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2021 Wrapped

12/30/2021

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Books Read : 50
Books Purchased: 49
Pages Read : 16,067
This feels so odd to already be doing a 2021 wrapped? It literally does not feel like the end of the year, but here I am. This year was filled with a lot more rereading than I had imagined I would do. Some of it was comfort series and some was to read new installments in series. In the list I'll call out rereads in case you were curious. I would say I re-read about 4 series (two I am in the process of doing) so that I could/can read future installments. I am unfortunately not the type to be able to just read a new book cold. I like to binge the entire series all at once. This started when I first read The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken. I read the first one right when it came out then every new years read the predecessor before reading the new book. It was a fun holiday tradition for a couple of years. This post might seem a little long, but bear with me. I'll start with a full list of what I did read this year, then I'm going to call out some highlights below that! Some of the books either don't have posts...yet (I really am working on them and I've surprised myself with a bunch of surprise ones I've written). That being said they do have ratings which some fit into special categories and you'll see once you get there.
P.S. The photo below is me with our stock ticker in Colorado State's College of Business. Wanted to include it because I graduated this year and it's a fun little memory from the year.
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* indicates a re-read
1. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
2. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
3.Vampire Academy (VA #1) by Richelle Mead*
4. Frostbite (VA #2) by Richelle Mead*
5. Shadow Kiss (VA #3) by Richelle Mead *
6. Blood Promise (VA #4) by Richelle Mead*
7. Spirit Bound (VA #5) by Richelle Mead*
8. The Last Sacrifice (VA #6) by Richelle Mead*
9. Life Before Legend by Marie Lu
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
11. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR #1) by Sarah J. Maas*
12. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas*
13. A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas*
14. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
15. A Court of Silver Flames (ACOTAR #4) by Sarah J. Maas*
16. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
17. From the First Verse by M. Robinson
18. 'Til the Last lyric by M. Robinson
19. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
20. Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber
21. Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber
22. Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
23. Lords of Pain (The Royals of Forsyth U. #1) by Angel Lawson
24. The Flight Attendant by Chris Bojalian
25. The Princess Will Save  You (Kingdoms of Sand and Sky #1) by Sarah Henning
26. Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber
27. Lords of Wrath (The Royals of Forsyth U. #2) by Angel Lawson
28. Sugar Daddies by Jade West
29. Ace of Spades by Faridah Ábíké-Íyímídé
30. Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
31. Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
32. Throne of Glass (ToG #1) by Sarah J. Maas*
33. Lovely, Dark and Deep by T.J. Tristan
34. Crown of Midnight (ToG #2) by Sarah J. Maas*
35. Heir of Fire (ToG #3) by Sarah J. Maas*
36. Queen of Shadows (ToG #4) by Sarah J. Maas*
37. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
38. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
39. Serpent & Dove (S&D #1) by Shelby Mahurin*
40. The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass*
41. Empire of Storms (ToG #5) by Sarah J. Maas*
42. Tower of Dawn (ToG #6) by Sarah J. Maas*
43. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass*
44. The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass*
45. Ready Player One (RPO #1) by Ernest Cline
46. How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
47. Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1) by Tahereh Mafi*
48. The Queen (The Selection #0.4) by Kiera Cass
49. The Prince (The Selection #0.5) by Kiera Cass*
50. The Favorite (The Selection #2.4) by Kiera Cass
5 Star Reads (kind of in order it's tough)
1. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo -This one surprised me and I hated it at first and now look it's my favorite read of 2021... I really thought it was going to be too YA and I had just come off the heels of A Court of Silver Flames which was H.O.T. hot and that was hard to overcome at first, but then I got so invested and it's truly such an amazing book and I will definitely be re-reading it in the future.
2.The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang - I don't need to explain this one iykyk
3. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas - I like ToG more than ACOTAR...Plus the clever plot in this one is hands down one of my favorite plots in any book. SJM is a master and when the big reveal happens it's like...?????
4. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas - Don't fight me on this placement
5. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - ROWAN
6. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead - I still remember reading this for the first time and it's just as good
7. The One by Kiera Cass - I'm sensing a theme that I like end books, but I do love Maxon and America. This whole series is such a quick read and it really is a "low stakes" romance that doesn't really ever have you on your toes, cue Twilight. However, you cannot tell me this is not one of the most magnificent lines in a YA book "Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you life. It was only ever yours to break anyway."
8. Finale by Stephanie Garber - I cannot say the same for the whole series, but this one got me and you have to read the other two to read this one soooo..
Honorable Mentions
These ones didn't get my 5 star rating, but that doesn't mean I don't love the book. There's little things that can, in my ratings bring the book down because I try to be objective there so these are close to the mark and or just books I loved this year. (in no particular order)
1. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead - 4.5 stars
2.These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong - The setting, the represenation, the retelling, the writing overall I love this book. I recommend it to everyone I meet.
3. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle - I sobbed. Like ugly girl crying sobbed. The beginning and the ending and the parallels ugh so good. Probably one of my favorite books of all time, but it only got 4 stars hence why it's here and not to your left.
​4. Ace of Spaces by Faridah Ábíké-Íyímídé - Great story and compelling as hell message
5. Lovely, Dark and Deep by T.J. Tristan - I feel honored to have read an original draft and cannot wait to see what the future holds not only for the book, but for the author as well.
6. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas - I didn't want to like Nesta, but I do. I've never wanted to date a bat boy more (UGH CASSIAN). And yes I read this in the park while on a picnic with my roommates.
7. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas - What can I say...I love Aelin.
8. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - The amount of 80's geeking I did...I watched War Games, Tron and like 4 other movies referenced in the book shortly after finishing it.


Now time for categorical winners and then I promise you're done!
Best Writing
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Best Representation
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Best Novella
How the King of Elfhame Learned to hate Stories by Holly Black - I lowkey don't like The Cruel Prince series. I do not understand the hype, but this book made me like Cardan and on top of that has inspired me to give the series a second chance.
Best Smut
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas - Cassian and Nesta are lowkey, but high key freaky and SJM really said here is your adult book you grown adults reading YA.
Honorable Mentions
-Lords of Pain by Angel Lawson
-Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
-Empire of Storms
-ACOMAF
Shortest Book
Life Before Legend by Marie Lu - 36 pages
Longest Book
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas - 716 pages
Best Audiobook
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Okay that's really all I can think of. I hope you enjoyed following my reading journey throughout the year. I'm excited for the new year to come and to continue to run cheers and keep reading alongside all the wonderful people I've gotten to meet and connect with since starting this blog.
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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas Playlist

3/8/2021

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This one took me so long to get through because I was primarily swamped with school, but something about finding fitting music for the entire novel is just really hard. It was also difficult because I found myself wanting to reuse music from the first two novels which I told myself I wouldn’t do. 
However, this playlist is full of some really sad songs which I didn’t entirely realize I had done until I was finished with the entire compilation of them. I thought back and realized it was fitting however because war in general is sad and although they don’t spend the whole book fighting they are fighting a war for the entirety of the book. 
Also pictured is a good friend of mine Bella. We took this on a random Sunday when I was a senior in high school and I love this photo and felt it was very fitting for this playlist.
I hope you enjoy the conclusion of this playlist series for the original trilogy of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Spotify Music
Apple Music
Same as last time I have each chapter that a song coordinates with enumerated below. If you have not read the book and do not wish to be spoiled do not click the Read More button. If there is more than one song per chapter it means that there are parts of that chapter that fit all or parts of the song. Listen to them in the order they are listed here or on the playlist you choose to listen to them from.
*Note: Another Day, Another Mission by Henry Jackman is missing from Spotify Playlist because it is not available on the platform

Rhysand Chapter: Afterlight (Piano Version) by Eternal Eclipse
Chapter 3: You’re Somebody Else by Flora Cash
Chapter 4: Born to Die by Lana Del Rey
Chapter 6: Heavy in Your Arms by Florence and the Machine
Chapter 7: Technicolor Beat by Oh Wonder
Chapter 8: Your Ghost by Greg Laswell
Chapter 9: They by Jem
Chapter 10: Everything in its Right Place by Radiohead
Chapter 11: Circles by Ludovico Einaudi
Chapter 12: Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell
Chapter 13: Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish
Chapter 14: To Build a Home by Cinematic Orchestra
Chapter 17: Heathens by Twenty One Pilots
Chapter 18: Into the Fire by Erin McCarley
Chapter 22: Something in the Way by Nirvana
Chapter 24: The Walk by Imogen Heap
Chapter 25: Hollow Crown by Ellie Golding
Chapter 27: Broken by Olafur Arnalds
Chapter 36: Wolf by Losco
Chapter 38: After the Storm by Mumford and Sons
Chapter 43: Crossfire by Stephen
Chapter 45: Wolf by Tailor
Chapter 46: I See Fire by Ed Sheeran
Chapter 50: Waves (Acoustic) by Dean Lewis
Chapter 53: Devil Devil by MILCK
Chapter 55: All I Wanted by Daughter
Chapter 56: Burden by Jorge Méndez
Chapter 60: Open Hands by Ingrid Michaelson
Chapter 63: Why Do We Fall? By Hans Zimmer
Chapter 64: Emptiness by Mattia Cupelli
Chapter 65: Experience by Ludovico Einaudi
Chapter 66: Human by Christina Perri
Chapter 68: The Killing of Dumbledore by Nicholas Hooper
Chapter 69: Fyrsta by Olafur Arnalds
Chapter 71: Statues by Alexandre Desplat
Chapter 74: Wicked Game by Ursine Vulpine and Annaca
Chapter 74, 75: Another Day, Another Mission by Henry Jackman and Lost Song by Olafur Arnalds

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas Playlist

2/9/2021

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This is my second installment in my A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas playlist. This one is by far my favorite. I love this book so much it's truly the best on in the series thus far in my opinion. This playlist has some of my favorite songs on it so I hope you love them as much as I do! As always I love to hear what you think about any of this so leave a comment here or on my instagram to let me know. The links to both Spotify and Apple Music are below with the playlists.

Also pictured in the photo is my dear friend Kirstin whom I have grown up with. I felt this picture of her tattoo reminded me of the way that being Under the Mountain was tattooed on Feyre's heart for the duration of this novel.
Spotify Music
Apple Music
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Same as last time I have each chapter that a song coordinates with enumerated below. If you have not read the book and do not wish to be spoiled do not click the Read More button. If there is more than one song per chapter it means that there are parts of that chapter that fit all or parts of the song. Listen to them in the order they are listed here or on the playlist you choose to listen to them from. Now let's hit it.
Chapter 5 : Dreams by Nuages
Chapter 8 : Jolly Sailor Bold by Amy Shull
Chapter 10 : The Moment I Said It by Imogen Heap
Chapter 12 : Hostage by Billie Eilish
Chapter 18 : Me and the Devil by Soap&Skin
Chapter 33 : Lonely by Justin Bieber
Chapter 34 : Why are You Here by Machine Gun Kelly
Chapter 38 : Fade Away by Zack Hemsey & Clair De Lune by Flight Facilities
Chapter 42 : Panic Room by Au/Ra
Chapter 43 : Halo by Mono
Chapter 44 : Final by Wilsen
Chapter 48 : Monster by The Girl and The Dreamcatcher
Chapter 49 : Set Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol
Chapter 50 & 51 : Space 11 by Max Richter
Chapter 54 : This Bitter Earth/On the Nature of Daylight by Dinah Washington, Louisa Fuller, Natalia Bonner, John Metcalfe, Philip Sheppard and  Chris Worsey & Find you by Ruelle & Experience by Ludovico Einaudi
Chapter 55 : Waiting Game by Banks
Chapter 58 : No Time for Caution by Hans Zimmer
Chapter 60 : To Survive the Unthinkable by Ariel Marx
Chapter 66 & 67 : Happiest Year by Jaymes Young
Chapter 69 : Start a War by Klergy and Valerie Broussard

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Playlist

2/8/2021

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I have wanted to do this since I read this series almost a year ago. I have gotten into a habit now of making playlists for books that I read, but I have been reticent to share them. I am very invested in the music that I listen to and how I connect with it so sometimes sharing my music can be hard when facing criticism. However, in honor of the new book in this series being released in just a handful of days I have decided to release this playlist along with others respectively for the rest of the series!
Here is the link to the playlist on both Spotify and Apple Music:
*Spotify is missing Blackfish by Jeff Beal
Spotify Music
Apple Music
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I have detailed all of the chapters that each song correlates with below. WARNING: Do not click the Read More button at the end of this list unless you have read the books or don't mind spoilers. I wanted to explain where each song fits and what events they specifically correlate to!
Chapter 1 : Dancing and Blood by Low
Chapter 2 : Yes (Love Theme from Lost River) by Chromatics
Chapter 4 : Light of the Seven by Ramin Djawadi
Chapter 5 : Feral Love by Chelsea Wolfe
Chapter 6 : Mary by Rupert Gregson Williams
Chapter 7 : Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Winter 3
Chapter 8 : Thursday by Takenobu
Chapter 9 : Blackfish by Jeff Beal
Chapter 10 : Song of Hal: Strings in C# Minor by Nicholas Britell
Chapter 11 : There's a Storm Coming by Dance with the Dead
Chapter 13 : Fortitude by HAEVN
Chapter 16 : Shallow by Lady Gaga
Chapter 17 : Courtyard Apocalypse by Alexandre Desplat
Chapter 18 : Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1
Chapter 21 : Waiting Game by Banks
Chapter 25 : Ribs by Lorde
Chapter 33 : The Way by Zach Hemsey
Chapter 35 : Another Love by Tom Odell
Chapter 36 : You Can Run by Adam Jones
Chapter 42 : Drowning by Banks
Chapter 43 : Ending by Isak Danielson
Chapter 45 : Tides Turning by Secession Studios

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2020 Wrapped

12/8/2020

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Oh boy has 2020 been a year. The only thing that happened was I read a lot of books. Kidding. Obviously this year has been different and true I read a lot more this year because I had so much free time. After "fleeing" Spain when the lockdowns began I started reading like a fiend with no school and nowhere to go. I got onto BookTok then left BookTok and I bought easily over 100 books and I don't regret it whatsoever. I also started this which is bomb and I'm very proud of it. But I felt like I would share my 2020 wrapped this year with all of you so that you can maybe plan out your 2021 or compare your year and see what we did together!
For any of the books listed below stay tuned in the rest of 2021 for updated posts on each of them. Now that I've done the reading I can't wait to share more about them with you all.
​XOXO, Ash
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Top 10 Books of the Year
​
1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
2. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
3. Six of Crows by Leigh Bargdugo
4. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
5. Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
6. American Royals by Katharine McGee
7. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
8. Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer
9. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
10. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
Top 5 Series
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (3.5 books, unfinished, next release February 2021)
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (2 books, unfinished, unknown publication date of third)
3. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
4. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin (2 books, unfinished, next release August 2021)
5. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (3 books and 2 novellas, finished)
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Full List Wrapped (in order)
1.  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
2. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
3. The Book of Life  by Deborah Harkness
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
5. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
6. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
7. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
8. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
9. How it Feels to Fly by Kathryn Holmes
10. Wildflower by Drew Barrymore
11. Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me by Lily Collins
12. Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee
13. Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
14. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
15. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
16. Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
17. The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
18. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
19. The Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
20. King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
21. War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
22. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
23. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
24. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
25. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
26. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
27. American Royals by Katharine McGee
28. Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
29. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
30. Normal People by Sally Rooney
31. Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard
32. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
33. Six of Cros by Leigh Bardugo
34. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
35. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
36.The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
37. The Wicked King by Holly Black
38. The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
39. Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks
40. Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
41. Lysisrata by Aristophanes
42. Between Grit and Grace: The Art of Being Feminine and Formidable by Sasha Shilcutt
43. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
44. Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom
45.Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
46. A Good Time to be a Girl: Don't Lean In, Change the System by Helena Morrissey
47. Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer
48. Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
49. Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
50. Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving your Goals by Rachel Hollis
51.The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
52. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
53. A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
54. Seven by K.D. Robichaux
55. They Both Die at the End by  Adam Silvera
56. All Adults Here by Emma Straub
57. Majesty by Katherine McGee
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