December Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

The year is over... The year is REALLY over. I still feel that days, weeks, months and years keep going faster as I'm getting older.

I've been very excited about Christmas and New Year's Eve, and now it's all here and after that it's all over. I always feel a bit sad about that! I will now have to wait for another year. 

I haven't had my best year ever and I feel like I'm not healed and all the way back to myself either. So I'm good with the fact that I didn't reach my Goodreads Goal of 80 books. I brought it back to 55 and that's fine with me. My reading just hasn't been what it was after August. We'll see how it goes next year.

Right now people are already enthusiastically firing fireworks, I always love the sounds and that always gets me excited for the evening.

I hope you all had a great year and will have an even better year, next year.

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great January with loads of good books.

🎆

Goodreads: Your Year In Books Meme 2021

Hi there and welcome to the blog!

I'm so excited to do the Your Year in Books Meme. This is a meme that I created four years ago. It is a way to write a blogpost about the Goodreads Your Year in Books and to share it with others.

I was hoping that bloggers would participate, and that worked out okay in the last few years. I hope I can get it even bigger this year.

This is actually a yearly meme where you write your final 2021 wrap up. Instead of the usual monthly or weekly memes.

I'd love for people to participate so please share your link at the end of this post!

You're free to write the blogpost in any way you like just to wrap up 2021.

I usually take the time to update my Year in Books Meme Blogpost every two days, so I keep it up to date! That way, you can participate whenever you like.

Review: Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)

Author: Christopher Paolini

Started reading: September 12th 2021

Finished the book: December 8th 2021

Pages: 503

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Published: August 26th 2003

Source: Bought the book

Goodreads score: 3.92

My score:

Synopsis

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Sunday Post #34

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Two Short Stories #29

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

Both of them are picture books!

Let's dive right in.

November Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

Last month I did not write a wrap-up. I hadn't finished any books, mainly because I did not read much. And when I was reading, it was in big books, so I had nothing to review. This month I did write some reviews and I've also bought some amazing books that I'm really excited to read!

For the first time since I have my 3 bookcases, I have sorted out all my books and have decided to take 60 books from my shelves and get rid of them. Yes, I did not mistype there, 60 books!! I have been giving away some of them to colleagues, friends and family and I'll bring the left overs to charity.

I do feel like I also haven't been reading much because I'm getting in a bit of a... Hmm, what to call it... Covid depression? I've been following the rules for 2 years, even celebrating my birthday last year with only 3 people. Wearing a face mask, social distancing, getting vaccinated. And now we're in a lockdown AGAIN. I really do feel like we should protect all the health care workers and doctors and nurses, but I also feel like I just want to be living again? I can't play sports anymore, go out, do fun things... It's just work, get home, sleep, repeat and I feel like I don't know what to do anymore? I have been keeping kinda quiet and low profile about this for the last 2 years, so now I just had to rant for a bit, I'm sorry! How's the situation over there?

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great month with amazing Christmas celebrations.

🤶

Review: A Good Marriage

Author: Stephen King

Started reading: November 10th 2021

Finished the book: November 17th 2021

Pages: 253

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

Published: September 30th 2014

Source: Storytel

Goodreads score: 3.83

My score:

Synopsis

What happens when, on a perfectly ordinary evening, all the things you believed in and took for granted are turned upside down?

When her husband of more than 20 years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It's a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends a good marriage.

Review: Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Started reading: September 12th 2021

Finished the book: November 16th 2021

Pages: 689

Genres: Fantasy

Published: September 6th 2016

Source: Bought the book

Goodreads score: 4.52

My score:

Synopsis

Kingdoms will collide.

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.
With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she's to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart.

Review: Billy Summers

Author: Stephen King

Started reading: September 29th 2021

Finished the book: November 10th 2021

Pages: 515

Genres: Thriller, Crime

Published: August 3rd 2021

Source: Storytel

Goodreads score: 4.30

My score:

Synopsis

Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He’s a killer for hire and the best in the business. But he’ll do the job only if the target is a truly bad guy. And now Billy wants out. But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong?

How about everything.

Two Short Stories #28

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is a horror novella, the other one is a sci-fi novella.

Let's dive right in.

Halloween Creatures Book Tag

On my PC I have a list of all fun booktags I have stumbled upon on different blogs.
I saw a post a from Jessica at A Great Read a long time ago. It's been on my list for a while and this seemed the right time  to do this fun booktag!

Here we go.
You can click the bookcovers for my review!

ABC Book Challenge Letter K

Today I'm going to continue the ABC Book Challenge. I'm on my way to the end of the alphabet! 

I've seen this Challenge on various blogs in all kinds of different ways. I hope you'll like the way I'm approaching this!

Feel free to join in.

Let's dive right in!

Two Short Stories #27

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is a short sci-fi coming of age story, and the other one is a picture book about viruses.

Let's dive right in.

September Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

First; I want to thank all of you who supported me so much in my last month-post. I shared something very personal and was a bit scared to do that, but I won't regret it for a second after reading all your sweet comments.

This month has been a bit better. It's been with ups and downs. Sometimes I have to call in sick from work, because I have days that I'm just so, so tired. I've been doing some fun things, and I've been sporting. I do feel that I'm on my way back, but I'm not there yet!

At school things were a bit rough as well, because there was, for the first time since this pandemic started, a positive tested student. Then things went from bad to worse and we had to go into quarantaine with the whole class for 10 days. So I have been home-teaching for a bit. Luckily we've been going back to school for some days now.

Overall, this month has been so-so. I'm just very happy that fall is around the corner! It's getting a bit more chilly and the leaves start to fall. I can't wait for the nature to turn so beautiful with all those lovely colors.

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great month with loads of sunshine.

🍂

Sunday Post #33

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

Review: The Anatomy of Desire

Author: L.R. Dorn

Started reading: August 27th 2021

Finished the book: September 16th 2021

Pages: 320 / 08:14:14

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

Published: May 11th 2021

Source: Storytel

Goodreads score: 3.63

My score:

Synopsis

Claire Griffith seems to have it all, a thriving career, a gorgeous, successful boyfriend, a glamorous circle of friends. She always knew she was destined for more than the life her deeply conservative parents preached to her. Arriving in Los Angeles as a flat broke teenager, she has risen to become a popular fitness coach and social media influencer. Having rebranded herself as Cleo Ray, she stands on the threshold of achieving her most cherished dreams.

One summer day, Cleo and a young woman named Beck Alden set off in a canoe on a quiet, picture-perfect mountain lake. An hour later, Beck is found dead in the water, her face cut and bruised, and Cleo is missing. Authorities suspect foul play and news about Cleo’s involvement goes viral. Who was Beck and what was the nature of her and Cleo’s relationship? Was Beck an infatuated follower who took things too far? If Cleo is innocent, why did she run? Was it an accident? Or was it murder?

As evidence of Cleo’s secret life surfaces, the world begins to see just how hard she strived to get to the top— and how fast and far the fall is from celebrity to infamy.

Review: The Beast of London (Mina Murray #1)

Author: L.D. Goffigan

Started reading: August 20th 2021

Finished the book: September 8th 2021

Pages: 238

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires

Published: April 17th 2017

Source: Digital Copy from the author

Goodreads score: 3.77

My score:

Synopsis

Mina Murray once lived an adventurous life, but after a tragedy in the forests of Transylvania, she left it all behind. Now she has settled into a quiet routine as a schoolteacher in London, engaged to the respectable solicitor Jonathan Harker, attempting to fit into the stuffy upper class London society to which he belongs.

Her dark past comes careening into her present when Jonathan is abducted by a group of vampires from a society ball. Determined to rescue him, she teams up with her former paramour Abraham Van Helsing and his colleague, Scotland Yard Inspector John Seward.

As they pursue Jonathan’s abductors from England to the Low Countries and beyond, Mina realizes that Jonathan’s abduction is tied to a larger threat against humanity…

ABC Book Challenge Letter J

Today I'm going to continue the ABC Book Challenge. I'm on my way to the end of the alphabet! 

I've seen this Challenge on various blogs in all kinds of different ways. I hope you'll like the way I'm approaching this!

Feel free to join in.

Let's dive right in!

Review: Project Hail Mary

Author: Andy Weir

Started reading: August 11th 2021

Finished the book: September 6th 2021

Pages: 481

Genres: Science Fiction, Space

Published: May 4th 2021

Source: E-book

Goodreads score: 4.55

My score:

Synopsis

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission--and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crew mates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that's been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it's up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.

Review: Later

Author: Stephen King

Started reading: July 10th 2021

Finished the book: August 25th 2021

Pages: 248

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller

Published: March 2nd 2021

Source: Storytel

Goodreads score: 4.04

My score:

Synopsis

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

Later is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King's classic novel IT, Later is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.

July/August Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

The summer break is over. I've done a lot of fun things, and of course went on a trip to Italy. The first week was great, with loads of great camping sites and sunbathing with a book by the sea. We also met up over there with some friends who were also camping close by, so we decided to join them for a few days.

After the first week we wanted to camp for another week, but things didn't go as planned. And due to something that happened, I was traumatized and started having panic attacks and hyperventilation. I've been hospitalized in Italy twice, and things have just been very hard ever since. I've thought long and hard about sharing this, but I don't want to be fake-positive on my own blog. So yeah, it is what it is.

Back in The Netherlands I went to the doctor and psychologist right away. I'm feeling much better than 3 weeks ago and started working, too. 3 weeks ago, all I did was lay on the couch and I was also taking medication. I quit taking those pills after a week.

I'm glad to work and spend time with my students and after work I head home right away to relax, read a bit, maybe play some sports and most of all to SLEEP. Because getting better is taking a lot of my energy.

So yeah, not the most positive post ever. But I try to see things from the positive side, and I feel like I'm heading in the right direction!

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great month with loads of good books.

😘

Review: All Fall Down (Helen Grace #9)

Author: M.J. Arlidge

Started reading: July 31st 2021

Finished the book: August 19th 2021

Pages: 512

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Published: June 11th 2020

Source: Bought the book

Goodreads score: 4.27

My score:

Synopsis

""You have one hour to live."" Those are the only words on the phone call. Then they hang up. Surely, a prank? A mistake? A wrong number? Anything but the chilling truth... That someone is watching, waiting, ready to take your life in one hour. But why?
The job of finding out falls to DI Helen Grace: a woman with a track record in hunting killers. However, this is one case where the killer seems to always be one step ahead of the police and the victims. With no motive, no leads, no clues - nothing but pure fear - an hour can last a lifetime...

Review: The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon #2)

Author: Dan Brown

Started reading: June 17th 2021

Finished the book: August 9th 2021

Pages: 454

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Published: March 18th 2003

Source: Received as a gift

Goodreads score: 3.87

My score:

Synopsis

While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever.

ABC Book Challenge Letter I

Today I'm going to continue the ABC Book Challenge. I'm on my way to the end of the alphabet! 

I've seen this Challenge on various blogs in all kinds of different ways. I hope you'll like the way I'm approaching this!

Feel free to join in.

Let's dive right in!

Review: What She Found in the Woods

Author: Josephine Angelini

Started reading: July 29th 2021

Finished the book: July 30th 2021

Pages: 400

Genres: YA, Mystery, Thriller

Published: December 1st 2020

Source: Netgalley

Goodreads score: 3.96

My score:

Synopsis

This is Magda's last chance. Recovering from a scandal at her elite New York City private school that threw life into a tailspin, she is shipped off to live with her grandparents in the Pacific Northwest for the summer.
Medicated and uninspired, Magda spends her days in a fog wandering the forest behind the house. But then she stumbles upon Bo. He's wild and free, and he can see the real her. Magda starts believing she might be able to move on from her past and feel something again.

But there's more to this sleepy town than she thought. And what Magda finds in the woods near Bo's forest home is the beginning of a whole new nightmare...

The Steal (Book Blitz #7)

~Book Blitz~

The Steal

By C.W. Gortner & M.J. Rose

Review: The Paladin (Saga of the Chosen #4)

Author: Petra Landon

Started reading: July 24th 2021

Finished the book: July 29th 2021

Pages: 452

Genres: Fantasy, Magic

Published: June 28th 2021

Source: Digital copy from the author

Goodreads score: 4.60

My score:

Synopsis

The explosive epiphany of their unique connection triggers the bondmates in different ways and simmering animosity drives a wedge between them. While their adversary and her shadowy sponsor get bolder, Tasia faces a tough decision.
The Alpha dredges up Vampire secrets to sow the seeds of dissension among the Clan, while Lady Bethesda struggles to right her ship. Sienna comes out, Temi makes a friend, the Blood Mages pick a side and ElMorad goes on a rampage. As more of the Oracle’s clues come to light, the investigation must make audacious moves and riskier bets, even work with the Guardians and other capricious partners, to checkmate their adversary. When a twist of fate forces Tasia to confront her worst nightmare, she has nothing to fall back on. As a multitude of threats converge on her, can Raoul shake off the chains of the past to help Tasia outrun her destiny?

Review: The Interludes: A Sexual Odyssey

Author: J.K. Duval

Started reading: June 6th 2021

Finished the book: July 23rd 2021

Pages: 516

Genres: Erotic, Fiction

Published: July 17th 2017

Source: Physical copy from the author

Goodreads score: 4.26

My score:

Synopsis

The Interludes, A Sexual Odyssey, is the fun sexy erotic novel for mature audiences. All the characters have only one thing in common, they’re all named Jordan. Whether they are women or men they share the same first name, but that’s where the similarities end. Seven different Jordans will take you along for almost every conceivable match-up in some seriously sexy locales.
From a beach-side cottage along the warm moonlit waters of Jamaica to a shower stall in London’s famed Claridge’s Hotel, across the hills of Tuscany to a magnificent 18 room oceanfront shingle style home on the western shores of Martha’s Vineyard, these are just a few of the places that will spread out before you on this journey of erotic discovery.
If you blush easily, you might want to look elsewhere for your night-table reading. Then again you may wish to share what’s behind this cover with someone you love and create your own sexual odyssey.

I'm in Italy! See you in 2 weeks xx

ABC Book Challenge Letter H

Today I'm going to continue the ABC Book Challenge. I'm on my way to the end of the alphabet! 

I've seen this Challenge on various blogs in all kinds of different ways. I hope you'll like the way I'm approaching this!

Feel free to join in.

Let's dive right in!

Two Short Stories #26

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is a rhyming audiobook adventure and the other one is a romantic suspense short story.

Let's dive right in.

Review: 1984

Author: George Orwell

Started reading: June 16h 2021

Finished the book: July 9th 2021

Pages: 298 / 12:17:45

Genres: Classics, Science Fiction, Literature

Published: June 8th 1949

Source: Storytel

Goodreads score: 4.19

My score:

Synopsis

The year 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell's prophetic, nightmarish vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is timelier than ever. 1984 is still the great modern classic of "negative utopia"—a startlingly original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is completely convincing, from the first sentence to the last four words. No one can deny the novel's hold on the imaginations of whole generations, or the power of its admonitions—a power that seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time.

Sunday Post #32

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead.

June Wrap up - Book Haul & What to Expect Next Month

Welcome, welcome my dear readers.

Welcome to the blog.

The end of the schoolyear... This year, it's hard for me. In 6th Grade we say goodbye to the kids, that's when they head to High School. But this class is special to me. I was their teacher in 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Grade. Half of their time in Primary School was with me as their teacher. In a week, we'll have the final evening of the schoolyear, when we get together with the kids from my classroom, their parents and all the teachers. The kids will play a musical and after that we will take the time to say our goodbyes.

That's also the start of my Summer holiday! I'm looking forward to it. I'm tired and ready to re-charge for the next schoolyear to come. The Summer break is 5 weeks for teachers and 6 for the kids in The Netherlands.

I've planned some fun things already, because we're out of lockdown in Europe. So I've planned a trip with a friend and some lovely lunch and dinner meetings with friends.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in and reading books. If all goes according to play, I'm heading to Italy for a camping trip with my boyfriend.

So, yeah! Looking forward to it!

Thanks for sticking with my blog and for reading!

Have a great month with loads of good books.

🌴

Two Short Stories #25

Today I will be highlighting two short stories.

One of them is a short story about a pack of bears and the other book is a picture book about loads of bad dad jokes.

Let's dive right in.