Zodiac Sign Book Recommendations: Pisces

Hello rosebuds!💐

This is the second post in my zodiac book recommendation series. In case you missed my previous post, here is a recap of what you can expect in this new succession:

I am one of those people that loves astrology, and truly believes that you can tell a lot about a person judging by their sign. I am so fascinated when I learn more about myself judging not only by my sun sign, but my moon and rising signs as well. With that said, I thought it would be a fun idea to do some kind of astrology-based series here on my blog.

Once a month throughout the year I am going to be recommending books for a specific zodiac sign. The sign won’t be random, but rather specific to that month. So, for example, individuals who were born between December 22 and January 19 are Capricorns hence why I discussed that sign in January. In addition to giving my recommendations, I will start each post with a brief description about that sign so you guys can get a better idea of where I’m coming from and why I chose those books.

March will be dedicated to all my fellow fishes out there (Pisces). This is my absolute favorite sign due to the fact that it is mine, so I might be a little bit biased (okay a lot). Those born with this sun sign have birthdays that fall between February 19th and March 20.

The Pisces zodiac sign is the twelfth and last sign in the zodiac which means it is the one closest to “the other side”. It is because of this reason, that Pisces are the most intuitive out of all the signs. The Pisces individual can spot a liar from a mile away. We can always tell when someone is being genuine or if something is “just not right”. It’s almost as if we have a sixth sense and an internal lie detector. On the other hand though, Pisces tend to be very disconnected from reality which can make us quite gullible. There is this constant internal struggle when we have trouble trusting someone. Should we listen to our head which is telling us to believe them, or should we trust our intuition? The problem with Pisces is that even though we have this intuition, we don’t often listen to it because we are so gullible and often get caught with our head stuck in the clouds. We are the biggest dreamers of the zodiac after all.

Pisces are seriously empathetic individuals and will always feel what another person is feeling. It is often this empathy for troubled souls that leads Pisces into our own sadness. We are emotional, yes, but it is because of our compassion for others that makes us this way.

I could seriously go on and on about Pisces forever, but I wont. Just know that Pisces are the most selfless, compassionate individuals out there. We will always put other’s needs before our own. Never try to manipulate a Pisces though. We may play dumb, but we will always be one step ahead. And remember, if you find a Pisces, hold them tight and never let them go. We are rare.

Overview of Pisces Traits:

Positive traits: compassionate, empathetic, intuitive, soulful, selfless, wise, imaginative, artistic, kind, romantic
Negative traits: sensitive, out of touch with reality, masochistic, prone to addiction, clingy, self pitying

DISCLAIMER: Although I enjoy astrology, I am not in any way an expert. This is just a hobby of mine. I am not implying that I know all of the details when it comes to your sign. These are just the books that I would personally recommend for each sign.

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THE BOOKS

1. Anne of Green Gables
by: L.M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley is the quintessential Pisces character. Not only was she born on March 5th, but she has many of the qualities in which any true Pisces will possess. Anne is always caught day dreaming, and not only that, but she is constantly imagining a different, better world in which she could be living in. Pisces are known for this. We always try to see the best in every situation and are often considered to be detached from reality.

Anne holds many of the main Piscean traits. She is imaginative, romantic, compassionate, kind and so on. She is also wise, in that she excels at anything she puts her mind to. At the same time however, Anne causes a lot of chaos due to her tendency to be a bit detached from reality (or, need I say air-headed?).

If any of my fellow Pisces out there are in search for a book with a main character that they can relate to, Anne of Green Gables is definitely a top choice.

2. Garden Spells
by: Sarah Addison Allen

I chose Garden Spells because Pisces are very intuitive. Like I stated in my introduction, Pisces is the twelfth and last sign in the zodiac. This means it is the sign closest to the “other side”. Pisces individuals always know when something just “doesn’t feel right” and can always tell when someone is being genuine or not. It’s like we have an internal lie detector, or better yet, a sixth sense. A lot of Pisces will have dreams where they see something happen and at some point it does. Trust when I say this, because it has happend to me.

Garden Spells features a family of women who each have a special gift. They also have a tree in their back yard, that grows apples that will show the eater their future. The main reason I am recommending this book though, is due to the main trait of intuition that each character has, and it is that intuition that will save them in the end.

Garden Spells is also a magic realism novel which makes the perfect genre for any Pisces since this sign is often disconnected from reality.

3. Of Poseidon
by: Anna Banks

Fun Fact: according to mythology, the Pisces astrological sign was originally created by a Syrian goddess known as Atargatis who was known as “the first mermaid”. Try googling, “the first mermaid”, or click this link if you don’t believe me. I also found the below quote from the book Mermaids: the Myths, Legends and Lore to further prove my point that us Pisces are in fact the true mermaids of the zodiac.

“A Greek story says that long ago an egg fell from the sky into the Euphrates River. A fish pushed the egg to shore and Derketo (the Greek name for Atargatis) hatched from it. She asked Zeus to acknowledge the fish’s help by forming the constellation Pisces, the zodiac sign represented by two fish. Ever after, fish were sacred to her.”

So with all that said, I just couldn’t refrain myself from recommending a book that has to do with mermaids. In addition to all that, not only is Pisces a water sign, but we also tend to love the ocean or just have a calling to be near it (even if we don’t necessarily like going in it). Of Poseidon is about just that. We follow a girl who slowly starts to discover that her deep desire to be in, and near the water has a lot more meaning than she thought. She may or may not also start to develop special gifts as well.

4. A Thousand Pieces of You
by: Claudia Gray

Pisces are known for the dreamy look we get in our eyes that is usually associated with getting our head ‘stuck in the clouds’. Someone can be talking to us and we will hear them but we won’t necessarily be listening. We have that other worldliness about us that keeps us from staying put in reality. We are daydreamers. It is due to all this that Pisces tend to be escapists. This can either be treated in an innocent or dangerous manner, but that’s for another discussion on another day.

I am recommending A Thousand Pisces of You for Pisces because this book is about a girl who’s father is murdered, and his killer literally escapes into another dimension before anyone can catch him. This sci-fi book is basically every Pisces’ dream, as the main character is seen jumping through alternate universes throughout the entire story. This would be a great book to read for those Pisces who are looking to get far, far away from reality.

5. Magic for Marigold
by: L.M. Montgomery

Magic for Marigold would make the perfect read for those Pisces who lie more on the dreamy and imaginative side of the sign’s spectrum. Created by the same author who wrote Anne of Green Gables, Magic for Marigold is a narrative filled with imagination. It also features a protagonist who would most definitely be considered a Pisces.

In addition to Marigold’s quirky character, the adventures she goes on are equally just as whimsical and creative. They possess an almost ethereal yet innocent quality about them, that you just can’t help but think of the Pisces individual–from Marigold’s intimate companionship with an imaginary friend, all the way to dreaming of visiting far-off lands.

Magic for Marigold would make the perfect read for all of the typical dreamy and imaginative Pisces out there. 

6. Elusion
by: Claudia Gable & Cheryl Klam

Pisces love to escape. It’s what we are known for. Not only do we have a tendency to drift off into daydreams quite frequently, but we also each have a deep understanding of how the world is, and how it should be. At the very same time though, we are often very disconnected from reality.

Even though I didn’t read Elusion, all it took was one look at the synopsis to know that this would make a perfect recommendation for all of my fellow Pisces. This is a YA sci-fi that takes place in a world very much inspired by Inception. Within this universe is another, known as Elusion. All the characters need to enter Elusion is an app, a visor, and a wristband, where they will then be virtually transported to an exotic destination where ‘adventure comes without the complications or consequences of real life’. Convinced? Thought so.

7. When the Moon Was Ours
by: Anne Marie McLeMore

Pisces love to escape, especially when that escape is from reality. We are dreamy and imaginative, which makes magical realism the perfect genre for a Pisces. I mean, what better book to recommend than one that features a character who paints moons that hang from trees, and another who has roses that grow out of her wrists?

8. Strange the Dreamer
by: Laini Taylor

I think most of you have probably read this book already, but I couldn’t not include it. Like I stated before, Pisces are dreamers. The biggest in the zodiac. Not only does Strange the Dreamer feature a character who dreams of a lost city that may or may not actually exist, but the writing itself is so utterly lyrical, that any true Pisces will fall in love immediately.

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Let me know in the comments below what your zodiac sign is!

I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post!

Until next time,

Black Moon- Zodiac #3 (Spoiler Free Review)

Black Moon
By: Romina Russell
Goodreads Rating: 4.31

Pages: 320

Format: Hardcover

First Edition Published: December 6th 2016

Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis

One final secret stands between Rho and the enemy. But will the devastating truth be enough to destroy her first?

Rho, the courageous visionary from House Cancer, lost nearly everything when she exposed and fought against the Marad, a mysterious terrorist group bent on destroying balance in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now, the Marad has disappeared without a trace, and an uneasy peace has been declared in the Zodiac Galaxy.

But Rho is suspicious. She believes the Master is still out there in some other form. And looming over all are the eerie visions of her mother, who died many years ago, but is now appearing to Rho in the stars.

When news of a stylish new political party supported by her best friend, Nishi, sends Rho on another journey across the galaxy, she uses it as an opportunity to hunt the hidden master and seek out information about her mother. And what she uncovers sheds light on the truth–but casts darkness upon the entire Zodiac world.

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The Review

“We want to create a model of Zodiac living where we aren’t segregated by race. A system where we can just be a collection of individuals working together and celebrating a variety of cultures. A world where choice out-weighs chance, where a man can change the stars.

And we’ve named this new world Black Moon.”

Black Moon is the third book in the Zodiac series by Romina Russell. Although this is a spoiler free review, there will however, be spoilers for the previous two books, Wandering Star and Zodiac. If you are interested in reading my review for either of those books, you can find them here.

The plot picks up two months after the conclusion of book two. Rho has taken on her role as Wandering Star and is currently on House Scorpio investigating possible threats to the Zodiac Galaxy. The Marad terrorist group we read about in the previous two books has completely fallen of the grid, and now Rho is doing the best she can to figure out what the Zodiac’s next move should be.

Rho has premonitions that the Marad is still around and just waiting to strike next. While she is trying to warn everyone, as with book one and two, nobody seems to believe her. Meanwhile, a new hip political group is forming called the Tomorrow Party–which Rho’s friend Nishi is in the center of. The Tomorrow Party is all about promoting equality of all the Zodiac houses, and has envisioned a world where everyone can live together as one. Royal balls are held, speeches are made, kissing occurs, and in the midst of it all, everyone is completely oblivious to what is truly happening behind the scenes. I like to call this part of the book, ‘the calm before the storm’.

“’Why Black Moon?’ I whisper.

‘It’s a term for when there’s more than one new moon in a month,’ she says softly. ‘So we’re thinking of it as a chance for new beginning.’”

The world building in the Zodiac series just seems to keep expanding with each new book. The descriptions of each House–in particular House Scorpio–are completely breathtaking. Scorpio is this underwater world where it’s inhabitants have adapted by developing characteristics such as transparent skin and red eyes. The thought that went into each House in the Zodiac universe is just incredible.

 “The only way to have a just society is to remember each other. Down to the very last individual, without discounting any person or population, without ignoring people we would rather not see, even those whose values we revile. Do you  think this is possible for any civilization to accomplish?”

In terms of pacing, Black Moon is a little slower than the second book Wandering Star, but the writing as well as the intense cliffhanger does manage to make up for it. The plotting was also on point, as we see details from the first two books come back in this third installment.

The big problem that I had with the last book, Wandering Star regarding Rho’s love situation was quickly overcome in Black Moon. I am not the biggest fan of love triangles, especially since the person I am rooting for never wins the girl/boy’s heart. In this third book however, we get to see Rho finally come to a decision.

Overall, Black Moon was another kick butt addition to the Zodiac series. It ended on such a cliff hanger that I immediately had the desire to pick up the fourth book and conclusion, Thirteen Rising. The only reason I didn’t give this fourth installment five stars is because the pacing wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. The writing was beautiful however, and Rho’s character growth was also on point. As always though, it’s Romina Russell’s incredible world-building skills that sets her apart.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

Until next time,

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Rating

 (4.5)

July & O.W.Ls Readathon Wrap-up

For the month of July I gave myself a bit of an ambitious TBR. I had an overall goal of nine books. Six of those nine were part of my O.W.L.s readathon. I won’t go into detail on what the readathon entails, but I will give you a link to Book Roast’s announcement as well as the included documents. My previous TBR post can also be found here.

Unfortunately, I was only able to get to four of the six books on my O.W.L.s TBR, and zero of the others. That still gives me four options for subjects I can participate in for my N.E.W.T.s this August.

There were 12 subjects total, you could choose to participate in with designated challenges. The six I chose to attempt were:

1. Ancient Runes: A book with a symbol on the cover
2. Arithmancy: Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title
3. Astronomy: Read a science fiction novel
4. Charms: Read a fantasy book
5. Herbology: Read a book with a nature related word in the title
6. Muggle studies: Read a muggle non-fiction book

Below I will tell you which challenges/books I was able to complete. There was one book that wasn’t on my TBR, but I still counted for one of the challenges. So, without further ado, let’s get into today’s post!

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O.W.L.S READATHON BOOKS

1. Fruits Basket
by: Natsuki Takaya
Subject/Challenge: Arithmancy: Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title

Fruits Basket is a graphic novel that follows an orphan girl named Tohru Honda who at the start of the novel is living in a tent. After the mysterious Sohma family offers to take her in, Tohru discovers a deep family secret of their’s. Upon being hugged by a person of the opposite sex, each member of the family turns into a different animal from the Chinese Zodiac.

I chose Fruits Basket for the Arithmancy challenge because there is a number 1 on the cover. It was such an enjoyable, fun read. It only took me four days to complete, and like I said in my TBR post, I probably could have finished it in one sitting. In the end, I decided to give it a 4.5 flower rating. The only reason it didn’t get 5 flowers is because it seemed to be missing something. There just wasn’t that wow factor which 5 flower ratings normally get from me.
My Rating:

2. Thirteen Rising
by: Romina Russell
Subject/Challenge: Astronomy: Read a science fiction novel

Thirteen Rising is the fourth book and conclusion to the Zodiac series by Romina Russell. As always, considering this is a sequel/finale I won’t tell you really anything about the synopsis for this specific book. The series as a whole though, takes place in a futuristic world where each planet in the galaxy is inspired by a different zodiac sign. The Main character, Rhoma Grace, is from House Cancer.

Thirteen Rising was an excellent conclusion to a kick butt series. It was however, my least favorite Zodiac book. I gave Thirteen Rising 4 out of 5 flowers for one main reason. Rho, the main character was not enjoyable to read about at all in this book. Her persona changed so much after the events that occurred in the previous book Black Moon. For a good part of the book, I wanted to kick Rho, and slap some sense into her. She just wasn’t very likable. By the end of the story though, she did realize what a horrible person she was being which sort of made up for all of her previous mistakes.

I plan on doing a full spoiler free review of Thirteen Rising real soon. Possibly after I post one for the third book, Black Moon.
My Rating:

3. Elizabeth and Her German Garden
by: Elizabeth Von Arnim
Subject/Challenge: Herbology: Read a book with a nature related word in the title

My original choice for this challenge was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Although I am almost done reading it, there is a slight chance I won’t finish by the end of this month. I have high hopes that I will though, and hopefully by the time this post goes up, it will be off my currently reading shelf on goodreads. Considering the fact that I was doubtful about whether I would complete The Goblet of Fire in time, I chose to pick up Elizabeth and Her German Garden as a back up, since ‘garden’ is a nature related word.

Elizabeth and Her German Garden is an extremely short book at only 104 pages. It is told through a series of diary entries from the author Elizabeth, and follows her throughout the course of one year. Elizabeth often discusses how she has found the utmost happiness in her garden. We also get appearances from her three children who she refers to as the April, May and June babies, as well as her husband, ‘Man of Wrath’. .

I have to be honest when I say that this book was a total disappointment. The writer Elizabeth was an annoying narrator who thought she was better than everyone around her. Her husband was also a horrible sexist who constantly complained about women. The only characters I really enjoyed reading about were Elizabeth’s children. I won’t go into too much detail on my thoughts, because I am planning on doing a full review of this book real soon.
My Rating:

4. A Victorian Flower Dictionary
by: Mandy Kirkby
Subject/Challenge: Muggle studies: Read a muggle non-fiction book

I found this edition of A Victorian Flower Dictionary at the Molly Brown House Museum near my apartment. It is a non-fiction companion novel to a book known as The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Each page features a different botanical illustration with a description of the selected flower as well as the meaning of it according to the Victorian era.

Although this book was very informative, I often found myself drifting. I’m not a big fan when it comes to the Non-fiction genre, but I honestly couldn’t pass up a book about flowers. At first reading about the meaning of each plant was fun. I got to see some illustrations and there were also poems scattered throughout here and there. With that said though, I can only read so many facts about flowers until the information starts to bore me. In the end, I gave A Victorian Flower Dictionary 3.5 out of 5 flowers.
My Rating:

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I hope you enjoyed reading my July O.W.L.s Wrap-up!

Until next time,

July Bookish Candle Haul (Part 2)

Today’s post is part two of my July bookish candle haul. If you haven’t read part one yet, you can find that discussion here.

I think by now you all know that my favorite candle company is Canterbury Road Co.. I have done hauls featuring items from Canterbury in the past, so this is nothing really new.

Canterbury is coming out with a new website, so pretty soon you won’t be able to purchase Shannon’s candles off of etsy anymore. The site is still under construction, but you can sign up now to get a notification for when it’s officially open, here. It should be up and running sometime in August.

As always, I have to give credit to Shannon the owner. She does an amazing job at making her scents smell authentic. Every candle somehow manages to smell exactly as it is described. So if you see a scent combination that you think may suit your fancy, I highly recommend checking out Shannon’s shop.

Enough babbling. Let’s get started!

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THE CANDLES
In chronological order, (#1 being my favorite):

1. Currently Blogging
scent notes: spun sugar • fresh flowers
inspired by: What you are currently blogging

Currently Blogging is one of my all time favorite candles from CRC. This was the second time I purchased this candle, and I honestly think it smells even better second time around. Although this is a sweet scent, it is by no means overpowering. Shannon added just the right amount of both spun sugar and fresh flowers.

2. One More Chapter: Sci-fi Edition
scent notes: raspberry • nebula • marshmallow
inspired by: The Science Fiction book genre

This candle smells exactly as it is described. While you get the fruitiness of the raspberry, it’s very subtle when mixed with the marshmallow. Sci-fi smells as if you dipped raspberries in some sort of whipped cream.

3. Reading Under the Covers
scent notes: pomegranate • bourbon • sweet leather
inspired by: Generally bookish

Reading Under the Covers smells mostly of pomegranate and bourbon. You also get just a hint of that sweet leather. The minute I sniffed this candle I immediately thought it smelled like the cherry Nutrigrain bars I get at my local grocery store. I guess it makes sense because both cherry and pomegranate smell very similar, and bourbon is a grain based beverage.

4. The Canterbury Tales
scent notes: knights • poetry • quests OR
nectar • sea foam • citrus • amber cliffs
inspired by: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

When I was in the group rep chat on Instagram, Shannon asked us if we had any ideas for a CRC one year anniversary candle that is both bookish yet sassy at the same time. I was the one who pitched the idea for The Canterbury Tales, and Shannon instantly fell in love with it. The scent that is most prominent is definitely the nectar. Then you get the sea foam which makes the sweetness of the nectar smell a bit salty. The citrus and amber cliffs are also very subtle.

5. Friends to Lovers Romance
scent notes: sweet sunshine • memories • perfume
inspired by: The friends to lovers romance trope

I had a difficult time choosing whether I liked The Canterbury Tales or Friends to Lovers Romance candle more. In the end, I decided they are tied. Friends to Lovers smells sweet and fruity all at the same time. At first, I thought this candle had a citrus scent to it, but then Shannon messaged me and said that the perfume scent is actually pearberry. Either way, it smells amazing!

6. Reading at the Beach
scent notes: driftwood • blue hawaiians • sea salt
inspired by: Generally bookish

Reading at the beach is an extremely subtle ocean scent with just a hint of that tropical fruitiness. The scent that is most prominent from the blue hawaiians note is definitely coconut. Unfortunately, I can’t smell much pineapple or orange. Overall, Reading at the Beach is an equal blend of driftwood, coconut, and sea salt.

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I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post!

Until next time,

Wandering Star- Zodiac #2 (Spoiler Free Review)

Wandering Star
By: Romina Russell
Goodreads Rating: 4.18

Pages: 303

Format: Hardcover

First Edition Published: December 8^th 2015

Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis

A breathtaking sci-fi space saga inspired by astrology that will stun fans of the Illuminae Files and Starbound series.

Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her title, Rho is ready to live life quietly, as an aid worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn.

But news has spread that the Marad–an unbalanced terrorist group determined to overturn harmony in the Galaxy–could strike any House at any moment.

Then, unwelcome nightmare that he is, Ochus appears to Rho, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight.

Now Rho must embark on a high-stakes journey through an all-new set of Houses, where she discovers that there’s much more to her Galaxy–and to herself–than she could have ever imagined.

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The Review

“Our choices define us: The stars may set us on a given path, but it is we who must decide whether we take it.”

Wandering Star is the second book in the Zodiac series by Romina Russell. Although this is a spoiler free review, there will however, be spoilers for the previous book in the series, Zodiac. If you are interested in reading my review of that first book, you can find it here.

The plot picks up just a few weeks after the ending of book one. Rho was publicly disgraced and stripped of her title as the Guardian of House Cancer. She is now residing on House Capricorn with her brother and a peculiar new character, Aryll. It’s on this planet where Rho tries to learn everything she can about the Zodiac’s history, but it’s not long before she decides to jet off with Hysan to House Sagittarius on a new mission.

In Wandering Star we meet some new and some old characters such as Rho’s friends, Nishi and Deke. We also learn much more about the Marad, a violent and an unbalanced terrorist group determined to overturn harmony in the galaxy.

The world building in Zodiac was well thought out and it showed right down to the very last detail. I absolutely love how in each book of the Zodiac series, Russell explores a few new Houses and the people that inhabit them. We get to see how each planet relates to it’s designated sign. In Wandering Star, the Capricorn people are known to be extremely wise, patient, and organized. Considering Capricorn is one of the most technologically advanced Houses in the Zodiac, it only makes sense that it would hold the same characteristics as it’s people.

In book one, we explored Houses such as Cancer and Gemini, and in book two we explore Capricorn and Sagittarius.

 “Wisdom lies not in facts themselves but in our understanding of them.”

In terms of pacing, Wandering Star is definitely the most fast paced book in the series so far. At the start of the book we get about 5 minutes of peace before drama ensues. There are also multiple twists in this sequel that literally had my jaw drop, but I won’t go into those because well, spoilers.

As with book one, the writing in Wandering Star is super easy to read, and is told in first person point of view from the perspective of our protagonist Rho.

I think my only problem with this book was Rho’s love situation. In the first novel, Rho finds herself in the middle of a  love triangle with a fellow Cancer Matthias, and a Libra Hysan. Since Matthias was killed in Zodiac, in the sequel we watch as Rho deals with some pretty heavy survivor’s guilt. She is also in the process of grieving over Matthias’ death, but at the same time Rho is still trying to get to know Hysan more.

While Rho’s grief was realistic, I found her overall love situation frustrating at times. I was always team Hysan from the very beginning, so the fact that Rho seemed to be constantly pushing him away, aggravated me.

Aside from the love triangle, everything about Wandering Star was pure perfection. Romina Russell has a beautiful writing style that is easy to read. What really makes her stand out though, is her epic world building skills. It also doesn’t hurt that there is so much hidden symbolism in her words which is totally relevant to today’s society.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

Until next time,

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Rating

(5)

July & O.W.Ls Readathon TBR

For the month of July I gave myself a bit of an ambitious TBR. In addition to that, I am also participating (very late) in the O.W.Ls readathon, so that I can take my N.E.W.Ts in August. I won’t go into detail on what the readathon entails, but I will give you a link to Book Roast’s announcement as well as the included documents.

Today’s TBR post will be split up into two parts:

1. Books I plan on reading for my O.W.Ls &
2. Books on my general July TBR.

There are 12 subjects you can choose to participate in with designated challenges.

1. Ancient Runes: A book with a symbol on the cover
2. Arithmancy: Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title
3. Astronomy: Read a science fiction novel
4. Care of Magical Creatures: Read a book that includes magical creatures
Or
Features a magical creature on the cover
5. Charms: Read a fantasy book
6. Defense against the dark arts: Book about/featuring secret societies/clubs
7. Divination: Read a book featuring prophecies
8. Herbology: Read a book with a nature related word in the title
9. History of magic: Read a historical fiction
10. Muggle studies: Read a muggle non-fiction book
11. Potions: Read a book about/with alchemy
12. Transfiguration: Transfiguration/shapeshifting or similar them
Or
A book with a cat on the cover

I decided to do what G from Book Roast did and pick a specific wizarding world career. I chose an astronomer, so therefore, the subjects I am participating in are what I think an astronomer would need to study (with the exception of maybe one).

The subjects I’m hoping to complete:

Ancient Runes
Arithmancy
Astronomy
Charms
Herbology
Muggle Studies

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O.W.L.S READATHON BOOKS

1. Strange the Dreamer
by: Laini Taylor
Subject/Challenge: Ancient Runes: A book with a symbol on the cover

I’m counting Strange the Dreamer as my choice for the Ancient Runes challenge because, while the moth on the cover isn’t a symbol in itself, there are however, symbols inside the moth. For instance, I’m pretty sure that the eye in the center of the insect’s head is an evil eye–a sign of misfortune or injury.

Strange the Dreamer follows a librarian, Lazlo Strange on his journey to discover the lost city of Weep. Other than that statement, I don’t know much more about the plot, and I really have no interest in anything else. I want to go into Strange the Dreamer with an open mind. I’ve heard Laini Taylor’s writing style is super dreamy and whimsical and that’s exactly the kind of reading experience I’m expecting. 

2. Fruits Basket
by: Natsuki Takaya
Subject/Challenge: Arithmancy: Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title

Fruits Basket is a graphic novel that follows an orphan girl named Tohru Honda who at the start of the novel is living in a tent. After the mysterious Sohma family offers to take her in, Tohru discovers a deep family secret of their’s. Upon being hugged by a person of the opposite sex, each member of the family turns into a different animal from the Chinese Zodiac.

I actually just finished reading Fruits Basket right before sitting down to write this blog post. I won’t tell you my rating since I want to save that information for July’s wrap-up. What I will say however, is that Fruits Basket is a fun, quirky read and it only took me 4 days to complete. I honestly could have finished it in one sitting if I wasn’t getting so distracted with my daily responsibilities.

3. Thirteen Rising
by: Romina Russell
Subject/Challenge: Astronomy: Read a science fiction novel

Thirteen Rising is the fourth book and conclusion to the Zodiac series by Romina Russell. As always, considering this is a sequel/finale I won’t tell you really anything about the synopsis for this specific book. The series as a whole though, takes place in a futuristic world where each planet in the galaxy is inspired by a different zodiac sign. The Main character, Rhoma Grace, is from House Cancer.

Zodiac is honestly one of my favorite series of all time, and I am seriously so sad that it has come to an end. I chose Thirteen Rising for the Astronomy challenge for obvious reasons. Not only is it a science fiction novel, but it’s also bad ass one at that.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by: J.K. Rowling
Subject/Challenge: Herbology: Read a book with a nature related word in the title

I chose this fourth book in the Harry Potter series because of the word Fire which is indeed related to nature. I think by now we all know what The Goblet of Fire is about. Although this is my first time reading it, I have seen the movie which I heard is pretty close to the book. Either way, I’m super intrigued to see what the differences are.

5. A Victorian Flower Dictionary
by: Mandy Kirkby
Subject/Challenge: Muggle studies: Read a muggle non-fiction book

I found this edition of A Victorian Flower Dictionary at the Molly Brown House Museum near my apartment. It is a non-fiction companion novel to a book known as The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Each page features a different botanical illustration with a description of the selected flower as well as the meaning of it according to the Victorian era.

I’m about halfway through this lovely book and can already say that I am thoroughly enjoying it.

6. Ozma of Oz
by: Mandy Kirkby
Subject/Challenge: Charms: Read a fantasy book

Ozma of Oz is the third book in the Wizard of Oz series. I have been reading–and loving–the first and second books in the above five book bind-up from Barnes and Noble. I think everyone knows what The Wizard of Oz is about by now, and I don’t want to spoil anyone with a synopsis considering this is a sequel, but I will say we meet some familiar characters and discover new lands in this third story.

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GENERAL JULY TBR BOOKS

1. Anne of the Island
by: L.M. Montgomery

Anne of the Island in the third book in the Anne of Green Gables series. As per usual, for the sake of not spoiling anyone I wont go into the synopsis at all, really.  I will say that I loved the first two books and simply cannot wait to find out where the third one goes.

2. Two on a Tower
by: Thomas Hardy

Two on a Tower is a love story that follows a man and woman who are 10 years apart in age. They meet for the first time in a column that is eventually converted into an astronomy tower, and continue to have an affair that is kept a secret due to the judgment of others.

I am currently reading this, and I have to say that at first I was loving it. Two on a Tower had the potential to be a new favorite book of mine, but after I got to the second half, the story kind of fell flat. I loved hearing about the descriptions of outer space and the night sky which made for a very atmospheric reading experience. At a certain point though, the plot takes a turn and focuses solely on the lover’s affair more than anything else. I’m hoping the story will get better, but right now I’m not quite sure.

3. Sense & Sensibility
by: Jane Austen

I recently purchased this gorgeous edition of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. It features little extras in the front of the book such as information on the Regency era, as well as a timeline of Jane Austen’s life.

Sense and Sensibility tells the story of two sisters who are complete opposites. I’m assuming there is a love interest for each sibling, but honestly I don’t know much more than that. This is the Austen book I can unfortunately say I know the least about.

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I hope you enjoyed reading my July TBR!

Until next time,

Atlas Fallen Launch Box Unboxing

For those of you who don’t know already, I’m part of the street team for Jessica Pierce’s debut book Atlas Fallen. Jess’s street team is basically made up of a handful of bookstagrammers set out to promote her novel.

Jess is also the owner behind the bookish merch company, Paperly and Co. With that said, Jess was basically the master mind behind this box as most of the items are by Paperly.

The above package was a one time special edition launch box featuring tons of goodies inspired by Atlas Fallen. As a whole, Jess really blew it out of the ball park.

So, without further ado, let’s get into today’s unboxing!

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The Goodies:

• Note from author
• Exclusive galaxy book sleeve bypaperly and co
• Cerise Rienne bookmark bypaperly and co
  
• Title logo pins bypaperly and co
• Long live the crown bookmark bypaperly and co
• Tesla character illustration by diana worak
• Daxton and Tesla fan art print by dani marie
• Exclusive Cerise pink druzy earrings by paperly and co
• Opera Night wax tart by paperly and co
• Character Magnetic Bookmarks by paperly and co
• Daxton and Tesla Magnetic Bookmarks by paperly and co

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My favorite item hands down would definitely be the above wax melt. Inspired by the opera scene in the featured book, the scent notes are lux perfume and gardenia. Now, I must say that this wax melt smells EXACTLY as described–and I love it. The first time I burned it, my boyfriend came home from work and walked in the bedroom and said “Wow it smells amazing in here. Did you get a new perfume?”. This comment literally made me laugh out loud because of how accurate his remark was. After giving him a whiff of the wax melt we both agreed this tart is every bit of what it says it is.

These druzy earrings are definitely my next favorite item right after the wax tart. The color is just as stunning in person as pictured above, and the overall quality is amazing. I also love how they are stainless steel as well.

The above art print displays our protagonist, Tesla looking as bad ass as ever. The attention to detail is also just incredible.

Of the two art prints, I think this one of Daxton and Tesla is my favorite. The colors are what really make it for me. On top of that, Tesla’s Dress seems to literally be sparkling.

Ahh Cerise Rienne, the famous bubblegum pink villain of Atlas Fallen. I am literally OBSESSED with the above quote. The bookmark is quite stunning as well. It really seems to glitter even though there is none.

If there is one thing Paperly and Co shines at it’s creating quality magnetic bookmarks. The above Daxton and Tesla ones are certainly no exception. The character artwork is printed on a sturdy paper that has a bit of a sheen to it, which I love. In terms of size, these are about the length of the average person’s thumb. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I collect Paperly and Co magnetic bookmarks.

Again, these magnetic bookmarks are EVERYTHING. My Favorite one is definitely the depiction of Cerise Rienne a.k.a the only character that is completely pink. Next to that is the opera singer. I mean, can we just take a moment to appreciate her gorgeous dress?

As for the book:Atlas Fallen, by: Jessica Pierce

Goodreads Description:

Tesla Petrov, daughter of an infamous traitor, no longer lives a life of promise in the Atlas space station’s elite flight training program. Stripped of her military rank and banished to the slums, she now scrapes out a brutal existence competing in illegal robot fights for Minko, ruthless leader of the Red Ashes crime syndicate. But when a wrong move costs her a fight—and a fortune—for the crime lord, Tesla knows her days aboard the Atlas are numbered.

Daxton Larose isn’t just visiting the station to celebrate the Centennial of the Crown—he’s hunting a terrorist threatening to end a century of peace on Earth. To do so, he’ll need someone who knows the station. Someone willing to strike a deal at any cost.

Someone like Tesla. 

But as the hunt for the terrorist threatens to expose secrets from both their pasts—and as their dangerous attraction pulls them together—Tesla and Daxton must fight to protect what they love… or watch it burn.

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I hope you enjoyed reading today’s unboxing!

Until next time,

Hufflepuff Book Recommendations

“You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;”

For anyone who follows me on my bookstagram account, you probably know by now that I am a Hufflepuff, and darn proud of it too! Well, my fellow Puffs, today I have a post just for you. Today, I am going to recommend some books every Hufflepuff should read.

Before I get started though, I just want to clarify what being a Hufflepuff means to me. The sorting hat states that this house is just, loyal, patient, true, and hardworking. Puffs are always seeking justice and always treat others equally. They are aware that every individual is different and show understanding of those differences. These qualities can be proven in some of the characters in the HP books. The books I chose for this list were selected because either a main character or the plot has some or all of the above traits.

Let’s get started!

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1. Zodiac
by: Romina Russell
Zodiac is the first book in a futuristic Sci-fi series set in a world where each planet is based off of a different zodiac sign. The main character Rho is from House Cancer–a sign I believe would definitely be considered Hufflepuff. But that’s not what made me pick this book. In the Zodiac books, there is a group of people called Risers who don’t quite fit into society. They aren’t just one sign, but many. This makes them outcasts in the Zodiac world. All of the other constellations are terrified of the risers and cant quite seem to accept them as part of the community. The protagonist Rho fights with both the other houses and herself in what is the just thing to do when it comes to these individuals. Should she create a war against them or invite them as one with the rest of the galaxy. I think the following quote from the third book, Black Moon, sums up why this series is perfect for Hufflepuffs.

“The only way to have a just society is to remember each other. Down to the last individual, without discounting any person or population, without ignoring people we would rather not see, even those whose values we revile. Do you think this is possible for any civilization to accomplish?”

-Romina Russell, Black Moon

2. Anne of Green Gables
by: L.M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley is one of those free spirited characters that has every bit of Hufflepuff in them. Her friendship with Diana Barry is one worth yearning for. The fact that they made a pact to be kindred spirits for life not only proves their loyalty towards each other but also proves that they are 100% Hufflepuff worthy.

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

3. The Hunger Games
by: Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is one of those books that everyone should have read by now. If you didn’t read the books, you should have seen the movie. But, if for some reason you haven’t done either, than I am begging you to add this trilogy to your TBR whether you are a Hufflepuff or not.
With that said, The Hunger Games and basically all dystopian reads are perfect for Hufflepuffs. They normally feature a corrupt government or society and a character who is willing to make a change for the greater good. In the case of The Hunger Games we have our protagonist Katniss who sacrifices herself in place of her sister to participate in a fight to the death.
I think what makes this book so perfect for Hufflepuffs is the fact that Katniss takes notice that everyone has another side to them that not everyone gets to see. There is always more than meets the eye and that is something Katniss is able to takes notice of, even when it comes to President Snow. While Katniss realizes that her main priority is to defeat the Capitol and it’s ruler, at the same time she understands that President Snow is still only human. Not only that, but literally this entire trilogy is about the thirteen Districts and their fight for equality–something Hufflepuffs strive for.

4. A Little Princess
by: Francess Hodgson Burnett
If Sara Crewe isn’t the epitome of Hufflepuff  than I don’t know who is. A Little Princess is a rag from riches tale about a child who gets dropped off at an all girl boarding school by her father. When her father suddenly passes while away, Sara becomes orphaned. The head of the boarding school decides Sara can stay but only if she lives in the attic and works as a servant.
The way Sara dealt with all of the misfortunes that were thrown her way made me really admire her. She somehow managed to stay positive in the face of adversity and to me, that is what a true Hufflepuff would do.

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I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post!

Until next time,

Zodiac (Spoiler Free Review)

Zodiac
By: Romina Russell
Goodreads Rating: 3.72

Pages: 439

Format: Paperback

First Edition Published: December 9^th 2016

Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

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The Review

“I never saw the Zodiac as a collection of multicolored pearls caught in the same necklace’s orbit—I saw us as one necklace. Each pearl has it’s purpose, but no one is more important than another, and every pearl is integral to the beauty of the whole, and to our calling ourselves a necklace at all.”

Zodiac is one of those books that immediately pulls you in due to the beautiful cover. Fortunately, even though this edition may be breathtaking, the inner content is even MORE appealing. They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I think we can make an exception.

Zodiac had one of the most unique concepts for a plot that I have ever read. The author basically took an element from the textbooks of astrology, and weaved it into a story of her own. Yes, you read correctly, Ophiuchus is a real thing. Romina Russell really seemed to know her astrology too. I mean, in addition to the 13^th sign, the traits of each house in the story seemed to be on point. Pisces, who are usually dreamy and compassionate are referred to as “spiritual”, while Libra’s who are often called diplomatic are referred to in Zodiac as favoring justice.

I really liked how the author made the symbols of each zodiac sign, truly represent each house. Our main character Rho is a Cancer, and as we all know, the symbol for this water sign is a crab. Rho’s home planet in Zodiac is made up of mostly water and each Cancrian is described as having curly blonde hair and sunbaked skin—fitting for a constellation in the shape of a crab.

The world building in Zodiac was well thought out and it showed right down to the very last detail.

 “I won’t stay silent anymore, not when speaking out can make a difference.”

Rho was one of those characters that made me ask myself why most females in YA can’t be more like her. While there WAS a minor love triangle, Rho did NOT let two boys sway any of her decisions.

When Rho was chosen to be the new guardian for Cancer she made an oath to do anything and everything in her power to protect her house. She was put into many difficult situations during her time as guardian, but it was the toughest one which really stood out from the rest. Once Rho realized what (or rather who) was the cause of all the attacks she immediately stepped up and went to warn the other planets in the Zodiac. While most refused to believe her she always managed to power through until she found someone who did.

“Those who think only in straight lines cannot see around a curve.”

I believe the message Russell was trying to convey is clear—always stand up for your own truth. But there was also an underlying message which said, you can believe in your truth but never let it sway you from the facts.

Amid mass homicide Rho was capable of staying true to herself even when no one else dared to believe her.

Now, if Rho was a powerful, well fleshed out character, Matthias was the complete opposite. To me, Matthias’s character just fell flat. He didn’t seem to have much personality and he never wanted to believe Rho, (which really made me angry) even when the truth was right in front of his face. Even though we met his parents, we never really learned much about his backstory. Ultimately, Matthias had an all-around boring personality.

 “You’re an everlasting flame that can’t be put out.”

Romina Russell is one of those authors that makes you want to keep reading. Her writing is just that beautiful. There was so much hidden symbolism in her words which ultimately boosted the enjoyment level as well. It was fun to read how she interpreted each zodiac sign in her own way. I often found myself saying, “Hysan’s character reminds me so much of my partner Kevin as they both possess those classic Libran traits”.

The only true weakness this book had was the pacing. This is a problem I often have with most books. Personally, I like to read something that is action packed from the very first scene, and while Zodiac was an amazing read, it took a while to get there. I can however promise you that Zodiac will leave you wanting more. Just like any good book should.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

Until next time,

The Garden of Read-En

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Rating
🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼 (5)

 

February Book Haul

Today’s haul is going to cover books I mainly got this month (February) but some of them were also purchased in January. I also just want to update you guys on a few things. These next couple weeks I am going to try to bang out a bunch of book reviews because I am super behind in that department. I have also been behind on my monthly wrap ups and TBRs so if you want to know what I’ve been up to last month, I am going to list the books I read in January below this paragraph. My Goodreads goal for 2017 is 40 books and so far I am on track having read four books this year. Anyways, being that I have twelve books to discuss, I won’t waste any more time babbling. Without any further ado, let’s get into February’s book haul shall we?

January Wrap up

1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by: Lewis Carroll
2.  Zodiac, by: Romina Russell
3. A Court of Mist and Fury, by: Sarah J. Maas

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1. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by: Lewis Carroll

I decided to pick up this beautiful edition of Alice in Wonderland for two reasons. One: I wanted to refresh my memory on the original story before I started reading Marissa Meyer’s Heartless—an Alice in Wonderland prequel/retelling. Two: the cover is just beautiful. Need I say more? I don’t think I need to go into detail about what this book is about because let’s be real, we should all be familiar with this story by now.

2. Fangirl, by: Rainbow Rowell

Even though I’ve already read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, I Just had to order this collector’s edition from book depository. Fangirl is the book that got me into YA literature. I mean, I still loved to read pre-Fangirl but I didn’t truly fall in love with the young adult genre until it came to this book right here. For those of you who don’t know, Fangirl is a story about our main character Cath who is the epitome of well, a fangirl. The book begins as she starts her freshman year of college with her twin sister and continues as she learns to navigate university life as an English major/introvert. There were so many things I loved about this story, but what really got my attention was how honest it was. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I highly recommend you do so ASAP. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

3. King’s Cage, by: Victoria Aveyard

King’s Cage is my most highly anticipated book of 2017 (aside from ACOWAR). It is the third installment in Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen Quartet? Series? I’m not quite sure what to call this. It was supposed to be a trilogy but apparently, there’s another book after this one so I’m not quite sure anymore. Either way, I am so stoked as the ending of Glass Sword was SUCH a cliff hanger. I don’t want to go into too much detail about this book because SPOILERS! But I will just say that even though I can agree with a lot of people that this isn’t the most original YA series out there, it still didn’t keep me from hanging onto the edge of my seat the entire way through. I HIGHLY recommend everyone picks this one up.

4. City of Bones, by: Cassandra Clare

Okay so after much needed persuasion from a combination of people, I finally caved and purchased City of Bones. I don’t know why it took be so long to buy this book because I have heard nothing but great things about it and honestly, I still don’t think I fully understand what it is about. OOPS! I do however, plan on reading this real soon. (hopefully!)

 5. By Your Side, by: Kasie West

I had By Your Side on pre-order (via Amazon) ever since I heard about it on Booktube. I am so grateful that the YA contemporary arrived on my doorstep the day it was published (because lets be real, Amazon is notorious for screwing deliveries up).
By Your Side is a story about a girl and boy who get trapped in a library together for an entire weekend. Now I don’t know about you, but to me this sounds like a dream come true. I always told myself that I wanted to meet my future husband at a bookstore/library, so when I read the synopsis for this book you can imagine how excited I got.

 6. Everland, by: Wendy Spinale

Everland was sort of an impulse buy from Amazon. All I really know about the plot is that it is a steampunk retelling of Peter Pan. Now, anyone who’s ever known me knows that I am a sucker for anything Peter Pan related and if you ask me, there are definitely not enough YA retellings for this children’s classic out there. Aside from Jodi Lynn Anderson’s Tiger Lily, there really aren’t any GREAT twists on Pan. I am hoping this will be good enough to add this to my list of epic retellings.

7. Throne of Glass, by: Sarah J. Maas

As some of you may know from my past wrap ups, I had already read Throne of Glass. I did however, come across these beautiful white UK editions on book depository and immediately had to buy them. Throne of Glass is the first book in a fantasy YA series. It follows an assassin Celaena Sardothien as she tries to win back her freedom by acting as the Crown Prince’s champion in a competition to become the royal assassin. I fell absolutely in love with this book from page one and am so glad I get to give this gorgeous edition a place to call home. ❤

 8. Crown of Midnight, by: Sarah J. Maas

Again, as some of you may already know from my past wrap ups, I had already read Crown of Midnight. This UK edition came in a boxset along with Throne of Glass and Heir of Fire. I don’t want to go into detail about the plot but I will just say that the ending to Crown of Midnight blew my freaking mind. Nuff’ said.

9. Heir of Fire, by: Sarah J. Maas

Heir of fire is the only book in the TOG box set I have yet to read. I guess you could say I am holding off on starting this third installment simply because I want to thoroughly savor every minute of this series. I just know already, that I am not going to want it to end. (and I only finished book two!)

10. Peter Pan, by: J.M. Barrie

I think we all know by now what this book is about so I don’t think I need to explain. If you don’t know, shame on you!

 11. This Shattered World, by: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

This Shattered World is the second book in the Starbound trilogy. From what I heard, this is a companion novel and not necessarily a continuation to the first book These Broken Stars. By that I mean, it follows different characters. I am kind of disappointed by this but plan on reading it regardless. I also have a review for book one which you can read here.

12. Caraval, by: Stephanie Garber

Caraval is a story about a circus that only appears once a year. Each year a competition is held with the audience as contenders. When the main character Scarlett and her sister Tella are whisked away to this year’s event they couldn’t be more ecstatic. It’s only when Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind that it becomes much more than just a game. Whoever finds Tella first will be crowned the winner. To me, this sounded like a mix between The Crown’s Game and The Night Circus which I am ALL for.

13. Bookish Soap, from: Behind the Pages

I have been eyeing the goats milk soaps from Behind the Pages for the LONGEST time now. I finally caved this past month though and purchased the three scents shown above. They all smell delicious but my favorite by far is bibliophile which smells like vanilla and lattes. Mmmmmm. Manon and Chaol are inspired by none other than the Throne of Glass series. (duh!)

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That’s all for my February book haul!

Until next time,

The Garden of Read-En