The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare + 50/50 Friday

 

On Friday's I take part in three weekly link ups - The Friday 56, hosted by Freda's Voice, Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader, and 50/50 Friday is a new weekly link up and it is hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reader and Laura @ Blue Eye Books.  For The Friday 56, you choose a book, a book you have just finished, a book you are about to start, your current read, and share a line or a few lines that grab you (but don't spoil anything) from page 56 or 56% of the way through the ebook.  Post it and share your post's url on Freda's most recent Friday 56 post.  As for Book Beginnings, you share the first sentence or so and your initial thoughts, impressions, or whatever else it inspires, and then link up your post's url with Rose City Reader.   Then, for  50/50 Friday, every week there's a new topic featuring two sides of the same coin - you share a book that suits each category and link up on the hosts blogs.

This week I'm spotlighting my current read, The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sandra Rees Brennan, and Maureen Johnson.  It's my third read for Summer 2017 Bookish Bingo and it'll fulfill the LGBT+ square.  I held a poll on Twitter to narrow down my options and this won out!  I'm really looking forward to this short story collection since Magnus Bane is one of my favorite characters from the Shadowhunters Chronicles!  I have to admit, though, that I wish the cover for this got an update, too - maybe to a picture of Harry Shum.  He portrays the character on the tv show, and, in my opinion, does a much better job of bringing Magnus to life.

Beginning: [from "What Really Happened in Peru"]

It was a sad moment in Magnus Bane's life when he was banned from Peru by the High Council of Peruvian warlocks.  It was not just because the posters with a picture of him that were passed around Downworld in Peru were so wildly unflattering.

56: [from "The Runaway Queen]

In Paris people were always after the latest fashion.  Wigs that hit the ceiling and had miniature boats in them; outrageous silks; white paint and high, blushed cheeks on the men and the women; the decorative beauty spots; the tailoring; the colors... In Paris one could have the eyes of a cat (as he did) and tell people it was a trick of fashion.

50/50 Friday: Best/ Worst Book You Read In June

Best - Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts - This had just about everything I could have wanted!

Worst - Flawed by Cecelia Ahern - I ended up DNF'ing my ARC copy at 39%, unfortunately.


Thanks as always for visiting my blog, as always!  Happy Friday!

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far:

Happy Tuesday and welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!  This week's topic is Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far.  I've read some fantastic books so far this year so let's get this show on the road.  Each title is linked to my review.  Here we go, in alphabetical order by title:

And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich - The audiobook of this is one of the creepiest and intense I've had the pleasure of listening to.  If you like Shutter Island or The Others, you need to try this!

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch - This awesome exploration of the multiverse lives up to the hype 100%!

A Gathering of Shadows & A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #2 & 3) by V.E. Schwab - This series is an all time favorite - I can't get enough of this author!

The Girl With Ghost Eyes by M.H. Boroson - I absolutely need to see more of Li-Li and her San Francisco in in my life!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - If you haven't already read this, what are you waiting for?  This YA debut realistically handles the complexities of the Black Lives Matter movement - and it's absolutely stunning.

It's Not Like It's A Secret by Misa Sugiura - This diverse LGBTQIA+ YA contemporary romance is one of the best I've read in a while.  If you like Becky Albertalli, David Levithan, or Rainbow Rowell, I have a feeling you'll want to try Sugiura.

My Lady Jane (The Lady Janies #1) by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows - This YA historical fantasy is so much fun and laugh out loud funny - like The Princess Bride and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you'll adore My Lady Jane!

Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts - I loved this YA epic fantasy debut - it's fast, funny, action-packed, and sounds refreshingly modern.

The Trial (PULSE #1) by R.A. Crawford - This read for review kicked off my January right! It's an action-packed sci-fi novel with an all female cast.


What have some of your favorite books so far this year?  Have you read any of my favorites of 2017?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below.

Music Monday: oneboredjeu Mashup

Happy Monday everyone and welcome back to Music Monday! Let's share some songs we've been enjoying lately!  If you would like to play and I really hope you do, please see the rules and link up below.

Rules:

Every Monday share a few songs you've been enjoying lately.  It doesn't have to be a specific genre, new, or one of your favorites - just something you'd like to share with others.  If possible, share a music or lyric video of the song and your thoughts on the song(s), artist(s), and/or music video(s).

If you would like to participate in Music Monday, please join the link up by sharing your post's url.

Recently I've been listening to oneboredjeu Mashup videos and I've stumbled on quite a few really good ones that really work together.  The two I've decided to share with you guys today both happen to feature Panic! at the Disco.  The first pairs "Victorious" by P!atD and "Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson for "Annie! At The Disco" (2017), though I think it should have been called "Victorious Criminal" instead, but either way it's a great combination that works really well together.  My second pick makes a very unlikely combination with the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song with P!atD's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" for "Thomas Writes Sins Not Tragedies" (2016).  As weird as that is, it totally manages to work with the psychotic circus/ train station vibe.  I laughed out loud a few times too, especially at that first censored bit!  I think this could be ringtone material!

Sunday Funday: Half Price Books Clearance Sale Haul

Happy Sunday everyone!  I hope everyone's had a great week!  Yesterday, I managed to accumulate a lot of books for cheap at the Half Price Books Clearance Sale in Columbus.  If you've never been to one of their clearance sales, it's quite an event and kind of overwhelming - there's so much to see.  The Columbus sale was held at the state fair grounds and in one of the expo center building which has 50,000+ square footage of floor space - pretty much all of which is used up for the sale.  I went with a couple of friends who had never been there, and, although I tried to describe just how big the sale was, I could see by the look on their faces that my description didn't do it justice.  Just the fact that they have shopping carts, should give you some idea of how big this sale is!  Anyway, below are all of the books I picked up (all for less than the regular price of one hardback):

An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England by Venetia Murray - It's a social history of the Regency era in England, an absolutely fascinating time period.  It sounds like this has potential.

Ox-Team Days on the Oregon Trail by Ezra Meeker and Howard R. Driggs - This was originally published in the 1920s and was written by a man who actually experienced the Oregon Trail.  Besides, who isn't obsessed with the Oregon Trail?

The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World by A.J. Jacobs - This just sounds like it's going to be a really entertaining memoir!

Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman - I've heard of this race before and I'd love to know more about it.  Plus, Nellie Bly was a fascinating woman.

The Light Ages (The Aether Universe #1) by Ian R. MacLeod - This sounds like it could be an awesome alternate historical fantasy with magic and set during the industrial revolution.

Carniepunk - This anthology of short stories features some of great authors including Rob Thurman, Kevin Hearne, Rachel Caine, and Seanan McGuire, plus many more.  I've actually been looking for a copy of this for quite some time, so I was really pleased to discover this one!

Black Heart, Ivory Bones (The Snow White, Blood Red Anthology Series #6) edited by Ellen Datlow and Terry Windling - It's a collection of contemporary fairy-tales for adults from a lot of great authors, including one of my all time favorites, Neil Gaiman.

Working Stiff (The Revivalist #1) by Rachel Caine - I've been needing to get my hands on more by Rachel Caine and this sounds like it'll be a fun series opener.  Plus, it's giving me iZombie vibes and that's one of my favorite tv shows!

Iron Angel (Deepgate Codex #2) by Alan Campbell - It's actually book two in a trilogy, but it sounded that promising - and Publisher's Weekly's starred review compares Campbell to Gaiman, so there's that.

Playing with Fire (Skulduggery Pleasant #2) by Derek Landy - I loved the first installment of this series and I absolutely need to continue this series.

The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray - This sounds right up my alley and I have no idea why I haven't already read this!

Raging Star (Dust Lands #3) by Moira Young - I still haven't read book two yet, but I needed to be ready for when I do!

The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) by Rick Riordan - Riordan's Egyptian mythology series opener, The Red Pyramid, was really good - it's high time I continue it.

Story Time by Edward Bloor - YA demonic school satire?  Sounds good to me!

The Faceless Ones (Skulduggery Pleasant #3) by Derek Landy - As soon as I saw book three, I figured I might as snatch it up since I had just found book two - unfortunately neither have dust jackets.

Finally, I found a magnetic bookmark featuring Elrond from The Hobbit movies!

Thanks for making it this far, and perhaps even commenting down below!  I hope everyone has had a great weekend and has gotten some reading in!  Now, I just have to decide which book to tackle first!  Anyone have any recommendations?

Captain America Book Tag

I just happened to stumble upon this tag via Wendy @ Book Scents and since Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is one of my favorite MCU characters I couldn't resist joining in!  Not to mention, I'm really excited for the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming in a couple of weeks.  On to the tag:

Steve Rogers/Captain America: a book with a big character transformation

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Neville Longbottom makes one of the biggest transformations of all!

Peggy Carter: a book with a strong female protagonist

Shades of Magic by Victoria Schwab - I'm going to have to go with Lila Bard, no question!

Bucky Barnes: a book with your ultimate BROTP

Shades of Magic by Victoria Schwab - Kell and Rhy Maresh, enough said!

Howling Commandos: a book with squad goals

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater - Who doesn't want to pal around with Blue and her Raven Boys?  By the way, that piece of Ronan fan art above is one of my favorites.

Red Skull: a book with a cliche plot

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - Totally a combination of The Hunger Games and X-Men and uses plenty of standard YA tropes.

Natasha Romanoff: a book with a snarky side character

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - So many great snarky moments in this!

Sam Wilson: a book with a friendship meet cute

Jackaby by William Ritter - R.F. Jackaby and Abigail Rook have a pretty great meet up!

Winter Soldier: a book with a great twist (plot twist or retelling)

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - Hey, it's an oldie, but a goodie!

I’m Just A Kid from Brooklyn: a book with a memorable setting/character backstory

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - Camorr really jumps off the page with everything from The Five Towers to The Cauldron!

Do You Two…. Fondue?: a book with a love triangle

The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare - I don't usually care for love triangles, but I really like what's between Will, Tessa, and Jem.

You’ve Been Asleep, Cap: a book you love with a dual timeline/time travel

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures - 10th Doctor Audio Originals - This audiobook is read by David Tennant and Catherine Tate and is an absolute must read for any Doctor Who fan!

Til The End Of The Line: a book with the OTP to end all OTPs

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater - Ronan and Adam 100%! By the way, this artist is my favorite for fan art from The Raven Cycle.

I Had A Date: a book with a cliffhanger

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - The middle book in The Hunger Games trilogy has one crazy cliffhanger - still one of my favorites!

I Understood That Reference: a book with a pop culture reference

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - Totally chock full of '80s references!


That was a lot of fun to put together, guys!  If anyone would like to join in, please feel free!