Review- Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Series: Mistborn Era 1 #1 | Cosmere #2

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Adult, epic/high fantasy

Publication date: July 2006

Published by: Tor Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: For a thousand years, ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when all hope was lost, the scarred, heartbroken half-Skaa Kelsier found in himself the powers of a Mistborn.

A brilliant thief and natural leader, Kelsier recruits the underworld's smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, who each share one of his many powers and relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream: not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers that she’s never dreamed of.

My rating: ★★★★★

I loved this book so much! I finally understand the hype surrounding this author!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #454: Sticking with the Spooky Vibes

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

Sunday Post #490: Another Readathon!

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!

Relax & Read-athon: February 2026

I have really been looking forward to doing another Relax & Readathon! I missed the one in December because I was on vacation, but I currently have a 3-day weekend, so I thought it would be perfect to start off the new month with this! This readathon was created and hosted by the Reading Nymph (love her! Here is the announcement video.)

Last time I did this readathon, I felt like I stressed myself out trying to read as much as I possibly could. Which is the exact OPPOSITE of what this readathon is about 🤦‍♀️😂 I'm gonna try and actually take it easy in this one. My goal is to finish the book I'm currently reading, and maybe start another? I'm not sure. I'm really looking forward to the non-reading prompts with the snacks, the coziness, and doing other hobbies though! But I'm still going to be reading, of course. Lol.

Review: Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito

Title: Venus in the Blind Spot

Author: Junji Ito

Genre: Adult, manga, horror

Publication date: February 2019

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Gifted

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Synopsis: This striking collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa’s classic horror story “The Human Chair” and fan favorite “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.” With a deluxe presentation—including special color pages, and showcasing illustrations from his acclaimed long-form manga No Longer Human—each chilling tale invites readers to revel in a world of terror.

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I love manga, and I love horror, but even I find it hard to believe that I still had not read any Junji Ito thus far in my life. Lol. Luckily, that's finally changed! Lol.

February 2026 TBR

Oh. My. God. My January TBR went SO well! I am truly shocked. Lol. Let's do another tbr and see what happens in February because I really don't know how long this may last 😅😂

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #453: Getting Spooky

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

Sunday Post #489: A Nice 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!

Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2026

It was a really good start to the year... reading-wise at least 😅 I read 6 books, for a total of 2183 pages.

• 3 were full-length novels, and 3 manga
• 3 were part of a series, and 3 were standalone
• I started 1 series, and finished none 😅
• All 6 were finished copies
• 4 were physical books, and 2 were ebooks
• 1 was a 5-star read, 2 were 4.5 stars, 2 were 4 stars, and 1 was 3.5 stars
• All 6 were traditionally published
• 4 were by authors I've previously read, and 2 were new to me
• 3 were adult books, and 3 were YA books
• All 6 were fiction
• 1 was contemporary romance, 2 action, 1 horror, 1 fantasy sci-fi, and 1 high fantasy

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 2) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 2

Series: Sakamoto Days #2

Previous book in this series: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, manga, adventure

Publication date: June 2021

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Shin faces off with a strange assassin who’s targeting Mr. Sakamoto, but how will he manage against a foe whose thoughts are unreadable? Then, the Sakamoto gang does their best to enjoy a peaceful family outing at the amusement park, only to be rudely interrupted by a pair of menacing assassins. Can Mr. Sakamoto and his buddies take care of them without his family noticing?

My rating: ★★★★☆

I was SO excited to read this volume because I was loving the setting in the amusement park! And then the last volume ended just when things were getting exciting. Lol. But this volume was a ton of fun too!

Review: The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Hidden Oracle

Series: The Trials of Apollo #1

Other series in the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles: Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology

Publication date: May 2016

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go... an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have been really looking forward to reading this series, not only because I love Percy Jackson in general, but because I love Apollo too!

Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl #2) by Matt Dinniman

Title: Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #2

Previous book in this series: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi

Publication date: January 2021

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: “Greetings, Crawlers! The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin.”

The aliens have come, and they’ve transformed Earth into a multilevel, video game–like dungeon. It’s the newest season of the galaxy’s most watched game show, Dungeon Crawler World. Now on the third floor, Carl and Donut have to fight harder than ever. They’ve already proven that a Coast Guard vet and once-and-forever feline royalty are an almost unstoppable team. Their ratings are off the charts. Viewers can’t get enough. But the dungeon gets more dangerous each day, and now there’s a whole new problem to deal with: Quests.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered women rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose. Can Carl and Donut solve the mystery in time?

And can Carl finally find some pants?

Includes part two of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★☆

Carl, Princess Donut, and Mongo made it to the next level, and it was as chaotic as ever—It was great! Lol.

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi, apocalyptic, adventure

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I had been seeing a lot of my friends on Goodreads raving about this series, and one day while I was at B&N I saw this book, and I was like, "Hey thats the one!" The new neon cover is what definitely caught my attention. But I'm glad to have finally gotten on the bandwagon because I had a lot of fun reading it!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #452: Sneak Peek at the TBR

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

Sunday Post #488: Trying to Stay Afloat

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: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 1) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Series: Sakamoto Days #1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, action, humor

Publication date: April 2022

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He’s running a neighborhood store with his lovely wife and child and has gotten a bit…out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die!

My rating: ★★★★☆

I've been on a manga kick lately, so I'm glad this one was recommended to me because I really enjoyed it!

Review: Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Rule of Wolves

Series: King of Scars #2 | Grishaverse #7

Previous book in this series: King of Scars

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: March 2021

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I still think that the Six of Crows duology is the superior series in the Grishaverse 😆, but I did enjoy the overall story in this series. Also, I love Nikolai, so it's always great when he's around. Lol.

Review: Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

Title: Dreadful

Author: Caitlin Rozakis

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: May 2024

Published by: Titan Books

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something.

It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is... you.

Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed.

But as he realizes that nothing – from the incredibly tasteless cloak adorned with flames to the aforementioned princess – is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he’ll have to answer the hardest question of all – who does he want to be?

Dread Lord Gavrax has had better weeks.

My rating: ★★★★☆

How did someone decide to go down the path of darkness?

When I first came across this book, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun! And it was! But more than that, it had a lot more depth than I was anticipating.

Review: Kindergarten Wars (Vol. 1) by You Chiba

Title: Kindergarten Wars Vol. 1

Series: Kindergarten Wars #1

Author: You Chiba

Genre: YA, manga, action, humor

Publication date: May 2025

Published by: Yen Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: IT’S PLAYTIME!

Rita is Convict No. 999, a former legendary assassin who now works at a kindergarten for the children of the world’s most powerful people. Her job is to protect the kids from the clutches of would-be kidnappers and contract killers. But even with her overwhelming strength, Rita has one fatal flaw―she falls head over heels for good-looking men, even if they’re her enemies! Can she find the hottie soulmate of her dreams amid the chaos at the “world’s safest kindergarten”?

My rating: ★★★★★

I don't even remember how I found out about this manga, but I'm glad I did because I freaking loved it!

The thing that caught my attention about this series was the premise of former assassins working at a kindergarten to protect the kids of the rich and powerful. But it's more than that:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #451: The Good Vibes Continue

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

Sunday Post #487: ACNH is Back Just in Time!

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: Sword Catcher (The Chronicles of Castellane #1) by Cassandra Clare

Title: Sword Catcher

Series: The Chronicles of Castellane #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Adult, high fantasy

Publication date: October 2023

Published by: Del Rey Books

Source: Purchased hardcover

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Synopsis: In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces.

As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

My rating: ★★★★☆

“I am the Prince's shield," he said. "I am his unbreakable armor. I bleed that he might not bleed. I suffer that he might never suffer. I die that he might live forever."

"But you will not die," said Conor, releasing his hand.

Listen, you guys know I love my Shadowhunters, and I will never say no to a new book in that world. But I was also very excited to learn that Cassandra Clare was writing something completely new. And I know this isn't the first time—she co-wrote an MG series with Holly Black. But this is fully hers! An adult high fantasy series! Ah! So exciting! And I ended up really enjoying this book!

Review: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Title: King of Scars

Series: King of Scars #1 | Grishaverse #6

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: January 2019

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Face your demons... or feed them.

The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I started off the Grishaverse by reading Six of Crows first, then I went back and read Shadow and Bone, and now this. And to be honest, after reading this book, I am convinced that Six of Crows is the superior series. That being said, I still enjoyed this, but it was no Six of Crows.

Warp, Rinse, Repeat (Tales of a Former Space Janitor #6) by Julia Huni

Title: Warp, Rinse, Repeat

Series: Tales of a Former Space Janitor #6

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) | Changing the Speed of Light Bulbs (#4) Sun Spot Remover (#5)

Author: Julia Huni

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, cozy mystery

Publication date: December 26th 2025

Published by: IPH Media

Source: eARC for review

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Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Surviving parenthood is hard enough—try doing it when the universe keeps hitting reset.

Triana Moore thought pregnancy would be messy—but not this messy. Between malfunctioning baby simulators, her mother’s attempts to fire her (again), and a snarky “smart” house that refuses to learn her name, life on SK2 is already chaos.

Then Monday refuses to end. Literally.

Now, Triana and O’Neill are stuck reliving the same day on repeat—while her pregnancy keeps marching forward. As her belly expands and her patience wears thin, they must re-convince her charming cousin Arun, their sharp-tongued friend Vanti, and a hopelessly romantic AI that the time loop is real before the triplets make their debut in a full-blown temporal paradox.

Cosmic chaos, domestic drama, and one very pregnant heroine who just wants a nap. And probably a snack.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I love the Space Janitor Universe, we all know this about me lol, but I also love a time loop, so I was extra excited about this book in particular! And it was SO fun!

Review: Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

Title: Fake Skating

Author: Lynn Painter

Genre: YA, contemporary romance

Publication date: September 2025

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies Lynn Painter comes a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.

Growing up, Dani couldn’t help but follow around the adorable son of her mom’s best friend. Funny, kind of nerdy, and a little soft, Alec was always down to hang with Dani when they were little. From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable. Until Dani moved away. Alec promised they’d stay in touch—except, they didn’t.

Flash forward and Dani is back in Minnesota for her senior year, she and her mom living with her grandfather. Dealing with the fallout of her parents’ devastating divorce, Dani wouldn’t mind a nerd-out with the cozy and comforting Alec (and maybe a chance to confront him on his MIA status for all these years). But teenage Alec is nothing like the kid Dani remembers. He’s a hockey star in a town where hockey players are worshiped as gods. Dani’s place as his shadow has been taken up by drooling female fans... and he loves it.

Dani is resolved to ice out her former best friend until an unlikely series of events brings them together—and forces them to fake being a couple. Once forced together, the former childhood sweethearts begin to reconnect, unearth complicated family secrets, and face their true feelings towards each other…including the real reason Alec has been pushing Dani away all these years.

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I don't read many romances, but damn if I don't love a Lynn Painter book! 😍 Over the years, I've come to discover what I like and don't like in a romance, and for me, Lynn Painter just does romance right! They're so cute!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #450: Starting Off The Year Right

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

Sunday Post #486: Back to Reality

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!

Did I Read the Books I Bought in 2025?

Today, I'm looking at all the books I bought in 2025 and seeing whether I read them or not. I have a feeling it's going to be 'not' 😅

Favorite New-To-Me Authors of 2025

Today I'm talking about some authors I discovered in 2025 that I ended up really loving!

Looking Back at Books I Wish I’d read in 2024 & Anticipated Books of 2025

Today, I want to take a look at the books in my Top Books I Wish I’d Read in 2024 list and the Top Anticipated Books of 2025 and see if I actually read any of those books in the last year. I always do this because every year I tend to roll over those books from those two lists onto my TBR for the next year, but this year it seems like that didn't really happen, so 🤷‍♀️

2025 Reading Challenges Update

It's time to check out how I did on my challenges and honestly, I have a feeling I did horribly 😅 I did not have a great reading year, and I think it's about to show. Lol.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #449: Final Books I'm Reading On Vacation

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

Sunday Post #485: Happy New Year!

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!

2025 Reading Stats

Yay! It's numbers time!

My Year in Books: 2025

I did not have a great reading year... I mean, 66 is not bad at all, but I was just in this horrible reading slump for most of the year, and that really affected things. But my goal was 52 and I definitely achieved that. Lol.

January 2026 TBR (And End of the Year/Vacation TBR Update)

I don't usually do TBRs because I'm a mood reader and my mood changes too much, too fast. Lol. But I'm going to be trying something new this year, so we will see how it goes. Lol.