Tag: the night circus

Caitsbooks.com Top 8 November 2019 Book Releases

Top 8 Book Releases of November 2019

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I’m honestly in shock that it’s already November. Seriously, where did the year go??? My mind is still in 20-gay-teen right now (tbh I’m actually still stuck in 2012) and any time someone mentions that 2020 exists, let alone that it’s only a couple of months away, I fall right into an existential panic.

That said, there is one benefit to how fast the year is going- we are so close to being able to read all of these amazing November releases!! You definitely need to pick up some of these books before the year is over!

Read more for my top 8 most anticipated book releases of November 2019!

[ Related: Updates, Explanations, and Oversharing – Why I Disappeared ]

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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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My Top 8 Reads of 2018

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So I’ve made a post about my Top 18 2018 Releases, but now I wanted to shine a light on some of the books I read this year that were published in earlier years.

This list is in no particular order. I just wanted to mention a few of the books and series I loved this year!

8. Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

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Rating: 4.75/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
After reading Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett, I knew I had to read her previous books. Alex, Approximately was so fun and really cemented Jenn Bennett as an auto-buy author for me!


7. Velvet by Temple West

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Rating: 4.5/5
Series: Velvet #1
Review: Yes
Not enough people know about this book series. I know people are hesitant of vampires after it became the trend to hate on anything vampirey after Twilight, but this book was just so entertaining. It never takes itself too seriously, includes a lot of fun tropes, and has a really interesting take on vampires that I absolutely love. I’m still dying for book 3!!

6. The Darkest Minds Series by Alexandra Bracken

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Rating: 4.7/5
Series: The Darkest Minds #1-3.5
Review: Yes
I had been wanting to read these books since 2013, and I kept putting it off until I had no choice but to read it because the movie was coming out. And I absolutely loved it. While I’m definitely still in my post-2012-dystopian-boom exhaustion, I really loved this series (I think US politics at the time I read it also played a part in why this book impacted me so much).

5. Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco

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Rating: 5/5
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1-3
Review: Yes
I’ve never been one for murder mysteries, but I have always been fascinated with the Jack the Ripper case. I think this book made me a fan of murder mysteries. It’s so dark and twisted and gruesome but has plenty of wit and adorable romance.

4. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

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Rating: 5/5
Series: The Dark Artifices #2
Review: Yes
I was going to include The Dark Artifices #1 and #2, but Lord of Shadows was just so amazing that I felt it needed the extra shout out. Don’t get me wrong, Lady Midnight was absolutely fantastic, but Lord of Shadows brought it to the next level. I’m so glad I waited until Queen of Air and Darkness was out to begin reading because that ending killed me.

3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

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Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
I have been hearing, for so long, how perfect and amazing this book was. When I went into it, I knew nothing except that everyone loved it, and that beautiful first paragraph. It definitely wasn’t what I expected, but in the best way. This book exceeded every expectation and blew me away.

2. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

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Rating: 5/5
Series: N/A
Review: Yes
This book. Not only is it well-written, but the message is so important, and this story is one that absolutely needed to be told. If you haven’t picked this up yet, please do. No matter what your political beliefs, you need to read this.

1. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater 

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Rating: 5/5
Series: The Raven Cycle #1-4
Review: Yes
Hello, Katie from high school. You told me to read this back in 2014 and I put it off. This is my apology. I should have listened to you and read this when you first mentioned it because it is so freaking amazing. This series is so beautifully written, with amazing characters and a fascinating plot and setting. Everything about it is perfection.

What were your favorite 2018 reads?