Unintended Hiatus

As you might have noticed, I've been a little absent the past week or two - and haven't replied to comments or visited other blogs since the beginning of the month.

This is partially because I'm in the midst of a major reading slump. I believe the last book I read was at the end of last month. I've picked up a few books but when they fail to grab me in the first 10-20 pages, I put them down and lose interest. So, I don't have any reviews to post and I really don't want to just post two meme's a week and nothing else. (The infrequent discussion topic I can't write doesn't actually help matters.)

Also though, I've been busy with other stuff and when I have downtime, I spend most of it either playing video games or writing. (And very definitely not getting enough sleep.)

The simple fact is, right now, just thinking of all the catch-up I have to do - with this blog and visiting others - not to mention the comments I have to reply to at the very least, makes me feel incredibly exhausted and a little like I'm drowning.

I don't know when I'll be coming back to this blog. I do want to, but the way I feel so indifferent to even picking up a book to read... I don't know when it will be. I just need a break for awhile, time to not feel guilty about not posting and commenting and all that other stuff, and time to actually get some posts lined up.

Top Ten 'Amy-Bait' Things in Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.


Original title: Top Ten Things That When They Are Even HINTED At In A Book Will Mean Amy Want's To Read It Right Now (but that title was too long).

T5W - Books That Would Make Awesome Video Games

Top 5 Wednesday is a group on goodreads that you can find here. Every week - or less for some of us ;) - the members get together and post five books that pertain to a specific topic.

This topic is like tailor made for me. For the past two months - almost three now, I think - I have been locked into the whole Dragon Age franchise. Playing the second one half a dozen times, replaying the first one twice, all in preparation for the third one. So, I definitely have a pretty certain idea of what kind of games I'd currently like to play.

Top Ten Most Unique Sounding Books On My TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

I think the longer I blog, the more I experiment with books that are a little outside my usual wheelhouse. Honestly, I love that. Sure, it does let me in for some 'what the hell was I thinking' moments, but sometimes the book turns out to be amazing and I never would have found it if I stuck to the norm. So, here's ten eight books on my TBR that sound different than anything else I've read!

2017 Challenges - 1st Quarter Update!

I am officially baffled that it is already the beginning of April. (And I was supposed to have this up the end of last month. :p) This year is going by crazy fast so far. But, that does mean it's time for my first challenge update. I've definitely had some mixed results - but, over all, I'm pretty happy.

Pages of Starlight's Speculative Fiction Challenge
(A challenge created by me for me - though you're welcome to join in!)

#1 A Fairytale Retelling


#2 A Historical Fantasy


#3 A Book From NPR's Top 100 SF/F List
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (Sci-Fi)


#4 A Non-British/American Steampunk


#5 Crossed With Another Genre (like a sci-fi mystery)
Hexbreaker by Jordan L. Hawk (Historical/UF/Mystery) (LGBT+POC MC)

#6 A Manga (or 15)
Karneval #5  by Touya Mikanagi

#7 A Comic Book
A-Force: Warzones by G. Willow Wilson
#8 An Urban Fantasy


#9 A Classic


#10 About Superheroes


#12 A Western (Space Western or Cattle Punk)


#13 An Earth-Based Sci-Fi


#14 A Sci-Fi With Aliens


#15 Based Around a Non-White Culture


#16 With a POC Main Character
Earthrise by M.C.A. Hogarth (Sci-Fi) (POC MC+Aliens)

#17 With a LGBTQIA Main Character


#18 With an Aro or Ace Character
An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows (Fantasy) (Aro POV Character+LGBT+POC)

#19 Written By a POC Author


#20 Has a M/M Romance
The Fire's Stone by Tanya Huff (Fantasy) (LGBT)


#21 Has a  F/F Romance


#22 Published Last Year


#23 Published Before 2000


#24 A Novella





Pages of Starlights ReRead Challenge
I don't reread enough books. I'm usually so focused on the next new book that I never get back to the books I loved. This year I'd like to change that. I'd like to reread at least 12 books this year.

Title - Author Here
Empty Net by Avon Gale
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by K.J. Charles

I had so much fun with my challenges from last year, I decided to do them again!

Pages of Starlight's Chunky-Book Challenge
(Adult 400+ YA 500+)
I plan to read 12 chunky books this year - or as many as I can find that sounds good, whichever comes first. (I don't even have 12 chunky books on my TBR!)

Title - Author Here

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling
Home and Away by Samantha Wayland
An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows
Stalking Darkness by Lynn Flewelling
Earthrise by M.C.A. Hogarth

Pages of Starlight's Finish-the-Series Challenge
My goal is to finish 12 series this year.
I'm also including series I've caught up on if there's no indication when/if it'll be finished.

Series by Author Finished

Hexworld by Jordan L. Hawk
A Society of Gentlemen by K.J. Charles

Pages of Starlight's TBR-Clean-Up Challenge
Read some of those books I've had on my TBR list for over a year.
Not my physical TBR.

Book - Author Here

T5W - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books On My TBR

Top 5 Wednesday is a group on goodreads that you can find here. Every week - or less for some of us ;) - the members get together and post five books that pertain to a specific topic.

Just when I was starting to think that I'd quit posting this meme, they have some of the best, most 'me' topics imaginable. This week, I get to talk about the spec fiction books on my TBR that I want to read, desperately. What's even better - or worse, depending on perspective - is that I already own all these and now just need to make time to read them.

Top Ten Non-Bookish Fandoms I Obsess Over

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Because we all know that my crazy fangirling cannot be limited to books. I mean, seriously.

April New Releases

Another month, another handful of books that sound awesome!

Releases April 4th

Defy the Stars by Claudia Grey
Noemi Vidal is a teen soldier from the planet Genesis, once a colony of Earth that's now at war for its independence. The humans of Genesis have fought Earth's robotic "mech" armies for decades with no end in sight. 

After a surprise attack, Noemi finds herself stranded in space on an abandoned ship where she meets Abel, the most sophisticated mech prototype ever made. One who should be her enemy. But Abel's programming forces him to obey Noemi as his commander, which means he has to help her save Genesis--even though her plan to win the war will kill him. 


Together they embark on a daring voyage through the galaxy. Before long, Noemi begins to realize Abel may be more than a machine, and, for his part, Abel's devotion to Noemi is no longer just a matter of programming.

Geekerella: A Fangirl Fairytale by Ashley Poston
Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale.

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad's old costume), Elle's determined to win unless her stepsisters get there first. 

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons before he was famous. Now they re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he's ever wanted, but the Starfieldfandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.


Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom."

Rebels Rising by Shanna Swendson
Risking all for freedom – and love

The governor has disbanded the Colonial Assembly, removing the last shred of representative government from American shores. The Rebel Mechanics and their magister allies can’t let the Empire get away with that. The time has come to act.


But to truly start turning the wheels of revolution, they need popular support from ordinary laborers, housewives, students, and the middle class—people outside the rebel movements. That’s a job for Verity Newton, under the guise of her journalistic alter ego. As the rebel movement builds momentum, Verity must take a more public, open stand for the cause—a stand that could jeopardize her job, her home, and her place in society.

At the same time, a revolution is the only way Verity stands a chance of being with Lord Henry, since they’re divided by class and by the fact that he’s wanted for treason. It’s a risk she’s willing to take.


Releases April 25th

The Explorers by Adrienne Kress
Featuring a mysterious society, a secretive past, and a pig in a teeny hat, The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a new series for fans of The Name of This Book Is a Secret and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Knock once if you can find it—but only members are allowed inside. 

This is one of those stories that start with a pig in a teeny hat. It’s not the one you’re thinking about. (This story is way better than that one.) 


This pig-in-a-teeny-hat story starts when a very uninquisitive boy stumbles upon a very mysterious society. After that, there is danger and adventure; there are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, and famous explorers; and also a girl on a rescue mission.


This month must be my 'unusual' month, where I'm interested in books that aren't the norm for me. I will admit that I am super excited for what seems to be the conclusion of Shanna Swendson's series. Beyond that, as good as these other books sound, I'm going to have to know a little more about them before I take the plunge, I think.