So I'm basically looking at my TBR like:
I am totally failing at picking good books. I used to think I had this skill of looking at a book and just knowing that I know, that I know, that this book will be great. I've lost that magic--Harry Potter can't even help me.
ARCS:
One of the main reasons why I've put ARCS in the back seat is because I'm scheduled to read books I'm going to potentially dislike which has been happening far, far too much.
BAD ARCS, bad bad ARCS.
I am reading mill of the road book, after mill of the road book. Of course, no two books are the same but I seem to picking up books that make me feel exactly the same. Every. Single. Time. Disappointed and unfulfilled.
I'm enlisting the help of my fellow readers--please for the love of all that's holy help me find a book--a five star, knock off my socks kind of read. I know that's a lot of pressure but I know you guys have some hidden gems.
Share them, share them, share them!
I don't care about the genre or the subject topic my mind is completely open. Bring it on!
ARCS:
One of the main reasons why I've put ARCS in the back seat is because I'm scheduled to read books I'm going to potentially dislike which has been happening far, far too much.
BAD ARCS, bad bad ARCS.
I am reading mill of the road book, after mill of the road book. Of course, no two books are the same but I seem to picking up books that make me feel exactly the same. Every. Single. Time. Disappointed and unfulfilled.
I'm enlisting the help of my fellow readers--please for the love of all that's holy help me find a book--a five star, knock off my socks kind of read. I know that's a lot of pressure but I know you guys have some hidden gems.
Share them, share them, share them!
I don't care about the genre or the subject topic my mind is completely open. Bring it on!
Just finished Tiger Lily and that one will hit you right in the feels! The Kiss of Deception is a wonderful fantasy/romance with fun twists and turns. Winger and Stand Off by Andrew Smith are awesome contemporaries that will have you laughing out of your seat! I hope that at least one of these books work for you! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely check out the ones you mentioned because I had been wanting to read them so they're a good place to start. Thank you!
DeleteI agree, Winger was great! Into the Dim was great! I saw you mention this, but not sure if you read it yet, but Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was funny, and so sad, but moving (I actually really like Moyes' books). The entire concept of what the male MC was pursuing. Ugh! The feels! I just finished The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss, and it was hilarious. It's a mystery set in geek culture. Very fun. The Love That Split the World was awesome, too. I hate to say what my favorite parts were, because it will ruin the surprise. Liane Moriarty never disappoints with the way she intwines her characters lives, and always gives up a little mystery to solve. A book I really liked, which I did not see a lot about, was The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone. Very cool story, and I loved the author's approach.
DeleteI really loved Into The Dim by Janet B. Taylor. That was definitely 5 stars for me!
ReplyDeleteI think I heard of it. I'll have to find this one at the library!
DeleteAlso, I just finished The Steep & Thorny Way by Cat Winters. It wasn't a 5 star read because I didn't like the genre blending with real world issues, but it really made me feel. It's an important read.
ReplyDeleteHmm, sounds interesting. I'll have to look on Goodreads for this one! Thank you!
DeleteI know this feeling all too well and it seriously sucks to have it!
ReplyDeleteHave you read the Cainsville series by Kelley Armstrong? I recently devoured the first two books and they were fantastic!
As for ARCs, I really liked Firstlife by Showaters, it wasn't five stars but it was still really good and unique.
I'm trying to think of others that have blown me away, oh, The Others series by Anne Bishop, fantastic, a bit slow at times but so good.
Thanks so much! I haven't read The Cainsville series but I've had my eyes on it! I put it on hold at the library so here's to hoping!
DeleteGrab Nuts by Alice Clayton. That will surely pull you out of the slump. If you want a really awesome fantasy, Six of Crows will do the trick. Cat Winters is a great writer, and I haven't read my ARC of The Steep & Thorny Way yet, but I've read great things about it; as homegirl abovementioned. God Help The Child by Toni Morrison is a quick read, but very thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteGod Help The Child is on my TBR and my radar. I think I'll grab that one up. I read Nuts very enjoyable! Thanks!
DeleteAww, I'm truly sorry to hear about your reading not being great.
ReplyDeleteHere are some of my personal favorites.
Adult: Anything by Lisa Kleypas, Megan Erickson or Lia Riley
NA: Tessa Ever After by Brighton Walsh, the Off Campus series by Elle Kennedy, Sacked by Jen Frederick
YA: Anything by Sarah Fine, Leigh Bardugo and Mary Weber
Those are just some that pop to my head. I truly hope you find something mind blowing, Jazmen!
Thanks so much, Nick!
DeleteHe Will Be My Ruin comes out soon and I loved that one. I have had good reads so far this year but nothing amazing. Hope you find something soon!!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing about K.A. Tucker, I need to read Burying Water. I have it from the library. Thanks, Grace!
DeleteYA contemp: Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate
ReplyDeleteFantasy: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (really heavy fantasy)
YA fantasy: The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner (books 2 and 3 are so good)
Thanks, Joan. I have Seven Ways We Lie to review, so that gives me something to look forward to!
DeleteIf you're looking for a book that's a bit out of the YA genre, I read A Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install last year it was really great. It was a quick read. A fictional novel about a budding friendship between a man and a robot. You can check out my review here to see if it's something you'd enjoy! http://www.letstakeashelfie.ca/2015/06/a-robot-in-garden-by-deborah-install.html
ReplyDeleteReading slumps are tough. Good luck with your search & I hope you find something soon!
Thanks, and thanks for your recommendation!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. I had the same problem last year. I was reading books I wasn't loving and after a month straight of that it was really bumming me out.
ReplyDeleteAs far as advice goes, be sure to DNF those books you're not loving. I'm not sure if you're someone who DNFs on a regular basis but it's not good for anyone involved if you keep reading books that aren't working for you. I had to learn that the hard way. And I'm not sure I have a specific recommendation but maybe more of a type of book. Perhaps try something new from a favorite author. The book that pulled me out of my slump was A Darker Shade of Magic. Not sure if you've read that but it's a pretty fantastic fantasy.
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally
Yeah, I had to learn the hard way to start DNF'ing books. I need to do it more often for sure! I do want to read ADSOM--I hear it's fantastic!
DeleteI've had the same problems lately with my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Known by Kendra Elliot and I really enjoyed it.
Here is my TBR List:
Dirty, Sexy Saint by Carly Phillips
Into the Fury by Kat Martin
Naked by Gina Gordon
Reckless by Kimberly Kincaid
Getting Rough by C.L. Parker
I have high hopes for Dirty, Sexy Saint and Into the Fury!!
Cool, thanks!
DeleteOkay, without delving into what you may have already read I'm just going to throw some recs out there:
ReplyDeleteAddicted series - Krista & Becca Ritchie
Anything by K.A. Tucker
Emmy & Oliver - Robin Benway
A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
Game On series - Kristin Callihan
Hope your next one is a winner!
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
Loved Emmy and Oliver a fantastic read. ACOTAR, loved Rhysand--can't wait until May. I'll check out the others--and thank you!!
DeleteI second the recommendation for Tiger Lily! Such a good book, and I was left thinking about it for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHope you find a great read!
Ally @ The Scribbling Sprite
Thanks so much!
Delete*Shoves Stole Songbird in your face* READ!!! hahaha I bet you saw that one coming. Anywhoo, besides from that, the Air Awakens series is also great! Aaaand To All the Boys I've Loved Before. OH. Have you read The Goddess Test series? Also amazing books ♥
ReplyDeleteStolen Songbird* my bad.
DeleteIt's actually crazy I haven't read that one yet! I mean you've been pushing that book like the best sales girl ever Lol. I'm picking it up soon for sure. I have read TATBILB but not the second book I'll grab that one too, heck I'll try them all!
Deletehave you read the Unwind Dystology by Neal Shusterman? I just finished rereading book two and still LOVED it. I'm into book three and I'm already loving the first few pages.
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a great 5-star read soon, Jazmen!
czai @ the Blacksheep Project
I've only read the first book, I'll have to continue it! Thanks, Czai!
DeleteOoh! I definitely have to second this nomination! Shusterman is pretty much pure genius and I love ALL of his books!
DeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Have you read the Lux series? I'm reading it now and it's fabulous. Also, I recommend the White Ranbit Chronicles by Gena showalter.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to continue the rest of the Lux series. I really liked the first book!
DeleteHmmm I don't disagree with you putting down your ARCs. 2016 ARCs have not been impressing too greatly, except I did really enjoy Arrows by Melissa Gorzelanczyk and We are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite book series in the world is The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris, which is UF. But some of my other favorite series are Angelfall by Susan Ee, The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson, and The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. As far as standalones, my favorites there are The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black and Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman. I hope you find something you enjoy reading!!
http://novelsandnecklaces.blogspot.com
I know EXACTLY how you feel. But, I did recently read When by Victoria Laurie and it got me back into reading! Good luck on "bettering" your TBR pile. :) Hope your upcoming reads are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteIf you like YA contemporary Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame is a good read ( http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogspot.ca/2016/01/did-i-mention-i-love-you-by-estelle.html )
ReplyDeleteIf you're into YA paranormal Nevermore by Kelly Creagh is one of my all-time favourites.
I hope you find something you enjoy soon!
I feel like I've read a lot of middle-of-the-road books lately too. Nothing bad, but nothing spectacular. The only ARCs I've read recently that really shone were The Impostor Queen and The Crown's Game (both YA fantasies).
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Totally feeling your pain, Jaz. I hate middle of the grade books because I sometimes have a hard time expressing what it was that I didn't quite like about the book.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping your luck will change soon!
Every time I hear, read, or see the word recommendation my little ears perk up! So here it goes!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge believer that anything written by Jennifer Lynn Barnes if pure solid gold!! My personal favorites is her Naturals series, The Fixer, and the one about cheerleaders who are spies!
Stolen Songbird by Danielle Jensen is another favorite! As well as Sustained by Emma Chase!! Happy reading, I hope you find something in all of these recommendations!!!
Oh man, I have been seeing that all these book have been blurring into one here for you lately! Three stars seems to be ruling your blog. I went through a time period like this last year and I know, it feels rubbish. I think a book you could potentially like would be the Lunar Chronicles? I am truing to think of books that I know everyone has liked FOR SURE so there is no doubt in my mind that you will only feel mediocre towards it, but it really depends on what type of reader you are!
ReplyDelete