Just a quick reading wrap-up and a few ways you can honor the loss of our fellow blogger Grace from Rebel Mommy Book Blog.
READ:
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez ~ Goodreads This was way heavier than I was expecting and has an ending that’s a solid HEA (that I didn’t mind) but might be difficult to read for people going through infertility issues. I would suggest reading a few spoilers (or you can ask me) before reading if it’s an issue. Quick GR’s review
Hilariously Ever After by Helena Hunting, Emma Hart, Susannah Nix, Penny Reid, Talia Hibbert, Kayti McGee, Julia Kent, Jana Aston, Annika Martin ~ Goodreads This is an anthology of previously published, full length novels, which I didn’t realize when I grabbed it when it was a freebie. (I can’t find it available anywhere now). I thought it was going to be quick stories by a few of my favorite authors. Oh well - there were a few I haven’t read yet and FREE so…I read Annika Martin’s Most Eligible Billionaire and it was wonderful. An alpha dog here that isn’t an asshole – yes please! And I’m looking forward to reading Hibbert’s and Reid’s contributions next.
Lazarus, Vol.’s 1&2 by Greg Rucka ~ Goodreads I’m really enjoying this dystopian, near-future graphic novel. Forever (the MC) is kick-ass yet the story is surprisingly complex. The second volume meandered and had uneven pacing compared to vol. 1 but I’m still liking it. I ran out of Hoopla reads for July so I’ll pick it back up with Vol. 3 in August.
READING:
Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep ~Goodreads A few people, including Amber from Du Livre, rec’d this one so *fingers crossed* that I like it too. I’ll be starting it today since it’s a library read.
Heroine’s Journey by Sarah Kuhn (Heroine Complex #3) ~ Goodreads This was a complete impulse buy this morning. It just looks so fun. I just realized it’s a book # though so I need to see if I have to read the first two. And this is why you shouldn’t impulse buy lol
CHALLENGES:
I met my Goodreads challenge goal of 50 books. I usually start lower and see what will happen. I usually read about 150-200 books per year but I’d rather keep upping the # than failing or feel pressured by the challenge.
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And on a much sadder note – I wanted to take a moment to remember Grace from Rebel Mommy Book Blog. As most of you know already, she lost her (2nd) battle with cancer this past week. It felt so sudden and she leaves behind 3 young children and a husband. Heartbreaking.
We weren’t IRL friends – I’ve never met her - and we mostly just left comments on each others blog and shared a few DM’s about books and tv shows over the years but there’s something about book blogging that makes you instant family. The connection is immediate and Grace was a fervent supporter of the community – always visiting blogs and leaving comments – even while battling cancer and getting her chemo treatments. I hope we were able to help her in some small way with our virtual support whenever she asked for it on Twitter.
It’s just so tragic that I don’t have the right words but if you would like to show your love to her family and help out with causes that Grace supported, here are a few suggestions…
~ Lauren from Bookmark Lit reached out to Grace’s family to find out what would be most helpful to them at this time and in response she has set up a kuboboard (a digital card where you can post messages and send to her family)– In Memory of Grace – to share what Grace meant to us and this community. It brings comfort to her husband, JP, to know how much she was loved. The board will be available until July 31st
~Donations. In lieu of donations to the family, they ask that you donate in Grace’s name to the charity of her choice - METAvivor
~ Lauren, from Shooting Stars Mag has brought back her Leave A Mark book auctions and she has decided to donate this months auction profit to METAvivor in honor of Grace. The auction is for a signed copy of One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus and ends August 2 at 11:59pm EST – BID HERE
Take care everyone and hug the people you love and virtual hugs to my entire blogger family {{{{HUGS}}}}
Kinda curious about Lazarus! I've seen Greg Rucka's stuff a few times but haven't read any of it yet.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great Monday. :)
Thanks for sharing about Grace, and you're right- the book blogging community is so tight knit, and she will be so missed. It's heartbreaking and for her family- but what you said is so true.
It has an excellent story with lots of background and everything. It starts adding more characters and plotting in Vol 2 so it gets a little uneven but a friend of mine said it gets better so I'm going to check out Vol and decide from there.
DeleteEverything with Grace was so sudden. It's really hard to process. And her family - the kids are so young.
NOW I'M NERVOUS YOU'RE GONNA HATE KILL THE QUEEN AND IT'LL BE ALL MY FAULT.
ReplyDeleteMy relationship with Grace was similar but it just felt sooo genuine and I was really rooting for her to beat cancer the second time around. She is going to be dearly missed.
I'm totally blaming YOU if this goes wrong lol That's the one thing I don't like about the library. You have to read when it's available - not necessarily if you're in the mood.
DeleteIt's so sad because it seemed like she beat it and then it's back and it all happened so fast.
The Friend Zone is a book I definitely shouldn't read, and yet, I just placed a hold for it at my local library. What is wrong with me? Thanks for sharing; some good books on here, it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteAlso that's really sad about Grace. I didn't know her, but I feel as though there are bloggers I've gotten to know so well just by hearing their words, and it sounds like she's made quite a dent in the blogging world. Appreciate you sharing that news here. *HUGS*
I think it deals with infertility really well. Even messy periods and all that. There's just a bit if a twist that upset some readers.
DeleteGrace was definitely a huge presence in the book community and will be missed.
I never understood online friendships until I started blogging. I communicated with Grace more regularly, than I do with my own sister, who lives in the same town as me. I have been crying about this on and off since Saturday. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteNow, books. Agreed - The Friend Zone took quite a serious turn, but you know what? I loved it. I. Loved. That. book.
This is the truth! My blogger friends have gotten me thorugh the long illness loss of my father, Los of my pets and have been there in a way my real life friends and family haven't.
DeleteI didn't mind what happened with the end but I had more of a problem of how some the more serious elements were balanced with the romance. But I think I would have liked it more of I had known going in.
Whoa ... Blogger recognizes me when I use Chrome. *waves*
ReplyDeleteAs you know from all our conversations, I am just completely devastated about Grace. She was one of my favorite people in the blogging community and I will miss her so much.
She was genuine and kind.
DeleteHilariously Ever After sounds so amazing! I'll have to look for it! Congrats on completing your GR goal!
ReplyDeleteI love the book community and how they are all doing something to help Grace's family and keep her memory alive. I definitely will miss her greatly 😔
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
I added my thoughts to the card and I'll donate to her chosen charity but it's been tough to process how quickly it all happened.
DeleteThe news of Grace's passing has hit the entire community so hard. She was such a light to everyone who knew or read her posts. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt really has. She was very involved and active and such a kind person. She will be missed.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Grace :( Keeping her family in my prayers
ReplyDeleteI know - it's so tough to see this happen to such a young family.
DeleteI didn't know Grace, though I noticed her comments to your posts from time to time - because I've always thought she had a great nickname. (It sounds like I was the only one who didn't know her though, if virtually. There's no time enough to reach out to everyone in this hectic life, is there?). Such a tragedy, but from what I heard, she was a brave soul. And I'm sure she left a mark. Her family though...those little kids. I hope her husband has a loving family and friends to help him cope and take care of them!
ReplyDeleteLook at you, all grown up. First audiobook, and then graphic novels 😉.
Yes, it was her blog name that first caught my attention as well.
DeleteI believe her youngest is just 2? Maybe 3 and it's just awful.
I know! Who am I????
Surprise heaviness is not always a good thing in books, sometimes it's good to know ahead of time. Glad you found something good in the anthology thing :-) I may have to check out Lazarus.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really know Grace, but the news is very sad, and it must be especially tough for her family.
I was expecting a rom com so yeah...but it does say it's emotional in the blurb - that I did not read lol
Deletelet me know if you try Lazarus. I'm so new to GN's so I'm just getting my bearings. Some things are still new and shiny to me and other things are confusing lol
I never got to meet Grace in person either, but I still considered her a friend. You really get to know your fellow bloggers, and I was rooting so hard for her to beat this second round. I'll definitely be thinking of her family - especially her kids. It's just heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing ways that people can honor Grace, including my auction! It was something small I could do.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
She was so strong and positive that you just think, it will be rough but she's got this.
DeleteIt's hard to process but you're always so thoughtful Lauren and every little bit helps.
Kill The Queen & Protect The Prince are high on my must read this year list. Especially now I know book 3 is releasing in March...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Lauren's book auction. That's lovely. I'll be taking a look.
Oh cool! I won't have to wait long - if I like the series that is. I've been wanting to read her books for ages but I'm so far behind in her other series.
DeleteKill the Queen is one of those books that really intrigues me yet I'm just not sure it'll be my kind of thing. At some point I'll try it and find out.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on beating your goodreads challenge! I am so far behind on mine it is ridiculous lol.
ReplyDelete