Reading List | Cait Yaga

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I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, partially due to burnout, which has made reading anything with complex worldbuilding too much for my brain. So thank you, @porchlightbooksyeg for carrying the good stuff. I picked this book up during my last visit, and I am SO GLAD I did.

THE VEGETARIAN is strange, heartbreaking, and infuriating. It's written in three parts, each from a different point of view but centring on the same main character. Her husband tells the first part, about how he married her because she was completely mediocre and submissive. And then she becomes a vegetarian, which throws everything into disarray. The book is centred around this plot point, and it's honestly incredibly sad. As a reader, you can tell there is something more going on, but no one is trying to find out WHY she won't eat meat; they're just trying to force her to eat it. It isn't until the end of the book that someone sees what's really going on, and by then, well...

Honestly, this book was exceptional. The more I think about it, the more it resonates, hitting so many current women's issues.

Rating: 4/5

TW: sexual assault, suicide, abuse

#reading #vegetarian #feminism #bookstagram #bookrecommendation

I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, partially due to burnout, which has made reading anything with complex worldbuilding too much for my brain. So thank you, @porchlightbooksyeg for carrying the good stuff. I picked this book up during my last visit, and I am SO GLAD I did.

THE VEGETARIAN is strange, heartbreaking, and infuriating. It's written in three parts, each from a different point of view but centring on the same main character. Her husband tells the first part, about how he married her because she was completely mediocre and submissive. And then she becomes a vegetarian, which throws everything into disarray. The book is centred around this plot point, and it's honestly incredibly sad. As a reader, you can tell there is something more going on, but no one is trying to find out WHY she won't eat meat; they're just trying to force her to eat it. It isn't until the end of the book that someone sees what's really going on, and by then, well...

Honestly, this book was exceptional. The more I think about it, the more it resonates, hitting so many current women's issues.

Rating: 4/5

TW: sexual assault, suicide, abuse

#reading #vegetarian #feminism #bookstagram #bookrecommendation

What an adventure 😅 Reading this definitely felt like watching the movies. It was entertaining and quick-paced and gave you everything right when you needed it. I am curious about how it comes across in the original translations, because the English version definitely started feeling abrupt? Or like the fine details were missing. But overall it was a fun read.

Rating: 2.5/5

#translation #godzilla #reading #bookstagram #bookrecommendation

What an adventure 😅 Reading this definitely felt like watching the movies. It was entertaining and quick-paced and gave you everything right when you needed it. I am curious about how it comes across in the original translations, because the English version definitely started feeling abrupt? Or like the fine details were missing. But overall it was a fun read.

Rating: 2.5/5

#translation #godzilla #reading #bookstagram #bookrecommendation

Reading this was such a bizarre experience. I thought I'd never read it, but I recognized the hat shop. And then the whole book unfolded similarly. I couldn't predict a single event or line, but I recognized each one. A familiar stranger, in a way.

I loved it just as much the second time. It's fun and sweet and charming (although I'm still apparently a little scared of the scarecrow 😅).

Rating: 4/5

#howlsmovingcastle #bookstagram #reading #magical #studioghibli

Reading this was such a bizarre experience. I thought I'd never read it, but I recognized the hat shop. And then the whole book unfolded similarly. I couldn't predict a single event or line, but I recognized each one. A familiar stranger, in a way.

I loved it just as much the second time. It's fun and sweet and charming (although I'm still apparently a little scared of the scarecrow 😅).

Rating: 4/5

#howlsmovingcastle #bookstagram #reading #magical #studioghibli

I realized yesterday that it has been over a month since I read a full book. Anyone who knows me, knows that is WAY too long 😅 Thanks to @porchlightbooksyeg I found some new reads, including this one.

I will start by saying that I am VERY picky about my poetry. If it doesn't stir something in me, or make me pause, or gasp, or tear up, I'm not interested. This one hit every. single. requirement.

NIGHT SKY WITH EXIT WOUNDS is a breathtaking, heart-wrenching, gorgeously descriptive poetry collection about romance, family, memory, grief, war, and melancholia. It's so inventive and creative and uniquely Ocean's, with several poems that I will read over and over and over again. Absolutely incredible.

If you enjoy poetry and you haven't read this yet, consider this your sign to do so.

@ocean_vuong

Rating: 5/5

#poetry #grief #revolution #bookstagram #reading

I realized yesterday that it has been over a month since I read a full book. Anyone who knows me, knows that is WAY too long 😅 Thanks to @porchlightbooksyeg I found some new reads, including this one.

I will start by saying that I am VERY picky about my poetry. If it doesn't stir something in me, or make me pause, or gasp, or tear up, I'm not interested. This one hit every. single. requirement.

NIGHT SKY WITH EXIT WOUNDS is a breathtaking, heart-wrenching, gorgeously descriptive poetry collection about romance, family, memory, grief, war, and melancholia. It's so inventive and creative and uniquely Ocean's, with several poems that I will read over and over and over again. Absolutely incredible.

If you enjoy poetry and you haven't read this yet, consider this your sign to do so.

@ocean_vuong

Rating: 5/5

#poetry #grief #revolution #bookstagram #reading

It feels weird to be rating an anthology that I am published in, but honestly, there are some FANTASTIC pieces in here. It's been such a journey walking with these authors and all the editors through this process, and seeing the author's pieces improving and shifting.

Also, the ARTWORK?? Having students illustrate this edition is one of the best choices we made. I'm so proud of this anthology and all of our authors 🥺

Rating: 4/5

#anthology #poetry #fiction #reading #bookstagram @thebolotiecollective

It feels weird to be rating an anthology that I am published in, but honestly, there are some FANTASTIC pieces in here. It's been such a journey walking with these authors and all the editors through this process, and seeing the author's pieces improving and shifting.

Also, the ARTWORK?? Having students illustrate this edition is one of the best choices we made. I'm so proud of this anthology and all of our authors 🥺

Rating: 4/5

#anthology #poetry #fiction #reading #bookstagram @thebolotiecollective

Another one in the column for "overly pretty books = mediocre writing." The premise? Super cool. First two chapters? Wild. After that? Childish. So so childish. None of it felt genuine or authentic. It felt like a copy paste of so many books I've read before. And yes, I skipped to the last chapter to see if it was worth continuing. It was not 🥲

#bookrecommendation #fantasy #bookstagram #dnf #reading

Another one in the column for "overly pretty books = mediocre writing." The premise? Super cool. First two chapters? Wild. After that? Childish. So so childish. None of it felt genuine or authentic. It felt like a copy paste of so many books I've read before. And yes, I skipped to the last chapter to see if it was worth continuing. It was not 🥲

#bookrecommendation #fantasy #bookstagram #dnf #reading

I was so excited for this book (because bunny on the cover), and while the start of it was amazing, it never really...got...going...
Sooooo..... 🤷🏻‍♀️

#dnf #bookrecommendation #bookreviews #thriller #gaming

I was so excited for this book (because bunny on the cover), and while the start of it was amazing, it never really...got...going...
Sooooo..... 🤷🏻‍♀️

#dnf #bookrecommendation #bookreviews #thriller #gaming

This book was SO CLOSE to being five stars. It's a dark and gritty fantasy about opposing crime syndicates and their use of alchemy for magic. It's wildly creative (like...I learned new, horrifying ways to kill people IF I could use alchemy??). BUT....

MAM. Marie Lu. Darling. This book is marketed as The Godfather meets The Magicians. And nowhere...NOWHERE...does it say it is romantasy. And listen, I have nothing against romance novels and romance plots. I think they have their place and I know a lot of people enjoy them. But personally, I can only read about "slick folds" and "the ball of nerves" so many times...)It really was only two scenes in this book but 3-4 pages each felt like...a lot.)

Honestly, the book was exceptional. And I am still going to recommend it relentlessly to my friends. I just wish that all the events in the book actually drove the plot forward 🙃 Or that, perhaps, there was more indication as to the intensity of the smutting.

If anything, this may have convinced me to finally read Jade City. I just hope I love the characters as much as I loved these.

Rating: 4.5/5

#fantasy #redcity #romantasy #bookreview #bookstagram

This book was SO CLOSE to being five stars. It's a dark and gritty fantasy about opposing crime syndicates and their use of alchemy for magic. It's wildly creative (like...I learned new, horrifying ways to kill people IF I could use alchemy??). BUT....

MAM. Marie Lu. Darling. This book is marketed as The Godfather meets The Magicians. And nowhere...NOWHERE...does it say it is romantasy. And listen, I have nothing against romance novels and romance plots. I think they have their place and I know a lot of people enjoy them. But personally, I can only read about "slick folds" and "the ball of nerves" so many times...)It really was only two scenes in this book but 3-4 pages each felt like...a lot.)

Honestly, the book was exceptional. And I am still going to recommend it relentlessly to my friends. I just wish that all the events in the book actually drove the plot forward 🙃 Or that, perhaps, there was more indication as to the intensity of the smutting.

If anything, this may have convinced me to finally read Jade City. I just hope I love the characters as much as I loved these.

Rating: 4.5/5

#fantasy #redcity #romantasy #bookreview #bookstagram

Introducing, my first read of 2026!

This little novella packs one heck of a punch. It's macabre, and gory, and surprisingly poetic. Think aftermath of Little Mermaid, but her children eat an entire kingdom and she has to run away with a plague doctor, and they discover a group of children who worship three god-like surgeons. Even in its brutality, it has an oddly romantic and beautiful ending. I really enjoyed this one, if nothing else, for the unique descriptions the author used.

Rating: 4/5

#horror #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #reading #bookrecommendations

Introducing, my first read of 2026!

This little novella packs one heck of a punch. It's macabre, and gory, and surprisingly poetic. Think aftermath of Little Mermaid, but her children eat an entire kingdom and she has to run away with a plague doctor, and they discover a group of children who worship three god-like surgeons. Even in its brutality, it has an oddly romantic and beautiful ending. I really enjoyed this one, if nothing else, for the unique descriptions the author used.

Rating: 4/5

#horror #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #reading #bookrecommendations

I definitely broke a record this year for Horror books read 😳

#readersofinstagram #bookstagram #horror #bookrecommendations #reading

I definitely broke a record this year for Horror books read 😳

#readersofinstagram #bookstagram #horror #bookrecommendations #reading

It's that time of year!

I set a goal to read 50 books this year, and managed to read 60.
Here's to hoping 2026 is full of amazing books and less reading slumps!

#bookstagram #bookreview #reading #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations

It's that time of year!

I set a goal to read 50 books this year, and managed to read 60.
Here's to hoping 2026 is full of amazing books and less reading slumps!

#bookstagram #bookreview #reading #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations

Absolutely. Unreal.

After reading Behind Her Eyes and watching the show, I've been obsessed with Sarah Pinborough. I've read (almost) all of her books and they never disappoint. Needless to say, I finished this one in three days.

WE LIVE HERE NOW is an exceptional thriller. Pinborough delivered another masterpiece with her trademark twists and truly unusual plot. This book was terrifying and intriguing, and I COULD NOT put it down. Exceptional. My second favourite after Behind Her Eyes.

If you love a twisty thriller, this one's for you.

Great for fans of T. Kingfisher's "A House With Good Bones," Marcus Kliewer's "We Used to Live Here," and Jennifer McMahon's "The Invited."

Rating: 5/5

#thriller #reading #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #horror

Absolutely. Unreal.

After reading Behind Her Eyes and watching the show, I've been obsessed with Sarah Pinborough. I've read (almost) all of her books and they never disappoint. Needless to say, I finished this one in three days.

WE LIVE HERE NOW is an exceptional thriller. Pinborough delivered another masterpiece with her trademark twists and truly unusual plot. This book was terrifying and intriguing, and I COULD NOT put it down. Exceptional. My second favourite after Behind Her Eyes.

If you love a twisty thriller, this one's for you.

Great for fans of T. Kingfisher's "A House With Good Bones," Marcus Kliewer's "We Used to Live Here," and Jennifer McMahon's "The Invited."

Rating: 5/5

#thriller #reading #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #horror

Y'all, I was SO EXCITED for book two. But honestly, this book was all build up and no reward. The entire story was worldbuilding and traveling and not achieving anything. For nearly 700 pages, I had hoped for a lot more. I thought the story would wrap up, but instead, it became diluted and drawn out.

I will say, my one complaint with The Will of the Many was that Vis seemed too unbeatable, and now...well...let's just say that the second book was humbling.

Overall, this was way too long for what it delivered.

Rating: 3.5/5 (because the characters and worldbuilding are still exceptional).

#fiction #fantasy #epicfantasy #thestrengthofthefew #hierarchy #book #books #booktok #booksofinstagram #reading #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreviews #multiverse #synchronicity

Y'all, I was SO EXCITED for book two. But honestly, this book was all build up and no reward. The entire story was worldbuilding and traveling and not achieving anything. For nearly 700 pages, I had hoped for a lot more. I thought the story would wrap up, but instead, it became diluted and drawn out.

I will say, my one complaint with The Will of the Many was that Vis seemed too unbeatable, and now...well...let's just say that the second book was humbling.

Overall, this was way too long for what it delivered.

Rating: 3.5/5 (because the characters and worldbuilding are still exceptional).

#fiction #fantasy #epicfantasy #thestrengthofthefew #hierarchy #book #books #booktok #booksofinstagram #reading #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreviews #multiverse #synchronicity

Y'ALL THIS BOOK was exceptional. A true masterclass on flawlessly integrating worldbuilding and exposition. The world is incredibly complex and yet not a single explanation read like an info dump. I learned so much so quickly without even realizing what Islington was doing.

And then there's the story. The number of utterly jaw-dropping, shocking twists and turns still has me reeling. The ENDING???! I am so glad I waited so long to read this, because I need the second book IMMEDIATELY. I didn't think it could get more complex but Islington threw the most insane curveball in the last TWO CHAPTERS.

Absolutely obsessed.

Honestly, this was so good I'm adding a new rating to my system that surpasses 5/5...

Rating: EXCEPTIONAL ✨✨✨✨✨

THE HUNGER GAMES meets BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN meets BABEL.

@jamesislington_author

#thewillofthemany #fantasy #sciencefiction #hierarchy #class #hungergames #thehungergames #babel #bloodoverbrighthaven
#fiction #darkacademia #book #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookstagram #booksofig #booktok #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookworm

Y'ALL THIS BOOK was exceptional. A true masterclass on flawlessly integrating worldbuilding and exposition. The world is incredibly complex and yet not a single explanation read like an info dump. I learned so much so quickly without even realizing what Islington was doing.

And then there's the story. The number of utterly jaw-dropping, shocking twists and turns still has me reeling. The ENDING???! I am so glad I waited so long to read this, because I need the second book IMMEDIATELY. I didn't think it could get more complex but Islington threw the most insane curveball in the last TWO CHAPTERS.

Absolutely obsessed.

Honestly, this was so good I'm adding a new rating to my system that surpasses 5/5...

Rating: EXCEPTIONAL ✨✨✨✨✨

THE HUNGER GAMES meets BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN meets BABEL.

@jamesislington_author

#thewillofthemany #fantasy #sciencefiction #hierarchy #class #hungergames #thehungergames #babel #bloodoverbrighthaven
#fiction #darkacademia #book #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookstagram #booksofig #booktok #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookworm

What a beauty of a chapbook. The way that @wendyannmcgrath weaves together her family's preserving recipe with her own story is so creative. It flows so perfectly from page to page and manages to tell such a captivating tale. I absolutely loved this one.

Rating: 5/5

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #poet #preserving #canning #read #reading #readersofig #bookrecommendation #bookstagram #booksofig #homestead #homesteading

What a beauty of a chapbook. The way that @wendyannmcgrath weaves together her family's preserving recipe with her own story is so creative. It flows so perfectly from page to page and manages to tell such a captivating tale. I absolutely loved this one.

Rating: 5/5

#poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #poet #preserving #canning #read #reading #readersofig #bookrecommendation #bookstagram #booksofig #homestead #homesteading

Y'all, @isabelcanas_ is a MASTER of the monstrous feminine. This is the second book I've read by her now, and it was even better than the last.

THE HACIENDA is described as Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca and I couldn't agree more. Canas manages to make her stories both visually beautiful and absolutely terrifying. Even after all the haunted house books I've read, this one comes out on top. It was horrifying and unpredictable, and I absolutely loved it. And the ending??? GIRL. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Just incredible. Love love love.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #spookyreads #spookyseason #hauntedhouse #thehacienda #mexicangothic #rebecca #haunted #read #reading #bookrecommendation #booksofinstagram #booksofig #bookstagram #monstrousfeminine #bookworm

Y'all, @isabelcanas_ is a MASTER of the monstrous feminine. This is the second book I've read by her now, and it was even better than the last.

THE HACIENDA is described as Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca and I couldn't agree more. Canas manages to make her stories both visually beautiful and absolutely terrifying. Even after all the haunted house books I've read, this one comes out on top. It was horrifying and unpredictable, and I absolutely loved it. And the ending??? GIRL. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Just incredible. Love love love.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #spookyreads #spookyseason #hauntedhouse #thehacienda #mexicangothic #rebecca #haunted #read #reading #bookrecommendation #booksofinstagram #booksofig #bookstagram #monstrousfeminine #bookworm

I really loved the first half of this book, but it ended up going on for WAY too long. It could have been half the length and it would have been much better. It just felt too drawn out. If you're looking for a spooky pagan story for Samhain though, this is definitely a good one!

Rating: 2.5/5

#horror #slewfoot #pagan #samhain #brom #fiction #reading #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendation #bookreview

I really loved the first half of this book, but it ended up going on for WAY too long. It could have been half the length and it would have been much better. It just felt too drawn out. If you're looking for a spooky pagan story for Samhain though, this is definitely a good one!

Rating: 2.5/5

#horror #slewfoot #pagan #samhain #brom #fiction #reading #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendation #bookreview

A few years ago, I read The Nightengale, and I thought it would forever be my favourite historical fiction. And then I read SONGS FROM THIS AND THAT COUNTRY.

Sobat is an incredible writer, winding poetry and harsh truths together to make an unforgettable tale. The story is at times horrifying and heart wrenching, tossing me between tears and laughter. It was so real and genuine and incredibly touching. I can't even begin to imagine the endeavour that writing this book must have been. All of the characters are impeccable. It was such a heartfelt exploration of life and the struggles of humanity and generational trauma.

And to cap off all that mastery is the interwoven story of Baba Roga which was told perfectly 🖤

I am obsessed.

Rating: 5/5

(Sidenote: please beware that this book deals heavily with the subject of multiple forms of abuse and PTSD).

@gailsidoniesobat

#fiction #literaryfiction #historicalfiction #generationaltrauma #trauma #ptsd #opera #war #family #romance #abuse #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookworm #babayaga #babaroga

A few years ago, I read The Nightengale, and I thought it would forever be my favourite historical fiction. And then I read SONGS FROM THIS AND THAT COUNTRY.

Sobat is an incredible writer, winding poetry and harsh truths together to make an unforgettable tale. The story is at times horrifying and heart wrenching, tossing me between tears and laughter. It was so real and genuine and incredibly touching. I can't even begin to imagine the endeavour that writing this book must have been. All of the characters are impeccable. It was such a heartfelt exploration of life and the struggles of humanity and generational trauma.

And to cap off all that mastery is the interwoven story of Baba Roga which was told perfectly 🖤

I am obsessed.

Rating: 5/5

(Sidenote: please beware that this book deals heavily with the subject of multiple forms of abuse and PTSD).

@gailsidoniesobat

#fiction #literaryfiction #historicalfiction #generationaltrauma #trauma #ptsd #opera #war #family #romance #abuse #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookworm #babayaga #babaroga

Let me start by saying that C. J. Lavigne has a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions are gorgeous and the idea behind this book is really cool. That being said, I found it just didn't hit the mark. I didn't really understand why they were stranded on the island or why they couldn't leave, and a lot of the characters fell flat. After halfway through the book, the chapters started feeling repetitive. There also wasn't enough of a conflict/tension beyond them having to stay, which wasn't explained enough to convince me they HAD to stay. Amazing idea, I just wish it had been executed a bit differently.

#fiction #speculativefiction #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookstagram #booksofig

Let me start by saying that C. J. Lavigne has a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions are gorgeous and the idea behind this book is really cool. That being said, I found it just didn't hit the mark. I didn't really understand why they were stranded on the island or why they couldn't leave, and a lot of the characters fell flat. After halfway through the book, the chapters started feeling repetitive. There also wasn't enough of a conflict/tension beyond them having to stay, which wasn't explained enough to convince me they HAD to stay. Amazing idea, I just wish it had been executed a bit differently.

#fiction #speculativefiction #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookstagram #booksofig

Unpopular opinion, but...

THE SWORD OF KAIGEN is way overhyped. Sure, I enjoyed parts of it, and certain characters, but I honestly skimmed the last 1/3 and didn't find I was missing anything. I know it connected for a lot of people, but something about it was really lacking for me (although not the number of times she wrote "He was so fast!")

Rating: 1.5/5

#swordofkaigen #swordofkaigenreview #fantasy #war #read #reading #mamaru #matsuda #misaki #takashi #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #book #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #booksofig #bookstagram

Unpopular opinion, but...

THE SWORD OF KAIGEN is way overhyped. Sure, I enjoyed parts of it, and certain characters, but I honestly skimmed the last 1/3 and didn't find I was missing anything. I know it connected for a lot of people, but something about it was really lacking for me (although not the number of times she wrote "He was so fast!")

Rating: 1.5/5

#swordofkaigen #swordofkaigenreview #fantasy #war #read #reading #mamaru #matsuda #misaki #takashi #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #book #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #booksofig #bookstagram

ALL WRONG HORSES ON FIRE THAT GO AWAY IN THE RAIN is an absolutely heart wrenching collection of poems on intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities. There were so many poems in here that made me pause and reflect, that broke my heart. It's a stunning and important collection that everyone should read, and reread. Let the words sink in. Please.

Rating: 4/5

#poetry #poets #poem #poetrycommunity #Indigenousvoices #canadian #canadianhistory #canada🇨🇦 #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram #everychildmatters🧡 #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #reading #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer @newest.press

ALL WRONG HORSES ON FIRE THAT GO AWAY IN THE RAIN is an absolutely heart wrenching collection of poems on intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities. There were so many poems in here that made me pause and reflect, that broke my heart. It's a stunning and important collection that everyone should read, and reread. Let the words sink in. Please.

Rating: 4/5

#poetry #poets #poem #poetrycommunity #Indigenousvoices #canadian #canadianhistory #canada🇨🇦 #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram #everychildmatters🧡 #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #reading #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer @newest.press

ATTIC RAIN is such an exceptional poetry collection. I am a little concerned with how relatable I found it... 😅. The number of times I have looked at my straightener, which is OFF, and repeated in my head OFF OFF OFF, or locked my door and said LOCKED LOCKED LOCKED so that I wouldn't have to go back and check...

These poems are very real. The drawings are a perfect demonstration of how long a simple task like leaving the house can take. And the poetry is such a genuine dive into the brain of someone with OCD.

It's smart, and funny, and eye-opening. I absolutely recommend.

Rating: 5/5

@samanthajonespoet @newest.press #poetry #poets #ocd #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #book #bookworm #thestruggle #bookstagram #booksofig #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviews

ATTIC RAIN is such an exceptional poetry collection. I am a little concerned with how relatable I found it... 😅. The number of times I have looked at my straightener, which is OFF, and repeated in my head OFF OFF OFF, or locked my door and said LOCKED LOCKED LOCKED so that I wouldn't have to go back and check...

These poems are very real. The drawings are a perfect demonstration of how long a simple task like leaving the house can take. And the poetry is such a genuine dive into the brain of someone with OCD.

It's smart, and funny, and eye-opening. I absolutely recommend.

Rating: 5/5

@samanthajonespoet @newest.press #poetry #poets #ocd #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #book #bookworm #thestruggle #bookstagram #booksofig #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreviews

THE BEAUTY OF VULTURES is a beautiful compilation of bird photography and poems. This is the first time I've read a book where the poems were inspired by the photos, and not the other way around. It was really neat reading the poem, comparing it to the photo, and looking for the elements that inspired the content. I particularly loved those that were a little more gothic in nature (as is typical for me 😅). My little heart was very happy with the tarot card inspiration for one of the parts 🙊

If you love nature, birds, photography, and poetry, this should definitely be your next pick!

(Sidenote: my ratings are always based on my personal preference. While I have no complaints about the work itself, the poetry isn't the style I typically gravitate towards, which impacts my rating. Please note that in this case, the rating is NOT a reflection of the talent of the author, just the likelihood that I would pick up this particular book again.)

Rating: 3.5/5

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #localauthors #albertaauthors #alberta #yeg #readthenorth #canadian #canada #canada🇨🇦 #canadianauthor #bird #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #naturephotography #poetrylovers #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammar #booksofig #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig @newest.press

THE BEAUTY OF VULTURES is a beautiful compilation of bird photography and poems. This is the first time I've read a book where the poems were inspired by the photos, and not the other way around. It was really neat reading the poem, comparing it to the photo, and looking for the elements that inspired the content. I particularly loved those that were a little more gothic in nature (as is typical for me 😅). My little heart was very happy with the tarot card inspiration for one of the parts 🙊

If you love nature, birds, photography, and poetry, this should definitely be your next pick!

(Sidenote: my ratings are always based on my personal preference. While I have no complaints about the work itself, the poetry isn't the style I typically gravitate towards, which impacts my rating. Please note that in this case, the rating is NOT a reflection of the talent of the author, just the likelihood that I would pick up this particular book again.)

Rating: 3.5/5

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #localauthors #albertaauthors #alberta #yeg #readthenorth #canadian #canada #canada🇨🇦 #canadianauthor #bird #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #naturephotography #poetrylovers #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammar #booksofig #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig @newest.press

Holy sh*t. This is it. This is the best book I've read all year. My top three of all time.

This book started and ended with a ferocity that is unparalleled. It is unforgiving and ruthless and so full of heart. It deals with incredibly real and current issues in such a fresh and eye-opening way that I genuinely think it could build new empathy in some readers.

It's HUNGER GAMES meets LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY meets BABEL.

I'm stunned by the intensity and horror and beauty. The number of times I gasped out loud or cried -- I cried on PAGE 8. PAGE 8.

@mlwangbooksnews this is a MASTERPIECE.

Rating: EXCEPTIONAL ✨✨✨✨✨

#magic #babel #hungergames #lessonsinchemistry #darkfantasy #darkacademia#fallreads #spookyseason

#bloodoverbrighthaven #fantasy #bookrecommendations
#bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig

Holy sh*t. This is it. This is the best book I've read all year. My top three of all time.

This book started and ended with a ferocity that is unparalleled. It is unforgiving and ruthless and so full of heart. It deals with incredibly real and current issues in such a fresh and eye-opening way that I genuinely think it could build new empathy in some readers.

It's HUNGER GAMES meets LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY meets BABEL.

I'm stunned by the intensity and horror and beauty. The number of times I gasped out loud or cried -- I cried on PAGE 8. PAGE 8.

@mlwangbooksnews this is a MASTERPIECE.

Rating: EXCEPTIONAL ✨✨✨✨✨

#magic #babel #hungergames #lessonsinchemistry #darkfantasy #darkacademia#fallreads #spookyseason

#bloodoverbrighthaven #fantasy #bookrecommendations
#bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig

This was SO BAD. AWFUL. Pure Harry Potter torture porn. I made it 100 pages, and then skipped to 200 because everyone's like "that's where it gets good!". It did not, in fact, get good. It got worse. I don't know what this author was thinking. I totally understand (and enjoy) dark fantasy but this?! Bruh. Please.

Rating: -1000/5

#alchemised #manacled #fiction #fantasy #darkfantasy #torture #triggerwarning #sa #trauma #book #bookworm #tiktok #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookstagram #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

This was SO BAD. AWFUL. Pure Harry Potter torture porn. I made it 100 pages, and then skipped to 200 because everyone's like "that's where it gets good!". It did not, in fact, get good. It got worse. I don't know what this author was thinking. I totally understand (and enjoy) dark fantasy but this?! Bruh. Please.

Rating: -1000/5

#alchemised #manacled #fiction #fantasy #darkfantasy #torture #triggerwarning #sa #trauma #book #bookworm #tiktok #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #bookstagram #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

Erin A. Craig...I am so sorry for what the cover designers did to you.

This book was SO GOOD. It was spooky and creepy and full of terrifying monsters and mass hysteria....and this was the cover.

Why. Just why.

I am so glad @danielle.j.charbonneau recommended I read this, because I would never have picked it up on cover or title alone. And this book deserves to be read. It deserves more clout.

Rating: 4.5/5

#horror #fiction #spooky #fallreads #spookyseason #spookyseasonreads #monsters #religion #read #readmorebooks #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer

Erin A. Craig...I am so sorry for what the cover designers did to you.

This book was SO GOOD. It was spooky and creepy and full of terrifying monsters and mass hysteria....and this was the cover.

Why. Just why.

I am so glad @danielle.j.charbonneau recommended I read this, because I would never have picked it up on cover or title alone. And this book deserves to be read. It deserves more clout.

Rating: 4.5/5

#horror #fiction #spooky #fallreads #spookyseason #spookyseasonreads #monsters #religion #read #readmorebooks #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer

If you are looking to get into The Roots of Chaos series, do not start with this one.

It was fine but it read like a POV that wasn't long enough to include in the original series, so Shannon removed it and said it was a "prequel." It's best read after the other two books, as it's more of a backstory filler than a standalone in my opinion.

Rating: 2/5

#fantasy #amongtheburningflowers #dragons #fiction #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram

If you are looking to get into The Roots of Chaos series, do not start with this one.

It was fine but it read like a POV that wasn't long enough to include in the original series, so Shannon removed it and said it was a "prequel." It's best read after the other two books, as it's more of a backstory filler than a standalone in my opinion.

Rating: 2/5

#fantasy #amongtheburningflowers #dragons #fiction #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram

I definitely preferred the first book in this duology, but this one was really good, too! It's a bit more focused on the relationship and life without magic. There were a few amazing twists that ended up not being as grand as I had hoped. There was potential for the book to go epic fantasy, and instead it just...dissolved? But I still really enjoyed it. Ava Reid has a beautiful, poetic style that's absolutely stunning.

TW: suicidal ideation, suicide attempt(s)

Rating: 4/5

#fantasy #darkacademia #mentalillness #magic #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

I definitely preferred the first book in this duology, but this one was really good, too! It's a bit more focused on the relationship and life without magic. There were a few amazing twists that ended up not being as grand as I had hoped. There was potential for the book to go epic fantasy, and instead it just...dissolved? But I still really enjoyed it. Ava Reid has a beautiful, poetic style that's absolutely stunning.

TW: suicidal ideation, suicide attempt(s)

Rating: 4/5

#fantasy #darkacademia #mentalillness #magic #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

A STUDY IN DROWNING is sooooo gooooood 😭 Absolutely stunning. It is the most magical, heart-warming, empowering story that reads like a folktale. It's a love letter to stories and to silenced women. I absolutely devoured it and now I need to read everything Ava Reid has ever written. Her style is incredible. It's poetic and gentle and full of visceral imagery and beautiful metaphors. I am obsessed.

TW: the main character has PTSD from an SA so that plays a lot throughout the book.

Rating: 5/5 forever in my heart

#fantasy #fiction #YA #darkacademia #romance #magic #gothic #read #reading #readersofinstagram
#bookreviewer
#bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofınstagram #bookstagrammar

A STUDY IN DROWNING is sooooo gooooood 😭 Absolutely stunning. It is the most magical, heart-warming, empowering story that reads like a folktale. It's a love letter to stories and to silenced women. I absolutely devoured it and now I need to read everything Ava Reid has ever written. Her style is incredible. It's poetic and gentle and full of visceral imagery and beautiful metaphors. I am obsessed.

TW: the main character has PTSD from an SA so that plays a lot throughout the book.

Rating: 5/5 forever in my heart

#fantasy #fiction #YA #darkacademia #romance #magic #gothic #read #reading #readersofinstagram
#bookreviewer
#bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofınstagram #bookstagrammar

I am so sad about this book. The first half was SO GOOD. I was telling everyone to read it. But then the second half hit and.....🕳️

The main character is insufferable and she doesn't have a character arc until the last few chapters. The book takes a complete left turn in plot when someone is murdered, and then the original inciting incident is just...subplot? I honestly skimmed the last half of the book because I just couldn't do it. The only redeeming quality was the love interest who was so sweet and endearing.

Rating: 1/5

#fantasy #sapphic #romantasy #fiction #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #lgbt

I am so sad about this book. The first half was SO GOOD. I was telling everyone to read it. But then the second half hit and.....🕳️

The main character is insufferable and she doesn't have a character arc until the last few chapters. The book takes a complete left turn in plot when someone is murdered, and then the original inciting incident is just...subplot? I honestly skimmed the last half of the book because I just couldn't do it. The only redeeming quality was the love interest who was so sweet and endearing.

Rating: 1/5

#fantasy #sapphic #romantasy #fiction #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #lgbt

Oh, KATABASIS. Where to begin.

This book is not for people looking for a light read. Much like her earlier work, BABEL, this story is "chalk" full of scholarly concepts (I have to thank my rhetoric teacher for teaching me about syllogisms prior to this book). BUT, the story is so so good. It's dark, and funny, and gruesome, and real, and all the things I love Kuang for. She delivers major twists super casually (as she loves to do, and we love her for it). She builds characters that you both love and hate, and creates the most breathtaking villains. I mean, Lord Yama?! And I love how she blends real concepts with her magic system. *chef's kiss*

I do wish there was a bit more vivid description throughout. I did struggle to picture a lot of the scenes, which isn't something I usually struggle with. But I suppose, how descriptive can you be of a desert landscape?

Rating: 4/5

@kuangrf #katabasis #fantasy #fiction #hell #underworld #hades #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademiabooks #book #booktok #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

Oh, KATABASIS. Where to begin.

This book is not for people looking for a light read. Much like her earlier work, BABEL, this story is "chalk" full of scholarly concepts (I have to thank my rhetoric teacher for teaching me about syllogisms prior to this book). BUT, the story is so so good. It's dark, and funny, and gruesome, and real, and all the things I love Kuang for. She delivers major twists super casually (as she loves to do, and we love her for it). She builds characters that you both love and hate, and creates the most breathtaking villains. I mean, Lord Yama?! And I love how she blends real concepts with her magic system. *chef's kiss*

I do wish there was a bit more vivid description throughout. I did struggle to picture a lot of the scenes, which isn't something I usually struggle with. But I suppose, how descriptive can you be of a desert landscape?

Rating: 4/5

@kuangrf #katabasis #fantasy #fiction #hell #underworld #hades #darkacademiaaesthetic #darkacademiabooks #book #booktok #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

It was really interesting reading this after @wwc_festival_yyc this weekend! One of the sessions was on the monstrous feminine, where three female horror authors talked about women in horror. One of the things that stuck with me the most was that in male written horror, the men are afraid of monsters. In female written horror, the women are often of men, and the women BECOME the monsters.

Enter THE WOODS ALL BLACK. This queer horror novella is very unsettling. Set in the 1920s in the Appalachian mountains, two transgender women have to fight against a town and priest that is staunchly determined to change their "ways." It is a story of redemption and revenge and it's oh so good.

(Also explicit love scenes if you're into that kind of thing 👀)

Rating: 3.5/5

#horror #fiction #lgbt #transgender #revenge #monsters #appalachianmountains #appalachia #folklore #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofınstagram

It was really interesting reading this after @wwc_festival_yyc this weekend! One of the sessions was on the monstrous feminine, where three female horror authors talked about women in horror. One of the things that stuck with me the most was that in male written horror, the men are afraid of monsters. In female written horror, the women are often of men, and the women BECOME the monsters.

Enter THE WOODS ALL BLACK. This queer horror novella is very unsettling. Set in the 1920s in the Appalachian mountains, two transgender women have to fight against a town and priest that is staunchly determined to change their "ways." It is a story of redemption and revenge and it's oh so good.

(Also explicit love scenes if you're into that kind of thing 👀)

Rating: 3.5/5

#horror #fiction #lgbt #transgender #revenge #monsters #appalachianmountains #appalachia #folklore #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofınstagram

STRANGE HOUSES was okay. I feel like the most chilling twist was revealing too soon? And then the rest of the book actually somehow made it less messed up? I don't know. I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. I had also hoped that we as readers would need to do more detective work with the floor plans, but they literally showed us all the answers, so that made me kind of sad.

Rating: 1.75/5

#horror #thriller #fiction #mystery #read #reading #readersofig #bookstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #book #booksofınstagram #booksofig #japanesefiction

STRANGE HOUSES was okay. I feel like the most chilling twist was revealing too soon? And then the rest of the book actually somehow made it less messed up? I don't know. I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. I had also hoped that we as readers would need to do more detective work with the floor plans, but they literally showed us all the answers, so that made me kind of sad.

Rating: 1.75/5

#horror #thriller #fiction #mystery #read #reading #readersofig #bookstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #book #booksofınstagram #booksofig #japanesefiction

This book was very strange. I skimmed a huge portion of it and really didn't enjoy the one point of view. I wish that he had just written a book from Navidson's point of view and left out the rest. But, alas. Honestly, the true hero here is the book designer.

Rating: 2/5 (and only because of the design and the one point of view).

#houseofleaves #horror #hauntedhouse #monsters #cultbooks #booktok #bookstagram #booksofınstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreview #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #thriller #family

This book was very strange. I skimmed a huge portion of it and really didn't enjoy the one point of view. I wish that he had just written a book from Navidson's point of view and left out the rest. But, alas. Honestly, the true hero here is the book designer.

Rating: 2/5 (and only because of the design and the one point of view).

#houseofleaves #horror #hauntedhouse #monsters #cultbooks #booktok #bookstagram #booksofınstagram #bookrecommendation #bookreview #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #thriller #family

Okay, this book was INSANE.

SOUR CHERRY is a modern retelling of Bluebeard that reads like a folktale in its own right. It is dark, and macabre, and full of heart. I am absolutely stunned by this piece of art. Every sentence is poetry but it doesn't get old or take away from the story. SOUR CHERRY was absolute perfection. I am obsessed with it.

@natalia.theodoridou you are an INCREDIBLE writer with such a unique voice. Please never ever stop writing.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #folktale #bluebeard #toxicmasculinity
#feminism #folklore #read #readmorebooks #lgbt #polyamorous #reading #ghost #ghoststories #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation

Okay, this book was INSANE.

SOUR CHERRY is a modern retelling of Bluebeard that reads like a folktale in its own right. It is dark, and macabre, and full of heart. I am absolutely stunned by this piece of art. Every sentence is poetry but it doesn't get old or take away from the story. SOUR CHERRY was absolute perfection. I am obsessed with it.

@natalia.theodoridou you are an INCREDIBLE writer with such a unique voice. Please never ever stop writing.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #folktale #bluebeard #toxicmasculinity
#feminism #folklore #read #readmorebooks #lgbt #polyamorous #reading #ghost #ghoststories #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation

I love Amanda Lovelace's poetry. It's always so empowering. Her poetry is short, but every time I pick up one of her poetry books, it seems to have exactly what I need to hear at that time.

Plus the illustrations inside are so beautiful 😍

Love love love.

Rating: 4/5

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #poet #amandalovelace #moth #motherhood #book #books #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer

I love Amanda Lovelace's poetry. It's always so empowering. Her poetry is short, but every time I pick up one of her poetry books, it seems to have exactly what I need to hear at that time.

Plus the illustrations inside are so beautiful 😍

Love love love.

Rating: 4/5

#poetry #poems #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #poet #amandalovelace #moth #motherhood #book #books #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreviewer

Fun title, did not enjoy.

I loved the first half of the book. Liz Worth has such a poetic writing style that made this spooky book absolutely beautiful. Untilllll things started getting gruesome and super creepy. And then her poetic style was in such juxtaposition to the content that neither really worked.

Curious to hear your thoughts if you read this?

#horror #fiction #creepy #spooky #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendation #bookreview

Fun title, did not enjoy.

I loved the first half of the book. Liz Worth has such a poetic writing style that made this spooky book absolutely beautiful. Untilllll things started getting gruesome and super creepy. And then her poetic style was in such juxtaposition to the content that neither really worked.

Curious to hear your thoughts if you read this?

#horror #fiction #creepy #spooky #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookrecommendation #bookreview

Island Witch was really enjoyable! I got this one at @littleghostsbooks when I was searching for something that could compare to Vampires of El Norte and Lone Women. While it wasn't quite as good as those two, it did have a very similar feel. The main character's dreams were brutal and terrifying, as was the creature haunting her. And in a similar refrain to the other two books I referenced, Island Witch was overflowing with themes of colonialism and feminism. I do love a book where the villain is manifested as a result of a sick society.

TW: sexual assault, gore, domestic violence

Rating: 4/5

#horror #fiction #scary #feminism #feminist #anticolonialism
#haunted #haunting #book #bookworm #bookstagram
#booksofınstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation

Island Witch was really enjoyable! I got this one at @littleghostsbooks when I was searching for something that could compare to Vampires of El Norte and Lone Women. While it wasn't quite as good as those two, it did have a very similar feel. The main character's dreams were brutal and terrifying, as was the creature haunting her. And in a similar refrain to the other two books I referenced, Island Witch was overflowing with themes of colonialism and feminism. I do love a book where the villain is manifested as a result of a sick society.

TW: sexual assault, gore, domestic violence

Rating: 4/5

#horror #fiction #scary #feminism #feminist #anticolonialism
#haunted #haunting #book #bookworm #bookstagram
#booksofınstagram #booksofig #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation

Remember how I said I didn't like vampire books? Well...that was before I read this one 😅

VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE is so freaking good. Instead of your typical human vampires, Canas uses monsters of pure nightmares. It reminded me a lot of Lone Women by Victor LaVelle, except that there was a romance plot added to this story. Even with the romantic aspect, Canas managed to write a strong, feminist, anti-colonialist horror novel that was absolute perfection. I loved this one.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #vampire #vampires #buryourbonesinthemidnightsoil #bobitms #anticolonialism #feminist #feminism #book #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookworm #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram

Remember how I said I didn't like vampire books? Well...that was before I read this one 😅

VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE is so freaking good. Instead of your typical human vampires, Canas uses monsters of pure nightmares. It reminded me a lot of Lone Women by Victor LaVelle, except that there was a romance plot added to this story. Even with the romantic aspect, Canas managed to write a strong, feminist, anti-colonialist horror novel that was absolute perfection. I loved this one.

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #horror #vampire #vampires #buryourbonesinthemidnightsoil #bobitms #anticolonialism #feminist #feminism #book #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookworm #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram

I am SO SAD that this is a DNF. I was super excited for an Appalachian mountain story, but my god, that was the only good thing about this. Literally everything else was a trope.

Woman leaves "weird" family behind for normal life, meets rich man, falls in love and gets married, has two kids, gets divorced and has no money so has to move kids back to magical grandmother's house. Kids have the magic! OH NO! Second day--enter high school best friend who she kissed once and then never talked to again. He's EVEN HOTTER. And he's single and has a sick father.

I just can't. I'm so sad. I was hoping for so much more.

Alas.

If anyone knows of any good books that take place in or are about the Appalachian mountains, please let me know! I am desperate!

Rating: DNF

#fiction #magic #appalachianmountains #spooky #tropes #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookstagrammar #bookworm #read #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendation #reading #readersofig

I am SO SAD that this is a DNF. I was super excited for an Appalachian mountain story, but my god, that was the only good thing about this. Literally everything else was a trope.

Woman leaves "weird" family behind for normal life, meets rich man, falls in love and gets married, has two kids, gets divorced and has no money so has to move kids back to magical grandmother's house. Kids have the magic! OH NO! Second day--enter high school best friend who she kissed once and then never talked to again. He's EVEN HOTTER. And he's single and has a sick father.

I just can't. I'm so sad. I was hoping for so much more.

Alas.

If anyone knows of any good books that take place in or are about the Appalachian mountains, please let me know! I am desperate!

Rating: DNF

#fiction #magic #appalachianmountains #spooky #tropes #book #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookstagrammar #bookworm #read #readersofinstagram #bookrecommendation #reading #readersofig

THE FAMILIAR was SO GOOD. The story felt original, I loved so many of the characters, and the ending had such a perfect twist. I also really loved how she explored religion. Ugh, SO GOOD.

I absolutely loved it. It broke me out of my reading slump (finally).

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #fantasy #magic #thefamiliar #read #reading #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #booksofig #booksofınstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation

THE FAMILIAR was SO GOOD. The story felt original, I loved so many of the characters, and the ending had such a perfect twist. I also really loved how she explored religion. Ugh, SO GOOD.

I absolutely loved it. It broke me out of my reading slump (finally).

Rating: 5/5

#fiction #fantasy #magic #thefamiliar #read #reading #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #booksofig #booksofınstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation

If you're looking for a heart story, look no further. I picked this up after reading her first novel, We All Want Impossible Things and falling in love with it. This one wasn't quite as good, but I still really enjoyed it. Catherine Newman has such a unique way of telling a story. Her style really brings the characters to life, almost like watching a TV show, and her wit is amazing. I love how funny and imperfect her characters are.

Rating: 3.5/5

#fiction #sandwich #read #reading #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreview #bookrecommendation

If you're looking for a heart story, look no further. I picked this up after reading her first novel, We All Want Impossible Things and falling in love with it. This one wasn't quite as good, but I still really enjoyed it. Catherine Newman has such a unique way of telling a story. Her style really brings the characters to life, almost like watching a TV show, and her wit is amazing. I love how funny and imperfect her characters are.

Rating: 3.5/5

#fiction #sandwich #read #reading #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #bookreview #bookrecommendation

Sigh.

I have very mixed feelings about this book.

First of all, let me say that I don't like vampire stories. "Then why'd you read this book?" Because I will read literally anything that V. E. Schwab publishes. And her writing and voice shine in this book as always. BUT...

I did not like Vengeful or Vicious and the one character read too much like the ones in that duology.

There are only so many times you can describe someone drinking blood from someone's neck.

The characters that I absolutely loved...well, you'll see when you read it.

It was beautiful and for a good portion, boring. The majority of the twists and big moments were in the last 200 pages. There were some scenes that were hella dark and uncomfortable, and some that were so creepy and macabre that they made my skin crawl but that I loved regardless. And then there were some that were so boring I skimmed them.

As for the ending, I hated it. It felt forced, and short, and unrealistic and was in every way unsatisfying.

But read it for yourself. Perhaps you'll like it more than I did.

Rating: 3/5? Again...her voice is amazing as always. But I'm just...disappointed.

(Also, WHO APPROVED THIS COVER ART?! What in the amateur romantasy tiled art is this?! Ugh.)

Let me know if you've read it and what your thoughts are! (No spoilers for my followers, though!)

#buryourbonesinthemidnightsoil
#vampire #sapphic #wlw #lgbt #fiction #fantasy #horror #romantasy #veschwab #read #reading #book #books #bookreviewer #bookreccomendations #bookstagram #booksofig #readersofinstagram

Sigh.

I have very mixed feelings about this book.

First of all, let me say that I don't like vampire stories. "Then why'd you read this book?" Because I will read literally anything that V. E. Schwab publishes. And her writing and voice shine in this book as always. BUT...

I did not like Vengeful or Vicious and the one character read too much like the ones in that duology.

There are only so many times you can describe someone drinking blood from someone's neck.

The characters that I absolutely loved...well, you'll see when you read it.

It was beautiful and for a good portion, boring. The majority of the twists and big moments were in the last 200 pages. There were some scenes that were hella dark and uncomfortable, and some that were so creepy and macabre that they made my skin crawl but that I loved regardless. And then there were some that were so boring I skimmed them.

As for the ending, I hated it. It felt forced, and short, and unrealistic and was in every way unsatisfying.

But read it for yourself. Perhaps you'll like it more than I did.

Rating: 3/5? Again...her voice is amazing as always. But I'm just...disappointed.

(Also, WHO APPROVED THIS COVER ART?! What in the amateur romantasy tiled art is this?! Ugh.)

Let me know if you've read it and what your thoughts are! (No spoilers for my followers, though!)

#buryourbonesinthemidnightsoil
#vampire #sapphic #wlw #lgbt #fiction #fantasy #horror #romantasy #veschwab #read #reading #book #books #bookreviewer #bookreccomendations #bookstagram #booksofig #readersofinstagram

Ya'll...I knew this was going to be a messed up book...but it got too messed up with not enough reasoning behind it. It felt like shock for shocks sake, aka trauma porn. If you think otherwise, I'd love to hear your thoughts. But this one's going back to the bookstore.

#dnf #flowersintheattic #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #reading #book #bookworm #books #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations

Ya'll...I knew this was going to be a messed up book...but it got too messed up with not enough reasoning behind it. It felt like shock for shocks sake, aka trauma porn. If you think otherwise, I'd love to hear your thoughts. But this one's going back to the bookstore.

#dnf #flowersintheattic #read #readersofig #readersofinstagram #reading #book #bookworm #books #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations

I wrote this poem at a writing conference last year and then promptly lost it. As I was flipping through my reading journal, lo and behold, there she was!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🖤🥳🎂

Visit caityaga.com for more of my work!

#poetsofinstagram #poetsofig #poetry #poems #poetrylovers #birthday #birthdaygirl #birthdayparty #birthdaycake #chocolate #birthdaygift #happybirthday #thriller #mukduk #twist #read #resding #readersofig #readersofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryisnotdead #poet

I wrote this poem at a writing conference last year and then promptly lost it. As I was flipping through my reading journal, lo and behold, there she was!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🖤🥳🎂

Visit caityaga.com for more of my work!

#poetsofinstagram #poetsofig #poetry #poems #poetrylovers #birthday #birthdaygirl #birthdayparty #birthdaycake #chocolate #birthdaygift #happybirthday #thriller #mukduk #twist #read #resding #readersofig #readersofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetryisnotdead #poet

Do not go into this expecting an easy read, but that's the point. Omar El Akkad is an Egyptian-Canadian journalist (calling all my journalist major friends) who has reported on some of the most horrific political and racially-driven crimes committed to human beings. In this deep-dive, he is completely unapologetic about our society and how badly it needs to change. I don't remember the last time I tagged this many pages.

"Under this ordering, it is not some corporation's increasing capacity for better that drives the extraction world, but everyone else's increasing tolerance for worse."

"...a fear that any society whose functioning demands one ignore carnage of this scale for the sake of artificial normalcy is by definition sociopathic."

Using the metaphor of Star Wars: "...so much of the American self-image demands a narrative in which his country plays the role of the rebel, the resistance, when at the same time every shred of contemporary evidence around him leads to the conclusion that, by scope and scale and purpose of violence, this country is clearly the empire."

"Either hundreds of millions of people have always been predisposed to the lure of the fascist, or something of corporate liberalism has brought us here."

Unreal. El Akkad has my brain reeling and my heart aching.

Rating: 5/5

#nonfiction #onedayeveryonewillhavealwaysbeenagainstthis #omarelakkad #journalist #journalism #reporting #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #books #bookworm #bookhoarder #bookstagram #booksofig #bookstagrammer #bookreviews #bookrecommendations

Do not go into this expecting an easy read, but that's the point. Omar El Akkad is an Egyptian-Canadian journalist (calling all my journalist major friends) who has reported on some of the most horrific political and racially-driven crimes committed to human beings. In this deep-dive, he is completely unapologetic about our society and how badly it needs to change. I don't remember the last time I tagged this many pages.

"Under this ordering, it is not some corporation's increasing capacity for better that drives the extraction world, but everyone else's increasing tolerance for worse."

"...a fear that any society whose functioning demands one ignore carnage of this scale for the sake of artificial normalcy is by definition sociopathic."

Using the metaphor of Star Wars: "...so much of the American self-image demands a narrative in which his country plays the role of the rebel, the resistance, when at the same time every shred of contemporary evidence around him leads to the conclusion that, by scope and scale and purpose of violence, this country is clearly the empire."

"Either hundreds of millions of people have always been predisposed to the lure of the fascist, or something of corporate liberalism has brought us here."

Unreal. El Akkad has my brain reeling and my heart aching.

Rating: 5/5

#nonfiction #onedayeveryonewillhavealwaysbeenagainstthis #omarelakkad #journalist #journalism #reporting #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #books #bookworm #bookhoarder #bookstagram #booksofig #bookstagrammer #bookreviews #bookrecommendations

I'm so sorry, but I just don't get the hype. I do enjoy her longer poems, but there wasn't anything unique or special about most of the rest of them. It would have been neat if she'd combined the shorter ones. Anyways...

Rating: 2/5

#rupikaur #poetry #poems #milkandhoney #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig

I'm so sorry, but I just don't get the hype. I do enjoy her longer poems, but there wasn't anything unique or special about most of the rest of them. It would have been neat if she'd combined the shorter ones. Anyways...

Rating: 2/5

#rupikaur #poetry #poems #milkandhoney #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig #book #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig

This is hands down the best poetry book I've ever read. @kyoleewrites is an incredible poet, and if you haven't read this yet, you're doing yourself a disservice. Kyo Lee explores "the Asian American diaspora, queerness, girlhood, and the relationships between them" with some of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching imagery. As a bisexual woman who grew up in the church and has struggled with my own identity, Kyo Lee made me feel incredibly seen.

Some of my favourite lines:

"You come home to your mother at the cutting board slicing money into green cards."

"I wait for monsoon season, the sky's swinging underbelly thumping with the heartbeats of an unborn child."

"It's raining. Bamboo skeletons rattling the night."

"I sucked the metal edges of empty pop cans to scythe my lips on sweetness."

"I've learned women & desire as synonyms."

Rating: 5/5 I will reread this all the time.

#poem #poetry #poetsofinstagram #poetsofig #book #bookstagram #booksofig #lgbt #2slgbtqia #bisexual #bi #diaspora #girlhood #relationships #womanhood #bookreviews #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

This is hands down the best poetry book I've ever read. @kyoleewrites is an incredible poet, and if you haven't read this yet, you're doing yourself a disservice. Kyo Lee explores "the Asian American diaspora, queerness, girlhood, and the relationships between them" with some of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching imagery. As a bisexual woman who grew up in the church and has struggled with my own identity, Kyo Lee made me feel incredibly seen.

Some of my favourite lines:

"You come home to your mother at the cutting board slicing money into green cards."

"I wait for monsoon season, the sky's swinging underbelly thumping with the heartbeats of an unborn child."

"It's raining. Bamboo skeletons rattling the night."

"I sucked the metal edges of empty pop cans to scythe my lips on sweetness."

"I've learned women & desire as synonyms."

Rating: 5/5 I will reread this all the time.

#poem #poetry #poetsofinstagram #poetsofig #book #bookstagram #booksofig #lgbt #2slgbtqia #bisexual #bi #diaspora #girlhood #relationships #womanhood #bookreviews #read #reading #readersofinstagram #readersofig

I had such high hopes for this one. It started off reminding me of the Priory portion of The Priory of The Orange Tree, but it completely lost me somewhere in the first half. I struggled through, skimmed a bunch, thanking the gods that it's a novella, only to find the ending lacking and the twist unsurprising.

I am sad.

Rating: 1/5

#fiction #fantasy #novella #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #intheshadowofthefall

I had such high hopes for this one. It started off reminding me of the Priory portion of The Priory of The Orange Tree, but it completely lost me somewhere in the first half. I struggled through, skimmed a bunch, thanking the gods that it's a novella, only to find the ending lacking and the twist unsurprising.

I am sad.

Rating: 1/5

#fiction #fantasy #novella #read #reading #readersofig #readersofinstagram #book #bookworm #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #booksofig #intheshadowofthefall

This book is so hyped but I just...don't get why? There are aspects of it that I did enjoy, but overall it felt dragged out and flat, so what should have been an incredible twist was just...meh. I did appreciate the aspect of people from the past trying to fit into our modern society, but the book used that to carry the plot for a really long time. There were a few tragic moments that I should have thrown the book but instead was unsurprised.

Rating: 2.5/5

#aministryoftime #fiction #sciencefiction #timetravel #read #reading #readersofinstagram
#readstagram
#book #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram

This book is so hyped but I just...don't get why? There are aspects of it that I did enjoy, but overall it felt dragged out and flat, so what should have been an incredible twist was just...meh. I did appreciate the aspect of people from the past trying to fit into our modern society, but the book used that to carry the plot for a really long time. There were a few tragic moments that I should have thrown the book but instead was unsurprised.

Rating: 2.5/5

#aministryoftime #fiction #sciencefiction #timetravel #read #reading #readersofinstagram
#readstagram
#book #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram

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