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Throwback Thursdays: Blogging Year 2015


Throwback Thursdays: I’m taking a look back at some of my reviews and discussion posts from the past to see if I still feel the same way about them now as I did then.


I missed last month’s thanks to a hectic work schedule but I’m back with another edition of Throwback Thursdays!

How does this work?

For each Throwback Thursday Post, I pick a particular blogging year to go back to. Within that year, I search through my old posts and pick 5 that I think are worth a look back at. Before I read my old reviews, I share my thoughts about what I remember. Then I summarize my original review and then I share my updated thoughts/comments.
I’d love it if you would share your thoughts as well with a comment below!

This month’s featured year is:

2015

What do I remember about my 2015 reading year?

Well, clearly I still found a lot of time to read despite being in the midst of my post-post-secondary career. According to my Goodreads Challenge that year, I read 233 books! Which was the most I’d ever read in a year up and to that date. It was a great year for books, I read a lot of big blockbusters. Oh, and it was the year I joined Netgalley! So I really got into reading ARCs and discover some new authors that I continue to review for to this day.

As for the blog, I started to include more discussion posts in my posting schedule. I used to do a Meme-ful Monday post where I would find a bookish meme and write a discussion post about it. I also used to do a lot of those blog award posts that were all the rage back then. (Do people still do those?)


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #1: Alienated Series by Melissa Landers

Opening Thoughts: I remember this book being a lot of fun to read! It reminded me a little of a Meg Cabot book for just being purely entertaining. And aliens weren’t a common occurrence in YA at the time; I’d only read the Lux Series by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout. I can’t remember how I learned about this series but Melissa Landers quickly became a must read for me when it comes to YA SciFi reads.

Original Review Summary: I adored the banter between the logical Aelyx and the sensible Clara in the first book. It was just a great blend of everything you like in a YA novel (first love, humour). I enjoyed the second once I got into it; it definitely is more plot than romance though. I didn’t love the third book though with its complicated plot.

Throwback Reflection: I often think back fondly on Alienated(#1) as a great book. I loved Melissa’s next series, Starflight, and I’m waiting to see what her new release this year will be like because it has been too long since I’ve read her workds.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #2: The Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole

Opening Thoughts: Kresley Cole’s adult novels were always popping up at my library but they didn’t interest me. So when her new YA series was being released, I was really intrigued. Oh boy, did I HATE the first novel though! Poison Princess (#1) was everything I detested in a YA story with its cliché heroine, love triangle allusions, and a misleading synopsis. But I decided to read the sequel and I immediately fell in love with this series and its subsequent sequels!

Original Review Summary: These books have their moments of greatness and their moments of dullness. But overall, I enjoyed the series once all the groundwork was laid in the Poison Princess. All the books in the series are now published but I have yet to read the last two so I’m not sure how everything will wrap up!

Throwback Reflection: This series is one of the best examples for why I write reviews for entire series. Reading the first book in a series can be like watching the pilot episode for a TV. You may or may not like what you see in that first episode but it’s really the second episode that will determine if you press on now that the groundwork is laid out.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #3: The Vincent Boys Series by Abbi Glines

Opening Thoughts: I think I read this series after binge-reading everything else Abbi Glines had wrote to that point. I don’t like reading about love triangles but I wanted to give it a shot since I had enjoyed her other romances and melodrama.

Original Review Summary: So I had actually marked this books as a pass before I ever read an Abbi Glines novel because of the love triangle but I decided to give them a shot after I read some of her books. Maybe I shouldn’t have. The immaturity of these characters inspired by their raging hormones was a little too much melodrama for me. They were all selfish and vain but I suppose that’s what you get for reading about 17 year olds.

Throwback Reflection: Looking back years later and having read more Abbi Glines novels, she has a flare for melodrama so this is definitely par for the course. Some people really love the angst, I don’t enjoy this type of angst in my novels.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #4: Marked Men Series by Jay Crownover

Opening Thoughts: Rule(#1) was on the list for many New Adult recommendations so it was obvious that I would read it at some point. This series really got me invested in the romance series that follow a group of friends and not just the same couple for all the books. It also showed me that both characters could be flawed and find love.

Original Review Summary: I adored all the characters in this series (well, maybe not so much in Jet [#2]) but I loved the strength these characters had. And when the romance blossomed, WOW! I also liked that we get hints of what’s to come in the next books. Every book had its own unique spin, yet they all still shared the same underlying tones that made the series so special.

Throwback Reflection: After this series, Jay Crownover become a must-read author for me. I have a few of her new releases on my TBR that I hope to get to by the end of the year.

Worth a Reread?: Yes! Not all of the titles but some for sure!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #5: Where Rainbows End (aka Love, Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern

Opening Thoughts: I remember my friend and I being so excited to see the movie Love, Rosie. I chose not to read the book until after I watched the movie because I didn’t want it to be spoiled. I remember loving the movie, hating the book. It’s one of those rare instances where I think the movie is better than the book (or at least, the movie characters are more likeable).

Original Review Summary: My friend had read the book and warned me beforehand that Rosie becomes really annoying so I knew that going in. I probably would have stopped reading the book if I hadn’t had that in the back of my mind. Rosie is just incredibly selfish and I didn’t like that at all. And it overshadowed the romance of two friends who are clearly something more if life didn’t get in the way all the time.

As for the movie, the characters are more likeable and I enjoyed watching the drama unfold. I preferred watching things unfold in front of me instead of having them be described through letters like they are in the book. It just played with your emotions more in the movie.

Throwback Reflection: An entertaining movie, a so-so book.

Worth a Reread?: No. (Would I rewatch the movie, maybe)


Agree to Disagree?

Did you love (or love to hate) any of these reads? Share your thoughts on my throwbacks below!

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Throwback Thursdays: Blogging Year 2014


Throwback Thursdays: I’m taking a look back at some of my reviews and discussion posts from the past to see if I still feel the same way about them now as I did then.


How does this work?

For each Throwback Thursday Post, I pick a particular blogging year to go back to. Within that year, I search through my old posts and pick 5 that I think are worth a look back at. Before I read my old reviews, I share my thoughts about what I remember. Then I summarize my original review and then I share my updated thoughts/comments.
I’d love it if you would share your thoughts as well with a comment below!

This month’s featured year is:

2014

What do I remember about my 2014 reading year?

Well 2014 was my first full YEAR of blogging, having started my blog in April 2013. I didn’t think I had ever done this in my blogging history but for most of 2014, I posted a new review EVERY DAY. I think that’s because I was still reading and creating content during my hiatus of Fall 2013, I just wasn’t posting. And so I had a bunch of reviews to release when I returned to blogging on a regular basis.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #1: Fixed Series by Laurelin Paige

Opening Thoughts: This is one of my all-time favourite contemporary romance series. It’s the gold standard for me that I compare all others to. I picked it up as a freebie and I’ve read every Laurelin Paige ever since!

Original Review Summary: I thought this was just going to be a knock-off of the Fifty Shades Trend but this series impressed me with its writing style, complex characters and addictive drama.

Throwback Reflection: I still love this series and its various spin-offs. (Slay is fanatastic!) I recommend it to everyone, even years later!

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #2: The Lovegrove Legacy Series by Alyxandra

Opening Thoughts: I always remember this series as the one that got canceled before its prime. The Whisper Witch (or Whispers of the Dead as it was called when I read it) was such a great read and ended on a huge cliffhanger…only for the publisher never to pick up the 3rd book for publication. Thankfully, Alyxandra Harvey self-published a novella to quickly wrap things up but it just wasn’t the same as a full book.

Original Review Summary: While I’m not normally a fan of witch novels, this one won me over with its fun cast of characters. I noted that sometimes the details would be a little much and I would lose focus. The second book had better pacing, likely because as a reader you were familiar with the world.

Throwback Reflection: I really wish we would have gotten to see the full potential of this series with a full length finale. I think this series shows us readers the power of buying and promoting titles we love and how that can influence publication of future titles.

Worth a Reread?: No – unless a full length finale is ever published!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #3: Pushing the Limits Series by Katie McGarry

Opening Thoughts: I think this was one of the first truly angsty YA novels I ever read. Everything up until that point seemed so light and fluffy and Pushing the Limits was far from that. It had teen characters suffering from mental health issues as well as sexual content–something I really hadn’t seen much of in YA novels at the time.

Original Review Summary: This series is one of those that straddles the New Adult — Young Adult line. Because they are in high school, I would tend to classify it as Young Adult but the subject mature is very mature and so are the characters so I don’t have a problem calling it New Adult. I loved the maturity of all the characters we meet and I really connected with their stories. It is the perfect blend of character driven romance.

Throwback Reflection: This series made Katie McGarry a must-read author for me. I would wait all year for these books to be released so I could read them. It’s still a series I recommend those who are looking to try the New Adult genre pick up because it straddles the line between YA and NA so easily.

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #4: Peaches Monroe Series by Mimi Strong

Opening Thoughts: I remember being really excited to read this book when I first picked it up for free on Amazon. I thought it would be a funny and light contemporary romance.

Original Review Summary: Have you ever read a book and then looked at the reviews for said book and go “did I read the same thing?”. That was me with this book. It had so many great reviews that I thought I must be the delusional one for not enjoying it! The characters were so horrible in this and the humour was completely lost to me. I ended up DNFing it before I reached page 50.

Throwback Reflection: Yeah, I’m pretty sure I deleted this book from my Kindle after I stopped reading it before Chapter 5.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #5: Across the Universe Series by Beth Revis

Opening Thoughts: I LOVED this series! It’s another gold standard for me, only this time its for YA Science Fiction. I adored the suspense of the first novel and had never read anything like it before.

Original Review Summary: Despite a slow start in Book #1, I soon became addicted to the story and mystery of the Godspeed. There were so many great twists along the way! I also liked how the romance was there but not a huge focus, enhancing the story but not distracting from it either.

Throwback Reflection: While I don’t remember the finer points of the plot, I do remember not putting these books down when I got them.

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


Agree to Disagree?

Did you love (or love to hate) any of these reads? Share your thoughts on my throwbacks below!

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Throwback Thursdays: Romance Reads of 2013


Throwback Thursdays: I’m taking a look back at some of my reviews and discussion posts from the past to see if I still feel the same way about them now as I did then.


How does this work?

For each Throwback Thursday Post, I pick a particular blogging year to go back to. Within that year, I search through my old posts and pick 5 that I think are worth a look back at. Before I read my old reviews, I share my thoughts about what I remember. Then I summarize my original review and then I share my updated thoughts/comments.
I’d love it if you would share your thoughts as well with a comment below!

This month’s featured year is:

2013

Why did I pick this year and why Romances?

For my first Throwback Thursday post, I did the year of 2013 which was the inaugural year of SERIESous Book Reviews! Since it is the month of February and Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to focus on the romance books I read that year.

In order to drive traffic to my blog, I read and posted about some big name romances my inaugural year. 2013 was also the year I discovered the New Adult genre of books–a genre I would almost read exclusively for the next few years afterwards. It’s pure coincidence that 3 out of 5 of my picks had movie adaptations made. And pick #5 is one of my favourite YA series of all time!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #1: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Opening Thoughts:
This is one of those (rare) instances where I prefer the movie to the book! I remember liking the plot of the movie a lot more and it’s still one of my favourite movies to watch whenever they show it on TV.

Original Review Summary: I couldn’t connect as much with the characters or the plot when I read the book versus when I watched the movie. I just thought the movie was much more charming!

Throwback Reflection: I really don’t remember much of the book but I remember the movie! I own the book but I have no desire to reread it.

Worth a Reread?: No – but I will rewatch the movie!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #2: Juliet by Anne Fortier

Opening Thoughts: I think a friend told me to read this or maybe a coworker? All I know is that I loved it so much, I made my mom read it! I know it was a blending of the past and the future for the plot and a rather long book. I remember thinking it was one of the coolest retellings of Romeo and Juliet I’d ever read (and I’d say that holds true to this day!)

Original Review Summary: It was a coworker who recommended this! I was enthralled by the current and the historical timelines and had a hard time putting this book down as the two weaved together!

Throwback Reflection: I think I actually own this book? I should check my bookshelf. I really don’t remember the finer details of the plot since it has been so long so I would love to reread it to see if I can solve the mystery!

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #3: Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer

Opening Thoughts: I’m pretty sure I was in love with Edward Cullen the first time I read Twilight. Like I actually think I was love sick after I finished the book — super embarrassing but I was 15 so what can I say. I actually reread Twilight (#1) immediately after finishing it because I enjoyed it so much. I honestly enjoyed the series a lot until I read Breaking Dawn (#4). I still get super angry when I think about that book to this day. What a horrible way to end the series in my opinion. It felt like fan-service but in the worst way by introducing numerous fan theories into the plot. Ugh.

Original Review Summary: I was totally Team Edward, thus I hated New Moon (#2). Bella irritated the crap out of me in all 4 books. Eclipse (#3) was my favourite of the series. “In my opinion, the series could have ended as a trilogy and I would have been satisfied. I get the distinct impression that Breaking Dawn (#4) is bonafide fan fiction.”

Throwback Reflection: There is something addicting about Twilight. As a grown woman now, I can see the faults in the messages it gives its younger readers about relationships. It also isn’t the best writing of all time but I think it goes to show that stories don’t have to be masterpieces to resonate with an audience. Plus, a lot of well-known authors wrote Twilight fan-fiction back in the day so I can’t deny the influence it had on the literary world.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #4: Beautifully Broken Series by Courtney Cole

Opening Thoughts: I LOVED If You Stay (#1) when I first read it. I had honestly never read a story with such flawed characters before and it opened me up to the genre of New Adult and the somewhat darker side of contemporary romance (ie not Harlequin romances) that I hadn’t discovered yet.

Original Review Summary: I originally reviewed If You Stay (#1) (which I really enjoyed for its mature take on handling romance and addiction by communicating); and then updated the post for the rest of the series. I really loved books #2 and #3 but then the series started to go in a direction that was more dramatic than I wanted.

Throwback Reflection: I read Book #5, My Peace, only two years ago and I didn’t really remember the finer details of the series when I picked it up. I remember thinking it was super overdramatic and I’m curious to know that if I went back to read the first three books in the series now, would I find them to be too much now? I’ve read a LOT of New Adult novels since and I wonder how they would compare now based on my experiences with the genre since.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #5: Beautiful Creatures Series by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Opening Thoughts: I adored this series when I first read it. Like I BALLED my eyes out reading Beautiful Chaos and I think I went through every emotion reading this series. I didn’t love the movie but it was great seeing this world brought to the big screen (I think the casting was hit and miss which was part of the problem). I don’t usually like books about witches but this one is a rare exception and one of my favourites. And the romances are so sweet!

Original Review Summary: I loved the weaving of the families’ history throughout this series. Everything was so intricate and complex that it really drew me into this world and the characters within it. The suspense had me flipping pages constantly, I was never able to put them down! Except the finale: I didn’t want the series to end!

Throwback Reflection: The movie was cheesy and didn’t do the complexity of the series justice. I think I should buy these books because I loved the series so much that I want to keep it with me always.

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


Agree to Disagree?

Did you love (or love to hate) any of these reads? Share your thoughts on my throwbacks below!

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Throwback Thursdays: Blogging Year 2013


Throwback Thursdays: I’m taking a look back at some of my reviews and discussion posts from the past to see if I still feel the same way about them now as I did then.


Welcome to my first Throwback Thursday post ever!

Last year I had this idea to look back at some of my old posts to see if I still feel the same way about things now as I did then.

For most of my reading life (or at least since I started this blog in 2013), I’ve been a bit of a read, post and move on type of person. I have a terrible memory and sometimes I think I look back at things with a fondness or a blinding dislike based on that selective memory. So I thought it would be a cool thing to look back at some of my past reviews and see what my thoughts were then compared to now.

How does this work?

For each Throwback Thursday Post, I’m going to pick a particular year to go back to. Within that year, I’m going to search through my posts and pick 5 that I think are worth a look back at. Before I read my old reviews, I’m going to share my current thoughts about what I remember. Then I’m going to share some highlights from the original post. And once I revisit that post, I’ll share my updated thoughts/comments.

I’d love it if you would share your thoughts as well with a comment below!

This month’s featured year is:

2013

What do I remember about my 2013 reading year?

I really only had discovered the online book reading community in the summer of 2012. Before that, I relied on scanning the bestsellers list on the Indigo/Chapter Books (the Barnes and Noble chain of Canada) website to get my reading fix. But in 2013, I was in my 3rd year of university and was LOVING having a big city library card. I would be on the Dean’s list for my non-academic reading if that was a thing!

This was also the year I started this blog! I was inspired to start this blog after reading the series I am featuring below as Throwback #1. I had always enjoyed HTML coding and designing things in Photoshop so starting a blog was a lot of fun for me. I took a brief review hiatus in the fall of that year to focus on school but I picked up where I left off soon after and have kept it going since.

When I think back to my reading for 2013, it seemed like a big year of big titles — or maybe I just posted reviews for those big titles to draw in readers 😉 Regardless, t was hard to narrow down the posts to throwback to just 5 (which is why I did 6).

Here are my throwbacks:

My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #1: Delirium Series by Lauren Oliver

Opening Thoughts: This is the series that inspired me to start my blog about reviewing entire book series. I had enjoyed the first two books in the series but hated how things wrapped up in the third book — I felt like it negated everything I had read and the time I had dedicated to the series. I also don’t really remember loving our lead heroine (her name escapes me!).

Original Review Summary: I loved the world building and really enjoyed the second novel in the series for its twists. But the third book was a struggle for my to get through and I felt let down by how things wrapped up. Lena (the heroine) also failed to win me over.

Throwback Reflection: Because I don’t write spoilers in my reviews and it has been so long, I really don’t remember what the huge disappointment was. I think with the ending I felt like a lot of things were left hanging and not wrapped up properly? I also think there was something about the romance I didn’t like. I hadn’t realized I enjoyed the second book so much. I honestly don’t remember being a huge fan of the books in this series — clearly the subpar ending for me overshadows my previous enjoyment of the other books in the series.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #2: The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

Opening Thoughts: Ah, this series was HUGE! I remember buying myself the boxset for my birthday and then letting everyone borrow the books (I have never even read the copies I own since I had read them all through the library). I think it is still such a popular culture staple as well — or at least the movies are when it comes to book adaptations. The original trilogy was great! I remember being made at some things in the final book (a certain character’s death) but my choice for the love triangle “won” so yay! I just read the prequel last year but it didn’t do much for me.

Original Review Summary: I loved the world, I loved the action and I would tell anyone who would listen that you should read the books in addition to the movie(s)!

Throwback Reflection: I had never really read a character like Katniss before; someone who was strong but imperfect. I think her character attributes–particularly her vulnerabilities–are more common now as readers gravitate towards characters that seem more human than perfect Barbie dolls. But she was a refreshing character for me to read. Looking back though, I actually have mixed feelings about the romance between Peeta and Katniss. Like maybe she really didn’t love him in the end but just settled? Maybe it has just been too long since I read the books so I am missing some of the finer details…

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #3: The Sullivans Series by Bella Andre

Opening Thoughts: I distinctly remember hating the first book; it was just so cliché! But I really liked the lead for the next book and so I decided to try the second book–and really loved it! There are wayyy too many books in this series, I definitely didn’t read them all nor did I read the various spin-offs.

Original Review Summary: I almost stopped reading the first book in the series but pressed on since it was on the shorter side of things–only to have it end on a cliffhanger! However, the rest of the novels I read in the series improved the romances with deeper connections between the characters. The subplot drama would irk me though because it always seemed to wrap up to quickly and easily for my tastes.

Throwback Reflection: The biggest lesson I learned from this series–particularly when it comes to contemporary romance series–is that if you didn’t like the leads in book #1 but liked the other characters, you should definitely give the other books a chance. It’s like watching a TV pilot. Sometimes you just have to give it another episode to see what will happen next with the characters, plots and romances. The only reason I never finished the series was that I had to wait for new releases and my library just didn’t get them quick enough so I kinda forgot about them. I don’t plan on revisiting it though anytime soon, but I do look back fondly on this series as one that got me into the contemporary romance genre where the leads differ from book to book.

Worth a Reread?: No.


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #4: The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

Opening Thoughts: I always think this series got better with each book. I think Cassandra Clare has an amazing talent for evolving characters over time. I remember not really liking Simon at the start of the series (for obvious love triangle reasons) but then being so addicted to his storyline by the end of it. I love this series so much–I should actually reread it sometime soon!

Original Review Summary: I binged this series hard and got super addicted to the characters and the stories. I highlighted why people might not like this series (the claims it “borrows” plots from other stories or that they might not like characters) but explained why it should be given a fair shot (tropes are common throughout the literary world, its just how you spin them that makes stories unique–which Clare does).

Throwback Reflection: For years, I would make sure I was on the holds list for the newest Cassandra Clare book so I could read it as soon as it was published! Life has gotten in the way the last few years but I still love this series and its worlds so much. It’s a gold standard for YA fantasy and paranormal reads for me. I didn’t really love the TV show though…

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #5: Wondrous Strange Series by Lesley Livingston

Opening Thoughts: To this day, I still think of this series as one of my all time favourites. The covers reflect this beautiful world Lesley Livingston has created. The blending of Shakespeare and faeries by this Canadian author is unlike anything I have ever read.

Original Review Summary: This trilogy just delivers in every book. From the characters, to the drama, to the romance — I was a fan!

Throwback Reflection: This series made Lesley Livingston a must read author for me! I’ve read quite a few of her other series since but this throwback has reminded me that I really should get around to finishing The Valiant Series!

Worth a Reread?: Yes!


My Original Series Review Here

Throwback #6: The Selection Series by Kierra Cass

Opening Thoughts: I remember the first book of the series, The Selection, was super polarizing amongst my two friends. One loved it, the other thought it was the worst thing she had ever read. I was of the camp that is was so bad, it was good. There was just something weirdly addictive about this book even though I didn’t like any of the lead characters!

Original Review Summary: The idea of a dystopian Bachelor-esque competition with royalty was a cool idea to explore in this series. I hated the heroine, America, and I hated the love triangle she was in (neither choice was great). Overall, I felt like this series lacked something to take it to the next level. I also didn’t enjoy the spin-off series either thanks to its crappy ending…ugh.

Throwback Reflection: I think that “missing piece” is the lack of focus on the dystopian world. I’ve been reading another series that has a similar premise of a dating competition but with a paranormal spin and I’m enjoying it a lot because it has found that balance between the competition and the politics of the world. The Selection really lacked that for me. I still think of this series as a guilty pleasure but I can’t say that I will ever pick this series up again.

Worth a Reread?: No.


Agree to Disagree?

Did you love (or love to hate) any of these reads? Share your thoughts on my throwbacks below! 

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