Top 15 Favorite Books of 2021

Today we are finally talking about my favorite books of the year! It was hard to narrow things down, and since I make the rules around here, I picked my top 15 instead of 10 😉

Top 10 Disappointing Books of 2021

Today we're talking about the books I didn't like. Yay! 🙃 Lol.

Top 10 Favorite Characters of 2021

Today I am sharing some of my favorite characters of the year!

Top 10 Favorite Worlds and Settings of 2021

This Top 10 post is new for me. I decided I wanted to talk about some favorite worlds and settings because otherwise I wouldn't talk about some of these books at all. A couple of these weren't my favorites of the year, but I just happened to really enjoy the world they were set in.

Sunday Post #281: Happy Holidays!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2022

Here are some books I'm really looking forward to next year. You'll notice that most of these books are from series or authors I've read before... I don't know what to say. I like what I like. Lol.

Top 10 Books I Wish I'd Read in 2021

It's the end of the year which means it's time for all the end of the year posts! These are always so much fun to do! First up are some books I wish I would've gotten to this year but didn't because my mood changes faster than my brain can keep up with 😅

2021 Reading Challenges *Update*

It's the end of the year, so let's take a look at how I'm doing on my reading challenges. I'm not gonna lie, I don't think I'm doing great 😅 Lol.

Winter Wonderland Book Tag

Happy Winter! Or maybe not. Idk. Maybe you don't like winter. Lol. I like it just fine... it's the driving in the snow that I don't like 😒 Lol. Anyway, I found this fun tag over at Truffle's Literary Wonders! And to make things more challenging, I only used books I've read this year.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #247: Finally Getting on the Aurora Rising Train

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #280: A Much Needed Vacation

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Finish the Series #17: Goodbye Fear Street

I think the last time I did this type of post back in the middle of summer I said I wanted to finish an R.L. Stine series called Dangerous Girls. Well, that didn't happen! Lol. But I did finish a lot of other Fear Street stuff since then!

2022 Reading Challenges

I love reading challenges! Every year I struggle with not participating in so many, but they are just so much fun that I can't help it. Lol.

2021 End of the Year Freak Out Tag

I was so happy when I found this tag last year! I've been doing the Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag for a couple years and really enjoyed it, so I'm glad that there's now a companion tag for the end of the year!

2021 End of the Year Book Tag

This is my favorite time of year to write blog posts! I just love looking back at my reading year and writing those end of the year posts! It's so much fun! I actually did this tag back in 2019, but I thought it would be fun to do again with this year's books!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #246: I Finished Fear Street

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Holiday Drinks Book Tag

I found this fun holiday book tag over at We Write at Dawn. To make things a little more interesting, I ended up only picking books I read this year.

Birthday Book Tag!

So my 30th birthday was yesterday and I just can't. I'm 30. I can't believe it. Where has time gone? Lol. Anyway, I found this fun tag over at Pages and Plots.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #245: A Holiday Contemporary Romance? ME?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

2021 Holiday Dinner Book Tag

So this book tag I've actually done once before in 2019. To keep things interesting, I'm only using books I've read this year.

Monthly Wrap-Up: November 2021

This month my mental health wasn't so great, and it definitely took a toll on my reading. I feel like I didn't read a lot, but I actually ended up reading 6 books! Granted most of them were Feat Street books and therefore super short, but that's kinda all I wanted to read this month.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #244: Just Fear Street Lately

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #279: A Little Break...

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #243: It's Finally Here!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #278: ACNH 24/7

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #242: Spooky Season May Be Over, But...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #277: Happy Halloween!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: October 2021

This was a pretty good reading month. I read 8 books and 5 short stories, for a total of 2722 pages. This is my 3rd best reading month this year. And I am happy to say that I enjoyed most of the books I read!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #241: Good Girls and Murders

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #240: Space and Murders

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Review: The Babysitter IV (The Babysitter #4) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter IV

Series: The Babysitter #4

Previous books in this series: The Babysitter | The Babysitter II | The Babysitter III

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 1995

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Don't live in the past, they say. And Jenny's trying to forget all of the horrible babysitting experiences that landed her in the hospital last year. Now Jenny lives in a new neighborhood, and the neighbor has asked her to babysit. If only she could say no. Because someone is watching Jenny—someone who hates babysitters.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Jenny is back... And she’s babysitting again 😬 She wasn’t going to, but she was almost forced into it by her new neighbor. The poor girl.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #239: Space Janitor!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #276: Back to Purple Hair

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: The Babysitter III (The Babysitter #3) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter III

Series: The Babysitter #3

Previous books in this series: The Babysitter | The Babysitter II

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: June 1993

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Jenny just wants to forget the man who murdered all the baby-sitters. The man who almost murdered her.

He's dead now.

And Jenny's gone to visit her cousin Debra.

But Debra has a baby-sitting job. And now she's getting those phone calls, too. Just like the ones Jenny used to get:

Hi, Babes. I'm back.

Company's coming...

My rating: ★★★★☆

This book was insane and I kinda loved it. Lol. This time around, though, Jenny is NOT babysitting. Understandable after what happened in the last two books. Instead, this summer, Jenny is visiting her cousin Debra and staying with her for a while. But Debra DOES have a babysitting job, and now SHE'S the one getting the creepy phone calls. Dun, dun, DUN.

Review: The Babysitter II (The Babysitter #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Babysitter II

Series: The Babysitter #2

Previous book in this series: The Babysitter

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: July 1991

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Jenny's last baby-sitting job nearly killed her. But she's a survivor and she's over it. She's even got a new baby-sitting job. Then the phone rings. When she answers, she hears a familiar voice--a voice from the grave.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Our poor babysitter Jenny is still traumatized after what happened on her last babysitting job. Basically, the kid’s dad, Mr. Hagen, tried to kill her, so that’s fun. Jenny thinks that if she faces her fear, it will help her get over it. And honestly, good for her! Unfortunately, things don’t go well. Unlike her last charge, the kid in this book is the worst! He is a spoiled brat, and his parents don’t discipline him at all, which really sucks for Jenny. And on top of that, she starts getting those creepy calls again. Is Mr. Hagen back? No, probably not.

Review: The Stepsister 2 (Fear Street #33) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Stepsister 2

Series: The Stepsister #2 | Fear Street #33

Previous book in this series: The Stepsister

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: November 1995

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Thrift Books

Synopsis: The doctor says Nancy is cured...

She's over the murderous rage that made her try to kill her sister Emily last year. Now she's home for good...

Or evil. Emily wants to forgive and forget, but the nightmare has started all over again. Someone wants to hurt her. Is it Nancy? Or is there someone else who wants Emily dead?

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Nancy’s back bitches.

Review: The Stepsister (Fear Street #9) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Stepsister

Series: Fear Street #9

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: November 1990

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Emily wants to like her stepsister, but it hasn't been easy. As soon as Jessie moves in, she takes over Emily's room, starts wearing Emily's clothes, makes secret late-night calls on Emily's phone - and that's just the beginning!

Before long, Emily is living in total fear of her stepsister. Emily tries complaining to her parents. But Jessie is such a good liar, no one will believe Emily!

Emily's terror mounts when she picks up Jessie's diary and learns a horrifying secret from Jessie's past. Did Jessie really murder someone? Does she plan to murder again? Emily knows she must find out the rest of her stepsister's dark secret. Her own life depends on it!

My rating: ★★★☆☆

This book was okay—I wasn’t totally impressed by it. Emily kept blaming Jessie for every little thing and it got old fast. She was so quick to place blame without evidence... What if it wasn’t even her doing all these things? To be fair Jessie’s personality switched so fast it gave me whiplash. Once she and Emily were alone upstairs, she was kinda bitchy and mean. So yeah, I get why Emily would blame her for all the terrible things.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #238: Still More Sci-Fi...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #275: So Much Painting

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: September 2021

This was a pretty good reading month. I read 8 books and 1 short story! One thing I need to work on is scheduling posts though, cause I am out 😬 House-wise, our kitchen cabinets should be coming in within the next week or so. I also need to finish painting the two bathrooms and some of the trim around the house, so I'm gonna work on that this weekend. Hopefully before October is over all the house stuff will finally be done! I can't wait for that day to arrive 😩 Lol.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #237: Just Sci-Fi

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #274: Nail Polish & Books... What Else is New

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Title: The Bane Chronicles

Stories in this collection: What Really Happened in Peru (#1) | The Runaway Queen (#2) | Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale (#3) | The Midnight Heir (#4) | The Rise of the Hotel Dumort (#5) | Saving Raphael Santiago (#6) | The Fall of the Hotel Dumort (#7) | What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (#8) | The Last Stand of the New York Institute (#9) | The Course of True Love [and First Dates] (#10) | The Voicemail of Magnus Bane (#11)

Authors: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 2014

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it on: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.

My rating: ★★★★★

This book is all about Magnus Bane, which, yes, please! I adore my Jace and my Will and my sweet Jem, but out of all characters in this world, my absolute favorite has got to be Magnus freaking Bane. So I was extremely happy that he got his own book! Which was awesome! It spans a couple of hundred years, starting from about the 1700s to the present day. Magnus had a lot of fun adventures, but these were my top three favorite short stories in the book:

Review: The Voicemail of Magnus Bane (The Bane Chronicles #11) by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Title: The Voicemail of Magnus Bane

Series: The Bane Chronicles #11

Authors: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: November 2014

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Buy the collection on: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis: The voice mail of Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn, in the days following a certain incident in City of Lost Souls.

My rating: ★★★★★

So here is your spoiler warning for things that happened in City of Lost Souls. If you have not read that book yet, avert your eyes!

Review: The Course of True Love [and First Dates] (The Bane Chronicles #10) by Cassandra Clare

Title: The Course of True Love [and First Dates]

Series: The Bane Chronicles #10

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: March 2014

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy the short story on: Audible

Buy the collection on: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood might fall in love—but first they have a first date.

When Magnus Bane, warlock, meets Alec Lightwood, Shadowhunter, sparks fly. And what happens on their first date lights a flame...

My rating: ★★★★★

Out of all the stories in The Bane Chronicles, this is without a doubt my favorite! Magnus and Alec go on their first date, but then everything goes wrong, and it’s somehow still super cute! Lol. I loved it!

Review: The Last Stand of the New York Institute (The Bane Chronicles #9) by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Title: The Last Stand of the New York Institute

Series: The Bane Chronicles #9

Authors: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, & Maureen Johnson

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: December 2013

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy the short story on: Audible

Buy the collection on: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Magnus meets Valentine in battle as the Circle attacks the Downworlders of New York City.

In the time of the Uprising, Valentine’s Circle goes after Downworlders in New York...and the Shadowhunters of the Institute must decide whether to join him, or fight with Magnus and his kind. This is the first time Magnus sees Jocelyn, Luke, and Stephen—but not the last. It is not long before Jocelyn seeks him out...

My rating: ★★★★★

This short story takes place in 1989, back when the Circle was in full swing. Ugh. They suck. There was SO much bigotry from them I just... They are awful! And Jace’s real dad, Stephen Herondale, was such an asshole! He believed in everything Valentine did. Oh and then Valentine and his cronies wanted to rid the world of Downworlders no matter what, just because they had some demon blood in them. It was absolutely awful! The things they did to this werewolf family were despicable!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #236: A Little Update...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #273: Long Time No See

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: August 2021

It's late, but it's here! 😅 Last month was just not a great month for me—it was very stressful. I was working nights AND there was work being done around the house (our flooring was finally put in!) and I think I just needed a break. During that time, I barely read anything and my nails were naked for like 2 weeks straight 😱 The horror! Lol. In all seriousness though, I feel like not doing those two things really affected me more than I thought it would. I mean, I was stressed AND was probably not getting enough sleep, and then unintentionally taking away the two things I use to de-stress? Yeah, not great.

That being said, I am back on the reading train (I'm currently on my 5th book of the month!), and I've been painting my nails a lot more, which is very therapeutic for me. I've run out of scheduled posts, as you may have noticed, so I really need to work on that. But idk when I'll get around to it. I'm still getting used to not only being back on days, but also working full time. For the longest time, I was only working 4 days a week, and I'm not gonna lie, I miss my 3 day weekends 😂

Review: Switched (Fear Street #31) by R.L. Stine

Title: Switched

Series: Fear Street #31

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: May 1995

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: She traded places with a killer...

There’s a little cabin in the Fear Street woods where a girl can really lose her mind. In fact, she can change it into someone else’s. That’s what happened to Nicole and Lucy. Now Lucy is in Nicole’s body, and Nicole is in Lucy’s. What a trip!

But for Nicole, what a trap! Because Lucy is using Nicole’s body to get away with murder!

My rating: ★★★★☆

Right off the bat, this girl Nicole is a piece of work. She cried because she broke a nail and I could not help but roll my eyes. I do admit that over the years I have become that girl that gets upset when I break a nail, but NOT to the point of crying. Look, a broken nail means I have to file down ALL of my nails so they match, which means less space for nail art. And I love my nail art. Lol.