Seventeen More 2017 Reads

Y'all, I am so psyched that it's time for another Seventeen 2017 Reads post. Get ready for the seventeen recommendations coming your way. *crosses fingers that all of these will release in 2017* (I've been wrong about several of my Sixteen 2016 Reads.)

1. Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

My first exposure to Brandy's writing was her short story in Summer Days & Summer Nights, and now I want more.

2. Nutcracked by Susan Adrian

Retellings and remixes have let me down before, but I am determined to find a Nutcracker retelling that I love.

3. Dimple & Rishi by Sandhya Menon

All the diverse contemporary YA romance!

4. Between Two Skies by Joanne O'Sullivan

This one is kind of at that border line between historical and contemporary since the event is in the past but was relatively recent. Either way, it sounds like it'll be poignant and wonderful.

5. Hit Single by Blair Thornburgh

Contemporary fiction is my jam (pun intended), and this is basically right up my alley.

6. Waking in Time by Angie Stanton

TIME TRAVEL.

7. Meant to Be by Julie Halpern

Do y'all know how much I've seen this concept (and similar ones) talked about on Tumblr? People have begged for it to become a book. I have high expectations.

(COULD NOT RESIST A P&P KEIRA KNIGHTLEY GIF)

8. The Continent by Keira Drake

The Goodreads synopsis for this one is confusing, but I'm SO INTRIGUED.

9. You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

I am Ally Carter trash and therefore will read any book that sounds vaguely like I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You.

10. Fever Dreams by Maureen Goo

I feel like this is a book a ton of book bloggers have been asking for and, while I don't watch K-dramas, I am all in.

11. Speak of Me as I Am by Sonia Belasco

Not gonna lie, I'm mainly interested in this one because the synopsis mentions Othello and I am also Shakespeare trash. But it's contemporary YA, which we've already established I love.

12. Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee

There's a couple YA novels cropping up in 2017 about web-series, which sounds like a phenomenal idea to me. This one in particular has sparked my interest.

13. The Matchmaker's Apprentice by Erin Beaty

Jane Eyre meets Mulan. MULAN. I don't talk about it as much as Beauty and the Beast, but Mulan is definitely in my top ten favorite Disney movies.

14. Lost Causes by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

It's Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Need I say more? (Although what I wouldn't do for more The Fixer novels...)

15. Dare Mighty Things by Heather Kaczynski

This is basically a level-up for The Selection with diversity.

16. Neighborhood Girls by Jessie Ann Foley

Something about that synopsis appeals to me (and it's not just the mention of Chicago).

17. Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman

I just found out about this book a few weeks ago, and it is something I want so very much so I'm glad I could include it in this post.

Well, that's all seventeen! Watch for the final one of these posts in July or August!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Every College Freshman Should Read

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Man, the TBTB ladies need to do more of these topics. I love picking out books that certain people should read.

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath is a freshman in college, too, so relatability.

2. Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Set in the summer before the protagonists' freshman year. Demonstrates how roomie relationships aren't always perfect.

3. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

At least your university experience won't be like this.

4. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Set partially during Alyson's freshman year of college, a big part of Just One Day focuses on independence, growth, and personal discovery.

5. Don't Fail Me Now by Una LaMarche

Realize you are privileged, if you are able to attend a college or university.

6. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

You may find your first romantic relationship or a new relationship at college. Learn from Lara Jean - be yourself and be brave.

7. Free to Fall by Lauren Miller

Set in a sort-of college situation. Rigorous academics and a secret society.

8. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Finding a new group of friends, being far away from home, and finding love. All things that often happen when you start college.

9. Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith

What if you're already in a relationship and you're trying to decide if you can be long-distance or not?

10. This Side of Home by Renee Watson

I don't have a super good reason for including this book or the next choice, but I think they're both important and deserve to be read.

11. Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed

See what I said above for This Side of Home.

12. The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

Many of you might be voting for the first time this year. Here's a good, fairly neutral, look at politics and how to make your own decisions when they conflict with your parents' views.

So what group did you recommend books for? I'd love to read y'all's posts, so link them below!

Rewind & Review #59

Hosted by Shae Has Left the Room.

~I slaved over a history paper and agonized over an American lit paper.
~All four of the poems I submitted for my school's literary magazine were rejected.
~I've entered the haze that is always the last month of the semester.

Books I Received for Review

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (from St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley)
The Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (from Bloomsbury via NetGalley)
Smash & Grab by Amy Christine Parker (from Random House via NetGalley)

Books I Bought

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
When We Collided by Emery Lord

Books I Read

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski (reread)
When We Collided by Emery Lord
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski (5 stars)
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (2 stars)
These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas (4 stars)
Wild Swans by Jessica Spotswood
Riders by Veronica Rossi (DNF)
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (reread)
Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman (4 stars)
A Tyranny of Petticoats by various authors (4 stars)
Untamed by A.G. Howard (3 stars)
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (5 stars)

Blog Posts You Might've Missed

   (From 3/28-4/2)

• Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent 5-Star Reads
• DNF Review: Dig Too Deep by Amy Allgeyer
• So You Like... #25
• Random Friday: April Fool's Day

   (From 4/3-4/9)

• Writing Prompt #2
• Reading Challenges
• Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish People to Follow on Social Media
• Review: The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas (2.5 stars)
• From the Bookshelf to the Kitchen: Lemon Crumb Muffins
• DNF Review: The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Upcoming Posts in the Next Few Weeks (subject to change)

• TTT: Books Every College Freshman Should Read
• Seventeen More 2017 Reads
• Emma Recommends Some #QuietYA
• Random Friday: Spring Fashion
• Review: Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick
• Review: Crossing the Line by Meghan Rogers
• Writing Prompt #3
• Review: Double Down by Gwenda Bond
• So You Like... #26
• What Did I Do Before Netflix?

DNF Review: The Taming of the Drew

The Taming of the Drew by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Grade: DNF
Release date: April 12, 2016
An e-galley was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Cass McKay has been called stubborn, temperamental, difficult, and that word that rhymes with “witch” more times than she cares to count. But that’s all about to pay off. She has finally landed the role she was born to play—Kate, in The Taming of the Shrew—in the summer apprentice program of a renowned Shakespeare theater company in the forests of Vermont.

But Cass can barely lace up her corset before her troubles begin. Her leading man, Drew, is a complete troll, and he’s going to ruin Cass’s summer. Even worse, Cass’s bunkmate Amy has somehow fallen head over heels for Drew. Cass can’t let Amy throw herself at a total jerk, so she comes up with a genius plan to give Drew the personality makeover he so desperately needs: they’ll tame Drew just as Petruchio tames Kate! But as Shakespeare’s classic plays out offstage, Cass finds it harder and harder to resist falling for Drew herself.

When did I stop reading?: About 50% into my e-galley.
Why didn't I finish?: I just wasn't feeling it anymore.

The Long(er) Review: The characters were all very stereotypical. The dialogue seemed inauthentic. The plot was too farfetched. One of the characters basically had a mash-up of Stephanie Perkins's characters for their name. Cass was so judgmental and yet super trusting. There were more instances of foul language than I could count.

The Verdict: Not worth your time.

From the Bookshelf to the Kitchen: Lemon Crumb Muffins

I love when book series continue a theme of baking and recipes. Over a year ago, I did a post on cinnamon quick bread and Stray by Elissa Sussman, and now I get to continue that with Burn.

So the recipe in the back of Burn was for a lemon tart, which sounds great but way too complicated. So I combed through my recipe board on Pinterest and found lemon crumb muffins.

Goodreads  Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

The recipe said it would make 24-28 muffins, and I cut the ingredients in half, and it still made 24. I maybe didn't fill the cups quite as full as the original baker intended but the muffins still looked great.

Lemon Crumb Muffins

(makes, supposedly, 24-28 muffins)

Topping Ingredients

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. granulated sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted

Muffin Ingredients

4 eggs

2 c. granulated sugar

1 c. vegetable oil

1 T. lemon zest

2 T. fresh lemon juice

1 t. vanilla extract

2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

2 c. sour cream

4 c. all-purpose flour

Glaze Ingredients (optional)

3/4 c. powdered sugar

2-4 T. lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line muffin pans with papers. Using a hand mixer, mix eggs about 1-2 minutes until thick and frothy. Mix in sugar and oil; beat until creamy. Mix in lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Mix in sour cream before stirring in flour with a wooden spoon. (Batter may be slightly lumpy.)

Mix together topping ingredients with a fork in a separate bowl.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full of batter. Sprinkle the tops with the crumb mixture. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pan before removing to a rack to cool completely.

To mix the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar and lemon juice and then drizzle over the muffins. The muffins should be kept in an airtight container for up to 5 days or they can be frozen for up to a month (omit glaze before freezing).

(I left my copy of Burn at school. Oops.)

Have a recipe/book suggestion for From the Bookshelf to the Kitchen? Leave it in the comments below!

Review: The Darkest Corners

The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas
Grade: C-
Release date: April 19, 2016
An e-galley was provided by the publisher in exchange for review consideration.
Summary: There are ghosts around every corner in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Tessa left when she was nine and has been trying ever since not to think about it after what happened there that last summer. Memories of things so dark will burn themselves into your mind if you let them.
    Callie never left. She moved to another house, so she doesn’t have to walk those same halls, but then Callie always was the stronger one. She can handle staring into the faces of her demons—and if she parties hard enough, maybe one day they’ll disappear for good.
    Tessa and Callie have never talked about what they saw that night. After the trial, Callie drifted and Tessa moved, and childhood friends just have a way of losing touch.
    But ever since she left, Tessa has had questions. Things have never quite added up. And now she has to go back to Fayette—to Wyatt Stokes, sitting on death row; to Lori Cawley, Callie’s dead cousin; and to the one other person who may be hiding the truth.
    Only the closer Tessa gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer—and this time, it won’t be so easy to run away.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Darkest Corners is, at its core, a mystery/thriller, and a twisted one at that. It's a grim story and, ultimately, one that left me a bit disheartened. 
I like all of my books to have a little sunshine through the clouds, to not be so depressing and gray. I kill characters in my own writing and they don't always have happy lives. But, at the end of the day, I still try to deliver themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and love, and I prefer to see that in the books I read. Basically, there needs to be some good in all the darkness, and I don't think The Darkest Corners delivered on that.
Tessa and Callie are not optimistic characters. Nor are they ones that make the best choices. They sneak around and throw themselves in harm's way much too often for my tastes. I'm only a year or so older than them, and I have enough sense to not do the things they did.
The ending did nothing for me. Most of the book left a bitter taste in my mouth, and the reunion between Tessa and Joslin at the end did nothing to erase that.
There's a lot of swearing. I mark in my e-galleys every time I see the s-word or f-word, and I lost count how many I marked. There isn't any sexual content on the pages, but there are prostitutes. There's also a lot of underage drinking.

The Verdict: Much too bleak and dark.

Buy: Read Between the Lynes  Barnes & Noble

Will I be adding this book to my library?: Nah.

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish People to Follow on Social Media

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I'll admit, as much as I love book blogging and following other blogs, I'm more apt to pay attention to what bookish people say on social media. I'm on Twitter almost all the time, and I check Tumblr and Instagram several times a day. So here are ten bookish people you should follow on various social media platforms.

Twitter

1. @ShaelynCherie - Shae was one of the first book bloggers I followed, and now she works for Bloomsbury, and we squee over several of the same books (namely, Grave Mercy and anything Jennifer Lynn Barnes or A.C. Gaughen writes).

2. @heidiheilig - There are so many authors I recommend following on Twitter, but Heidi is my top choice. I adore her, and she's great at fangirling over other authors.

3. @taylorasbooks - If you're like me and love Taylor Swift and books, this account is mostly about matching pictures of Tay with book covers.

4. @BNTeens - They always have such great list posts that they share on Twitter.

5. @PIVOTBOOKTOTES - Not only does she talk about books, but she makes bookish totes and she shares pictures of puppies.

6. @knoxdiver - All the book love. :)

Tumblr

7. parisian-readers - This blog shares a lot of book pictures and other aesthetically-pleasing posts.

8. tea-books-lover - SO MANY BOOKS

9. literarystarbucks - Ever wonder what your favorite authors and book characters will order at Starbucks? Well, here's the answer. Plus they're publishing a book later this year!

Instagram/Twitter

10. @mizgillianberry (Twitter/Instagram) - Gillian is a delight on Twitter, and her Instagram pictures are quite lovely.

11. @GabySalpeter (Twitter/Instagram) - She's one of my favorite book bloggers, and her social media accounts only augment this.

Who do you recommend I follow on social media?

Reading Challenges

A lot of bloggers do reading challenges. I am not one of them. I am very much a mood reader, so I can't stick to most of the challenge guidelines. In my entire blogging career, I've only done three challenges and two of those were Goodreads yearly reading goals.

The other one was Rereadathon and Shelf Sweeper 2014, hosted by Shae and Rachel. (My two posts from that event are found here and here.) I did it mainly because I had already dubbed June-August 2014 The Summer of Rereads. I was heading off to college that fall, so I wanted to reread as many books as I could so I could bring fewer to college with me. Participating in RRSS14 was just an added bonus.

But I mainly do the Goodreads reading challenge. I didn't do it in 2013 for some odd reason, but I did it in 2014 and 2015 and I'm doing it this year. I know both times I've raised and lowered my goal multiple times during the year (mostly raised, though). I think my original goal in 2014 was to read 100 or 150 books and when I was close to that by, like, May 2014, I raised it until I stopped at 200. I still ended up reading 245 books in 2014. Because of that, I set my original goal at 150 last year and eventually raised it to 250 books. I read 281. (That Goodreads counted; I read more than that, thanks to books I didn't put on Goodreads and DNFs.)

This year, my goal is only 150 books because, as a sophomore who will be a junior, I figured I'd have less time, and I wasn't wrong. So far this year, I've only read 35 books (as of writing this post in early March). I read that many books in January alone last year. We'll see if I raise this year's at all. My reading might pick up in the summer again, although I'm taking another summer class and I hope to have a job or internship, as well.

But let's talk reading challenges. What do you think of them? Are there any you do or have tried?

Writing Prompt #2

It's time for the second writing prompt! I'm jumping around the list, and I'll be skipping some altogether, but this is the next one that drew my attention.

Day #12: Go to watchout4snakes.com and choose the Word+ option. Randomly generate one of each part of speech. Write a story or poem including all 7 words, and do not stop writing until all 7 are used. (Note: I changed the complexity to average for most of my words, just to get some variety.)

My words were: outside, deft, puncturing, skulk, enormously, timber, and amidst.

Here's my piece!

She had been born to skulk. She’d been a hide and seek champion as a kid; no one ever heard her coming and she always knew where the best hiding places were. But skulking outside was enormously harder, and she was only half-good at it. There were too many variables—more people to notice you, more open space, cars, animals, sunshine, and startling noises, just to begin with.

She’d learned to adapt, of course. She’d mastered blending in amidst crowds—no one noticed the girl of average height and average looks at a ball game, or on a city street, or in parking lots. Outside, she had to act more nonchalant, but it had only been a fun challenge for her. Now, her deft skills put her on the most highly-desired list of private investigators and spies.

She’d built her whole life around her job. Yet, here she was, in her boss’s office, and he was saying she was fired. It was like he had yelled, “Timber!” and a giant redwood had come crashing down on her life. Its branches scratched and ruined, puncturing her dreams.

She had always been the girl without a name. Now she was the girl with no foreseeable future and no idea what she’d do next.

What words did you get? What did you end up writing about?

Random Friday: April Fool's Day

Want to participate in Random Fridays? Just do the following: 

• Include the above image in your post and link back to my post.
• Blog about this week's topic.
• Add the link to your Random Friday at the bottom of this post.

Happy April Fool's Day! Also known as the day where I'm giving myself permission to share super cheesy jokes and funny Tumblr posts on my blog. I'm also probably avoiding any pranks at school. I'm terrible at pulling them, and I don't want any pulled on me.

ANYWAYS. Funny jokes and Tumblr posts. Read them. You don't have to laugh, though.

You're welcome.