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Book Postscript Tag 2022

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Adventures in Polishland

As 2022 comes to a close, I want to share about some of the books I read this year. I saw Vicky over at Vicky’s Book Nook on YouTube post the Book Postscript Tag. This tag was created by Mementomori, and it is a fun way to reflect on your reading. This year was quite interesting for me book wise. I began by reading a lot of books that I had accumulated from NetGalley over the years. Unfortunately for me, most of them were pretty bad! I also switched jobs a few months ago, so instead of reading during my long commutes, I’m only reading about 20 pages a day during lunch. Despite my weird reading year, I’m still happy with what I accomplished, and would like to share some of my reads with you!

I am using affiliate links from Bookshop.org in this post. While I try to buy all of my books locally and secondhand, whenever I do buy a new books I use this website because it donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores. With that being said, let’s jump into the questions!

1. The longest book you read this year and the book that took you the longest to finish.

The longest book I read this year is RINGER by Lauren Oliver at 528 pages. This is the second book in the Replica duology, which is a young adult sci-fi series. Lauren Oliver is one of my go-to authors, and this series was definitely thought-provoking and fast-paced. It follows two teenage girls, Gemma and Lyra, as they discover who they really are. If you have any interest in human cloning, I definitely think you would enjoy this series!

The book that took me the longest to read is NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King. I started this book on November 19, 2021, and I didn’t finish it until June 30, 2022! This is one of King’s short story collections, and I guess you can tell I do not do well with short stories. Overall, these stories were quite good and very creepy. I just have a difficult time with short fiction, and kept putting this book down because it didn’t capture my attention. I was so glad when I finally finished it!

2. A book you read in 2022 that was outside of your comfort zone.

A book I read outside of my comfort zone this year is BEYOND BELIEF: MY SECRET LIFE INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY AND MY HARROWING ESCAPE by Jenna Miscavige Hill. This is the one and only book I listened to on audio this year. I know so many people love audiobooks, but I just can’t get into them. That being said, I did really enjoy this book, which is a memoir by a woman who grew up in the Church of Scientology. This book really opened my eyes about what goes on in this organization. I will never be watching another Tom Cruise movie!

3. How many books did you re-read in 2022?

4. Favorite re-read of 2022.

I am usually a big re-reader, but this year I only re-read one book, so by default it’s my favorite re-read of the year. That book is EASY by Tammara Webber. This is a new adult contemporary romance, which funnily enough it also not something I would normally read. That being said, I enjoy the characters, and I appreciate that there are important topics discussed in this book.

5. A book you read for the first time in 2022 that you look forward to re-reading in the future.

A surprise favorite for me this year is A SUDDEN LIGHT by Garth Stein. This novel follows a boy named Trevor as he spends the summer at the family estate where his father grew up. I absolutely loved how the house was one of the main characters. It is filled with secrets and ghosts. If you like multi-generational novels, I highly recommend this one. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.

6. Favorite single short story or novella that you read in 2022.

I mentioned earlier that I struggle with short fiction, but I did really enjoy some of the stories in NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King. Some of my favorites in this collection are Jerusalem’s Lot, The Ledge, and Children of the Corn. One story that will haunt me forever is The Mangler. It’s the single scariest thing I’ve read by King thus far!

7. Mass Appeal: A book you liked and would recommend to a wide variety of readers.

This year I’ve really enjoyed the Dragon Masters series by Tracey West. This is a children’s book series that I started reading because my nephew is really into it. I love reading the same books as him! I have to say, I got really sucked into these magical fantasy books. They are really cute, and a great palette cleanser between longer adult books. I think this series can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

8. Specialized Appeal: A book you liked but would be hesitant to recommend to just anyone.

My favorite read this year is NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS by Patricia Lockwood. This is an autofictional novel, meaning that it’s a fiction book based on the author’s life. While I think that everyone should read this book, I fully understand that many people will not get it or enjoy it. The story is written in two parts. The first focuses on the protagonist’s career in social media, while the second follows her life once a tragic event strikes her family. While devastating, this book is incredibly written and very important. Lockwood is by far one of my favorite authors, as I also love her memoir PRIESTDADDY.

9. Reflect on your year as a bookish content creator (goals met, good/bad memories, favorite videos you made, etc).

This year I hoped to revamp my Bookstagram page @PolishlandReads. Unfortunately, I did not keep up with it very much at all. I struggle to post bookish photos when the majority of the books I read are now ebooks. I hope that next year I can get back into the groove over there!

10. Tag some fellow bookish content creators.

I don’t have anyone specific to tag. If you’re interested in doing this tag, consider yourself tagged by me.

2022 Reading Reflections

While my reading this year went a bit differently than expected, I’m still very happy with what I accomplished. I ticked off many books from by TBR list, I caught up on a lot of NetGalley requests, and I discovered some new favorites. I hope that all of you also had a good reading year. Please share your thoughts on any of these questions in the comments!

All of Morgan Matson’s Books Ranked & Reviewed

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

During the pandemic, my reading took a huge nosedive. After struggling to get into a new reading routine, I decided to reread a favorite book of mine, Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson. I enjoyed my reread so much that I decided to continue with Matson’s books, and I ended up reading her entire bibliography back to back. This blog post will share mini reviews of all of Morgan Matson’s current books, as well as rank them from my least favorite to favorite. I’ll first begin with quick, non-spoiler summaries of each book, and then I’ll jump into the ranking!

All of Morgan Matson's Books Ranked & Reviewed

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Morgan Matson is a young adult, contemporary fiction author. She presently has six novels, with a seventh middle grade book slated for Spring of 2022. What’s unique about Maton’s books is that they are all connected to the fictional town of Stanwich, Connecticut. This allows Matson to drop Easter Eggs into her books, and update readers on characters from past books. Thus, while each of these novels is a stand alone, I highly recommend reading them in publication order.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

First up is Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, released in 2010. After Amy’s father dies in a car accident, Amy’s mother decides the family will move from California to Connecticut. In order to get her mom’s car across the country, family friend Roger is enlisted to drive Amy and the vehicle to the East Coast. While Amy and Roger are supposed to stick to her mom’s strict itinerary, the duo decides to take matters into their own hands. As the title suggests, they go on an epic detour across the United States. The book follows their adventures, and actually maps out a real-life road trip that Matson went on herself!

Next up is Second Chance Summer, released in 2012. This book follows Taylor and her family as they spend a summer at their lake house after her dad receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. Taylor hasn’t been to the lake in five years, and the last time she was there things ended badly with both her ex-boyfriend and ex-best-friend. This story is about Taylor mending broken fences, all while trying to make the most of her limited time with her father.

The Matson book that started it all for me is Since You’ve Been Gone, released in 2014. At the start of the summer, Emily goes looking for her best friend Sloane, only to find that Sloane has seemingly vanished. Emily soon gets a To Do list from Sloane in the mail, prompting Emily to spend her summer checking off tasks such as Dance Until Dawn, Kiss a Stranger, and even Steal Something. Emily hopes that by completing this checklist, she will find her way back to Sloane. The book chronicles Emily’s adventures throughout the summer as she makes new friends and steps outside of her comfort zone.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything, released in 2016, is the last of Matson’s summer novels. Andie has plans to attend a summer internship, but when her Congressman father has a scandal in his office, her acceptance is revoked. Andie has to find a last-minute summer job, and the only thing available is a dog walker position. This book follows Andie’s summer with her group of friends, and the cute guy Clark she meets while walking his dog Bertie.

Next up is Save the Date, released in 2018. Charlie is excited for her sister’s wedding, which will bring together all of her siblings for the last time in the family home before they move. While the wedding was carefully planned, things start going wrong when the Grant family finds out that the wedding planner was a scam artist. Charlie steps in to help save the wedding when one disaster after another attempts to destroy it.

Last but not least is Matson’s 2021 release, Take Me Home Tonight. This book follows best friends Kat and Stevie, who sneak off to New York City. While the purpose of the trip is supposed to be Stevie’s birthday dinner, Kat has ulterior motives. The duo have an argument in the subway station that leads to them getting separated, and everything that could possibly go wrong absolutely does. The book follows their misadventures in the city as they attempt to find their way home with no cell phones and little money.

Ranking and Mini Reviews

Now that I’ve shared a bit about each book, let’s jump into my thoughts. I will start with my least favorite, and end with my favorite.

6. Take Me Home Tonight | ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Matson’s newest release is, unfortunately, my least favorite of her books. Although it’s quite entertaining, it is also a bit too ridiculous for me. You really need to suspend disbelief when reading this book. Moreover, I find Kat and Stevie to be quite unlikeable characters. They are both self-centered and lie a lot, so it’s difficult to root for them. That being said, I like how the story wrapped up, and both characters were developed well despite the story taking place in a short timespan. [BUY]

5. Save the Date | ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Coming in fifth place is Save the Date. This book is just shy of a 4-star rating for me, mainly due to the bonus chapter at the end of the book that furthers negative vegan stereotypes. Otherwise, I really enjoy the large cast of characters in this story. It was really fun to read about a family with a lot of siblings. While this book is also a bit unrealistic for me, I like that Matson did something new with this book, and stepped outside her summer setting. [BUY]

4. The Unexpected Everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Next we have the books that all take place in the summer, and The Unexpected Everything is at the bottom of that bunch. This is the longest of Matson’s books at over 500 pages, and it does feel slightly too long. Similarly, the dialogue in this book is a bit uncomfortable. There are times where the conversations between characters will be broken up with paragraphs of text, and that can make the conversations difficult to follow and disjointed. Nonetheless, I loved following Andie’s friend group in this novel, and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with her dad grow. [BUY]

3. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | You know a road trip book is good when you read it and immediately want to take the same road trip as the characters! I love the travel element of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, and it’s fun that there are some mixed media elements thrown in, such as photographs and receipts, that make the story feel more real. The only reason I don’t give this book a full 5-star rating is due to the lack of depth in the characters. For instance, we know Amy is dealing with the grief of her father’s death, but it’s difficult to feel that in the writing. However, this may simply be because it is Maton’s debut. [BUY]

2. Since You’ve Been Gone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 | Coming in at my second favorite is Since You’ve Been Gone. Honestly, the only reason this isn’t a 5-star read is because the phrase “I let out a breath” is repeated endlessly throughout the book. Otherwise, I absolutely love this story. Not only is the concept of the list fun, but I love Emily’s new friend group, and absolutely adore Frank. This book is the epitome of a fun, summer read! [BUY]

1. Second Chance Summer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Without further ado, my favorite Morgan Matson book is Second Chance Summer. While I expected this book to be sad, I did not plan to outright sob for the last 100 pages of the book like I did. This book deals with real issues, and while the story is absolutely heartbreaking, it’s also hopeful. I appreciated the careful balance Taylor must have with dealing with her own friendship issues, all while her dad is dealing with his illness. If you read just one book from Morgan Matson, I highly recommend Second Chance Summer. [BUY]

As you can see, Morgan Matson has become one of my favorite authors! Even my least favorite books from her are over a 3-star rating, and my critiques are typically nit-picky. I do hope that Matson will return to her summer settings soon, but I look forward to seeing what she releases next. I would also love to see Matson write more diversely, as the main characters in her current books are white, cishet young women who usually come from affluent families.

Have you read any of Morgan Maton’s books?

Share your favorite in the comments!

Book Review | The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

I received a free eBook copy of The Mall by Megan McCafferty for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links.

The Mall by Megan McCafferty

Published by W Wednesday Books

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: eARC

Pages: 320

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★

The year is 1991. Scrunchies, mixtapes and 90210 are, like, totally fresh. Cassie Worthy is psyched to spend the summer after graduation working at the Parkway Center Mall. In six weeks, she and her boyfriend head off to college in NYC to fulfill The Plan: higher education and happily ever after.
But you know what they say about the best laid plans…
Set entirely in a classic “monument to consumerism,” the novel follows Cassie as she finds friendship, love, and ultimately herself, in the most unexpected of places. Megan McCafferty, beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Jessica Darling series, takes readers on an epic trip back in time to The Mall.

REVIEW

The Mall by Megan McCafferty is a young adult contemporary novel that takes place in the summer of 1991. I was excited to read this book because of it’s unique setting – a shopping mall! Our protagonist is Cassie Worthy. She has finally recovered from mono and is excited to spend her last summer before college working with her boyfriend at the mall. Unfortunately, when she shows up to work, “The Plan” that she and her boyfriend have carefully crafted quickly falls apart. Cassie must team up with her estranged best friend Drea Bellarosa in order to salvage her summer.

As someone who has spent summers working at the mall in college, I really enjoyed the mall culture aspect of this book. While my local mall did not have any secret underground parties, it’s true that the mall had its own unique community. McCafferty does a great job of demonstrating the fun relationships between the stores and their employees, and I could relate to the funny, and sometimes quite dramatic, interactions that Cassie has with the other characters in the book.

Moreover, I absolutely love it when a book includes a treasure hunt element. Drea explains to Cassie that, according to mall legend, there is a secret treasure hidden in the mall somewhere. This mystery kept me turning pages quickly, because I couldn’t wait for Cassie and Drea to find the next clue. I wish this treasure hunt played a bigger role in the story. Similarly I also enjoyed that Cassie is a vegetarian! It’s always great to read a book where vegetarianism is portrayed positively.

Unfortunately, I did feel like The Mall tried to do too much. This book touches on a lot of topics, but it does not have the time or pages to flush out each topic well. For instance, Cassie is portrayed as a feminist, but she backstabs Drea and makes a lot of derogatory comments towards the other female characters in the book. For instance, I really did not like how Cassie repeatedly calls her ex-boyfriend’s new flame ugly. Thus, I felt like some of the hot topics mentioned in this book were thrown in for brownie points.

Overall, I think The Mall is a quick and summery read that would make for a fun movie. If you also enjoy the nostalgic setting of a 1990s shopping mall, this might be a good pick for you. Plus, it’s fun to go back in time to when cell phones didn’t dictate teen communication! The Mall is available for pre-order now, and releases on July 28, 2020.

BUY THE BOOK

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March Reading Wrap Up | Rereading My Mary-Kate and Ashley Collection

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

March started out as a great reading month for me, but as things changed rapidly in the world, my reading routine got off track as well. If you’ve followed my reading updates for a while, you’ll know that I usually read pretty heavy books. My favorite genre, for example, is dystopian, and I certainly don’t feel like reading a dystopian book right now when the current state of life feels much like one. Thus, I decided to start a fun and light-hearted project. Like many people my age, I grew up a huge Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fan. I watched the movies and the television shows, I sang the songs, I had the dolls and merchandise, and, of course, I read the books. My Mary-Kate and Ashley book collection brings me so much joy that it always survived rounds of KonMari decluttering. I knew one day I would finally reread them, and now is the perfect time. Today I’ll be sharing with you my March reading wrap up, and the start of rereading my Mary-Kate and Ashley collection.

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I began the month really excited to finally begin reading the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. I’ve wanted to read this series for years, and March was going to be the month for it! I picked up The Knife of Never Letting Go, and really enjoyed it. This is a science fiction and dystopian novel that follows a boy named Todd. He lives in a society where only men have survived, and they can hear each other’s thoughts. It took me about 50 pages to become accustomed to the writing style, but I soon got sucked into the story. This book is very adventurous, and quite violent for a young adult novel. I also read the majority of the second book in this trilogy, The Ask and the Answer, but I put it down when everything got serious. I look forward to finishing this trilogy at some point, but I’m not sure when that will be.

I then spent the rest of the month working through all of the books I own in The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley series. There are ten books in this series, but I own four of them: The Case of the Mystery Cruise, The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission, The Case of the U.S. Navy Adventure, and The Case of Thorn Mansion. I’ve written more thoughts on each of these books on Goodreads, but overall I think these mysteries are a little ridiculous, but a lot of fun. I am constantly amazed at how nine-year-old kids are allowed to wander around by themselves to solve crimes. I am also bewildered that the Trenchcoat Twins are able to get involved with governmental investigations!

Overall, March was not the reading month I hoped it would be, but I’m taking advantage of this time to reread childhood books that I’ve always wanted to revisit. Now that I’m working from home, I’ve found it very difficult to find reading time. I’ve become accustomed to reading only during my long commutes to and from work, and now my commute is nonexistent. With at least another month of work-from-home life ahead of me, I hope to make more time for reading. Next up on my agenda, The New Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley!

What are you currently reading?

February Reading Wrap Up | Short Books #FTW

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

After a dreadful reading month in January, I was happy to pick up the pace in February. I wrapped up the month completing five books, which is where I would like to be every month. Once I got over my illness that really cramped my reading style, I finally got back into reading daily during my commute. Something that really helped me was reading short books. If you are ever struggling with your reading, I highly recommend picking up some shorter books. You will feel very accomplished when you complete that book quickly! I’m also really excited that I was able to read three books off my TBR shelf, and I reread two books for the #MyYearofRereading Project as well.

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I began the month by finishing Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. This is a nonfiction book that discusses why our society does not value introverts enough, but why we should listen more to those who may be labeled “quiet.” As an introvert myself, I really enjoyed a lot of the information in this book. Not only did I find it relatable, but it helped me to find more value in who I am as a person even though I do not conform to the Extrovert Ideal. I did find this book to be a bit dry, but I was very sick when trying to get through it. I will be keeping this book in my collection to reference in the future.

Next up, I read The Girls by Emma Cline. This novel is loosely based on the Manson murders, which I did not know much about prior to reading this story. I picked this up at a book sale a few years ago, and I am so glad I finally got to it. The book follows a teenage girl named Evie during the summer she spends with a group of girls living at a ranch on the outskirts of town. The ranch is run by a man named Russell, who will do anything to become a famous musician. I found The Girls to be a fast-paced read with a creepy and fascinating tone. I highly recommend this book, and hope to reread it at some point.

I then decided to reread both Stargirl and Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. These are some of my favorite books of all time, and they did not disappoint. Stargirl is a five-star book for me, and is a book I think everyone should read. Our narrator is a teenage boy named Leo, who finds himself slowly falling for the new girl at school. Stargirl was homeschooled all her life until she shows up at the public high school. It is clear to her new classmates that she is different than everyone else. She has a pet rat named Cinnamon, she sings Happy Birthday songs at lunch on her ukulele, and she cheers for both teams at sporting events. This story is about being true to yourself, even if that means you are not well-liked by others. I love this book and its sequel, and will treasure these stories throughout my life. I also happily discovered that a Stargirl movie releases March 13th on Disney+!

* This section contains Harry Potter spoilers*

Last but not least, I read Harry Potter Should Have Died by Emerson Spartz and Ben Schoen. I am so proud of myself for finally reading this book! Thanks to Amazon, I know that I purchased it shortly after its release on July 17, 2009. That’s right – I’ve had this book on my TBR list for almost 11 years! This book looks at the Harry Potter series and poses a variety of questions, such as which character death is the saddest, and whether we should pity Severus Snape. Each question is answered in the affirmative or negative with the arguments laid out, and then ends with a verdict made by the authors. I think this book is a fun read for big Harry fans, but it leaves a lot on the table. For instance, how can Hedwig and Fred not be mentioned in the saddest character deaths section?! That being said, I think this book is a great conversation starter, and it got me thinking a lot about one of my favorite series.

That wraps up everything I read in February! I’m glad I am back into the swing of reading. While I am still behind on my Goodreads challenge, I hope to catch up in the next month or so. Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more reading updates throughout the month!

January Reading Wrap Up | My Disappointing and Vampiric Start to 2020

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

January is typically a great reading month for me, but that was certainly not the case this year. Unfortunately, my reading is off to a bad start in 2020. I only completed two books last month, mainly due to me getting sick for the last week and a half of January. Nonetheless, I wanted to share what I did read with you so that I can chronicle my reading as part of the #MyYearofRereading Project. While I may not have read much, I absolutely adore the two books I was able to complete.

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The two books I read in the month of January are The Eternity Cure and The Forever Song, both by Julie Kagawa. These are the second and third books in the Blood of Eden trilogy. I first read this series back in 2014, and I was due for a reread. If you enjoy young adult dystopian novels, I highly recommend this series. Julie Kagawa puts a spin on the typical dystopian plot by adding vampires to the mix. Our protagonist is Allie, a poor teenager who grew up in the Fringe of a vampire city. One night, Allie is attacked by a group of Rabids. A vampire named Kanin happens to be nearby, and he gives her a choice: either die by the Rabids or become a vampire herself. Even though Allie has always hated vampires, she decides to become one herself. What follows is an epic adventure filled with everything from a sweet romance to bloody scenes right out of a horror movie.

I’m so glad I finally made the time to reread this series. I will say that I wasn’t in love with the writing style this second time around. It did feel a bit young to me, and a bit cheesy as well. That being said, I love the Blood of Eden trilogy because of the characters and the adventure aspect. Kagawa is able to cover so much ground in three books. It’s amazing to see how much each of the characters develop over time, and I especially love the evolution of my favorite villain, Jackal. His snarky comments and bad boy attitude are hilarious!

In the end, while I am disappointed I did not read more in January, I’m happy that I got to reread a favorite series of mine. I was able to read two books for the #MyYearofRereading Project to kickstart the year, and I haven’t added any new books to my collection. I hope that in February I can read a bit more, and try to catch up on my Goodreads goal.

What did you read in January? Share in the comments!

My 2020 Reading Plans | The #MyYearofRereading Project

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Adventures in Polishland

As 2020 began today, I did not expect to find myself creating a list of reading resolutions or goals for this new year. Yet as I was resting on this holiday off from work, I spent some time looking at my bookshelves and realized I do, in fact, have some exciting reading plans as the year gets underway. I recently shared with you the #MyYearofRereading Project that I created in my last blog post. I will absolutely be continuing on with that project, but I also have a few other goals that I would like to share with you.

First and foremost is the Goodreads Reading Challenge that I participate in every year. This challenge is purely about quantity – how many books do you want to read this year? I decided to do some math and figure out a goal that is challenging yet still based on reality. Since I mainly read on my commute now, I created a formula based on how many hours of time I spend commuting a year, how many pages I read in an hour, and how long the average book I read is. The result was about 58 books, and I decided to round that up to 60 for a bit of a stretch goal. You can follow me on Goodreads here to see how I am getting along with this challenge throughout the year.

My next goal is to empty my physical TBR (To-Be-Read) bookshelf by the end of the year. Notice I did not say that I want to read my entire TBR shelf. That is because I may end up decluttering some books that I decide I no longer have the desire to read. I fine-tuned this shelf a lot during 2019, and I now have 31 books that I consider on my TBR. This does not include my Stephen King collection, my Rick Riordan collection, and my Puffin Classics, as these are all books I plan to read and own over the course of my lifetime. That being said, I believe I can empty out my entire TBR shelf in 2020 by either reading or decluttering all 31 of those books!

Speaking of Stephen King, I would like to continue on with my journey in reading his entire bibliography in publishing order. In 2019, I reread both Carrie and ‘Salem’s Lot, and I look forward to picking up The Shining sometime this year. Ideally, I will read at least two Stephen King books in 2020, but I would love to read more! His books are often quite long, and I am sometimes intimidated by the time commitment each book requires. I’ve heard that The Shining is a fast read despite its length, though, so I am excited to get to it soon.

Lastly, I hope that 2020 is the year I finally get my book buying in check. I did a great job in 2019, and this was 100% thanks to the #MyYearofRereading Project. Since I was focused on rereading books, I did not spend a lot of time acquiring new books. My main concern is not with spending money on books, but on buying books in large quantities. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve lost interest in books on my TBR shelf before making an effort to read them. Instead, I plan to use my library to read new-to-me books. If I love a book I read from the library, I can always purchase it for my bookshelves later!

I hope you enjoyed hearing some of my reading goals for 2020. Please share any of your reading resolutions for the new year with me in the comments. I love hearing from other readers! I hope you will also join me over on my bookish Instagram account, @PolishlandReads! I regularly update my story with my current reads, and I post mini-reviews and wrap-ups somewhat regularly. Here’s to a great reading year in 2020!

Why I Reread 50 Books in 2019 | The #MyYearofRereading Project

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Adventures in Polishland

As an avid reader and book collector who also happens to be a strong proponent of the KonMari method, my bookshelves are replete with books that sparked so much joy for me upon the first reading that I held onto them for future reference. Yet despite my good intentions over the years, rereading books did not happen very often. With so many new releases and an unending supply of backlist options, I maybe reread a favorite title a few times a year. Eventually, I came to the same conclusion that many readers do at some point: I will never be able to read all the books. I just can’t! Life is too short to consume every work that interests me. If I wanted to reread my favorite books, there was no better time than the present. Thus, the #MyYearofRereading Project was born as 2019 began, and I’m so happy to report that I successfully reread 50 books from my collection, and plan to continue this project into the new decade.

I began the #MyYearofRereading Project by creating some rules for myself. My main goal with this project is to reread the books I own in physical form on my bookshelves. The three guidelines I gave myself are as follows:

If I read the book in 2018, I don’t need to reread it in 2019. However, I can if I choose to do so.
If I don’t feel any desire to reread a book, I will declutter that book. Why was I holding onto it in the first place?
I am not limited to rereading. If I want to read a new-to-me book during the year, I can do so. This will be especially useful when I am attempting to finish a series I’ve already started.

These three rules worked quite effectively for me. As it turns out, the only book from 2018 that I reread in 2019 was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. In terms of decluttering my bookshelves, I only let go of a handful of books. For instance, I finally came to terms with the fact that I am not going to continue on with the Game of Thrones series, and there were a few other titles I chucked when I realized if I truly wanted to read them again, I could just check them out from the library.

The #MyYearofRereading Project in Numbers

Let’s take a closer look at my reading in 2019. In total, I read 68 books, which is the most I’ve ever read in one year, at least in my adult life. Part of that has to do with a lengthened commute, but I do think rereading attributed to the quantity as well.

I am excited to report that over 75% of my reading in 2019 was rereading. Exactly 50 books were rereads from my physical bookshelf, but I also reread two Ebooks, which don’t officially count for the #MyYearofRereading Project since I do not own them in physical form.

One of my biggest takeaways from the #MyYearofRereading Project comes from my reading of new-to-me books. Of the 16 books that I read for the first time in 2019, only seven of them were from my own personal collection, otherwise called my “TBR” or To Be Read Pile. Funnily enough, six of the seven books I read from my TBR were part of a series in some way (either a direct sequel or a spin-off novel). This shows me that, when it comes to reading new-to-me books, I should be utilizing my library more. It seems I am more interested in reading books I don’t own than the ones sitting unread at home!

Since one of my rules mentioned finishing book series, I wanted to take a look at that category as well. Interestingly enough, I only completed two series that I had previously started. However, I ended up rereading three series from start to finish. One of my ongoing struggles as a reader is completing series, and I do find that I am most successful when I read the books back-to-back. Rereading can help me complete a series, but I am a bit more likely to return to a favorite series, than complete a new one. If you have any tips on completing book series, please share in the comments!

The #MyYearofRereading Project Results

As 2019 draws to a close, I am so happy that I gave myself the excuse to reread all year long. I know many readers who find rereading to be a waste of time. The argument is often that there is nothing more to gain from a story if it has already been consumed once. You will not be surprised to find that I wholeheartedly disagree. I learn something new every single time I reread a book, even if I’ve read it several times. For example, one of my most reread books is If I Were a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block. I first read this book as a child, and each time I pick it up I am amazed at how much I previously missed. This is due to maturity, and learning more about the world around me. But, it is also due to getting to know the characters more with each reading. Additionally, each reread provides me with the opportunity to look at the plot from a new angle. Thus, I find rereading to be quite valuable and enjoyable at the same time.

My Reading Plans for 2020

When I began the #MyYearofRereading Project, I intended for it to only last for 2019. I hoped the project would encourage me to reread on a more consistent basis, but I fully expected I would walk into 2020 with the goal of clearing out my TBR shelf, and only rereading once in a while. However, I loved this project so much that I plan on continuing the #MyYearofRereading Project for the foreseeable future! I do want to read more new-to-me books in 2020, but I will be continuing my journey in rereading. There are still dozens of books on my shelves that I have yet to reread, and I look forward to the day where my personal book collection contains only those books that I have read at least twice.

Follow the #MyYearofRereading Project on Instagram for reviews and reading updates: @PolishlandReads

November Reading Wrap Up | Books I Read Last Month

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! December is here, and that means it is time to share with you the books I read last month. In this November Reading Wrap Up I will share a mini review of each book I completed. I began this series on the blog last month (see that post HERE), and I really enjoy sharing my reading with you in this format. My reading has definitely slowed down during this part of the year, but I still managed to read three books in November.

Help support my blog when you shop using the included Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★

My Thoughts: They Both Die at the End is a young adult science fiction novel that takes place in our world, but with the twist that you receive a phone call letting you know when it is your death day. Main characters Rufus and Mateo received the fateful call, and decide to spend their last day of life together after meeting on the Last Friend App. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and emotional, and I think the relationship between Rufus and Mateo developed in a natural way. While Silvera’s first book, More Happy Than Not, is still my favorite of his, this one is very well done and I’m glad I gave it a read.

Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism by Melanie Joy, PhD [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★★

My Thoughts: This nonfiction book is one I think everyone should read. As the title suggests, this book introduces the reader to the concept of carnism, the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. Joy does an incredible job of writing a book that is easy to read, but extremely informational. I learned a lot about the psychology of eating meat, especially in the United States. This book is well-researched, and provides the reader with the hard facts that are hidden by the factory farm industry. Plus, it is great that the author is not preachy – she simply wants the truth to be known and gives realistic tips on how to overcome what we’ve been taught to believe about meat.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: After hearing great things about this book, I finally picked up The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in November. This novel tells the story of famous Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo. Now at the end of her life, she is ready to tell the truth of her seven marriages in a biography she is mysteriously giving to low-ranking journalist, Monique Grant. I completed this book in a few days, as Evelyn’s story is very captivating. She is one of those characters that I despise because of all the horrible things she has done, but still care for because of all she’s been through. If you are looking for a complex and entertaining novel that explores love in a new way, I highly recommend this book. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo also contains many diverse elements, such as biracial and bisexual representation.

What did you read in November? Let me know in the comments!

Follow my reading on Instagram! You can find my #Bookstagram HERE.

The Best Black Friday Sales for Bookworms | 2017 Black Friday Sale Roundup

Posted on November 21, 2017November 23, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you the best Black Friday sales for bookworms! I absolutely love shopping for books during the holiday season. Not only do books make amazing Christmas gifts, but I also love cuddling up with a book myself during the wintertime. I scoured the web for the best Black Friday deals on books to make your shopping easier!

This post includes affiliate and referral links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

1. Book of the Month Club – [SHOP]

My favorite subscription service is Book of the Month Club, and I think it makes the perfect holiday gift! Readers get to choose from five book selections each month, so you never get stuck with a book you won’t enjoy. Plus, each book is a new release in a beautiful hardcover edition.

From November 24 to November 26, 2017, use code GIFTBOTM to get $10.00 off a 6 or 12-month gift subscription. You can also shop Cyber Monday on November 27, 2017, and use code 2FORYOU to get two months for just $7.50 each plus a free tote bag!

2. Target – [SHOP]

If you are heading into Target for some Black Friday shopping, make sure to check out the book section! According to the store’s circular, books will be 50% off the publisher’s list price! That is an absolutely incredible deal, especially if you are looking to purchase some new releases. Target will also be offering free shipping on its website during the Black Friday sale.

3. Book Outlet – [SHOP]

If you are looking to purchase a bunch of books for a really low price, Book Outlet is the best! As the name suggests, this is an online outlet store for books. Books are always 50-90% off the publisher’s retail price, but during Black Friday the entire website will be an additional 30% off with no exclusions! The sale runs from November 23 at 10:00am EST to November 28 at 10:00am EST. Make sure to fill your carts fast, as books tend to sell out quickly! Book Outlet is by far my favorite online store for discount books.

4. Barnes & Noble – [SHOP]

Barnes & Noble always has a handful of great deals during Black Friday weekend. I think the most exciting part of the sale is the availability of special signed editions. Head in-store to purchase signed books by dozens of acclaimed and celebrity authors. Some of the authors include Fredrik Backman, Miyam Bialik, Chelsea Clinton, Neil Gaiman, and many more. Giving a special signed book is an amazing holiday gift, and makes a wonderful edition to any bookshelf!

5. Amazon – [SHOP]

Last but not least, Amazon will have several deals on books this Black Friday. Many of the offers will be flash sales, meaning that they are live for a limited period of time and only a specific quantity is available. I recommend keeping an eye on the Books section on the website to see which deals are upcoming so you can plan your purchases! In past years, Amazon also offered special coupon codes for books. For example, last year there was a $10.00 off $25.00 coupon. I will update this blog post if a coupon becomes available this year!

UPDATE: This year’s Amazon code is GIFTBOOK17 for $5.00 off print book purchases over $20.00.

That concludes my 2017 Black Friday Roundup for the best book sales! I hope you found this post helpful is you are shopping for a bookworm this holiday season, or if you are simply grabbing some new titles for your own bookshelf. As always, don’t forget to check out local independent bookshops to see what they have available! It’s important to support small businesses as well if you are able.

What is your favorite bookstore?! Let me know in the comments!