Friday, March 31, 2023

Monthly Wrap-Up: March 2023


This month I read 6 novels and 1 novella, for a total of 7 books and 2246 pages (that's about 1100 MORE pages than last month!)
  • 2 of the books were re-reads
  • 6 were part of a series and 1 was a standalone
  • 3 were ARCs and 4 were finished copies
  • 4 were 5-star books, 2 were 4-star books, and 1 was a 3-star book
  • All 7 were technically adult, though a couple of them could be labeled as YA
  • 5 were fiction, 1 nonfiction
  • 3 were urban fantasy, 2 horror, 1 sci-fi, and 1 about science

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Review: What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe

Title: What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Series: What If? #2

Previous book in this series: What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Author: Randall Munroe

Genre: Adult, nonfiction, science

Publication date: September 2022

Published by: Mariner Books

Source: Borrowed hardcover from library

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of What If? and How To provides his best answers yet to the weirdest questions you never thought to ask.

The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger. Thank goodness xkcd creator Randall Munroe is here to help. Planning to ride a fire pole from the moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing. Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone’s freezer door at the same time? Maybe it’s time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics. Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-story building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist.

Before you go on a cosmic road trip, feed the residents of New York City to a T. rex, or fill every church with bananas, be sure to consult this practical guide for impractical ideas. Unfazed by absurdity, Randall consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design to clearly and concisely answer his readers’ questions. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.

Filled with bonkers science, boundless curiosity, and Randall’s signature stick-figure comics, What If? 2 is sure to be another instant classic adored by inquisitive readers of all ages.

My rating: ★★★★☆

More serious scientific answers to hypothetical questions! I really enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to read the sequel with even more ridiculous questions. And I really enjoyed this one too!

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Pre-Spring TBR Update


It is officially spring and I am SO happy!! I'm not gonna lie, I prefer cold weather over hot weather, but I was just sick of the snow. If I didn't have to commute to work every day in winter when the roads aren't so great, I probably wouldn't mind as much, but I really hate driving in the snow. Last year we had a random snow day in April, and I'm really hoping that doesn't happen again cause that was no fun. BUT ANYWAY, we're here to talk about my TBR and whether I stuck to it this time 😆

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Review: Changing the Speed of Light Bulbs (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #4) by Julia Huni

Title: Changing the Speed of Light Bulbs

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #4

Previous books in this series: The Rings of Grissom (#1) | Planetary Spin Cycle (#2) | Waxing the Moon of Lewei (#3) | Christmas Cookie Crumbs (#3.5)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: February 28th 2023

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review from author

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis: Honeymoon plans shouldn’t include space cruise tickets for a party of five.

After the wedding—and the Ice Dame's corporate exploitation of the event—Triana and O'Neill embark on their honeymoon, only to find Hy-Mi booked them on a CelebVid cruise to Armstrong along with Vanti, Elodie, and Leo.

When the jump to Armstrong throws Triana and O'Neill across the multi-verse, they must outsmart alternate versions of their friends, a lunatic professor and his corporate sponsor, and a cargo hold full of egg-throwing rodents if they hope to return to their own reality.

My rating: ★★★★★

Oh. My. God. I loved this book SO much! This series and world is already one of my favorites, but this book in particular was a lot of fun!

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Sunday Post #343: New Music for My Soul


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!


Saturday, March 25, 2023

Write On Review-a-thon #2: All the ARCs!


This monthly review-a-thon is hosted by Reading the Paranormal and it is usually held on the last Friday-Sunday of each month. The event is meant to encourage you to write those reviews, and because I am awful at keeping up with mine, I decided to participate in this in hopes that it will help keep me on top of things.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Review: Luna City Limited: The Phoenix and Katie Li by Julia Huni

Title: Luna City Limited: The Phoenix and Katie Li

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, mystery

Publication date: April 2022

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Backed on Kickstarter - Ebook reward

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: An ordinary young woman adds some spies to her life.

Katie Li sells silly novelties at Luna City, LTD, and the highlight of her day is upselling a case of zero gravity whoopie cushions.

When secret agent Nick "The Phoenix" Beckett drops into her life, normal goes out the airlock. She's whisked into a whirl of high society events, mob influence, and corporate secrets.

Katie's always dreamed of adventure, and the Phoenix seems to offer that in spades. But between his life-threatening enemies and his breathtaking charm, Katie soon finds herself in over her head.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Luna City Limited takes place in the Space Janitor world, but it follows different characters, so it’s this sort of spin-off book. The two main characters in this book, Katie and Nick, actually make an appearance in Waxing the Moon of Lewei, which is the 3rd book in the Tales of a Former Space Janitor series. And I would actually recommend you read this one before that one because I feel like you would appreciate these characters more in Waxing the Moon of Lewei.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

2023 Blogoversary Giveaway: Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours #3) by Cassandra Clare


Today marks 12 years since I started blogging! TWELVE!! I can't believe it! To celebrate I'm giving away a book from one of my favorite authors...


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Review: Waxing the Moon of Lewei (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #3) by Julia Huni

Title: Waxing the Moon of Lewei

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #3

Previous books in this series: The Rings of Grissom (#1) | Planetary Spin Cycle (#2)

Previous series: Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: February 2022

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Backed on Kickstarter - Ebook reward

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: When the station board of directors sends former maintenance technician Triana Moore to Lewei, she expects to bump knuckles with a few dignitaries, tell a couple of white lies, and drink some substandard cocoa. Her friend—son of the former dictator—tells scary stories of the planet, but Triana’s not afraid of the Leweian secret police. She’ll be on her best behavior with Ty and Vanti to watch her back. With the might of SK2 behind her, Triana should be untouchable.

But when did Triana ever do what was expected? Although the meetings go well, the after-party spins out of control. While she manages to slip away from the Leweian police, her faithful companions don't. Triana must find new allies on an alien world and rescue her friends before the hot chocolate goes colder than interplanetary relations.

My rating: ★★★★☆

In this book, Triana's mother, the Ice Dame, continues to try to turn Triana's wedding into a whole political spectacle. Weddings are a rare thing in this futuristic world, and especially rare in high society, which is why Triana's mother is making such a big deal out of it. But it was frustrating! Triana just wanted to marry Ty in peace—she didn't want a giant spectacle of a wedding. And I felt so bad for her.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Review: Sunset House (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #18) by J.L. Bryan

Title: Sunset House

Series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #18

Previous books in this series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper (#1) | Cold Shadows (#2) | The Crawling Darkness (#3) | Terminal (#4) | House of Whispers #5 | Maze of Souls #6 | Lullaby (#7) | The Keeper (#8) | The Tower (#9) | The Monster Museum (#10) | Fire Devil (#11) | The Necromancer's Library (#12) | The Trailwalker (#13) | Midnight Movie (#14) | The Lodge (#15) | Cabinet Jack (#16) | Fallen Wishes (#17)

Author: J.L. Bryan

Genre: Adult, paranormal, horror

Publication date: March 2nd 2023

Published by: J.L. Bryan

Source: eARC from author

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: The old Heusinkveld mansion overlooks the mostly shuttered main street of the small town of Burdener's Hill. Once a testament to local wealth and aspiration, the brooding edifice now clings to life as the Sunshine House, a retirement home inhabited by an eccentric collection of locals bound together by fond memories of their shrinking hometown.

When a newly arrived resident finds herself tormented by a threatening specter from her past, paranormal investigator Ellie Jordan is called in to confront it. The entity puts up a strong fight, resisting capture, and soon more residents are in danger. With nowhere else to go, they need Ellie to remove the ghost before it inflicts serious harm or death on those who have made the strange old house their home.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I always look forward to new books in the Ellie Jordan series—it's one of my favorites! In this installment of the series, you have a classic haunted house case, except this house has been converted into a retirement home. I love a good haunted house story, so I really enjoyed this one!

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Sunday Post #342: Pretty Books and Addicting Games


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!


Saturday, March 18, 2023

Literary Nails: Coffee and Books


It's been a while since I did any literary nails, so here are some I did last month, inspired by Holo Taco's Barista collection!


Friday, March 17, 2023

Review: Planetary Spin Cycle (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #2) by Julia Huni

Title: Planetary Spin Cycle

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #2

Previous book in this series: The Rings of Grissom

Previous series: Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: June 2021

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: Stolen diamonds, purple goo, and a zero gravity baby...

...all in a day's work for a Triana Moore.

The former space janitor returns to her mother's estate on Kaku to plan her wedding. Or, as she soon discovers, to be ignored while the SK'Corp public relations machine plans the event of the galaxy.

Overruled at every turn and stalked by CelebVid--a viral video outlet--Triana does what she does best and goes underground. When she befriends the son of a deposed dictator, everything goes sideways.

On the run from rogue secret police, things start to get sticky--Space Janitor style. Will Triana escape and figure out what the heck is going on? Of course she will! She might even save the day.

My rating: ★★★★☆

The way this started as a Baby's Day Out situation was my favorite!

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Review: The Rings of Grissom (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #1) by Julia Huni

Title: The Rings of Grissom

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #1

Previous series: Space Janitor

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: January 2021

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook with Amazon gift card

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: She thought being a space janitor was chaotic. Now she’s really in for a cleanup.

Triana Moore lost her job as a maintenance technician when her boss discovered her true identity. But decluttering the galaxy isn’t just for janitors. When she visits the ringed planet Grissom with security agent Ty O’Neill for his sister’s wedding, Triana discovers just how messy life can get.

Deported before she can finish her coffee, Triana barely misses an exploding shuttle. But in true space janitor fashion, she decides to investigate. With the help of a pair of mischievous twins, a hard-drinking grandma, and her old frenemy Vanti, will Triana save the wedding?

Of course she will. But how crazy will it get along the way?

The Rings of Grissom tells the continuing story of Triana Moore, (former) Space Janitor, but can be enjoyed by new readers as well. If you want to avoid spoilers, read Triana Moore, Space Janitor first.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I love this world and characters so I was very excited to learn that there was a sequel series to Space Janitor! I was so happy to be back in this world.

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Sunday Post #341: Preparations


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!


Saturday, March 11, 2023

The Secret Life of a Book Blogger Tag


I saw this tag over at Monstrumology and I thought it would be perfect to do this month because my blogoversary is just a few days away!

Friday, March 10, 2023

Review: Sweeping S'Ride (Space Janitor #4) by Julia Huni

Title: Sweeping S'Ride

Series: Space Janitor #4

Previous books in this series: The Vacuum of Space (#1) | The Dust of Kaku (#2) | Glitter in the Stars (#3)

Novellas in this series: Orbital Operations (#0.5) | A Mess Of Gravity (#0.6) | Christmas On Kaku (#0.7) | Bot Duct Skeleton (#0.8) | The Trouble with Tinsel (#2.5)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: June 2019

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook with Amazon gift card

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: It's a big galaxy, and somebody needs to clean it.

When maintenance technician Triana Moore arrives on the planet Sally Ride, she just wants to get through the high-lev meeting and get her relationship with Agent Ty O'Neill back to normal. But everywhere she turns, she's reminded of the serial killer who got away. When a short escape from the boredom leads her to an eerily familiar crime scene, she starts to wonder if she's losing it. With the help of Ty, her frenemy Vanti, and a cupcake truck, will Triana survive the most boring meeting in the galaxy? And will she finally sweep her nemesis out of her life? Or will she run away again--this time for good?

My rating: ★★★★☆

This book started off rough right from the start. Not rough as in it was bad, but rough as in the characters are going through things that almost made me cry. I know I've said I wanted more of the romance, but this is not what I meant!


Thursday, March 9, 2023

Review: What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe

Title: What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Series: What If? #1

Author: Randall Munroe

Genre: Adult, nonfiction, science

Publication date: September 2014

Published by: Mariner Books

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book DepositoryThrift Books

Synopsis: In the New York Times best-selling book from the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd, Randall Munroe gives hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.

Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions. What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last? What if everyone only had one soulmate? What would happen if the moon went away?

In pursuit of answers, Munroe ran computer simulations, pored over stacks of declassified military research memos, solved differential equations, and consulted with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by signature xkcd comics. (They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.)

Far more than a book for geeks, What If? explains the laws of science in operation in a way that every intelligent reader will enjoy and feel much smarter for having read.

My rating: ★★★★★

I came across this book at the beginning of the year when I was scrolling through my feed on Goodreads and saw that one of my friends was reading it. The title immediately caught my attention: What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions. I was all in! I love science, so this was very intriguing to me... especially the part about answering absurd questions. Lol.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Review: Glitter in the Stars (Space Janitor #3) by Julia Huni

Title: Glitter in the Stars

Series: Space Janitor #3

Previous books in this series: The Vacuum of Space (#1) | The Dust of Kaku (#2)

Novellas in this series: Orbital Operations (#0.5) | A Mess Of Gravity (#0.6) | Christmas On Kaku (#0.7) | Bot Duct Skeleton (#0.8) | The Trouble with Tinsel (#2.5)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: August 2019

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook with Amazon gift card

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: Cleaning the galaxy, one cruise ship at a time.

When maintenance technician Triana Moore gets temporarily transferred to a passenger liner, she doesn't expect luxury and relaxation. Bot-minding is the same on a station or a ship. But with twelve-hour workdays and five roommates in her cabin, Triana thinks she should have read the employment contract more carefully.

Days into the cruise, her boss, Les, goes missing. Triana dusts off her sleuthing skills to start snooping. Together with a retired Marine Corps dance instructor, a socially inept hospitality intern, and her favorite security agent, she must navigate more than just the solar system. They dodge dance competition divas, reality show cameras, and the occasional wealthy sociopath to search for the missing supervisor.

Will they find Les before she goes dancing through the stars? And will they find time to hit the buffet before all the chocolate strawberries are gone?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I love this series.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Sunday Post #340: Vacation Recap


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!


Saturday, March 4, 2023

Pre-Spring TBR


It's almost Spring, and I don't know about you guys, but I'm really looking forward to it! I'm getting really sick of the cold. Lol. Anyway, for the last month or so, I've been in a real weird mood where I didn't really know what I wanted to read, but it wasn't exactly a slump because I just kept going back to my re-read of Elemental Assassin. Lol. But now that I'm back from vacation, I have a couple books I want to read before the month is over. They're mostly ARCs I've recently received.

Friday, March 3, 2023

Review: The Dust of Kaku (Space Janitor #2) by Julia Huni

Title: The Dust of Kaku

Series: Space Janitor #2

Previous book in this series: The Vacuum of Space

Novellas in this series: Orbital Operations (#0.5) | A Mess Of Gravity (#0.6) | Christmas On Kaku (#0.7) | Bot Duct Skeleton (#0.8)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: August 2019

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook with Amazon gift card

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: They say you can never go home. But, you can clean it.

Triana Moore, maintenance bot technician on Station Kelly-Kornienko, prefers life in orbit where the air is purified, the commute is short, and nature doesn’t get all over you. But when a minor infraction gets her sent to remedial training dirtside, she doesn’t complain. Who wouldn’t enjoy a few days of sitting in the sunshine, eating gourmet burgers and drinking too much Jager Hula?

When an unscheduled beach weekend uncovers dangerous squatters in her childhood home, the space janitor decides to clean house. She enlists the help of her roommate, Kara, and security agent Ty O’Neill. As they investigate, old friends resurface in suspicious circumstances, and Triana doesn’t know whom she can trust. She’s scheduled to work on Monday, so she must answer these questions before the weekend is over: Who are these infiltrators? What do they want? And when will that pizza finally be delivered?

*This book was previously published as Dirtside Decluttering.*

My rating: ★★★★☆

After what happened in the last book, Triana must go dirtside to complete some training for her job on the planet Kaku. I loved exploring the space station in The Vacuum of Space, but it was nice getting to explore a planet in this book.

Thursday, March 2, 2023

March 2023 Giveaway Hop: For the Love of Reading


There's an Extraterrestrial Abduction Day in March, so I figured I would give away some YA sci-fi books with aliens this month 😆 (And I'll also throw in some bookmarks).


Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Review: The Vacuum of Space (Space Janitor #1) by Julia Huni

Title: The Vacuum of Space

Series: Space Janitor #1

Novellas in this series: Orbital Operations (#0.5) | A Mess Of Gravity (#0.6) | Christmas On Kaku (#0.7) | Bot Duct Skeleton (#0.8)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: August 2019

Published by: IPH Media

Source: Purchased ebook with Amazon gift card

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Synopsis: When her maintenance bot found a body, Triana lost her lunch.

Then she lost the body.

How did she lose her memory?


When a highly connected security agent interrupts her routine with stories of murder and missing bodies, Triana can't ignore him; it's cooperate or find a new job. A girl has to pay the rent, even on a crappy studio compartment.

Since working with a shiny detective beats a shuttle dirt-side, Triana lends her programming skills to Agent O'Neill's investigation. Together, they find more victims and evidence of a major cover-up.

It will take all Triana's technical talents, most of O'Neill's connections, and some really excellent croissants to stop the murders, save her job, and ultimately, her life.

In space, no one can hear you clean.

*This book was previously published as Murder is Messy.*

My rating: ★★★★☆

I had this book on my wishlist for a while until I finally grabbed it when it was free one day, and honestly, it was the best decision of my life 😆 This book was so much fun and I loved it! It’s basically a cozy murder mystery set in space, and a genre I did not know I needed in my life. Lol. I started this series Fall of 2021, and since then, all I've been wanting to read is sci-fi. Lol.