It's Monday, What Are You Reading (61)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!

It has been a couple of weeks since my last Monday post. I have been down with a sinus infection. I am still not completely recovered but I am doing a lot better after two weeks of it. This is my first ever sinus infection so I was unprepared for being knocked down by it and missing so much work and blogging and life. Glad to be back to somewhat normal!

Books finished (over the past two weeks):

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

If you cry easily when you read, make sure you've got some tissues on hand for this one. Between Shades of Gray is a book that really grips your emotions. It is based on true events-Stalin's ethnic cleansing of the Baltic States (Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia).

The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew

I really liked The Dry Grass of August. It reminded me of The Secret Life of Bees. It has been compared to The Help but I haven't read that one yet so I don't know how it stacks up. I have a feeling I will find The Help to be a better book.

Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Crickett Rumley

This could have been a fantastic book with a positive message for young women but it disappointed me in the end. There are things that happen where the characters do not really face consequences and considering what the book is about that kind of ruined it for me.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

While I didn't like it as much as the first three books in the Mortal Instruments series it was still an excellent book and I can't wait for the next one. Simon definitely gets his moment to shine in City of Fallen Angels and the ending is a cliffhanger of sorts.

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

This is such a fun YA historical mystery set during the Regency and featuring Egyptology. While I did guess who the culprit was, it was still an enjoyable adventure with a spunky and intelligent heroine/amateur detective and her dashing sidekick. If you are a fan of Jane Austen you're in for a treat.

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

I read this in one afternoon-I kind of had to because it was e-ARC that expires when the book is published. It was such a sweet story though (and you will crave ice cream when you read this-trust me). Sixteenth Summer really put me in the mood for warm summer days and my favorite strawberry banana smoothies :)

Books reviewed:

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Currently reading:

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

I am slowly reading this one on my laptop (it's an e-galley from NetGalley) since I don't have a Kindle yet. It started off well and hopefully I will get to finish it this week. I am hoping to review it for Royal Reviews next week.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

This is the book I started rereading instead of reading Unearthly since I own a copy (and don't care as much if it gets my germs on it). Eon is one of my favorite YA fantasy books. I just got the sequel Eona and I look forward to reading it soon too. 

What I plan to read next:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

I started reading this before I became ill and I quit reading it because I didn't want to sneeze and cough all over my library books. Now that I am finally starting to feel better I will be picking this back up. It is pretty good so far. I also need to read this soon as it is now overdue!

Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn

I am determined to read this book soon. I need to get to the rest of the series before I read The Dark Enquiry which I have for review.

Eona by Alison Goodman

I have been waiting for this book since I finished Eon in 2009. It is a really long book but I can't wait to dig in.