We’re back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s topic is Best Books I Read in 2024.
#TopTenTuesday: Top of 2024!
Tag: Book Blog
2024 Spotify Wrapped Book Tag
Hello friends! As it’s the second-to-last day of 2024, I thought I would do the Spotify Wrapped Book Tag, which I did for the first time last year! I remember having a lot of fun doing this last year, so let’s see if it’ll be just as fun now. I also hope it’s easy to find good book matches for my favourite 2024 songs! 🎶 Let’s get to it 🎶
This tag was originally created by Rosina @Lace and Dagger Books!
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Sundays in Bed With… #MyWeeklyWrapUp [263]
Um, hello, we’ve somehow reached the last Sunday of 2024?! Welp.
We’re back with another Sundays in Bed With… meme! This meme dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent your time reading in bed or wish you had time to read today.
A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson is out on 7 January 2025
The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed is out on 21 January 2025
I finished my last read earlier and I haven’t decided what to read next. I’m leaning towards either A Language of Dragons or The Wilde Trials. Both these titles are January 2025 releases that I have ARCs for so I’m trying to stay ahead of the game for their pub dates!
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Book Review: Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth
Big Nick Energy (Season for Revenge #4)
Pub Date: 24 October 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Panda Rating:
(4 pandas)
📖 SYNOPSIS
When Connor Finch insists his one-time Tinder match, Shae, comes to his dad’s house for Thanksgiving with her two daughters, it’s because he refuses to let them be alone on her first-holiday post-divorce.
But when she arrives at the Christmas tree farm and ranch he grew up on, she meets his father—the crazy tall, built, golden retriever cowboy who tells her girls all about the magic of the stupid elf on a shelf.
Of course, when she later corners him and tells him thanks a lot for nothing and that she’s way too overwhelmed to have to deal with yet another responsibility, he feels terrible.
So terrible, he finds himself driving two hours every night just to deliver an elf, move him about, and create some Christmas magic for her girls.
But what happens when he decides meeting her the way he did was some kind of Christmas miracle, and he needs to convince Shae to give him a shot?
⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Abusive relationship (recounted), on-page threats and intimidation by abusive ex
I’ve seen this holiday romance everywhere in the past couple of weeks and I can see why everyone recommends it! Aside from the fun puntastic title and the holiday vibes that make it a perfect fit for the season, it was also one of the most heartwarming and feel-good romances that I’ve read in a while. What starts as a slightly awkward and tension-filled first encounter (with lots of dubious side-eyeing) turns into a beautiful, healing romance full of incredibly sweet and thoughtful moments! If you love the grumpy x sunshine and single parent tropes and where he falls first and falls hard for her and her kids, chances are you’ll really enjoy this romance.
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#WWWWednesday: 25 December 2024
🎄 Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!!! 🎄
Hello, hello and welcome back to another episode of WWW Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words, which means I’ll be answering these questions:
- What did you read last?
- What are you currently reading?
- What will you read next?
#TopTenTuesday: Treat Myself Wishlist!
We’re back with another Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s topic is Books I Hope Santa Brings/Bookish Wishes (List the top 10 books you’d love to own and include a link to your wishlist so that people can grant your wishes. Make sure you link your wishlist to your mailing address or include the email address associated with your e-reader in the list description so people know how to get the book to you. After you post, jump around the Linky and grant a wish or two if you’d like. Please don’t feel obligated to send anything to anyone!)
The Christmas Carol Book Tag
Christmas is just around the corner so what better time to post The Christmas Carol Book Tag than now? 🎄 I saw this on Caro’s blog the other day and thought it looked like fun so I thought I’d give it a go and I’m going to get right to it!
The Ghost of Christmas Past
A book that was a childhood favourite
Where the Sidewalk Ends
I remember discovering Where the Sidewalk Ends and Silverstein’s other poetry books and falling in love with the rhymes and matching illustrations. It has been years since I last read it but I distinctly remember the joy and comfort these books brought me! 💜
The Ghost of Christmas Present
A recent book that you think will become one of your all-time favourites
The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue
I’m counting this as “recent” because I read it earlier this year. This not only left me in tears but also completely speechless. I love it so much! 🥺
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
A book coming out next year that you’re most excited about
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
There are a number of books I’m excited for in 2025 but I’m really looking forward to this one! I thought this was out in December but maybe I got it wrong or the date got pushed back. Either way, I’m keen to get it!
Bah, Hambug
A book that everyone else loves that you just can’t stand
From Blood and Ash
Alright, it’s time for the truth. I don’t even care if I get flack for this but I just can’t with this entire series. 😅 The first book was just okay but the rest? Yikes! I’m sorry, it was just really bad and I don’t understand… I just don’t understand. 🫣
Bob Cratchit
An old dependable that you always recommend
Legends & Lattes
I find recommending books scary (lol) but this is the one that I’ve had the most “success” in recommending, I think. It’s a cosy slice-of-life fantasy where not a whole lot happens but it’s sweet, warm, and delightful!
Tiny Tim
An underhyped book that you think deserves more love
Immortal Dark
I’m going to focus on a release that I read this year that I don’t think received as much hype as it deserved! I didn’t see Immortal Dark mentioned in many places (or maybe I’m not in those places but…) I don’t know why cos it was fantastic!
Today? Why it’s Christmas morning!
What’s a book that always gets you in the mood for Christmas?
Big Nick Energy
I’m not much of a rereader so I don’t have one go-to to kickstart the holiday season. However, I did read Big Nick Energy recently and thought it was such a great feel-good holiday romance and I would recommend it!
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Your favourite film adaptation of a book
The Hobbit
This might be a very unpopular opinion, especially with those who are die-hard Tolkien fans or who treasure his books. However, I was not a fan of The Hobbit novel yet I love the movie and it’s one of my go-to comfort movies! 🤷🏻♀️ I can’t even begin to tell you how hard the disappointment hit when I read the book! 😭
I’m tagging: Leslie | Celeste | Alli | Shoto | YOU!
🎄 And that’s it for the Christmas Carol Book Tag, folks! Even if you’ve not been tagged and want to do it, do link back as I’d love to see your answers! 🎄
Sundays in Bed With… #MyWeeklyWrapUp [262]
We’re back with another Sundays in Bed With… meme! This meme dares to ask you what book has been in your bed this morning and is hosted by Midnight Book Girl. Come share what book you’ve spent your time reading in bed or wish you had time to read today.
I’ll spend the rest of my Sunday in bed with Angel in a Devil’s Arms. This is the second book in The Palace of Rogues series I started last weekend. I guess I’m in a bit of a histrom mood!
#FirstLinesFriday: 20 December 2024
Happy Friday book lovers! We’re back with another First Lines Friday, a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here are the rules:
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
First lines:
“Lady Derring had been raised to believe breeding and manners were a bulwark against all of life’s vicissitudes. So as she peered through her black veil at her husband’s solicitor, her spine was straight, her chin was high, and her brow was as smooth as the curve of the Chinese porcelain urn she’d wrested from the hands of the man who had come to take it away this morning.”
The End of Year Book Tag – 2024 Edition
I put this off for as long as I could out of fear I’d miss my next new favourite but with two weeks to go until the year ends, the time has finally come to do the End of Year Book Tag — 2024 edition! I still can’t believe we’ve reached the end of another year and I’m almost terrified to know how quickly 2025 will fly by! But I digress.
Let’s get on to the book tag now and see what my 2024 reading year was like…
Check out the End of Year Book Tag in previous years:
2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023
This tag was originally created by booktuber Ariel Bissett.
Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
I was doing so well with cleaning out my “currently reading” shelf all year but I’ve got five books on there now. I’m hopeful about finishing at least 4 of these before the year ends but I’m not sure about the chonkiest one of the lot.
Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
I’m not much of a seasonal reader nor do I often re-read so I don’t have a “go-to” book to transition into the end of the year. I did read a few this year that were wonderfully atmospheric options though:
Is there a new release that you’re still waiting for?
I honestly didn’t have a clue about what was being released in December before this book tag. The only book on my radar was A Cruel Thirst and I was lucky enough to read an ARC (I recommend it if you’re looking for a fun historical paranormal romance romp—you can check out my review here). Here are a couple other titles that piqued my interest… 🤭
What are three books you want to read before the year ends?
Of the titles that aren’t on my “currently reading” shelf, these are three titles I hope I can squeeze in before the year ends.
Is there a book that you think could still shock you and become your favourite of the year?
Oh gosh, this is tough because I’m really not sure what I plan to read for the rest of the year… I’m going to leave this blank for now because I really can’t think of anything that I plan to read that could end up as a top favourite. 🫣 (oop, boring answer—sorry!)
Have you already started to make reading plans for 2025?
Surprisingly, yes! I tend to kind of wing most things but I’ve been thinking a lot about the reading challenges that I want to take part in next year. I was also emailed about a few YA releases that sound incredible and I’m keen to check out. I’m also making plans for buddy and group reads to tackle the backlist and Owlcrate editions (plus, I’m thinking about doing an Illumicrate editions buddy/group read if there’s interest for it). Lots of exciting things in the pipeline! 😊
I’m not tagging anyone but I’d love to see your answers if you do it! How was your reading in 2024? Are there any books that you hope to get to before the year ends? Any that could possibly be a new favourite?
dinipandareads 