TBR Status: New goal—read all the books! … in 2021.

2020 is just about over and thank goodness. I think I speak for just about everyone when I say 2021 better be looking up from here, please and thanks.

I’ve been so busy these past few months that I definitely missed my November book haul, and at this point, I figured I might as well wrap it into my December one, too, because I actually didn’t get many books in December … for real this time. I even asked for other things for Christmas, so I just got a few books as gifts. Weird, right?

Physical Haul

Shout-out to Spellbreaker, which was actually in October’s book haul and I didn’t even notice. Seems like there’s at least one of those each month. I’ve read it, though, and it’s really good, and you’ll see the sequel down below in the Kindle haul, so … you should check it out. 😉

Serafina Series: I’ve been meaning to read this series for a while, and I managed to get my hands on a box set of the first three. If I like them, I’ll have to grab the fourth one, but I’ve heard the series is good! I’m a sucker for creepy forests and missing children.

Slayer: This one is obviously overdue, and I’m ashamed of myself that I haven’t gotten my hands on it sooner. I mean, really, what else is there to say? I expect this’ll be as enjoyable as the other Kiersten White books I’ve read so far!

The Boy who Killed Grant Parker: This is an older book, but I keep seeing it while I shelve books at the library and wondering about it. Well, we got a brand-new copy in, so we switched out the copies, and I bought the old one at the library book sale. Seems like it was a sign that I should go ahead and read it already!

Middlegame: I’ve been trying to get my hands on this one for everrrrr. Not only have I heard that it’s absolutely fantastic, but I love Seanan McGuire’s work in general. Thought about donating it to the library when I’m done for about 30 seconds, then laughed and said nah, I’m obviously not letting this one go after waiting so long to get it!

Network Effect: Have I finished the novellas? Of course not. Is that going to stop me from buying the novel? Pffft no. Don’t be silly. I doubt I’m going to go ahead and buy the novellas, honestly, but I figure I’ll buy the novels that come out from this point forward. My goal for 2021 is to catch up in this series finally!

The Magical Unicorn Society: This gorgeous set was for an Instagram tour! I just barely managed to get my pictures taken for the tour and this before Minion stole the series. Probably not all that surprising, given that it’s unicorns. It’s a super cute series, though, and she read almost all of the first book in a day, and she’s not even much of a reader. Would highly recommend these ones for any youngster who loves unicorns!

Voyage of the Frostheart: This has been on the top of my “must get my hands on” list for quite a while, but no one seems to have it! So I finally just caved and bought it, because it seems worth it. Also, the sequel just came out, and I flat out refuse not to have read this one for another year (although it might be another year before I get my hands on the sequel, at this rate!)

Oracle of Doom: I had been hoping one of the libraries I have a card to would get this in, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. So I grabbed it. The Library series doesn’t seem to be as big as I remember MacHale’s Pendragon books being, but I really enjoy them!

The Cryptid Keeper: Minion has been on a BIG cryptid kick. Her and her grandmother have been watching those hunting cryptid shows and paranormal caught on tape shows, so really, this is a gimmick for me to attempt to get her to read a bit while she’s on all these breaks from school. Will it work? Who knows. But a mother’s gotta try, right? Also, it sounds super cute in general, honestly.

The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes: This adventure series sounds both cute and funny and filled to the brim with adventure, and I’m for every single one of those. Looking forward to being able to pick it up!

The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me): I’m pretty sure that title speaks for itself. In fact, this is the first one in the series I saw and immediately needed it, but figured I should probably buy book one also. This title is just epic. Also, dragons.

The Dead Fathers Club: I’ve been meaning to read more Matt Haig books for a while now, so I grabbed this when I saw it on sale. It doesn’t have a great rating on Goodreads, but I’m still curious about it and going to give it a chance.

Angel and Bavar: This has been on my TBR since it came out, and I hadn’t got my hands on a copy yet, so I grabbed it when I saw it on sale. Bonus points that it’s inspired by Beauty and the Beast. My mother-in-law loves everything BatB, so if I enjoy this one, I’ll probably pass it on to her.

Willow Moss & the Lost Day: I’ve heard wonderful things about Willow Moss, and I finally found it somewhere! Grabbed myself a copy. I think this is going to be a fun one to read with Minion.

Dragon Pearl: Totally got this to read along with the Middle Grade Marvels reading group. Totally did not read it. Everything from October onward has kind of just smacked me in the face full force. I’m still glad to have a copy of this, though, since I’ve been wanting to read it for the longest time!

Christmas haul, anyone?! The “Bookmarks are for Quitters” mug is from hubby, since he bought me my current mug that I use all the time, which is about thirty seconds away from falling apart. So now I’ve got a replacement.

The Death bookmark is based on Terry Pratchett’s Death and was a gift to myself! I ordered this from InLineWithAnnemieke, since I absolutely LOVE her Pratchett spreads in her bullet journal! I asked for a custom bookmark with Death and maybe Death with kitties, but for her to surprise me. Definitely not disappointed! I love it so much, and I’ll only be using it for my Pratchett books (and trust me, there are lots!).

I actually already have The Rage of Dragons, which I got for my birthday. So one of the copies will be going to my library, which doesn’t have a copy (since I refused to part with mine!). Works out well, I think, since I know several patrons I’m definitely going to be throwing the series at!

Dead Things: Urban fantasy meets paranormal detective? Yes, please. Can’t even remember where I saw this first, but I knew I needed to read this series! This was a gift from hubby, and I’m excited to pick it up.

The Switching Hour: Spooky middle grade! I don’t know, that just seems to be the theme of 2020 so far. This one sounds fantastic, and it’s been recommended to me a couple of times.

Scorch Dragons: I bought the first book in this series a few months back, so I’m glad to have the second one so I can read them together. Also, dragons! And Amie Kaufman. I think this’ll be a series I end up loving.

Kindle Haul

                   

The Ghoul Next Door: I’m not sure what it is about the end of this year, but I have been all about the spooky/creepy reads. This one says it’s a supernatural adventure about ghouls, and really, that’s all I need to know. Also doesn’t hurt that it’s by Cullen Bunn, who’s worked on a lot of really good projects!

The Girl who Stole an Elephant: I’ve seen this around and had wanted to read it, so when it popped up on NetGalley, I had to request it! I’m always on the lookout for middle grade books focused on different cultures that I can recommend for the library, especially adventures! Our kiddos seem to really like adventures, and this one looks particularly fun.

The Last Fallen Star: NEW RICK RIORDAN PRESENTS! I think we’ve already established that I will read everything this imprint puts out (and I’ve already convinced my director to buy everything from this imprint, so my job here is done). This series deals with Korean folklore, which I don’t know as much about as some of the others I’ve read, so I’m really excited for the chance to read this!

Questland: Look! It’s a fantasy book for gamer geeks about getting stuck in a game for real! I will never tire of this trope, okay? I will read these books and watch these shows forever. The geek in me is super excited to see which tropes are used in this.

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Um, hi, Amber Ruffin. Enough said? I love her so much on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and that’s enough for me. I don’t read a ton of nonfiction, but Amber is fabulous, and I can’t wait to see what a combination her and her sister make.

                   

The Edge of Strange Hollow: Magical forests filled with magical creatures! Another of my favorite tropes. I don’t know, everything in this description just sounds absolutely perfect and I couldn’t resist requesting this one!

The Immortal Game: I love mythology, even if we’re going back to the good, old-fashioned Greek mythology. This sounds like a squad I’m going to fall in love with!

The Unbroken: I’m pretty sure everyone and their mother has been looking forward to this one? So I squeed just a little when the approval came through. Queer fantasy that sounds dark and full of murder and mayhem? Where do I sign up?!

Ophie’s Ghosts: NEW JUSTINA IRELAND! After reading Dread Nation and Deathless Divide, I will be reading anything and everything from Justina Ireland, thanks. Everything about this book sounds amazing, though. I love the trope of kids seeing ghosts, especially since it sounds like ghosts aren’t always positive entities in this!

Hall of Smoke: I’ve really been loving epic fantasy lately (which is so funny because I’d sworn it off all together at one point). Gods as characters is always one of my favorite tropes in epic fantasy, and this one sounds … well, epic. Also, do you see that cover?! *chef’s kiss* I definitely need this in my life.

                   

The River Has Teeth: Queer fantasy horror with magic and monsters. *grabby hands* I just can’t even begin to say how fabulous this book sounds. If it even lives up to a fraction of it, it’s going to be a wonderful book.

My Contrary Mary: From the author of the Janies series! Which is a series I haven’t read yet. Luckily, I don’t need to have read that series to read this one (I checked!). I’ve been meaning to read it for a while now, since everyone seems to love it, and it sounds like a good idea to start this new series with these authors as my first time reading them!

Ghost Girl: Comped to Small Spaces and Nightbooks, and that’s really all I need to know. Everything else is just icing on the cake! Plus, scary stories are always a win, and that cover definitely looks creepy!

Hollow Chest: I love reading adult WWII books, so when I saw this middle grade on NetGalley, it caught my attention. Seems like it deals with PTSD in a sort of fantasy backdrop, where it’s wolves causing it? I’m really curious about this, especially since I love to recommend books to the library with mental health issues that are handled in a way younger kids will pick up and understand and actually read.

The Witch King: I still don’t see/read many books with trans protagonists, and that’s something I want to change, so that’s a plus here. I don’t love Fae books, but I don’t dislike them, either, and I’m curious to see what incarnation the Fae will take in this book. I’m so curious about this one!

                   

Pumpkinheads: I don’t normally like graphic novels on Kindle, but I’ve heard this book is really good, and it was on sale for $1.99, so I grabbed it. I think I’ll probably read it on the Kindle app on my computer, but it’s short enough where it won’t bother me. I just want to finally have the chance to read this dang book!

The Pirates of Penn Cove: I finally read The Book of Kindly Deaths by this author and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to check out some of their other work. This one’s a middle grade adventure with pirates and secret societies and is comped to Goosebumps, so I definitely want to give it a shot! If I enjoy it, I’ll probably go ahead and grab the rest of the series on Kindle, too.

The Clockwork Magician: Another one by the same author. It’s pitched as Sherlock Holmes meets Doctor Who, which grabbed my attention right away. I loved this author’s writing style, so I’m definitely curious about how this one will go!

Skin Curse: I absolutely loved the first book in this series and have been looking forward to this one! The series is so dark and eerie and twisty. It sucks me right in. Since I got some money for Christmas, I decided to just go ahead and grab this while it was on my mind, since it just came out, and I’m super excited to continue the series!

Bring Down Heaven series: I’ve had my eye on this series by Sam Sykes for a while now. I bought a Sam Sykes book for hubby last year for Christmas, and he seemed to enjoy it (though I haven’t read it yet). So I got this series for both of us since the whole series was on sale (though, if I’m honest, he’ll probably read it before I do).

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