Top 10 Tuesday: New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2020

It’s Top Ten Tuesday time!

If you’re unaware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish, and it’s now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there’s a new Top Ten theme that the blogger responds to with their own list of answers.

This week’s theme is… *drumroll please*…

New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2020

I didn't read a whole lot of new authors in 2020, so this list is fairly short. Plus, I'm having a rough week, so I'm trying to get this post written and scheduled quickly.

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Alexis Hall

I need more from this author! This book was A+!

Dana Swift

Cast in Firelight is so fun! I'm looking forward to book two.

Margaret Rogerson

Loved Sorcery of Thorns so much! But it's the only book I have read by this author, so I can't put her higher on the list.

S. A. Chakraborty

I read The City of Brass in 2020 and it was fire! I recently finished books two and three as well. Can't wait for more from her.

TJ Klune

I went on a TJ Klune binge in 2020, and I can't wait to read his 2021 releases.

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Alright, there you have it. The five new-to-me authors I read in 2020. What did you put on your list? Let me know in the comments section.

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read In 2020

It’s Top Ten Tuesday time!

If you’re unaware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish, and it’s now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there’s a new Top Ten theme that the blogger responds to with their own list of answers.

This week’s theme is… *drumroll please*…

Books I Meant to Read In 2020 But Didn’t Get To

I'm super proud of how many books I read in 2020. I'm even more proud that a good portion of the ones I did read were from my backlist TBR books. Unfortunately, though, I didn't get to all of them. This is my list of shame. Lol.

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Fireblood by Elly Blake

How long has this trilogy been on my TBR? Too long. Because it's been so long, I need to reread book one, Frostblood, and then read this one and the last book. Yikes.

Changeling by Yasmine Galenorn

This book might be cheating. Technically, I've already read this, but I'm trying to reread the series. So far, I've only re-read book one.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

I kind of wanted to read this book last year, but I kind of didn't as well. With book three not out until fall of 2021, I'm not in a huge hurry; however, I feel like I'm missing out by not reading the series now.

Bone Crier's Moon by Kathryn Purdie

Bought an ebook of this book and haven't read it yet.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

I've been trying so hard to get through this series. I hate that SJM changes the love interest in her series and going into ACOMAF knowing who the main couple will be is not making me happy. I wouldn't keep trying except I actually think I'll love the side characters. I just hate the main couple. Here's hoping that my fourth(?) time picking up the book will be the lucky time I make it through.

Winterspell by Claire Legrand

I wanted to read this in December. I guess February isn't too far away, right?

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Started this one in the middle of my mini slump/hangover. I didn't finish it before the end of the year.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

A lot of people love this series. I'd like to read it soon. I had hoped to read it in the summer/fall of 2020, but my reading slump/hangover got in the way.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Another first book in a trilogy that I'd like to read soon. I'm hoping to pick it up in the next couple of months.

Master of One by Jaida Jones & Dani Bennett

To be fair, I got this one in late December, since it was in the December FairyLoot box. But I want to read it ASAP.

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Alright, there you have it. The ten books I should've read in 2021, but I just didn't get to them. What did you put on your list? Let me know in the comments section.

Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish Hopes for 2021

It’s Top Ten Tuesday time!

If you’re unaware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish, and it’s now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there’s a new Top Ten theme that the blogger responds to with their own list of answers.

This week’s theme is… *drumroll please*…

Bookish Hopes for 2021

I already made a 2021 reading resolutions post, so I just thought I'd share some random bookish hopes for the year. None of these are really in chronological order, even though they're labeled that way. I simply listed out whatever came to mind first.

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Read a book someone recommends me. By this I mean directly recommends, not a blogger/reviewer sharing their opinions to their followers. I realized I don't talk books with people very much anymore. I want that to change.

Get off my phone and read more. Should be simple, right?

Read more adult books and less YA. This is also on my reading goals post, so I put it lower on this list just because I'm already trying to do this. While I don't want to dictate hardcore what I can and can't read, I know there are some fabulous adult books out there that I haven't read yet, simply because I'm so focused on YA fantasy sometimes.

Get my bookshelves all pretty. I have a bunch of fan art that I'd like to display on my shelves next to my books. It'd be nice to do that this year.

Read a classic. Maybe a Jane Austen book.

Read a nonfiction book. I don't read non-fic. Ever. One in 2021 would be cool. I doubt it happens, but it would be nice if I could find one I like.

Catch up on all my unread Jennifer L. Armentrout books. I have one left in the Wait for You series, a few YA contemporaries, some Wicked-world novellas, and the Return series left. I also would like to purchase some as physical books. I only have ebooks for a few, but now that JLA's getting uber popular, I'm worried about getting my hands on some of her indie/self-published books.

Read more mass market paranormal romance. I would like to read Karen Marie Moning, Yasmine Galenorn, Nalini Singh, Kresley Cole, and whatever else I can find.

Read more diverse books. I increased this a wee bit in 2020, but not by nearly enough. I need to read 20+ books by POC authors each year, at least.

Read a 5-star book. My highest rated books of last year were all 4.5 stars. I'd like to get at least one perfect 5-star read in 2021.

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Alright, there you have it. My bookish hopes for 2021. What did you put on your list? Let me know in the comments section.

Top 10 Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

It’s Top Ten Tuesday time!

If you’re unaware, Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly original feature created by The Broke and the Bookish, and it’s now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there’s a new Top Ten theme that the blogger responds to with their own list of answers.

This week’s theme is… *drumroll please*…

Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021

I originally thought 2021 was kind of a dud when it comes to new releases, but I was wrong. Happily wrong.

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Winter's Orbit by Evarina Maxwell

This one used to be higher on my list, but I won an ARC from Tor so I'm either reading it now or have already read it by the time this post goes up.

War of Dragons by Jessica Cluess

So I read book one last year with my book club, and I enjoyed it. Book two comes out in May; however, the author has done some very questionable things. I'm not sure if I'll buy the book or not.

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes

I'm watching season five of The Expanse right now, and this book just really reminds me of that show/book series.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart

Pretty cover? Witches? Magic? Count me in.

Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova

Another very pretty cover for a fantasy book. Another cool magic system with sorcerers. I need it.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

Another M/M sci-fi book? Heck yes! Between Winter's Orbit, this book, and the upcoming A Complicated Love Story Set in Space, 2021 is going to have some great gay sci-fi romances.

Grace and Glory by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The last book in the Dark Elements/Harbinger series. Sad day.

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

The Red Queen series is one of my favorites, so I'm excited to see Aveyard take on a new fantasy world.

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

This book has snuck up on me and replaced Realm Breaker for the number two spot. I want it. That cover and it having two queer couples? Yes, please!

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Is anyone surprised at this point? This series has taken over my life.

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Alright, there you have it. My most anticipated releases of the first half of 2021. What did you put on your list? Let me know in the comments section.