Tag: illuminae

Writing Reviews: My Rating System (caitsbooks.com)

Writing Reviews – My Rating System

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The longer I’ve been writing book reviews, the more confused I get with my own rating system.

Rating are hard. I really struggle with them. Since I use Goodreads a lot (shameless plug- add me as a friend), I wanted to keep things consistent and rate every book out of 5 stars. However, with so many people rating books from 1-5 stars, everyone now has their own meaning behind what a 5 star/3 star/1 star book is. Even my own meaning has changed.

So, for the sake of clarification, I want to explain what my ratings mean, and give some examples for each!

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Bullet Journaling: A Bookworm’s Guide to Getting Started

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Bullet journals have really grown in popularity in the past couple of years, and whenever I looked at those amazing pictures on instagram and pintrest, I would get so intimidated. I have no artistic talent, and no creativity, plus I’m a perfectionist. So basically, the worst combination for a bullet journaler. I never let myself try it, because I was so afraid I would be bad at it.

Well, in December 2018, I decided to try it anyways. No one else would know, but me, so if I failed spectacularly, only I would witness it.

I’ve been bullet journaling for about six months now, so I’ve decided to share what I’ve learned, and my advice for beginners. And since this is a book blog, I’ve also included pictures of some of my bookish spreads!

This will be an overview of sorts, so if you want specific tutorials on how I did any of these spreads, let me know!

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Bookshelf Tour + Organization Tips

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Before I get into this, I just want to mention a post I made of 8 Things Every Book Collector Has Heard. I also just made a post about consumerism in the book community. Be sure to check that out! I feel a little hypocritical doing a bookshelf tour right after talking about how consumerism is negatively effecting the community. However, I think it’s possible to let yourself take pride in your collection and share it with others while also being aware that it became the way it is because of an unhealthy mentality surrounding book buying as well as pressures from the community.

Disclaimer: This collection has been a lifetime in the making. I’m 21, and I’ve been actively collecting books & bookish things with every spare dollar I’ve had, for over six years. This didn’t happen overnight, so if you’re just starting a collection and desperate to make it bigger, just give it time! Don’t go out purchasing a dozen books you never want to read. Be patient and let it grow with you.

One of my favorite things in my life is my book collection (also my dogs, who love to jump in any pictures I try to take of my collection). It’s been years in the making, and something I spend most of my extra time and money on.

I know it’s definitely excessive, but it brings me so much joy that it’s worth losing all wall space in my bedroom. And today, I wanted to go into detail on my shelves and how I organize them, as well as some tips I’ve learned.

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Gemina (The Illuminae Files #2) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff – Review

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Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Gemina is a breathtaking adventure, filled with epic action and hilarious writing.

“And now, born from the ashes, she’s a warrior in bloodied black.” 

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Top 18 Best 2018 Releases

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Back in July, I did a Top 10 for my favorite early 2018 releases, and for my favorites reads from the first half of 2018 that were earlier releases (click the links to read them). 

Just like my July post, these won’t be in any particular order, but unlike my July post, this list will include ALL 2018 releases. If there’s an amazing book that isn’t on my list, it’s probably only because I haven’t read it yet.

18. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

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Release Date: 12/4/2018
Rating: (Currently Reading)
Series: The Dark Artifices #3
Review: (Not Yet)
So, I’m still reading this book. And it’s huge. I have no intention of rushing through it to make sure it deserves to be on this list. Instead, I’ll just put it on the list because at the point I’m at in the book right now, if it keeps up the way it’s going, it will deserve this spot.

17. Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

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Release Date: 9/18/2018
Rating: 4.5/5
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3
Review: Yes
The third book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper Series. I marathoned this series back in August, and read an ARC of Escaping from Houdini immediately after. And I loved it so much! This probably isn’t my favorite installment, but it was still amazing. I can’t wait for book four!

16. Umbertouched by Livia Blackburne

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Release Date: 11/6/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Rosemarked #2
Review: Yes
Last year, Rosemarked surprised me with how great it was. This year, I was so excited for Umbertouched and it lived up to every expectation! It was such a perfect conclusion, and everything about it was so great! I’m still floored by these characters and their development.

15. Defy the Worlds by Claudia Gray 

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Release Date: 4/3/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Constellation #2
Review: Yes
So I actually read an ARC of Defy The Worlds last year, but I wanted to include it in this years list because it was released this past April. I love this universe and this series, and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Although, that ending nearly killed me. (And sidenote: I hate this cover change. And I will mention it every chance I get.)

14. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

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Release Date: 10/23/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Throne of Glass #7
Review: Yes
I can’t believe this series is over. I’ve been a fan of the Throne of Glass series for years now and seeing it all end was bittersweet. I’m still surprised this book managed to tie everything together as well as it did, considering it’s wrapping up a series that began in 2012.

13. Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston 

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Release Date: 2/27/2018
Rating: 4.5/5
Series: Heart of Iron #1
Review: Yes
I’m completely obsessed with Anastasia, and it was too perfect that this book came out when it did because I got to read it while going to see Anastasia on Broadway. But even if I wasn’t obsessed with the original, I would love this book. It was so fun, and left me dying for the sequel.

12. Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

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Release Date: 8/28/2018
Rating: 4.5/5
Series: Seafire #1
Review: Yes
I did not expect the dystopian/sci-fi edge of this book, but I really loved it. I just need more all-girl pirate crews in my life. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.


11. What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera

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Release Date: 10/9/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
What If It’s Us was so perfectly adorable and fun and entertaining and there were so many musical references. Any book that references the musical Aida deserves five stars. This book was everything I wanted from it and more. I really hope Becky and Adam work together again because this was magical.

10. My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton 

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Release Date: 6/24/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: The Lady Janies #2 (But can be read as a standalone)
Review: Yes
This trio of authors always manages to make me smile. My Plain Jane was just a fun and happy read that I couldn’t help but adore. It’s definitely quirky and weird, which just makes it more hilarious. I never imagined loving a Ghostbusters meets Jane Eyre retelling, but then again, I never imagined the story of Lady Jane Grey to be a comedy and they did that so well in their first book.

9.  A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi 

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Release Date: 10/16/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
Tahereh Mafi is just an amazing author and I loved this book so much. I waited almost two hours in a line at BookExpo to get this ARC and meet her, and it was so worth it. The themes, the writing style, the characters. It was all amazing.

8. Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

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Release Date: 2/27/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Daughter of the Pirate King #2
Review: Yes
I had an actual countdown to when this book would be released? You know when you are just in the mood for a certain genre? I was craving some epic pirate adventures and created a countdown to when this book would be released. And it did not let me down. I love this book and this series so much. I’m so excited for what Tricia Levenseller does next.

7. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

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Release Date: 3/6/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Shatter Me #4
Review: Yes
Yes, Tahereh Mafi is on this list twice. No, I see no issue with that. The Shatter Me series is one of my all-time favorites, and I was so scared when I first heard about Restore Me. Now, I realize, I had no reason to be afraid. This book was perfect. It added so much to the series and the world and I need Defy Me immediately!

6. The Traitor Prince by C. J. Redwine 

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Release Date: 2/13/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Ravenspire #4 (Can be read as a standalone)
Review: Yes
C.J. Redwine is such an underrated author! I have loved every book I’ve read by her. The Traitor Prince is no exception, in fact, it may be my favorite Redwine book. If you haven’t picked up her Ravenspire series, please do. Every book can be read as a standalone, but they all take place in the same magical world. This book is so well-written, with fantastic characters and one of my favorite antagonists.

5. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

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Release Date: 9/4/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
This is the only not-YA book I’ll include on this list, but I had to mention it. It took me by surprise. I knew I would like it because Christina Lauren are amazing, but I didn’t expect to love it this much! I couldn’t put it down, staying awake until almost 2am just to finish the book.

4. Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

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Release Date: 3/13/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: The Illuminae Files #3
Review: Yes
This series is just fantastic. Every aspect of it is amazing, and I’m so sad it’s over but I’m also so happy with this as the last book. Everything about it was just perfect, and I can’t wait to read Jay and Amie’s next series. I’m still in shock that this one is over. Please, if you haven’t read it, pick up Illuminae! It’s a really unique sci-fi that will stick with you.

3. To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo 

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Release Date: 3/6/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
So, I preordered this book expecting I would want more pirate and siren adventures after reading Daughter of the Siren Queen. I was right about that, but I didn’t expect how great this book would be. Alexandra Christo is amazingly talented, and this book is just the perfect blend of dark fantasy, sarcasm, and enemies-to-lovers romance. I really look forward to reading more from Alexandra Christo.

2. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

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Release Date: 1/2/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: The Folk of the Air #1
Review: Yes
This is another book that I technically read an ARC of in 2017, but it was so amazing I need it to be on this list. Plus I did read the published edition in 2018, so it counts! I know this book has gotten a lot of hype, but it’s well deserved. It’s so deliciously dark and twisted with fascinating characters and a compelling plot full of endless surprises.

1. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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Release Date: 3/6/2018
Rating: 5/5
Series: Legacy of Orisha #1
Review: Yes
Speaking of books that have received a lot of hype! Children of Blood and Bone has really taken over the world. Everyone is reading it. As they should, because it is that amazing. Tomi Adeyemi’s writing style is breathtaking, her plot is gripping, and both her characters and her world is so complex and amazing. This book is so important.

Honorary Mentions:

Yes, there are even more books I need to mention. I’ve included links to my reviews in case you want to hear my opinions on these awesome books:

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh, Allied by Amy Tintera, Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett, The Emerald Sea by Richelle Mead

What were your favorite books released in 2018?

Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

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When I first got this book, I was intrigued by the format but honestly didn’t know what to expect. Now, almost three years after reading book one, this series has been cemented as of my all-time favorites.

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review In A Nutshell: Illuminae is an epic, impactful novel sure to be one of you favorites.

“Perhaps bravery is simply the face humanity wraps around its collective madness.”

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