Mundie Moms

Sunday, December 31, 2017

THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE by Cynthia Hand / Book Review #TheAfterlifeOfHollyChase


By: Cynthia Hand
Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: October 24th, 2017
Purchase from: Harper CollinsAmazon
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: book from publisher in exchange for my honest review

On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .
 


This is the perfect, fun holiday read. Hand put a fabulous, modernized twist on a beloved holiday classic. The Afterlife of Holly Chase takes what you think you know about the Christmas story, and made it an entirely new, modern day YA story. Complete with some great in-depth characters, friendship, some romance, and second chances.

Talk about scrooge. Holly Chase may give Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money. She is an interesting character. The real Holly is the not the character you first meet when the book starts. As her story goes on, she ends up revealing a lot about herself, and how she become such a scrooge. Her story was heartbreaking. Through her story, I ended up understanding why she became the way she was. I loved the way she made her change and got her second chance. 

I loved the concept behind the Project Scrooge. The purpose is to find a scourge for that year and try to help them see the error in their bad ways, and change. It's such an interesting element to the story. Holly is definitely a tough scrooge, which also makes her the perfect agent for the job she's given. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters who all work with Holly. They're not only Holly's co-workers, and mentors, they become her friends. I really enjoyed getting to know each of them. 

This story has some twists, and is the perfect mix of fantasy, and contemporary. I really liked how Hand brought all these elements together. I loved the fantasy elements the agency brings to the story that makes a lot of what happens, possible. I wasn't excepting that, and it worked perfect. This is such a fun, enjoyable read with the perfect amount of  friendship, humor, a few surprises, and a touch of romance. The surprising ending was a great touch.  

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Mundie Moms 2017 Top 10 Favorite Reads #MMs17Favs #ReadYA #TopTenReadsof2017


It's our favorite post of the year! We love sharing our top ten favorites reads of year list. There were so many great reads out this year. Like every year, it's always hard narrowing down our lists to just ten. I'm tempted to change our lists to just favorites vs our top ten, because we had way more than ten. Check out our Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2017You can catch up with our 2017 favorites posts here. Tomorrow we'll be wrapping up 2017 with a GIVEAWAY! Don't miss it! I've got more details at the end of the post.

KATIE'S FAVORITE READS of 2017


 
  1. THE VALIANT By Lesley Livingston 
  2. TRAITOR TO THE THRONE by Alwyn Hamilton
  3. DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller
  4. LORD OF SHADOWS by Cassandra Clare
  5. WARCROSS by Marie Lu
  6. ROAR by Cora Carmack
  7. A CROWN OF WISHES by Roshani Chokshi
  8. BLACK SOULS by Nicole Castroman
  9. RENEGADES by Marissa Meyer
  10. DEAR MARTIN by Nic Stone
  11. LAST STAR BURNING by Caitlin Sangster
  12. REIGN OF THE FALLEN by Sarah Glenn Marsh, *2018 release

SOPHIE'S FAVORITE READS of 2017



  1. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
  2. See How They Run by Ally Carter
  3. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
  4. Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
  5. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  6. Simon vs the Homo Sapien Agenda by Becky Albetralli
  7. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
  8. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
  9. When It's Real by Erin Watt
  10. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

EMM'S FAVORITE READS of 2017


 
 
  1. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
  2. Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
  3. Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
  4. No Limits by Ellie Marney
  5. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
  6. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
  7. Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
  8. Begin, End Begin A #LoveOzYA Anthology edited by Danielle Binks
  9. Take Three Girls by Cath Crowley, Fiona Wood & Simmone Howell
  10. The Silver Mask by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
You can read the rest of our 2017 book reviews here. What were some of your 2017 favorite reads? 

Don't miss tomorrow's Mundie Moms 2017 Favorites Post. We're wrapping up our favorites series posts with some giveaways! Some of these will be open internationally as well. We'll also have an exclusive one on our Instagram account too. Happy Reading!

Friday, December 29, 2017

7 Books That Broke My Fantasy Reading Streak & Emotionally Wrecked Me


When it comes to reading, I am a huge fantasy fan, and a minor, very minor contemporary fan. I'm almost snobbish when it comes to reading contemporary. Though I do love a good gritty, realistic book sometimes. 

There's something about a contemporary / realistic book that sometimes scares me to read it. It's not because of what it contains, but because all too often I want to read something that allows me to escape the daily grind or the news, or what have you. Sometimes there are books that just call me to read them, and I end up devouring them in one sitting. There were a few books I read this year that literally made me think, and had me feeling all the emotions. While these books are stories created by gifted writers, some of them rang true to things that happen in real life. 

If you're looking for a book that takes you out of your box, and makes you think about how it applies to real life, or you want a book that makes you feel all the book fees, pick up one of these books. Not all are clean cut, but than again, neither is life. Some are gritty, non sugar coated, and tell the story like it should be told. Each of them definitely left their mark on me this year. Some of these were 5 star reviews, and some I didn't even rate. Sometimes it's hard to rate a book that feels like it was taken straight from the headlines. 

When a book leaves it's mark on you, and has you pondering it days after you read it, you know the story did just what the author intended it to do. Here's a few books that had me doing just that. 

DEAR MARTIN by Nic Stone



Dear Martin is a gripping, must read debut. Nic Stone has gifted readers with a powerful book that will make you think and feel a wide range of emotions. Based on current issues, and based on recent news stories, this story is told from a mix of letters Justyce writes to Martin Luther King Jr, debate class conversations, and Justyce's point of view. This is definitely worth the read, as it tackles racism at it's core. I felt like I walked away from reading this book with my eyes more open. The rest of my 5 star review can be read here.


This book absolutely broke my heart. I haven't felt so gutted reading a book, in a long time. I feel like I'm a mixed bag of emotions writing this review. There's so much I want to say, yet I feel like not much needs to be said about this book. This is an emotional gripping, raw, troubling, powerful, hopeful, kind of read. Roe holds nothing back. Her writing will break you, and at the same time she will have you rooting for the two main characters, and their friends. The rest of my review can be found here.



A gut-wrenching debut. This is a story about what happens when the whole world is against you, and you have a new reason to find your own voice. You take a stand, and prove to them you're more than they think they know about you. The rest of my review can be found here.


There's something about a Sarah Dessen book that makes me want to pick up all her books and read them. She makes reading contemporary books enjoyable for me. I can't help but get sucked into her stories. There's depth to her characters, and substance to her stories. Just Listen has all that. The rest of my review can be found here.


I'm totally adding this book to my list, because there was something about this book that made it hard to put down. Sure it's not a gitty realistic read, but it is one that stayed with me long after I read it, and had me rooting for these two characters. A haunting story with hope, friendship and love at it's core. What would you do if you found out that today would be your last? For Mateo and Rufus, their call from death brings them unexpectedly together. What transpires is an unforgettable adventure as two strangers, who become friends, find solace in each other, and make their last day together count. The rest of my review can be found here. 


This book didn't necessarily emotional wreck me, but it definitely had me rooting for these two characters. I'm not a huge fan of verse, but I'm a fan of the way Laskin wrote this book. Poetic, diverse, sensual, complicated, and hopeful, this is a beautifully written, modern day Romeo and Juliet with a very nontraditional ending. Set in war torn Israel and Palestine, Ronit and Jamil's story is a forbidden love story, fueled by love, and hope for a better future, and riddled by a history of hate among their people. The rest of my review can be read here.


This debut is so many feelings. It's similar to Dear Martin, in the the way it wakes you up and gives you a story that mirrors that of real life. This book has had me feeling so many emotions. I haven't finished reading this book yet, but am finishing it shortly and will have my review up after the New Year. 

Ten Books We Didn't Get to Read in 2017 #MMs17Favs




For today's Mundie Moms 2017 Favorites post, we're sharing ten books we didn't get to read in 2017. I don't know about you, but every year I make it a goal to try and read all the books I add in that year's TBR pile / list. Each year I end up adding more books than I end up having time to read. There are so many books I want to read through out the year, and not enough time to read them all. Here are Ten Books We Didn't Get to Read in 2017, but plan to read in 2018. 

KATIE'S LIST



All but two of these books are on my 2017 TBR pile waiting to be read, or finished so I can write a review. Unfortunately I ran out of time this year to read them, so I'm bumping them to my 2018 TBR pile. 
  1. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
  2. Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser
  3. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden 
  4. The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden 
  5. Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
  6. Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer
  7. Flame In The Mist by Renee Ahdieh
  8. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
  9. Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
  10. All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

SOPHIE'S LIST


Thursday, December 28, 2017

A COURT OF WINGS and RUIN by Sarah J. Maas / Book Review #ACOWAR


By: Sarah J. Maas
Published by: Bloomsbury
Released on: May 2nd, 2017
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating:4 stars 
Source: purchased book 

Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.


What an ending! Talk about a thrilling, action fueled, romance packed read. This was the ending I had hoped for. Maas gave me everything I had wanted, and have come to except in this series, including characters and a world I don't want to say good bye to just yet. 


Feyre's story has come full circle, and I've loved seeing her grow into the character she is now. One of the things I liked about this book is the role Feyre's sisters play as well. While Feyre is still the main character, there's a lot of side story with her sisters. It added an interesting element to the story. I found myself wanting to know more about them, which thankfully we do as the story continues. 

The romance is scorching in this book. Rhys and Feyre may have had me blushing a few times. I absolutely love these two together. They are stronger than they've been. I really admire how Rhys's respects Feyre. He allows her to be the strong person she is, and never deters her from being anything but what she wants to be. I've loved that about him. 

There's so much that happens in this book. Having said that, there wasn't anything in the book that I felt was added just because. Everything and everyone has a purpose for being in the story. I loved that, because all too often in a big book like this, things are thrown in that really don't add anything to the overall story. I liked how everything played out with getting to know the characters and seeing how things turn out in the end. 

I felt Feyre's story wrapped up the only way it could have. It was perfect for her.  I will say, I'm not ready to be done with this world and it's characters just yet. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books that take place within this world.

* Like the previous book in the series, this one has adult content in it, including sexual and sensual scenes, making it one I'd recommend to older YA readers and adult readers. 

Our Top 10 Most Anticipated 2018 YA Releases #MMs17Favs


We're continuing our 2017 Mundie Moms favorites count down this week on the blog. Today's post is our most anticipated 2018 releases. There are a lot of books coming out this next year that we can not wait to read. Keeping our lists small was extremely hard. We may or may not have already pre-ordered all of the books on our lists.... For the sake of a short post, we narrowed out lists down to ten. Check out more most anticipated 2018 releases below:

KATIE'S TOP 10 12 MOST ANTICIPATED READS IN 2018 


  1. Hero of the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton, 3/6/18, Viking 
  2. Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller, 2/27/18, Feiwel & Friends
  3. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare, 12/4/18, McElderry Books
  4. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, 1/2/18, Little Brown 
  5. These Rebel Waves by Sarah Raasch, 8/7/18, Balzer + Bray
  6. Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi, 3/6/18, Harper
  7. Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes, 2/6/18, Razorbill 
  8. The Defiant by Lesley Livingston, 1/23/18, Razorbill
  9. Sightwitch by Susan Dennard, 2/13/18, Tor Teen
  10. Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian, 4/24/18, Delacorte 
  11. Furyborn by Claire Legrand, 5/22/18, SourceBooks
  12. A Reaper At The Gates by Sabaa Tahir, 6/12/18, Razorbill

SOPHIE'S TOP TEN MOST ANTICIPATED READS IN 2018 


  1. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare
  2. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
  3. Unearthed by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner
  4. Legendary by Stephanie Garber
  5. Obisdio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
  6. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
  7. The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
  8. From Twinkle with Love by Sandhya Menon
  9. Leah on the Off Beat by Becky Albertalli
  10. Save the Date by Morgan Matson
There are so many books we can not wait to read it in 2018. What are some of your most anticipated 2018 releases? 

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