Books for an Aries

So this is another recommendation post but for this one I decided to utilize the zodiac wheel and decide to recommend books based on each zodiac sign. So first stop, we have the sign of Aries to kick off the zodiac wheel, so here are the books I think would be perfect for an Aries, or books I think really personify the Aries energy in one way or the other.

The Burning God by R. F. Kuang

This is book 3 in the Poppy War series and it’s a really fiery book in my opinion. With the war brewing and our main character Rin doing her best to bring victory to her and all those who are fighting against the wrong. 

The passion and the fire that surrounds this book really depicts Aries in its essence and so I decided to put this book for anyone who is as passionate and fiery as an Aries.

Legend by Katy Evans

This is book 6 in the Real series and is about fighting and boxing. The story follows Maverick and Reece as they try to fight against their demons all the while fighting off their feelings and passion for each other. When it comes to Maverick, his main goal is to defeat Riptide while Reece knows Maverick is not the guy she needs to fall in love with, but there’s little one can do against fate. 

I think it’s pretty obvious why this particular book is in this recommendation post, and that’s because it combines fighting and lustful passion all in one. We all love our passionate Aries and their strong fighting instincts, and this book has both these elements, so this is another recommendation for you Aries people out there. 

Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

This is an erotic romance between a student and a teacher. Don’t worry, it’s in university or college, I don’t exactly remember but both the protagonists are adults and are aware of the fact that a student cannot enter into a romantic and sexual relationship with a teacher. So they try to navigate the complications that arise all the while doing their best to maintain their relationship. 

I read this book a long time ago and though I don’t remember much about the story except for the main gist, the cover really stuck with me and really gives off some serious Aries vibes. So I decided to include this book for Aries. 

Audacity by Melanie Crowder

When talking about the sign of Aries this book has to come on the list. With their strong drive, courage and bravery, this book signifies all that when our main character is trying to fight for equal rights for women in her workplace. A book written in verse, Audacity really tells us that one has to have courage in order to gain victory over injustice, and being brave and courage is what Aries is all about. 

At first I didn’t think this book would be a good recommendation for Aries, but the more I thought about it and researched the sign of Aries, I realized that this book is perfect for an Aries as it’s all about being brave and going after what you desire. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a dystopian society where you have to fight tooth and nail for food Katniss is ready to do everything it takes to make sure her family survives and lives a comfortable life. When a chance presents itself to get food and privileges for her family, Katniss is all up for stepping up to the plate and defeating her opponents. Facing off against eleven other districts, Katniss would make sure to win the competition or die trying. 

This is a classic and a book few haven’t read. And I think we can all agree that the book recommendation for the sign of Aries would be incomplete without this book, as this book has every element that comprises an Aries and I bet every Aries who’s read this book can deeply resonate with The Hunger Games. 

So there you have it. These are some of the book recommendations for you if you fall in the sign of Aries, be it sun, moon or rising, or you just resonate with Aries in some way or the other. Do you agree with my recommendations? Have you read any of these books and if so, do you think they embody the energy of the fiery Aries? Let me know and I will now try to think of book recommendations for our lovely Taurus. 

Currently Reading Tag

This is something I’ve never done before but is something I’ve been eager to try and that is to do one of the hundreds of tags which have been created by so many amazing people in the book community and so I decided to do a tag for this post. 

After going through a long list of tags available I decided to go with the Currently Reading Tag. I found this tag on Zezee with Books blog which was created by Charly Reynhorse and decided to give it a shot. So here’s my take on this tag. 

How many books do you usually read at once? 

I normally try my best to read one book at one given time simply because I’ve tried reading multiple books at once and it did not work out for me. I just felt pressured and even though I was in the middle of multiple books I was still reading one book at a time, so since then I’ve done my best to start and finish only one book at one time as that helps me finish books faster. 

If you’re reading more than one book at a time, how do you decide to switch to reading the other book? (Do you read a certain amount of pages in each?)

At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to answer this question but the more I thought about it, I realized that there are two books currently which I’m reading on the back burner—they’re not my primary reads but I do make progress in them whenever I finish one of my primary reads—and for those two books, I read one chapter of one book before switching to the other book and reading one chapter of that book; so that’s how I work between books. 

Where do you keep the book you’re currently reading?

I keep it on my nightstand or on my study table and once I finish the book I put it back on the shelf. 

What time of day do you spend the most time reading?

If I could, I would spend all twenty four hours reading but since I do have other things I need to do I prefer to do all my important stuff during the day so I can be done by late afternoon or evening and then I spend all my time reading. So mostly during the evening I read. 

How long do you typically read for in one go? 

It depends on how much I’m invested in the book. If I feel lukewarm about a certain book I’ll read for an hour or so, but if I’m really invested in a book, then I’ll easily spend five to six hours continuously reading without a care in the world. 

Do you read hard covers with the dust jacket on or off? 

I read it with the dust jacket on and I don’t know why. It’s not something I ever considered. I just know that I love my books and their covers in pristine condition and I guess that’s why I prefer keeping the dust jacket on because if I remove it then the dust jacket itself might get damaged in some way.

Which position do you mainly use to read?

I mainly sit with my back against the headboard, or against the arm of the couch or against the wall, with my knees propped up as a backrest for my books. 

Do you take the book you’re currently reading everywhere you go? 

Yes! I take the book I’m currently reading literally everywhere I go. 

How often do you update your progress in the book you’re currently reading on Goodreads?

I don’t update my progress on Goodreads. I only select the currently reading option and once I finish reading the book I update the book to I’m finished and shelve it. 

Who would you like to tag? 

Anyone and everyone who likes to read and wants to do this tag! 

7 Hidden Gem Book Recommendations for You

We’re always looking for hidden gems. Books that do not make it to the mainstream media and therefore do not get the recognition they deserve. And if we do find a book that most people are not talking about, then we kind of feel it like an accomplishment, at least I feel like that. So here I have 7 books which I believe are hidden gems. They might not be, but since I’m always late to the party, I think they are hidden gems. I’ll stop rambling now, and give you guys my 7 picks for hidden gems. 

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

This is book 1 in The Codebreaker series and follows our two main characters Margot and Drake as they find themselves in the midst of the war between England and Germany. Though Margot is smart enough to break codes in order to save her country, she is forced to work with Drake in order to fight off a German enemy who is dead set on seeking revenge. 

The unique aspect of this book was how Margot thought in numbers. Numbers were her best friend and if she was unable to quantify or number a particular thing or situation, then that’s where lay her Kryptonite. I’ve never read about a character who thought like that and for someone for whom numbers are the bane of her existence aka me, I found it really interesting. 

Moreover, the plot and the writing style were perfect. The conflict was on point and I really enjoyed how Margot and the enemy played a game of Go and how he lured her through the game. It was action packed and downright thrilling. Do give this book a read if you want a unique perspective on this historical event.

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine

This is a fiction book about an event that’s not so fictitious which happened to be Maoism in China. The story is told from the perspective of Ling—a nine year old girl who endures the horrors of communism under General Mao. Her beautiful life turns upside down when her own family suffers under the tyrannical rule and she’s forced to watch. 

It hurt reading this story. The horrors inflicted upon the people who so much as dared to breathe without the permission of General Mao were downright painful. It’s not an easy read, however, it does give you insight about a culture other than your own and you get glimpse of just how different and difficult things can be in different parts of the world. I highly recommend you to read this book and know that injustice like this should never be encouraged. 

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

This is book 1 in the series by the same name and follows Scarlet with a band of thieves whose job is steal from the rich and give to the poor. But Scarlet is a woman of secrets and it’s due to these secrets that she’s forced to hide her identity. However, she can’t hide from her past when it’s constantly chasing her and when it finally catches up to Scarlet, she has to do everything she can to not only save herself but all those she loves as well. 

The Robin Hood narrative that takes place in this book was something I found very interesting. However, the thing that fascinated me the most was the unique color of Scarlet’s eyes. I wish I had that eye color but I do not, sadly. 

Moving on, the plot and the pacing really kept me flipping page after page and the climax really had my jaw dropping. I had to say I did not see that coming. If you want to read a book about hidden identities and secret relationships then do give this book a chance. 

The Blood Gospel by James Rollins

This is book 1 in The Order of the Sanguines series and follows an archaeologist, a forensic military officer and a priest, who is hiding his real identity, as they are forced to embark on a life altering quest where realities shift and thousand year old practices come into the forefront, threatening the lives of those in the present. 

I was blown away by this book. The way the author paints religion into this story was absolutely fantastic. I just… I don’t know, I don’t know how to praise this author; I just know that I need to learn how to write from this author. I wish I had half a brain James Rollins has so my stories can be half as good as his. 

You guys need to find out how amazing this book is. Nothing I say will ever do it justice, so pick up this book if you haven’t already because you’re going to regret not reading this book. And I will do myself a favor and read the next book in the series, as soon as possible.  

Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott

This is book 1 in the series of the same name and follows twelve children who have been raised with considerable power in the town of Rotherweird. But no one expected the arrival of a rich man who has the wealth to buy the entire town but comes with secrets that could potentially threaten everything that town stands for. 

It took me a while to get into and understand this book. I don’t know if it was the writing style or I was just bored, but it took me some time to understand what was happening and who was who. However, towards the end I did understand what was going on in the story and I really enjoyed the ending. 

I haven’t seen or heard about this book, and I found it interesting enough to want to recommend it to others and that is why this book is on this list. 

Our Little Secret by Roz Nay

This is a stand alone psychological thriller and follows Angela and a crazy tale of love and revenge. Angela finds herself in the middle of a police interview being questioned about her ex’s missing wife. Though she recounts everything and knows that she’s innocent, a strange turn of loyalty and love leaves her in the middle of her own personal hell. 

I have no words for this book. Everything about this book, the plot, the characters, the pacing and the climax just messed with my mind in the worst way. So much so, that I literally ended up questioning everything and everyone I know. 

The antagonists were the worst and I really wanted to destroy them in the worst way possible. I wasn’t even the protagonist in the book and I felt betrayed by what they did to Angela. That’s how amazing and messed up this book is and it’s one you people need to read immediately. I highly recommend it. 

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

This is book 1 in the series by the same name and follows Gretchen Müller who happens to be the niece of none other than Adolf Hitler. Her thoughts regarding Jews are pretty clear until she meets a handsome Jewish boy and starts to understand the monstrosities taking place against them and finally seeing the truth about her uncle. And knowing the truth just might endanger her and those she loves. 

Reading about Adolf Hitler and all that he’s known for has never been comfortable for me but I had a great time reading this book. This story had a strange thrill about it and all the events that take place and the perfect pacing made this book a definite page turner for me. I haven’t read the second book in this series yet but I plan on getting to it this year. Do give this book a chance if you want a perspective on someone who not only loved Adolf Hitler but had no choice but to be close to him and support him. 

So there you have it. Here are some books which I consider to be hidden gems and need to be read and discussed more often. Let me know if you’ve read any of these or if any of these piqued your interest. I’m telling you, you guys will not regret giving any of these books a chance. 

Book Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Date of Publishing: October 7th, 2014

Author: Kerstin Gier

Publisher: Square Fish

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction 

This is the last book in The Precious Stone Trilogy by Kerstin Gier and considering how amazing this entire series is, I’m not surprised that this trilogy has been translated in multiple languages. The story follows Gideon and Gwen as they try to figure out their complicated family trees while navigating time sensitive events that can potentially get them killed. Not to mention the two time travelers that have been on the run since a long time and just happen to be related to Gwen in the most unexpected of ways, I must say I did not see the plot twist coming. 

The humor used throughout the series and especially in this book had me cracking up and really helped with my mood. I especially loved Xemerius. I think he’s my favorite character of the trilogy and I wish I had a ghost pet like him. Why isn’t there such a thing as ghost pets in real life? I’m pretty sure my Mom would’ve allowed me to keep one as a child. I LOVE YOU, XEMERIUS! 

My juvenile obsessions aside, another thing I absolutely loved in this trilogy was how the writer worked with the concept of time travel. I’m not usually a fan of science fiction but this author combined it with historical fiction, a genre which I love, and the next I know I’m reading a masterpiece with a trope that was not my favorite but now has become one. 

Not to mention the impeccable writing style through which the author has crafted the story. Kerstin Gier’s writing style is really easy to follow and the storyline is, despite the time jumps, has a smooth flow that takes you on a crazy ride. 

And I love Gideon, I mean what’s not to love, he’s perfect. And his relationship dynamics with Gwen is the perfect blend of romance and comedy. I loved how sweet and caring he is towards Gwen, at the same time he’s good at hiding his feelings as well as we see in the initial chapters. 

I also enjoyed the family dynamics, especially when it came to Gwen and Charlotte. Things do take a turn for the crazy for Gwen but her love for her family never wavers, which is something that endeared me to Gwen all the more. 

Furthermore, the fact that Gwen is not portrayed as perfect is something that I appreciated a lot. I hate how the main characters are often portrayed as perfect in every aspect i.e. being the strongest, the smartest, the prettiest and the luckiest just grates on my nerves, so a character that makes mistakes every now and then and has flaws just like all of us is just so satisfying to read about. 

Despite the story having high stakes and danger, the overall atmosphere of the book was light. If I had to give it a color, I’d give it silver, which is my favorite, hence the reason for me loving this book and this entire series. The plot twists were some of the most amazing I’ve encountered as I wasn’t expecting them, so hats off to the author for that. Maybe somebody else would’ve seen the plot twists coming but not me. 

Though I’ve already talked about him, I can’t help but mention him once again because he made the story so much more enjoyable and that’s our ghost pet, Xemerius. He was just downright perfect. With all his crazy jokes and insults, he had me cracking up and hungry for more of him. Not to mention how he sticks up for Gwen and insults her at the same time, I wish I had a Xemerius in my life. 

Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. If you haven’t read this series yet, then I’m telling you to go to a bookstore or Amazon, wherever you buy your books from, and purchase this series immediately because it’s fantastic and you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend these books and though I’m late as always on getting to this series, I’m glad I did and can’t wait to read the other books by this author. 

March Reading Wrap Up

Target: 9

Read: 7

I really wanted to reach my reading goal for this month but unfortunately I failed yet again. There were a couple of books that took me a little longer to finish, even though I wanted to finish them ASAP. But as it is, I still managed to read seven books and these are the books that I read. 

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

This is book 2 in the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand and this follows the story of Clara who finds out a lot more things about herself and her purpose and ultimately has to make a choice between the boy she loves and the boy she’s destined to be with. Along with it, she has to protect herself as well those she loves from a Black Wing who is eager to seek revenge. 

I found this book lukewarm at the most. Other than a boatload of teenage angst and Clara constantly complaining about her life and the guy she’s supposed to be with, nothing much happens. I thought there would be a final showdown or something with the villain but it doesn’t even come close to that. Other than the story leading up to her mother’s death nothing much happens. 

However, the loss of a parent was described extremely well and it was something I could relate to, as I felt pretty much the same way Clara did after her mother died, so hats off to the author for nailing that on the head. But, on the other hand, I’m glad to have read the book and can’t wait to read the final book and finish the series. 

A Dawn Most Wicked by Susan Dennard

This is a prequel novella of the Something Strange and Deadly series by Susan Dennard and it’s about Daniel Sheridan and how he’s trying to do the best he can for the woman he loves who happens to be none other than his best friend Cassidy Cochran, all the while trying to save the fate of Sadie Queen, the ship which is destined to retire. Throw in a bunch of ghosts and a healthy serving of drama and you have yourself an intriguing novella. 

This book was fun. It was short and full of action, which wasn’t something I was expecting. I thought it’ll be just about Daniel doing his best to take care of Cassidy and their love story, but it was so much more than that. 

Moreover, I fell in love with the writing style of the story. Susan Dennard really knows how to coin metaphors and use them in the best way possible. I read some pretty creative metaphors in this novella and it only makes me look forward to reading the rest of the books by her because I want more of her unique writing style. I honestly wish I could write like her, but that’s never going to happen so might as well just read her books to satiate my thirst. 

If you’ve read the Something Strange and Deadly series by Susan Dennard then give this novella a chance if you haven’t already because you’re not going to regret it. 

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

This is book 3 in The Precious Stone Trilogy by Kerstin Gier and the final book in the series and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to read this book and finish this series as I make sure to only read by an author every year as I want to read different authors. But I finally got to finish this series and I must say this series has become one of my favorite. 

Like the previous two books before this, we follow Gwen and Gideon as they try to understand the events of the past and present by traveling through time and try to figure out the poetic prophesies that can lead to death. Add in broken hearts and passionate kisses with a ghostly pet and a whole lot of tears and laughter, and you have a masterpiece that is this book. There’s a lot more I want to say about this book but it’ll make this already long post even longer, so if this book becomes a favorite of the month, then I’ll give more details about my thoughts when I do a review of this book. 

I loved, loved, loved this book! This book had danger sprinkled throughout the pages along with a healthy dose of humor which made this an all time favorite. I love Kerstin Gier’s writing style and the way she presented this concept of time travel. It’s a work of art and I can’t wait to get started with the rest of her books. 

Castles in Their Bones by Laura Sebastian

This is book 1 in a new series titled by the same name by Laura Sebastian and follows three princesses Daphne, Sophornia and Beatriz who have been raised to take over the countries currently independent in the continent of Vesteria. Their mother, Empress Margaraux has planned it down to the last detail and she will make sure no one messes with her plans. However, the princesses barely follow the plan they’ve been raised to follow since childhood when they start to see the big picture and realize that perhaps the continent of Vesteria would not do well under their mother’s rule and so against their better judgement, they do what they were told not to do. 

This is the first book by Laura Sebastian that I’ve read—I do intend on reading the Ash Princess series by her as well but for this book, I really enjoyed everything. The plot, the characters, the ups and downs, it was absolutely stunning. I’m not sure which of the princesses I like best because they all have such admirable qualities. I admire the way Laura has fleshed out the characters and made them so humane and relatable. The pacing was perfect and I can’t wait for the next books in the series, I’m eager to know what happens next. 

I highly recommend checking this book out if you haven’t already, I’m sure you’re going to love it. And if you’re a fan of Laura Sebastian’s writing like I’ve come to be, then this book should definitely be on top of your TBR pile. 

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

This is a children’s book and I read this in order to fulfill a prompt for the reading challenge that I’m participating in for the year. 

As the name suggest, the book is about a boy who is describing the car he would build if he could and the car contains all sorts of cool and interesting features, like the ability to drive on both land and sea and even fly. The car also has the ability to provide you with whatever kind of food you desire and on top of that it smells fantastic! 

It was a cute book with really pretty and colorful illustrations. If you want a story for your little one, then don’t hesitate to pick up this book. 

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan 

This is book 2 in The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. This is the second series by him which I’m reading and book 2 didn’t fail to blow my mind just like book 1. I’m glad I finally got the chance to read the next book in the series which follows the story from Percy Jackson’s perspective as he finds himself in camp Jupiter with absolutely no recollection of his memories except for the memory of a girl named Anabeth, who we all know happens to be his girlfriend back at camp Half-Blood. 

The story follows a cast of new characters with Percy as they embark on a new quest in order to defeat the giants and stop Gaea from unleashing her evil plans on the world. And with Thanatos aka Death being locked up and the dead coming back to life, the stakes couldn’t be higher, especially with the clock ticking over their heads. Not to mention Percy’s amnesia really not doing him any favors. 

I really had fun reading this story, just like the previous books I’ve read by this author. It was an easy read and I was finished before I knew it, and I cannot wait to finish reading this series but I do have to wait as I want to read other authors and books this year, so let’s see if I get the chance to read any more books in this series. 

Rick Riordan has really done a fabulous job with this story, especially incorporating elements of Roman mythology which satisfied my thirst for knowledge. I got to read about new mythological creatures which I didn’t know of before, so that really added to the brownie points for this books. As always, this book was a fantastic read and I know the next books in the series will not disappoint me. 

Yolk by Mary H. K. Choi 

This is the first book I’m reading by this author and I first heard about this book on a YouTube channel known as Jamie’s Library, you can go visit her channel here.

I went into this book with no expectations, but I must say this book is crazy sweet. It’ll touch your heart and fill you with emotion in a way only a few books are capable of doing and no matter how you end up feeling towards the end, you just know that this book will stay in your heart for a long time to come. 

This book follows the story of two sisters who are living polar opposite lives. June is older and successful with a good job and a fancy apartment—or so it seems—while Jayne is the younger sister who is trudging through life making one bad decision after another. But when their worlds collide with a terrible news June and Jayne have no option but to come together and be there for one another no matter how much they don’t want to, and so begins a ride filled with tears and laughter, hate and love, lies and truth and it all comes down to family. 

The relationship dynamics is something the author did a very good job on, not to mention the writing style. I found it easy and interesting the way Mary H. K. Choi weaves her words. I want to read more of her books in order to better grasp her writing style. It’s easy and yet not so easy, so I’ll label it as interesting. The characterization and the plot was light and juicy, giving you a rainbow of flavors followed by an ending which leaves you with a smile and tears in your eyes with a heart filled with emotions. 

I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to dive into Mary H. K. Choi’s other works and look forward to seeing her publish more books in the future. 

Well, there you have it. These are the seven books I read in the month of March. Have you read any of these books? If so, let me know in the comments what are your opinions on the books and also do let me know what you read in the month of March.