[WEEKEND READS] where I finally have the time to deal with my TBR

i'm legit reading this now. lol.

Hello,

I mentioned on my last roundup post that I'm graduating. And I have. I graduated university not with honors though because of that one subject (ohwell, what's done is done). With that said, thanks to everyone who congratulated me. I haven't had the mood to actually write a casual post like this. I've done a few reviews though, I hope you guys have read those 😊.

ANYWAY, it's been three weeks since I graduated and I finally have a job. It's not the most exciting work though and it's, admittedly, not related to my major BUT I'll just get some experience and run off somewhere only if things don't work out for me though. I'm working in a bookstore by the way (which is of course the most amazing thing) but it's minimum wage so obviously I'm not happy with that but I'll work on a few things and probably get a more appropriate job next time.

recent reads

Little Girl Lost (DI Robyn Carter #1) | Carol Wyer
This is another fantastic Bookouture release! It was a bit confusing at first but it pushed me to really get into the bottom of things. I was intrigued all throughout. DI Carter feels like Detective Erika Foster who I really love. You can check out my review here.

King's Cage (Red Queen #3) | Victoria Aveyard
I actually didn't expect anything for this book because: (1) Glass Sword was weak. really weak. didn't like it much. i think it was slow and boring and i didn't care about the new bloods (although their abilities were pretty cool though); and (2) I've read disappointed reviews on this (or at least that's what I can remember right now). But my non-existing expectations aside, this book still didn't work for me. I thought I'd like it though because I'm #teamMaven all the way but this book was just meh and makes me want to throw it out of my window 90% of the time. I'll try to have a comprehensive review for this. I hope. For now, you can enjoy my quick review on goodreads.

Violet Grenade | Victoria Scott
This was more of an okay read for me. I thought it was intriguing and the characters were well explored (minus Madam Karina, I guess) especially the main character. You can read my full review here.

[REVIEW] Violet Grenade

tour schedule can be found at: Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours & Promotions

title: Violet Grenade
author: Victoria Scott
genre: young adult, contemporary, thriller
publish: May 16, 2017 by Entangled Teen
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
goodreads

DOMINO: A girl with blue hair and a demon in her mind. 

CAIN: A stone giant on the brink of exploding. 

MADAM KARINA: A woman who demands obedience. 

WILSON: The one who will destroy them all. 

When Madam Karina discovers Domino in an alleyway, she offers her a position inside her home for entertainers in secluded West Texas. Left with few alternatives and an agenda of her own, Domino accepts. It isn’t long before she is fighting her way up the ranks to gain the madam’s approval. But after suffering weeks of bullying and unearthing the madam’s secrets, Domino decides to leave. It’ll be harder than she thinks, though, because the madam doesn’t like to lose inventory. But then, Madam Karina doesn’t know about the person living inside Domino’s mind. Madam Karina doesn’t know about Wilson.

a dark novel about broken people and facing their demons.

I've read great things about this book. I read that it's dark. I like dark. Don't you? Also, that blurb? It's very intriguing -- Wilson's very existence especially. So you know, despite what it looks like or how the title sounds like, let me tell you this: Violet Grenade is a young adult, contemporary psychological thriller.

[REVIEW] Little Girl Lost

title: Little Girl Lost (DI Robyn Carter #1)
author: Carol Wyer
genre: adult fiction, crime fiction, mystery, thriller
publish: January 19, 2017 by Bookouture
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 4 / 5 stars
goodreads

A perfect family hiding disturbing secrets. A killer who wants the truth to be told.  

A teacher goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
A millionaire is murdered at a local reservoir.
For Detective Robyn Carter, there’s no obvious link between the men. But as she starts to delve into the cases, her investigations lead her to Abigail, perfect wife and mother to beautiful little Izzy. What was Abigail’s connection to the victims? And why is she receiving threatening messages from an anonymous number?  

But as Robyn starts to inch closer to finding the killer, Izzy is abducted.  

Unless Robyn gets to the twisted individual in time, a little girl will die …  

Gripping, fast paced and nailbitingly tense, this serial killer thriller will chill you to the bone. Perfect for fans of MJ Arlidge and Angela Marsons. Discover Carol Wyer’s new series today – at a special launch price. 

kept me thinking. kept me at the edge of my seat.

I read this basically because I'm a Bookouture thriller-trash. I'll probably read every Bookouture thriller that's out there, ya know 💁 Also, check that hook, I'm always into those perfect-family-but-not mysteries. Gotta read them all!

[REVIEW] Hidden Figures

title: Hidden Figures: The Untold Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation into Space
author: Margot Lee Shetterly
genre: nonfiction, history, biography
publish: November 29, 2016 by HarperCollins
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 4.5 / 5 stars
goodreads

Young Readers' Edition

From World War II through NASA's golden age, four African-American women confidently and courageously stepped into the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (now known as NASA).  

Their job? To provide the mathematical calculations that would help increase airplane production during wartime and eventually send the United States into space for the very first time. Hidden Figures follows the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who participated in some of the United States' greatest aeronautic successes. These women who lived through and persevered against the backdrop of some of the biggest movements ever to shape our nation's history: the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, and the fight for gender equality. With photographs and rich historical detail, Margot Lee Shetterly brings to life the struggles these four women, and others, overcame to forever change the face of air and space travel.

have you seen the movie? read this book.
haven't seen the movie? read this book.

I've always been interested to read a nonfiction. I have a few now on my shelf and on my ereader but I've always been hesitating. But I finally grabbed this. I finally read this. I watched the movie, by the way. I decided to read the book because: (1) nonfiction dealing with important matters is my thing (actually anything dealing with important matters is my thing but of course those in relation to history are at the top of my priority); (2) the movie was bloodydamn great and a real eyeopener; (3)  love anything that has something to do with history, okay?

[REVIEW] The Night Stalker

title: The Night Stalker (Detective Erika Foster #2)
author: Robert Bryndza
genre: adult fiction, crime fiction, thriller, mystery
publish: June 2, 2016 by Bookouture
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 5 / 5 stars
goodreads

If the Night Stalker is watching, you're already dead... 

In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer's night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head. 

A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer - stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike. 

The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer? 

As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched... Erika's own life could be on the line. 

The global bestselling author of "The Girl in the Ice" is back with a heart-racing, electrifying thriller. If you love Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, you'll be hooked on Robert Bryndza.

MUST READ thriller series!

I cannot believe it took me forever to read this book! I hate myself for that! But better late than never, yeah? I read this book basically because: (1) the first book, The Girl in the Ice, was amazing and thrilling and was easily one of my fave crime thrillers!, (2) the writing of the said book was great and Erika Foster easily became one of my fave detective inspectors to read; (3) Bookouture thrillers are bloodydamn amazing!

APRIL ROUNDUP (aka the last month of uni)

random photo. unread books.

Hello,

This coming Thursday, I'll finally be graduating from uni after so many years! ohmygosh, it's finally happening! I'll have a post up for that! This is the reason why I've been gone for a couple of months even though I just restarted my blog. It has been an exhausting preparation for it from finishing my thesis to the many revisions of my research to the requirements and graduation practices I'm doing at the moment.

ANYWAY, I've been lazy this past month. Okay, I'll admit that I've been in a blogging/reviewing/reading slump. Since my last update, I was able to watch a couple of anime: (1) Cheer Danshi!! (slice of life, not recommended, cringe-y, literally just boys being cringe-y and cheerleading, the ending was unexpectedly nice though), and (2) Bakemonogatari (re-watched, paranormal, outstanding art style by SHAFT* -- art, character designs, animation, colors, framing, and overall presentation is great!, voice acting and BMG is also outstanding). I also just re-watched Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. I still can't get over this series, you see. I'm still in love with the characters, story, and world.

On other non-bookish things. Have you guys seen/heard: (1) the new Paramore song: Hard Times (I'm obsessed to it! Also, the video is super great!! LOVE IT!), (2) the new State Champs acoustic version of Secrets (LOVE IT! Derek's voice + Ryan's backup!), (3) MGK's new music video for At My Best (I've been a fan of MGK since 2015 and I'm super glad for his popularity for Bad Things. And call me a black sheep but I LOVE this song more than Bad Things even though it feels so cliche but the music video for Bad Things seems better), (4) MGK's new song Let You Go is also pretty good and different (I'm excited for his new album!), (5) All Time Low's new song from their upcoming album Last Young Renegade, Life of the Party is also good (I kind of like it more than the song Last Young Renegade), (6) PVRIS's new music video for Heaven is A E S T H E T I C! (I cannot wait for their new album which comes out on my birthday!), and (7) I like this music video of Help by Papa Roach. 2017 is going to be another great year for my music fandom (patiently waiting for Neck Deep and Roam songs. when even? Also patiently waiting for Halsey's new album 😀).

*SHAFT = anime production company responsible for the Monogatari Series, Nisekoi, Madoka Magica, etc.

books read

April started pretty rough for me. I was stuck in a bit of a slump which sucks but I'm all better now. I read Duels & Deception early April for a book tour. The Night Stalker is the second book in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza (review of book 1, The Girl in the Ice, here!) and I absolutely love this one! Highly recommended for thriller readers! I requested Young Jane Young because I LOVE The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by the same author, Gabrielle Zevin. Young Jane Young, however, isn't as great as A.J. Fikry but I still loved it! (Review will be up closer to release date). Finally, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a book club read and we'll have meeting & discussion a couple of weeks from now. #excited!

May Clean Sweep ARC Challenge!

random photo.

Hello,

Now that it's May, I'm a couple of days away from graduating which means job hunting + more time to read (no more school projects, exams, and researches. done. with. those. YAY!). ANYWAY, I saw another reading challenge from Caffeinaited Book Reviewer and given all the time in my hands, I knew I should join. Also, here's to making up for my failed #TakeControlTBR 😂

things about #cleansweeparc
- ARC’s must be read between May 1st, 2017 and May 31st, 2017
- hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
- All ARCS/finished copies that were provided by publisher/author are eligible. They can be in any format (eBook, physical, audio)
- You do not have to post a review on the blog during the month of May. Just give a link to Goodreads showing read May 1 to 31st with a two sentence review.
- Twitter Party Thursday, May 18th at 7:30 pm (EST)
- signup post can be found here.