This post contains a sponsored link; all opinions, as always, are my own
It’s weird that it’s only the second Tuesday in August…being the 13th and all. But it is, and that means it’s time for Show Us Your Books! with Jana and Steph.
Show Us Your Books: Mini book reviews, book giveaways, and more! #bookgiveaway #bookbloggers Share on X
Arctic Wild by Annabeth Albert (copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own)
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I read the first book in this trilogy (all are companion novels), Arctic Sun, and I liked it okay. It wasn’t my most favorite book by Albert, but it wasn’t bad. I definitely liked Arctic Wild a bit more. Tobias is a tour guide in Alaska, where he meets lawyer, Reuben. The trip was supposed to be for Reuben and a couple friends, but they couldn’t go last minute, so it’s just Reuben and Tobias…and their slowly burgeoning friendship and then relationship. In the summary, it talks about a plane crash, and that’s a big moment in the book but the book covers much more than the crash. Arctic Wild is an age-gap romance (and Reuben has a daughter that appears about halfway through the book), and I definitely rooted for these two to make a family together!
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham (library copy; all opinions are my own)
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For those that don’t know, I’m in a YA for Adults book club at my local library. Dreamland Burning was our July pick and it was so good. Everyone in the meeting really enjoyed it, and my sister and I both gave it five stars. The book goes back and forth between two timelines: Rowan Chase in the present day; a biracial girl who finds a skeleton in her family’s back house and one hundred years earlier, there is Will Tillman. It takes Rowan to uncover the mystery of Will, and I definitely did not unravel it until all was revealed in the book. I enjoyed Will’s timeline a bit more than Rowan’s, but I really did like both, and I think both of their stories and experiences are important. Will’s timeline focuses on the Tulsa Race Riots, which a lot of people don’t know about. It’s something that I’d heard of, but I didn’t know the history behind the name, and I’m so glad I do now. It’s an important part of history, and with racial tensions these days, still just as important.
The Color of Summer by Anna Martin (copy from Dreamspinner Press; all opinions are my own)
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The Color of Summer was a pretty cute read. It follows Max, a tattoo artist, moving back to his hometown and reconnecting with his best friend’s older brother, Tyler. I liked that Max was really good with Tyler’s daughter, who is six. He understands that she has to be there a lot of the time, or that Tyler isn’t always available. As for Tyler, he’s someone that when he falls, he falls hard. Max is much more of a casual dater, so it was an adjustment for both of them. Obviously I rooted for these two! I loved Max and Tyler’s families as well – they made wonderful, eccentric secondary characters.
The Doctor’s Date by Heidi Cullinan (copy from Dreamspinner Press; all opinions are my own)
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I’ve read quite a few books by Cullinan at this point, and she’s definitely a favorite author. The first book in this series (all companion novels, but I recommend reading in order!), The Doctor’s Secret, was good, but not amazing. However, I liked The Doctor’s Date that bit more (difference between 3 stars and 4 stars). The Doctor’s Date focuses on Dr. Owen Gagnon and HR director Erin Andreas. Owen is someone who comes across as mean and not to be messed with, unless you’re his friend. Erin, on the other hand, is still controlled by his overbearing father and often feels inadequate. Erin isn’t scared of Owen though, which Owen loves. The two end up dating – after Erin bids a lot of money on Owen for a charity auction benefiting the hospital – and I loved it! Erin has very little experience when it comes to relationships in general – and he’s never been in a romantic one – but Owen was really sweet and willing to take it slow. There is a mystery in this one too concerning money going missing from the hospital, which I found intriguing and I was curious to see who the culprit would end up being!
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Last week I reviewed the first two books in a Middle Grade series, Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball and Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis. These were two really fun books, with great black and white illustrations throughout. Feel free to check out my book reviews for Amelia Fang.
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And finally, I did a buddy read/review with Crystal from Lost in Storyland for Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. You might recognize his name from the Illuminae Files, which are YA books he co-wrote with Amie Kauffman. Nevernight is the first in a fantasy trilogy (the third comes out this Fall), aimed at adults – sex, violence, swearing. You get it all! We both really enjoyed this one, so go check out our review for Nevernight and even enter a giveaway to win your choice of book up to $15 (it doesn’t have to be Nevernight); open to International entries if The Book Depository ships to you!
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Relaxing with a good book is totally self-care for me. Courtesy of Massageaholic, I wanted to share their list of the 10 best massage recliners. I could seriously go for one of these!
More Book Giveaways
Since this is a book link-up, I figured you’d all like to know about even more book giveaways!
Win a Year’s Worth of Books – 12 books (1 for each month); books chosen based on winner’s wish list/interests. U.S. only unless you can help with shipping – ends August 31
Book of Choice up to $20 (International) – Ends August 16
Book of Choice up to $25 (International) – Ends August 30
Book of Choice up to $10 (International) – Ends August 14
Book of Choice up to $15 (International) – Ends August 31 – this is the giveaway attached to the Nevernight review, but I wanted to re-share
Bookmark this link-up for future book giveaways (more are coming in honor of my 12th Blogoversary!)
One More Thing Before You Go-
I host online auctions called Leave a Mark Auctions. These will be ongoing, so you’ll want to keep stopping by to find new auctions. You can bid to win ANNOTATED copies of books (the author wrote notes in the margins of one of their books), with all money going to the charity First Book. Right now you can bid on a signed/annotated copy of Nerve by Jeanne Ryan (ends August 23), and you can bid from any country but it’s USD.
Totally can’t thank you enough and now I am off to add a few from above to my own Goodreads. Plus, thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity, too!! 🙂
Dreamland Burning sounds like one I might enjoy and I wonder if I’d like Nevernight!
The Color of Summer sounds good to me and is a new to me as well.
Dreamland Burning sounds really good.
I liked Nevernight, although I think my library labeled it as YA, which I don’t feel it is at all. But netgalley denied my request for book #2 and I’ve held a grudge. Some day I’ll grow up and read it … maybe. I am such a baby sometimes.
Nevernight is DEFINITELY Adult; maybe they just thought Kristoff? YA. LOL
I haven’t read any of these but a couple of them sound like they might be my kind of reads so thanks.
Okay, Dreamland Burning sounds super interesting! Adding it to my TBR 🙂
the Amelia Fang books look super cute. Nevernight is on my list, but i don’t do well with reading and waiting, so i am waiting to read until the last one comes out – case in point, i read the first illuminae years ago and still haven’t read the other two, and i really really really liked it.
I still really want to read those Amelia Fang books even if I’m a 37 year old adult because they look so fun! Dreamland Burning sounds super interesting too. I like a good YA read now and then.
Dreamland Burning sounds interesting
I went to add Dreamland Burning to my TBR and…it’s already there. Yay!
I love that your library has a book club of YA books for adults. I really should see if my library has a book club, I used to be all up on the activities there and haven’t been the last couple of years.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Dreamland Burning sounds like a good book. I’ll have to put it in my TBR list. Thanks for sharing.
I cannot remember if I finished Dreamland Burning. I might not have because of a library due date? But I remember that it seemed way too non-believable at parts (I liked Will, I did not like Rowan). I wanted to like it much more than I did, but that might be the weird complex I have with not loving YA.
Dreamland Burning sounds interesting! I’ve been reading a few YA books and liking them. I will be looking into that!
I think that it’s so cool that your library has a YA book club for adults! I’d totally join! I’m adding the Amelia Fang books to the list of books that I’m going to get out of the library for my son to read. He’s so hard to find books that interest him, I’m always looking for recommendations.
I really like the Dreamland Burning book! It sounds like a real winner. Especially if you don’t get the whole story right at first. As always, thanks for sharing 🙂
Ugh my phone are my comment!!
I was just saying that you always have the best book reviews, and I love that you don’t sugarcoat anything. Of the books you reviewed, Dreamland Burning and Arctic Wild appeal to me the most. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Nevernight. I still need to read the second book in the series before the next one comes out. I’m always so behind, lol.
I am so late but I’m getting on the Brittainy C. Cherry bandwagon and I’m consuming her books. I just started the third one from her and I’m already itching to order more. So.. that’s basically what I’m reading lately. HA!
Dreamland Burning sounds amazing, and the fact that you and your sister both gave it 5 stars speaks volumes. I wish my library had a Y.A. bookclub for adults. That would be so much fun!
I haven’t read anything solo by Kristoff yet but Nevernight does look pretty good. 🙂
Dreamland Burning sounds like something I should look into seeing as both you and your sister gave it 5 stars. You’re right, with all the tensions out there it does sound like an important read.!
Dreamland Burning sounds good. Was the book Nerve made into a movie? I remember watching a movie with the same name.
Dreamland Burning sounds super interesting. Glad you had some enjoyable reads this month!
These sound like great books. I’ve been in the mood for a non-traditional romance novel and I know I can always come here for great recommendations!
I will check some of those out! Thanks for sharing!
OMGosh, Lauren. You’re reading up a storm. Great picks. I have to try a few of these titles. I’ve recently gotten a library card and wondering why I waited so long. I’m reading more books and faster. I’ll check and see if any of these are in. Thanks for sharing!
You know I’m looking for a cute M/M romance right now so I’m writing down all of these 🙂
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I have Illuminae files on my tbr list, waiting patiently. Nevernight also sparks my interest since it has more adult themes. Thanks for sharing.
I have got to read the Nevernight series. I adore Jay Kristoff. I loved his first series… name is escaping me, it is really cool, and of course his Illuminae Files and his Lifelike series. All so good. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten to Nevernight! Glad you enjoyed it.
I didn’t love Arctic Wild but I did enjoy it. Tobias was so stubborn about accepting help and that became a little frustrating. But I really did like seeing he and Reuben come together.
Glad the two that were second in the series turned out better than the first ones. Your library book club read does sound fab. I like the mystery set with two time lines.
So many great picks here!
Great mini-reviews! Cute covers too
These all sound so great!
Nevernight sounds great- adding to my Goodreads! Thanks!
Ahhh thank you for all those giveaways!
All of these sound really good, thanks for sharing them!
I’m gonna have to add Dreamland Burning to my to-read list! It sounds like an interesting premise!