you like the idea of a prince marrying a pauper and having a happy ending, then give this one a ride. But beware: it does tend to go on more than it should in some places and makes the reader want to get off from time to time.

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - She Said (Audiobook)

1.      The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

2.      A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3.      The Player - Claire Contreras

Duration: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Review: Have you ever read (or listened) to a book and immediately after finishing it thought: “Yup. That was a book that was written, and I read it.” and nothing else? If not, meet The Player.

4.      Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5.      The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6.      Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 4 hours and 25 minutes

Review: Carrie Fisher was such a gem, and her second of three memoirs is short, sweet, sassy and classic Carrie. Not as entertaining as Wishful Drinking, but her reflections on death of her father and friend bring a new depth, especially after her own.

7.      Lies - Kyle Scott

8.      She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

Duration: 9 hours and 52 minutes

Review: An in-depth insight into breaking the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, and in turn kick starting the #MeToo movement, She Said provides pivotal behind-the-scenes action on what the journalists had to do to get the story written. However, I felt that the inclusion of the Kavanaugh confirmation, while insightful as well, seemed tacked on. I wish they would have spent more time discussing consequences of the scandal itself and provided other examples of how it effected the culture. 

9.      The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10.  Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11.  The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12.  The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13.  The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 5 hours and 10 minutes

Review: Aside from capitalizing on the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and romanticizing a meaningless affair (on his side) that occurred over forty years ago, there really was no point to Fisher’s third (and unfortunately last) memoir. Shame that this was her final written piece.

14.  Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15.  The Home Front – Audible Original

16.  The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17.  Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

18.  Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19.  Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20.  The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21.  Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22.  Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23.  Columbine – Dave Cullen

24.  The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25.  Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26.  The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27.  A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28.  Becoming – Michelle Obama

29.  How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30.  A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31.  Roomies – Christina Lauren

32.  Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33.  Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34.  Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35.  In Pieces – Sally Field

36.  Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37.  The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38.  Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39.  Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40.  American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41.  Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42.  Emma – Jane Austen

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - E-Book Edition!

According to Amazon, I have exactly 294 e-books currently sitting in my Kindle library. 

Granted, some of these books have been read and are being saved for a second (or third, or fourth) re-read, but when it comes down to it, that number is around 40 books, give or take. 

Which means I still have over 250 books that need to be read. 

And it’s not like I haven’t tried! There are plenty of titles that, when opened up, will go to the last place I left off - that being chapter 5, or maybe chapter 10. But sometimes life gets in the way. Or a sudden interest in another author. Or a new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. But whatever the reason may be, it’s over 250 books that haven’t been read. Challenge accepted! 

For 2020, I commit to not buying any new books to add to my Kindle library (checking out books from the library is ok, because you’ve gotta support your local library!), and instead focus on the books I already have. So no addition of 99 cent books, or Kindle Unlimited books, or books that are suddenly 75% off. Only the books that I currently have. 

As the reading commences, and after the book is finished, I’ll update my list to indicate what has been completed, along with the date purchased, and a short review (or a reason I just couldn’t finish it at all). 

Below is the list for future reference - and to clarify my what my favorite genre is. Spoiler: it’s romance novels. 

Here we go!

Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps – Kelly Williams Brown

An Affair with Mr. Kennedy (Gentlemen of Scotland Yard) – Jillian Stone

All About Love (Cynster Book 6) – Stephanie Laurens

All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess: A Lords of Vice Novel – Alexandra Hawkins

Almost a Scandal: A Reckless Brides Novel (The Reckless Brides Book 1) – Elizabeth Essex

Alpha – Jasinda Wilder

A Duke’s Guide to Seducing His Bride (Chase Family Series- The Jewels Book 4) – Lauren Royal

The American Heiress: A Novel – Daisy Goodwin

When an Earl Meets a Girl (Chase Family Series- The Jewels Book 1) – Lauren Royal

The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year – Andy Cohen

Angel in a Devil's Arms: The Palace of Rogues – Julie Anne Long

Angel in Scarlet: A Bound and Determined Novel – Lavinia Kent

Anything He Wants & Castaway – Sara Fawkes

The Astronaut Wives Club – Lily Koppel

At Any Price: A Billionaire Virgin Auction Romance (Gaming the System Book 1) – Brenna Aubrey

At Any Turn: A Billionaire Romance (Gaming the System Book 2) – Brenna Aubrey

At Your Pleasure – Meredith Duran

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold (Markham Hall Book 1) – Sierra Simone

Badd Motherf*cker (The Badd Brothers Book 1) – Jasinda Wilder

Bare Ass in Love (Hard, Fast, and Forever Book 1) – Sasha Burke

Because of Miss Bridgerton: A Bridgertons Prequel (Rokesbys Series Book 1) – Julia Quinn

The Bed and the Bachelor (Byrons of Braebourne Book 5) – Tracy Anne Warren

Betrayal (Infidelity Book 1) – Aleatha Romig

Beware That Girl – Teresa Toten

Beyond Scandal and Desire: A Sins for All Seasons Novel – Lorraine Heath

The Big Bad Office Wolf (Kings of the Tower Book 1) – May Sage

Bittersweet (True North Book 1) – Sarina Bowen

Blame It on Bath: The Truth About the Duke – Caroline Linden

Bound by Your Touch – Meredith Duran

The Bride (Lairds' Fiancees Book 1) – Julie Garwood

Bridget Jones's Diary: A Novel – Helen Fielding

Burn (The Breathless Trilogy Book 3) – Maya Banks

Burning Offer (Trevor's Harem Book 1) – Aubrey Parker

Captivated by You (Crossfire, Book 4) – Sylvia Day

Captive of Sin – Anna Campbell

Cash: A Power Players Stand-Alone Novel – Cassia Leo

Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson – Peter Ames Carlin

Catching Sin (Las Vegas Sin Book 2) – J. Saman

Catholicism For Dummies – John Trigilio

A Certain Age: A Novel – Beatriz Williams

Chasing Lady Amelia: Keeping Up with the Cavendishes – Maya Rodale

Checkmate: This is War (Travis & Viola, #1) (Checkmate Duet) – Kennedy Fox

Claiming the Courtesan (Avon Romantic Treasures) – Anna Campbell

Collide: Book One in the Collide Series – Gail McHugh

The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology Book 1) – Jodi Ellen Malpas

Crave: A Billionaire Bachelors Club Novel (Billionaire Bachelors Club Series Book 1) – Monica Murphy

Dating You / Hating You – Christina Lauren

Deal with the Devil (Forge Trilogy Book 1) – Meghan March

Desperate Duchesses – Eloisa James

Desperate to Touch (Hard to Love Book 2) – W. Winters

Destiny – Sally Beauman

Devil's Daughter: The Ravenels meet The Wallflowers – Lisa Kleypas

Dirty Sexy Inked (A Dirty Sexy Novel Book 2) – Carly Phillips

Dirty Sexy Saint (A Dirty Sexy Novel Book 1) – Carly Phillips

Double Down: Game Change 2012 – Mark Halperin

The Duchess Diaries: The Bridal Pleasures Series – Jillian Hunter

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent Book 1) – Jennifer Haymore

The Duke and I (Bridgertons Book 1) – Julia Quinn

The Duke Is Mine (Fairy Tales Book 3) – Eloisa James

Duke of Scandal (Moonlight Square, Book 1) – Galen Foley

The Duke of Shadows – Meredith Duran

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane Book 10) – Elizabeth Hoyt

The Duke's Holiday (The Regency Romp Trilogy Book 1) – Maggie Fenton

Dusk with a Dangerous Duke: A Lords of Vice Novel – Alexandra Hawkins

Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance – Julianne Donaldson

Elite (Elite Doms of Washington Book 1) – Elizabeth SaFleur

Entwined with You (Crossfire, Book 3) – Sylvia Day

Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar – Kelly Oxford

The Fall of Legend (Legend Trilogy Book 1) – Meghan March

The Fight for Forever (Legend Trilogy Book 3) – Meghan March

A Fine Imitation: A Novel – Amber Brock

The Fix Up – Kendall Ryan

Flowers from the Storm – Laura Kinsale

For Everly – Raine Thomas

For the Earl's Pleasure – Anne Mallory

For the Record – K.A. Linde

Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy Book 1) – Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Rapture (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy Book 2) – Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy Book 3) – Sylvain Reynard

Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 1) – Carly Phillips

A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin: The Debutante Files (The Debutante Files Series Book 1) – Sophie Jordan

Good Girl: A Rockstar Romance (Wicked Book 1) – Piper Lawson

The Good Luck Charm – Helena Hunting

Grayson's Vow – Mia Sheridan

Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian (Fifty Shades of Grey Series Book 4) – E.L. James

Hard As Stone: Heart of Stone Series #8 – K.M. Scott

Hard to Love – W. Winters

The Hardest Fall – Ella Maise

Hating The Boss – Natalie Wrye

The Heir (Windham Book 1) – Grace Burrowes

Heiress in Love: A Ministry of Marriage Novel (The Ministry of Marriage Book 1) – Christina Brooke

Heiress Without A Cause (Muses of Mayfair Book 1) – Sara Ramsey

Hello Stranger: The Ravenels, Book 4 – Lisa Kleypas

Her Forbidden Love Match (A Willow Cove Novel, #1) – Theresa Paolo

Her Husband's Harlot (Mayhem in Mayfair Book 1) – Grace Callaway

Hidden Gabriel: Formerly Winter Peril (Hidden Alphas Book 1) – Victoria Pinder

Highland Surrender – Tracy Brogan

Highlander Betrayed (Guardians of the Targe Book 1) – Lauren Wittig

His Favorite Mistress: A Novel (The Mistress Trilogy Book 3) – Tracy Anne Warren

His Virgin: A First Time Romance (His and Hers Book 1) – Vivian Wood

Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling – Bret Hart

Hollywood Dirt – Alessandra Torre

Hollywood on Tap (Sweet Salvation Brewery) – Avery Flynn

The Hotel – Lola Darling

House of Scarlett (Legend Trilogy Book 2) – Meghan March

How a Lady Weds a Rogue: A Falcon Club Novel – Katharine Ashe

How to Marry a Duke Vicky Dreiling

How to Ravish a Rake – Vicky Dreiling

How to Seduce a Scoundrel – Vicky Dreiling

If He's Wicked (Wherlocke Book 1) – Hannah Howell

The Imperfectionists: A Novel – Tom Rachman

In the Arms of a Marquess (Rogues of the Sea Book 3) – Katherine Ashe

In the Unlikely Event – L.J. Shen

In Total Surrender – Anne Mallory

An Irresistible Temptation (The Cavallo Brothers Book 2) – Elsa Winckler

It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars Book 1) – Susan Elizabeth Philips

It Happened One Midnight: Pennyroyal Green Series – Julie Anne Long

It Started with a Scandal: Pennyroyal Green Series – Julie Anne Long

It's Not You: 27 (Wrong) Reasons You're Single – Sara Eckel

Just Roll With It (A Perfect Dish Book 4) – Tawdra Kandle

Kaleidoscope Hearts (A brother's best friend romance) – Claire Contreras

The Kingmaker (All the King's Men Duet Book 1) – Kennedy Ryan

Lady of Desire (Knight Miscellany Book 4) – Gaelen Foley

The Last Arrow (The Medieval Trilogy Book 3) – Marsha Canham

The Last Summer – Judith Kinghorn

Lead by Example: 50 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Results – John Baldoni

The Legend of Lyon Redmond: Pennyroyal Green Series – Julie Anne Long

Legend (The REAL series Book 6) – Katy Evans

Let's Do It: A Journey's End Novel – Ann Christopher

Life with My Sister Madonna – Christopher Ciccone

Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season Book 1) – Helen Hardt

Lord of Scoundrels – Loretta Chase

Losing It – Cora Carmack

Lost Without You (The Debt Book 1) – Molly O’Keefe

A Loving Scoundrel: A Malory Novel (Malory-Anderson Family Book 7) – Johanna Lindsey

Luck Is No Lady (Fallen Ladies Book 1) – Amy Sandas

Lucky (Elite Doms of Washington Book 4) – Elizabeth SaFleur

A Mackenzie Clan Gathering (Mackenzies Series) – Jennifer Ashley

Mad About the Earl: A Ministry of Marriage Novel (The Ministry of Marriage Book 2) – Christina Brooker

Maid for the Billionaire (Book 1) (Legacy Collection) – Ruth Cardello

A Man Above Reproach – Evelyn Pryce

Manwhore (The Manwhore Series Book 1) – Katy Evans

Marriage For One – Ella Maise

Masques of Gold (Casablanca Classics Book 0) – Robert Gellis

Melt For Him (Fighting Fire Book 2) – Lauren Blakely

Midnight Angel (Stokehursts Book 1) – Lisa Kleypas

Midnight Pleasures With a Scoundrel (Scoundrels of St. James Book 4) – Lorraine Heath

Mine (The REAL series Book 2) – Katy Evans

Mine Till Midnight (Hathaways Book 1) – Lisa Kleypas

Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (Beau Monde Book 1) – Samantha Grace

More Than Charming (Book 3 Dashing Nobles Series) – JoMarie DeGioia

The Most to Lose (The Redeemed series Book 1) – Laura Landon

Mr. Corporate (The Mister Series Book 3) – JA Huss

Mr Imperfect: Lost Boys #1 – Karina Bliss

Mr. Mysterious (The Mister Series Book 4) – JA Huss

Mr. Romantic (The Mister Series Book 2) – JA Huss

My Lady, My Lord: A Twist Series Novel – Katherine Ashe

My Notorious Gentleman (Inferno Club Book 6) – Gaelen Foley

My Reckless Surrender – Anna Campbell

My Ruthless Prince (Inferno Club Book 4) – Gaelen Foley

My Scandalous Viscount (Inferno Club Book 5) – Gaelen Foley

The Nearness of You – Iris Morland

Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book 1) – Maureen Driscoll

Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: The Third Rule of Scoundrels (Rules of Scoundrels Book 3) – Sarah MacLean

No Mistress of Mine: An American Heiress in London – Laura Lee Guhrke

A Notorious Countess Confesses: Pennyroyal Green Series – Julie Anne Long

Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane Book 2) – Elizabeth Hoyt

Once a Soldier (Rogues Redeemed Book 1) – Mary Jo Putney

Once More, My Darling Rogue (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Book 2) – Lorraine Heath

One Last Time – Corinne Michaels

One Night in London: The Truth About the Duke – Caroline Linden

One Taste (The "One" Series Book 1) – K.A. Berg

One with You (Crossfire Series Book 5) – Sylvia Day

Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) – Lisa Kleypas

The Paris Wife: A Novel – Paula McLain

Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr – Robert Hofler

Perfect (Elite Doms of Washington Book 3) – Elizabeth SaFleur

The Phantom of the Opera – Gaston Leroux

The Pleasure of Your Kiss – Teresa Medeiros

Prince of Dreams (Stokehursts Book 2) – Lisa Kleypas

Princes at War: The Bitter Battle Inside Britain's Royal Family in the Darkest Days of WWII – Deborah Cadbury

The Princess and the Peer (The Princess Brides series Book 1) – Tracy Anne Warren

Princess Charming: A Legendary Lovers Novel – Nicole Jordan

Pulse: Book Two in the Collide Series – Gail McHugh

A Rake's Midnight Kiss (Sons of Sin Book 2) – Anna Campbell

Reason to Wed (The Distinguished Rogues Book 7) – Heather Boyd

The Rebel Queen (The Rebel Queen Duet Book 2) – Jeana E. Mann

Refining Felicity (The School for Manners Series Book 1) – M.C. Beaton

Reflected in You (Crossfire, Book 2) – Sylvia Day

The Revenge of Lord Eberlin (The Secrets of Hadley Green) – Julia London

Ripped (The REAL series Book 5) – Katy Evans

Rock Me (Bodyguard Bad Boys Book 1) – Carly Phillips

Rogue (The REAL series Book 4) – Katy Evans

The Royal Arrangement (The Rebel Queen Duet Book 1) – Jeana E. Mann

Royally Bad (Bad Boy Royals Book 1) – Nora Flite

The Rule Book (Rule Breakers 1) – Jennifer Blackwood

The Scandal in Kissing an Heir: At the Kingsborough Ball – Sophie Barnes

Scandal Wears Satin (The Dressmakers Series Book 2) – Loretta Chase

A Scoundrel by Moonlight (Sons of Sin Book 4) – Anna Campbell

Seduced By A Scoundrel – Olivia Drake

The Seduction of Lady X – Julia London

The Seduction of Lord Stone (Dashing Widows) – Anna Campbell

Shattered With You (Stark Security Book 1) – J. Kenner

The Shoemaker's Wife: A Novel – Adriana Trigiani

Shutdown Player: Game On in Seattle (Seattle Sockeyes Book 7) – Jami Davenport

Signed (The Agency Series) – Marni Mann

A Single Glance (Irresistible Attraction Book 1) W. Winters

A Single Kiss (Irresistible Attraction Book 2) – W. Winters

A Single Touch (Irresistible Attraction Book 3) – W. Winters

The Six Wives of Henry VIII – Alison Weir

The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy (A Sleeping Beauty Novel) – A.N. Roquelaure

The Soldier (Windham Book 2) – Grace Burrowes

The Stolen Mackenzie Bride (Mackenzies Series Book 8) – Jennifer Ashley

The Studying Hours: How to Date a Douchebag – Sara Ney

Suddenly You – Lisa Kleypas

Summer Heat: A Storm Inside Novel (The Wild Pitch Series Book 1) – Alexis Anne

A Summer Seduction (Legend of St. Dwynwen Book 2) – Candace Camp

Tangled Beauty (Tangled, Book 1) – K.L. Middleton

Tank (Blue-Collar Billionaires Book 1) – M. Malone

Tempt the Devil – Anna Campbell

Tempted to Kiss (Hard to Love Book 3) – W. Winters

That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor – Anne Sebba

Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane Book 4) – Elizabeth Hoyt

This Man (A This Man Novel Book 1) – Jodi Ellen Malpas

This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Three Nights of Sin – Anne Mallory

Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood – William J. Mann

To Beguile a Beast (Legend of the Four Soldiers series Book 3) – Elizabeth Hoyt

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

To Seduce a Sinner (Legend of the Four Soldiers series Book 2) – Elizabeth Hoyt

To Taste Temptation (Legend of the Four Soldiers series Book 1) – Elizabeth Hoyt

Too Distracting (The Lewis Cousins Book 3) – Bethany Lopez

Too Wicked to Kiss (Scoundrels & Secrets Book 1) – Erica Ridley

The Trouble With Being a Duke: At the Kingsborough Ball – Sophie Barnes

The Trouble with Dukes (Windham Brides Book 1) – Grace Burrowes

Troubles (Beekman Hills) – K.C. Enders

Truth or Beard: Enemies to Lovers Small Town Romantic Comedy (Winston Brothers Book 1) – Penny Reid

Twilight with the Infamous Earl: A Lords of Vice Novel – Alexandra Hawkins

Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps – Chris Jericho

Untouchable (Elite Doms of Washington Book 2) – Elizabeth SaFleur

Untouched – Anna Campbell

Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria (Queens of England Book 3) – Jean Plaidy

The Viscount's Wicked Ways – Anne Mallory

Wallbanger (The Cocktail Series Book 1) – Alice Clayton

The Way to a Duke's Heart: The Truth About the Duke – Caroline Linden

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals – Gillian Gill

Well Hung (Big Rock Book 3) – Lauren Blakely

What a Duke Dares (Sons of Sin Book 3) – Anna Campbell

What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers – Richard N. Bolles

When a Duke Loves a Woman: A Sins for All Seasons Novel – Lorraine Heath

When the Duke Found Love (The Wylder Sisters Book 3) – Isabella Bradford

Where Good Girls Go to Die: A Second Chance Romance (The Good Girls Series Book 1) – Holly Renee

Wicked Becomes You – Meredith Duran

Wicked in Your Arms: Forgotten Princesses – Sophie Jordan

Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane Book 1) – Elizabeth Hoyt

Written on Your Skin – Meredith Duran

[tothemattresses]

#ThirstyThursday - Filthy Edition

Not gonna lie: this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Normally first-person, erotica romance novels are pretty mundane in that they follow the same formulaic storyline: girl meets astonishingly wealthy and breathtakingly handsome boy, boy becomes obsessed with girl and tells her how much he wants to sleep with her, girl becomes obsessed with boy and does whatever he asks, boy and girl have so, so, so much sex, girl wants more, boy has to be convinced its what he wants too, boy and girl live happily ever after.

And repeat.

But this one is a little bit different in the sense that the girl DOES NOT want the boy, and instead spends a good majority of the time fighting her desire. In fact, I think there was more fighting than fucking in this one, which is incredibly rare. And to have the heroine point out constantly how strange the actions of the male protagonist are was somewhat refreshing; normally you just have the girl finding controlling actions "sexy" and "dreamy." But of course, as is the trend of today, the story ends on a cliffhanger and the reader must spend time reading an entire three-book series for the conclusion. And another confession: the twist ending actually compels the reader to want to continue.

As I said, this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - Audiobook Edition (Update #3)

1.      The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

2.      A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3.      The Player - Claire Contreras

Duration: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Review: Have you ever read (or listened) to a book and immediately after finishing it thought: “Yup. That was a book that was written, and I read it.” and nothing else? If not, meet The Player.

4.      Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5.      The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6.      Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 4 hours and 25 minutes

Review: Carrie Fisher was such a gem, and her second of three memoirs is short, sweet, sassy and classic Carrie. Not as entertaining as Wishful Drinking, but her reflections on death of her father and friend bring a new depth, especially after her own.

7.      Lies - Kyle Scott

8.      She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

9.      The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10.  Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11.  The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12.  The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13.  The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 5 hours and 10 minutes

Review: Aside from capitalizing on the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and romanticizing a meaningless affair (on his side) that occurred over forty years ago, there really was no point to Fisher’s third (and unfortunately last) memoir. Shame that this was her final written piece. 

14.  Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15.  The Home Front – Audible Original

16.  The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17.  Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

18.  Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19.  Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20.  The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21.  Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22.  Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23.  Columbine – Dave Cullen

24.  The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25.  Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26.  The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27.  A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28.  Becoming – Michelle Obama

29.  How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30.  A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31.  Roomies – Christina Lauren

32.  Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33.  Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34.  Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35.  In Pieces – Sally Field

36.  Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37.  The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38.  Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39.  Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40.  American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41.  Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42.  Emma – Jane Austen

[yennefer]

Before we met, the days were calm and the nights were restless. But now… you’re important to me.

THE WITCHER 1.06: “Rare Species”

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - Update #2

1.      The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

2.      A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3.      The Player - Claire Contreras

Duration: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Review: Have you ever read (or listened) to a book and immediately after finishing it thought: “Yup. That was a book that was written, and I read it.” and nothing else? If not, meet The Player. 

4.      Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5.      The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6.      Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

Duration: 4 hours and 25 minutes

Review: Carrie Fisher was such a gem, and her second of three memoirs is short, sweet, sassy and classic Carrie. Not as entertaining as Wishful Drinking, but her reflections on death of her father and friend bring a new depth, especially after her own. 

7.      Lies - Kyle Scott

8.      She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

9.      The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10.  Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11.  The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12.  The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13.  The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

14.  Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15.  The Home Front – Audible Original

16.  The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17.  Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

18.  Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19.  Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20.  The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21.  Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22.  Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23.  Columbine – Dave Cullen

24.  The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25.  Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26.  The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27.  A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28.  Becoming – Michelle Obama

29.  How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30.  A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31.  Roomies – Christina Lauren

32.  Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33.  Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34.  Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35.  In Pieces – Sally Field

36.  Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37.  The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38.  Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39.  Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40.  American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41.  Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42.  Emma – Jane Austen

[tothemattresses]

#TheSundaySix - Death Becomes Her (1992)

More dark and macbre then I initially remember from my original watching in 1992. Simple story that lacks punch and is overshadowed by the special effects that are ahead of their time (for their time). Meryl Streep's comedic timing is a national treasure. Isabella Rosselini is GORGEOUS. Goldie Hawn's there as well. Bruce Willis is the best part of the entire film.

[tothemattresses]

#ThirstyThursday - One Star Edition!

Welcome to the first edition of #ThirstyThursday! Every Thursday, a review of a romance novel will be posted and categorized into one of four categories:

1. One-Star Edition - A romance novel that is highly rated on Goodreads/Amazon, but should really be considered terrible.

2. Filthy Edition - A romance novel that you don’t want your mama to know about. And let’s be honest: this will most likely be reserved for adult erotica

3. DNF’d Edition - A romance novel that I. Just. Could. Not. Finish. For whatever reason!

4. Royal Edition - A romance novel that is chock-full of dukes, early, and marquesses. Oh my!

Let’s begin!

Let's just get this out of the way immediately: This book is a knock-off of Fifty Shades of Grey. While there are some differences - New York instead of Seattle; an already deflowered main female character; both characters having sexually complicated pasts - there are many more similarities between the two, such as the answer-to-every-woman's-dream egotistical CEO who is incredibly wealthy; the female character who doesn't fit his type, yet he finds himself completely obsessed with her; the secret history that allows him to be considered "complicated"; the family dynamic that shows he hates them, but they love him; the overall dominating behavior that is borderline stalker; and the story being told from her perspective. It's a book that was clearly written as the author's answer to what was going on in erotic romance during that time - a ferocious and rabid love of FSOG. However, unlike FSOG, the writing in Bared to You is a little bit more polished, and some of the dialogue is a little clever. And the story itself is more cohesive altogether. But overall, the book is just plain boring. After the initial meet-cute and first sex scene, the story begins to devolve into the same pattern: boy and girl have sex, boy and girl fight, girl walks out (sometimes justified, sometimes not), boy shows up to get girl back (sometimes invited, sometimes not), girl forgives because boy says he can't live without her. And repeat. After the sixth time, one must wonder if the author just forgot to map out the rest of the story. It’s also littered with such minute details, like what the characters are wearing or what they are eating, that it feels as if the story just drags on and on. But perhaps the hardest part about reading the book are the main characters themselves and their destructive behavior towards each other. Rather than fully fleshing out the characters and their backstories, and possibly missing the opportunity to have the book rise above FSOG in storytelling, the author instead writes them, in my opinion, as characters with very little to root for. Eva is constantly walking out in the middle of arguments, failing to stand up for herself, questioning the motives of Gideon, and putting up with his stalker-like behavior. And Gideon is, to put it plainly, a dominating stalker who makes copies of keys without asking, downloads videos and images off her phone without permission, buys makeup and clothes with exact coloring and dimensions without shopping with her, AND TAKES A PICTURE OF HER SLEEPING IN HER BEDROOM AND THEN CREATES AN EXACT REPLICA OF SAID BEDROOM IN HIS CONDO. While I understand that this was the trend of the time the book was written, I still feel as if erotic romance can be written with fully fleshed out characters that provide good motivation, competent backstories, great storytelling and confident characters without making them seem like over-dominating, over-bearing jackasses that expect everything to go their way (or simpering females who just take the man's word at face value and turn a blind eye to controlling behavior). If you're looking for another FSOG, this one's for you. But if you want an erotic romance that isn't just about a rich man who suddenly becomes obsessed with a woman who falls at his feet when they first meet (Hey! Another FSOG moment!), goes out of his way to control her, and has a horrible past that causes him to act the way he does, then you might as well pass.

[robertmitchum]

To a hungry man a lamb chop is a tasty dish; but, to the butcher its just another hunk of meat.

YOU’LL NEVER GET RICH dir. Sidney Lanfield

[broad-city]

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - Audiobooks Edition (Update #1)

1.      The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

2.      A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3.      The Player - Claire Contreras

·         Duration: 8 hours and 37 minutes

·         Review: Have you ever read (or listened) to a book and immediately after                           finishing it, thought: “Yup. That was a book that was written, and                           I read it.” And nothing else? If not, meet The Player.

4.      Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5.      The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6.      Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

7.      Lies - Kyle Scott

8.      She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

9.      The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10.  Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11.  The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12.  The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13.  The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

14.  Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15.  The Home Front – Audible Original

16.  The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17.  Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

18.  Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19.  Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20.  The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21.  Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22.  Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23.  Columbine – Dave Cullen

24.  The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25.  Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26.  The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27.  A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28.  Becoming – Michelle Obama

29.  How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30.  A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31.  Roomies – Christina Lauren

32.  Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33.  Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34.  Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35.  In Pieces – Sally Field

36.  Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37.  The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38.  Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39.  Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40.  American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41.  Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42.  Emma – Jane Austen

[tothemattresses]

#TheSundaySix - Movie Edition

Welcome to the first edition of #TheSundaySix! 

Every Sunday, a six-sentence review will be posted for either a movie or television show. No limits to release dates, genres, or length - only limit is the six sentences. 

Enjoy!

On the surface, the 2019 documentary Moving Parts chronicles the life-changing four month schedule of its subject, Trixie Mattel, a world famous drag star and the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season Three. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find that the main storyline isn’t the hardships of Mattel constantly being on the road to capitalize on her new-found popularity, but instead the hardships of a friendship quickly spiraling out of control without warning, frankly due to drug abuse and a psycotic break of her friend and creative partner, drag star Katya. One of the staples of a good documentary is letting the audience believe that storyline A is the main storyline, until it’s revealed at the end that storyline B was the true story all along - a not-so-sudden storytelling twist that can either make or break your film; thankfully, this one is able to achieve it. And while the viewer is given constant cameos from past RPDR participants - the director does not disappoint - and given a front row seat to the mind of Mattel, they are also given a layered perspective that goes beyond the costumes and traveling and ventures more into the hardships of being a famous drag star, living their life in the public eye and experiencing an extremely low moment at the height of their career. But perhaps one critique is that the deteoriating friendship had too much of a presence, and in a way pushed Mattel’s own triumphs to the side more than it should have, providing a consistent background focus on something other than the main subject. However, despite that constant focus, Moving Parts is able to explain the mind of Trixie Mattel and gives an inside glimpse into what it takes to being a famous drag star - low moments and all. 

[lullikiish]

Sounds exactly right!

I think the reason why friendship with Katya, “the B story”, kinda overshadows Trixie’s own story is that it is so essential to both of their but especially Trixie’s career, that’s why Trixie freaks out at first about their careers in the beginning.

Katya was one of the fan favourites from their first appearance on Drag Race but Trixie wasn’t really that ready yet, many didn’t like her stye and didn’t get her dry humour. Katya was one of the few who did get her early on and later they became good friends while filming UNHHhhh, their chemistry totally carried their show and made it surprise success. They could have faded away to the background by themselves, but together they were more successful than most winners of the series.

Trixie in the start thinks the big risk is ruining their careers when Katya needs a break but then she discovers she can do it on her own now too, she’s a star by herself, but then what’s missing is Katya as a person from her life.

[tothemattresses]

Love this!

[tothemattresses]

#TheSundaySix - Movie Edition

Welcome to the first edition of #TheSundaySix! 

Every Sunday, a six-sentence review will be posted for either a movie or television show. No limits to release dates, genres, or length - only limit is the six sentences. 

Enjoy!

On the surface, the 2019 documentary Moving Parts chronicles the life-changing four month schedule of its subject, Trixie Mattel, a world famous drag star and the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season Three. But if you dig deeper, you'll find that the main storyline isn't the hardships of Mattel constantly being on the road to capitalize on her new-found popularity, but instead the hardships of a friendship quickly spiraling out of control without warning, frankly due to drug abuse and a psycotic break of her friend and creative partner, drag star Katya. One of the staples of a good documentary is letting the audience believe that storyline A is the main storyline, until it's revealed at the end that storyline B was the true story all along - a not-so-sudden storytelling twist that can either make or break your film; thankfully, this one is able to achieve it. And while the viewer is given constant cameos from past RPDR participants - the director does not disappoint - and given a front row seat to the mind of Mattel, they are also given a layered perspective that goes beyond the costumes and traveling and ventures more into the hardships of being a famous drag star, living their life in the public eye and experiencing an extremely low moment at the height of their career. But perhaps one critique is that the deteoriating friendship had too much of a presence, and in a way pushed Mattel's own triumphs to the side more than it should have, providing a consistent background focus on something other than the main subject. However, despite that constant focus, Moving Parts is able to explain the mind of Trixie Mattel and gives an inside glimpse into what it takes to being a famous drag star - low moments and all. 

[tothemattresses]

2020 Reading Challenge - Audiobooks Edition

I'm the type of person that needs to be listening to something while getting ready. It lightens the mood, sets a tone for the day, and provides a distraction from more serious thoughts. 

In high school, it was my gigantic CD player being lugged into the bathroom, playing the latest top 40 hits. In college, it was my laptop and the 300 plus songs downloaded on iTunes. Then came podcasts on my phone, ranging from Doug Loves Movies to NPR Politics. But now here we are in 2020: And it's all about audiobooks.  The obsession began in 2017 with my newly granted public library card and the Overdrive app, offering numerous audio books to check out. Then came the Audible subscription, where I have a constant on/off relationship, taking advantage of any deal they throw my way. But with a subscription comes a collection, and mine only grew more and more over time.  So, let's add them to the 2020 reading challenge! 

Starting today, for one year, no more audiobooks can be purchased. For this challenge, I can only listen to the ones I already have in my collection or ones I can check out from the library. Once completed, a review will be posted, along with total listening time and any other pertinent information.

Here's the full list of the current collection:

1. The Deal: Arranged Book One - Stella Gray

2. A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston - Robyn Crawford

3. The Player - Claire Contreras

4. Buried Deep - Margot Hunt

5. The Christmas Pact - Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

6. Shockaholic - Carrie Fisher

7. Lies - Kyle Scott

8. She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

9. The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress - Victoria Alezander

10. Reflected in You - Sylvia Day

11. The Paper Swan - Leylah Attar

12. The Bride Test - Helen Hoang

13. The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

14. Royally Bad - Nora Flite

15. The Home Front – Audible Original

16. The Sisters – Dervla McTiernan

17. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up – John Carreyrou

18. Filthy Beautiful Lies – Kendall Ryan

19. Wanderlust – Lauren Blakely

20. The Darkwater Bride – Marty Ross

21. Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch – Ruth Cowen

22. Killer by Nature – Jan Smith

23. Columbine – Dave Cullen

24. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich – William L. Shirer

25. Unf*ck Yourself – Gary John Bishop

26. The Demon Next Door – Bryan Burrough

27. A Mind of Her Own – Paula McClain

28. Becoming – Michelle Obama

29. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

30. A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

31. Roomies – Christina Lauren

32. Girl, Wash Your Face – Rachel Hollis

33. Have a Nice Day – Billy Crystal and Quinton Peeples

34. Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets – Nick Baker and John Woolf

35. In Pieces – Sally Field

36. Hi Bob! – Bob Newhart

37. The Queen: Aretha Franklin – Mikal Gilmore

38. Girls & Boys – Dennis Kelly

39. Outlander: Book One – Diana Gabaldon

40. American Pharaoh – Joe Drape

41. Mean Streak – Sandra Brown

42. Emma – Jane Austen

Happy Reading (and Listening)!

[tothemattresses]

Let’s Start The New Year Right!

You know what I love about books?

Buying them. Curating a collection with numerous genres, authors, and titles. Purchasing the remaining books in a series, because you just discovered there's more than a standalone story. 

You know what I don't love about books? 

How quickly your collection can grow without realizing it, to the point that you become overwhelmed with fear you won't be able to read everything within it during your lifetime. Also, the actual amount of money that's spent on it can become a bit much. You know what I'm saying?

I have always considered myself a voracious reader - always beginning (or ending) a new book, always participating in the Goodreads reading challenges, and always checking out "best of" book lists - however, I also tend to go through periods of buying numerous amount of books in one sitting, conveniently forgetting all of the ones I alread have (and have yet to start). Which means that even though I'm constantly reading, I'm not constantly catching up on my book purchases. And it's time I start digging deeper into it. 

So, let's take my 2020 reading challenge up a notch: For one year (January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020), I challenge myself to not buy a single book - print, digital or audio - and instead read (or listen to) the books I already own. Considering that I've been a Kindle owner since 2010, and have had the purchase option as one-click since day one, you can imagne how many books I have purchased over the years. 

(It's over 300. And that number doesn't even include the print copies I have also purchased throughout the years.)

In the next few days, I'll be posting title lists of what I own - both digital and audio. And eventually the print list will also be uploaded. Eventually. Once the New Year begins, I'll start reading and reviewing as I make my way through. Because I will have thoughts! So many thoughts! Thoughts about everything, including those erotica romance novels I bought during the Fifty Shades of Grey furor. (Why????) And probably about that one Sci-Fi novel I bought to impress a crush. (Spoiler: Me and Sci-Fi don't really get along)

Here's to a New Year, a new challenge, and discovering some new favorites along the way. And also saving money - right? 

Happy Reading!