Series I Own and Need To Start (As Of May 13)

When I say I own, I own the first book in the series. I have learned the hard way one too many times. If I've never read anything by the author, I have to read the first book before I buy any more. (The Dresden Files and The Hunchback Assignments taught me that.) (Now with pictures!) Do tell, which one/s do I need to start ASAP? Conversely, which one/s could I totally take my time with?

Honestly, I cannot believe all the books that are on this list - and yet that's still not stopping me from buying more and downloading anything that sounds remotely interesting when it's a free e-book.

The Dark Unwinding Series by Sharon Cameron

Seraphina Series by Rachel Hartman

Clockwork Dagger Duology by Beth Cato

The Icarus Project Series by Jackie Kessler

Illusive Series by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Twelve Houses Series by Sharon Shinn

The Company Wars Series by C.J. Cherryh

The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

Sirantha Jax Series by Ann Aguirre

Petaybee Series by Anne McCaffery & Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb

Age of Steam Series by Devon Monk

Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta

Earthsea Cycle by Ursula Le Guin

Song of the Lioness Series by Tamora Pierce

The Conspiracy of Us Series by Maggie Hall

Dragon Blood Series by Lindsay Buroker

The Sin Eater's Daughter Series by Melinda Salisbury

Chronoptika Series by Catherine Fisher

The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner

Secrets of the Zodiac Series by Elizabeth Cole

Mandrake Company by Ruby Lionsdrake

Code Name Verity Series by Elizabeth Wein

W.A.R.P. Series by Eoin Colfer

Maze Runner Series by James Dasher

Ancient Guardians Series by S.L. Morgan

Anniversary of the Veil Series by Vanna Smythe

Circle of Magic Series by Tamora Pierce

Crown & Court Duology by Sherwood Smith (I own both these)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima

Rogues of the Republic Series by Patrick Weeks

Leland Sisters Series by Marissa Doyle

Encrypted Duology by Lindsay Buroker

Norothian Cycle by Edward M. McNally

The Rys Chronicles by Tracy Falbe

Elei's Chronicles by Chrystalla Thoma

Touchstone Series by Andrea K. Host

Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke

The Fury Triad Series by Patricia Burroughs

Chronicles of the Necromancer Series by Gail Z. Martin

The Nethergrim Series by Matthew Jobin

Princess Series by Jim C. Hines

Moonworlds Saga by Sean McMullen

The Looking Glass Wars Series by Frank Beddor

Wrapped Series by Jennifer Bradbury

The Drifting Isle Chronicles by Assorted Authors

Dark Matters Series Claire Robyns

Timbound Series by Rysa Walker

Once Upon A Curse Series by Kaitlyn Davis

The Wilderhark Tales Series by Danielle E. Shipley

The Twelve Kingdoms Series by Jeffe Kennedy

Whispers From Mirrowen by Jeff Wheeler

True Reign Series by Jennifer Anne Davis

His Fair Assassin Series by Robin LaFevers

The Artifactor Series by Honor Raconteor

The Belgariad Series by David Eddings

Confederation Series by Tanya Huff

The Culper Ring Series by Roseanna M. White

Summoner Series by Taran Matharu

The Keepers' Chronicle Series by Becky Wallace

Earth Girl Series by Janet Edwards

On Good Books & Bad Books and Rating Them

I have a really hard time figuring out why I like a book. If I hated a book, I have no problem at all in telling you why. Repeatedly. And at great length. But when it comes time to saying why I actually liked a book…

Yeah, that's where my careful cynicism takes a backseat and I seem to loose all semblance of rational thought.

As I'm typing this, the last book I finished was a five star read. I wanted to write a review for it but didn't know what to say. (It being the second in the series didn't help matters.) So, I have probably the most disjointed review ever that desperately needs to be rewritten.

How I Review/Rate

It's always difficult for me to break a book down and say why I liked something. I just did, that's all. However, when I write less-than-glowing reviews, I try to give as much information as possible - indicating why the book wasn't for me, but if you like this, then YOU might like the book. It's for this same reason that I prefer to read less than positive reviews. They are more useful and generally tell me more about the book than the flailing of the fans. (Not that those aren't entertaining to read, but useful isn't how I'd describe them.)

When I rate books, I'm not objective at all. I can't compare this YA fantasy only to other YA fantasy - because I tend to not rate books in a way that makes sense. Even to myself sometimes. My rating isn't based on what readers of this genre might think - it's based on what I personally think at the moment I write it. (Which has been known to change five minutes later.)

My Ratings Breakdown

For me, five star books are the ones that did something to me. The ones that caught my attention and made me feel something - uh, something good. (Not hate, that's another rating entirely.)

Four star books are the ones that are ever so slightly flawed. Maybe if this one little thing had been different, it would have gotten five stars from me. Three star is my catch-all rating. A book with several flaws, but still mostly enjoyable. Though I don't know that I'd waste my time reading any more in the series/by the author.

Two stars are the books that made me mad. I came really close to hating the book, but there was something (maybe even something minor) that kept me from completely ignoring the book. One star books…well, I hated it/didn't finish it. I don't often review books I didn't finish. Usually if I do, I just note my thoughts on Goodreads. One star books had no saving grace and I merely kept reading through a strange perversion. (Or stubbornness. Or a want to say 'how could you like this?' Sometimes I even want an answer and to be convinced that, maybe, it wasn't as bad as I thought.)

How about you? Does a lot of thought go into your ratings? Or not much? Do you use half stars? (I don't. I have enough problems keeping five rankings straight much less ten.)

July TBR & Reading Goals

You know about my TBR jar, right? (I've been talking about it enough that you should.) I think I started it back in February or March and I've been really enjoying it. It's helped me pick which books to read when I have no idea what to read. However, there's just some books that aren't coming up. So, for the next few months (that's the plan, anyway) I'm going to be doing my TBR a bit differently.

First, I've got almost a dozen books that released this year that I just had to have that I've not read. One of my goals is to make it through all the books that I own that were published this year by the end of the year. And this is including whatever new books I will buy for the rest of the year. (Though I'm also promising myself to be a little more careful as to which books I think I must have.) So I get to pick two of these books each month. (Sometimes more, depending on … stuff.)

Second, for a Top Ten Tuesday last month, I made a list of ten books I want to read this summer. My goal is to read all of them this summer - regardless of if I pick them at the beginning of the month or add them in if I have free time at the end of the month. (I've also already read one of these, so go me!) This will probably also make me actually put more thought into my quarterly lists for TTT, because I will try my hardest to read all ten of the books that season.

(Selected June 26th.)

So, starting off, I will pick three books from my Summer TBR:

Vicious by V.E. Schwab
I've been wanting to read this book for what seems like ages. (In truth, probably only a year.) I hear such great things about it and I really hope I like it.



Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
I love these type of books (magic in a historical setting) and this sound like it will be really fun.




The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This was a total spur of the moment buy, but I hear really great things about it. I'd like to see the movie after I read this book, too.






Now, I'm going to select two books that released this year:

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
I hear such wonderful things about this book. It was already on my radar before the reviews started coming in, but once I heard how awesome this book sounds, I bought it immediately.


The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz
Another spur of the moment purchases for me, but this one I already wanted. It really sounds great.







Now, I'll draw a few books from my jar:

The first paper is blue (historical) and it is:
Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
Ooh, this book sound like it could be a lot of fun. After all, it features an unwrapping party and a mummy! (Sounds like my kind of book!)



The second paper is yellow (sci-fi) and it is:
Valor's Choice by Tanya Huff
Yay! I've been hoping to read this book soon because a) it's sci-fi and I'm really trying to find a non romance driven sci-fi I like and b) I hear great things about Huff and would love to try some of her fantasy too.



The third paper is green (fantasy) and it is:
This Crumbling Pageant by Patricia Burroughs
I actually thought this book sounded good before it came out, then heard a lot of rather bad things about it so gave it a pass. Then I saw it for ninety-nine cents on kindle and thought I'd give it a go. We'll see.



The fourth paper is green (fantasy) and it is:
Encrypted by Lindsay Buroker
I didn't exactly think I'd draw a book that was on my Summer TBR that I hadn't already selected. (The first book I drew was Bewitching Season.) So I didn't really have plans for what I'd do if I did. Anyway, I'm obviously looking forward to this book and - with all these new to me authors - it'll be good to have something to fall back too if they don't turn out as well as I'm hoping.


If I don't get to some of these books this month, they will carry over to next month. But I think this'll be enough but not too many. (Actually, if the books are as good as they sound, it won't be enough, but oh well.) Side note: I started on this list during the last couple days of June because the book I was reading wasn't keep my attention and...well, some of these look great.

July Releases

Surprisingly light month this time around. I guess this helps to make up for a couple of recent months...

Release Date: July 7th
A New York Times bestselling author brings dark secrets to life in a lush new YA perfect for fans of Libba Bray or Cassandra Clare.

Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate . . . or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might.

With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.

Even though I've yet to read any of Jessica Day George books, this one sounds like it's right up my alley. Historical and urban fantasy! Yay! The only possible deal-breaker is the 'dark brooding young men'. I hate brooding men. This is going to be one of those books that will be a wait-and-see for me. But it still sounds so good.

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Release Date: July 7th
In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

Okay, so, besides the fact that this is about a library, it's about the Library of Alexandria! So, you see, not only do I love books, I have had a near life-long fascination with everything ancient Egypt. Like I don't want this book desperately.

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Release Date: July 14th
A sixteen-year-old governess becomes a spy in this alternative U.S. history where the British control with magic and the colonists rebel by inventing.

It’s 1888, and sixteen-year-old Verity Newton lands a job in New York as a governess to a wealthy leading family—but she quickly learns that the family has big secrets. Magisters have always ruled the colonies, but now an underground society of mechanics and engineers are developing non-magical sources of power via steam engines that they hope will help them gain freedom from British rule. The family Verity works for is magister—but it seems like the children's young guardian uncle is sympathetic to the rebel cause. As Verity falls for a charming rebel inventor and agrees to become a spy, she also becomes more and more enmeshed in the magister family’s life. She soon realizes she’s uniquely positioned to advance the cause—but to do so, she’ll have to reveal her own dangerous secret.

Steampunk in the U.S. is, sadly, something that you don't see often. Add to that the magic of the British (I mean really, a steampunk/magical Revolutionary War?) and I am there. That's it. I cannot believe I've only got three books this month. Ah well... So, tell me, what are you looking forward to this month? Either of these? Or something else that you think I just have to read?