Monthly Wrap-Up – LILbooKlovers

November and December 2018 Reading Recap

Published on January 25, 2019January 21, 2019 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)

Hi guys! Since I was not able to do a Reading Recap for November, I’ve decided to compile the books I’ve read in the past two months in my first ever Reading recap of the year! I read a total of 13 books these past two months, with a little over a third of them rereads of some classic favorites I’ve read in the past. I hope you enjoy the first Reading Recap of the 2019!

The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Reread)

Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz

The Rat Prince by Bridget Hodder

A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes

A Time to Speak by Nadine Brandes

A Time to Rise by Nadine Brandes

Continue reading “November and December 2018 Reading Recap” →

October Reading Recap

Published on November 4, 2018October 31, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)5 Comments

Hi guys! October has been a very crazy month for me, and November is going to be even busier! I have a choral festival, scholarship applications, auditions, and a whole bunch of other things to prepare and complete. Somehow, in the midst of my senior year craziness, I’ve managed to read quite a few books–averaging a book or two a week! However, the books I’ve read this past month are sorted into two main categories: those I really enjoyed and those that failed to astound me. I hope you enjoy!

By the way, I’ve recently updated the way I rate and review books. Now, four stars means that I enjoyed a book while three stars is reserved for books that “are not bad but they’re not good.” If I did not like a book, I would rate it two stars. It sounds very similar to my past review scale, but I’m not judging books a bit more harshly since I have been too lenient regarding books that don’t impress me. I would instantly recommend books four stars and above. Three star books I’m more hesitant with. This new system helps me distinguish books that were “okay” versus books that I truly enjoyed and thus books that blew me away.

Earth Force Rising by Monica Tesler (Yes, I Re-Read This a Month after I Finished It!)

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R. M. Romero

Continue reading “October Reading Recap” →

August Reading Recap!

Published on September 2, 2018September 2, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)7 Comments

Hi everybody!! I am on a three-day weekend today (woo hoo!), and I’m spending this Labor Day break reading and relaxing and catching up on things. One day off really can make all the difference, don’t you think? Today, I am sharing my August Reading Recap, and I read eight books this month! I’m a bit surprised at that, but I’m so glad to do so. I’m planning on doing some more re-reads of my favorite books (I have The Continuum Trilogy and The Book Thief next on my list) along with knocking out a lot of review copies and backlist books. I hope you enjoy!

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Re-read!)

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop by Alice Faye Duncan

The 13th Continuum by Jennifer Brody (Re-read!)

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

The Eleventh Trade by Alyssa Hollingsworth

Kids of Appetite by David Arnold

The House in Poplar Wood by K. E. Ormsbee

In Case You Missed This Month’s Posts

Author Interviews

Kelly deVos, author of Fat Girl on a Plane

Sarah Jean Horwitz, author of The Wingsnatchers

LILbooKtalks

“Back to School: Instilling a Love of Reading in Students” with Rebecca Donnelly and Jake Burt

Blog Tours

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes: Book and Audiobook Excerpts

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd: Book Review

The Moons of Barsk by Lawrence M. Schoen: Book Excerpt

Book Reviews

Lost on the Water by D. G. Driver (4)

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden (5)

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd (4)

The Gravedigger’s Son by Patrick Moody (4)

The Story Collector by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb (5)

Recaps

July Reading Recap

Promotional Posts

Top 10 Favorite Apparel Designs from Literary Book Gifts

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

July Reading Recap!

Published on August 5, 2018August 2, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)1 Comment

Hi guys! July has been a crazy month for me, and it’s definitely been busy! I’ve been to Singapore and road-tripped around the Philippines, and it’s great to be back home. I’m looking forward to all of the adventures I’m going to have this school year, whether they be in a book or in real life! I’ve actually finished nine books this past month, which is a stunning accomplishment for me! I am going to try to knock out as many ARCs and review copies as I can in August (though I’m not doing #ARCAugust). Hope you enjoy!

Be Light Like a Bird by Monika Schröder (Re-Read!)

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden

The Story Collector by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

Air Awakens by Elise Kova

Pints with Aquinas by Matt Fradd

Lost on the Water by D. G. Driver

EngiNerds by Jarrett Lerner

Legendary by Stephanie Garber

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

In Case You Missed It

Author Interviews

Rob Vlock, author of Sven Carter & the Trashmouth Effect

Supriya Kelkar, author of Ahimsa

Author Guest Posts

Mon D. Rea, author of Elemental Ninjas, on “Over-genre-lized! (or Why I Genre Hop)”

LILbooKtalks

“Finding Your Narnia: Transporting Readers to Magical Worlds” with Christina Soontornvat and K. E. Ormsbee

Discussions

Reality Has So Much to Offer, Just Like Reading

Book Reviews

Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes (4 stars)

Kat Greene Comes Clean by Melissa Roske (5 stars)

Open If You Dare by Dana Middleton (5 stars)

The Juniper Sawfeather Trilogy by D. G. Driver (4 stars)

Reading Recaps

June Reading Recap

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

June Reading Recap!

Published on July 1, 2018June 29, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)7 Comments

Hi guys! Fortunately, because summer’s here, I’ve been able to read more and blog more over the past few weeks! I have managed to finish nine books (compared with May’s two/three) and I have finally completed a few reading goals! I’ve found two five-star books (yes, my four-star drought has ended!) and I’ve finished a classic outside of English! Jane Eyre took me a long time to read but it was so well worth it! I hope you can check out these amazing books!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Follow Me Back by A. V. Geiger

One Night by Deanna Cabinian

Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn

The Magnificent Glass Globe by N. R. Bergeson

Dragon Mount by Jennifer M. Eaton

One Summer with Autumn by Julie A. Reece

Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes

Before Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn

In Case You Missed It

Author Interviews

Meg Eden, author of Post-High School Reality Quest

Mindee Arnett, author of Onyx & Ivory

Author Guest Posts

Monica Tesler, author of The Heroes Return, on “Building Fantastical Worlds in Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction”

B. W. Morris, author of Six Pack: Emergence, on “The Journey to The Six Pack Series“

LILbooKtalks

“Never Losing Hope in a Future of Uncertainty” with Dana Middleton and Alyssa Hollingsworth

Book Reviews

Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar (5 stars)

Dragon Mount by Jennifer M. Eaton (4 stars)

The Island by J. L. Pattison (4 stars)

Blogoversary!

The Importance of Middle Grade Literature for Adult Readers

Kester’s Interview on MG Book Village

Reading Recaps

May Reading Recap

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

May Reading Recap

Published on June 3, 2018June 3, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)2 Comments

Hi everybody! This month’s Reading Recap will be very short because I have read only two books this month. Yes, two. This past May has been one of the busiest months of my entire life, with AP exams in the first two weeks, end-of-school activities the third, Boys State on the fourth, and traveling to the Philippines on the fifth. It has been very crazy for me, so I have not been able to read at all. Hopefully this summer, I’ll be able to catch up on reading and reviewing and blogging!

The Gravedigger’s Son by Patrick Moody

The Island by J. L. Pattison

In Case You Missed It: This Month’s Posts

Author Interviews

Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of A Dog Like Daisy

Author Guest Posts

Wendy McLeod MacKnight, author of The Frame Up, on “The World Behind the Frame”

LILbooKtalks

“Mermaid Tails and Fairy Tales” with Tobie Easton and D. G. Driver

Discussions

Memorial Day: A Personal Reflection on Washington, DC, and TN Boys State

Book Reviews

Genesis by Brendan Reichs

Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett

Runtime by S. B. Divya

Seeing through Sampson’s Eyes by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

Blog Tours

Genesis by Brendan Reichs

Reading Recap

April Reading Recap

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

March Reading Recap!

Published on April 1, 2018March 30, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)1 Comment

Hi guys! Happy Easter! May the glory of Christ’s resurrection provide you strength and bless you continually throughout your lives! I pray that God may guide each of you throughout your lives. Today, I am posting my March Reading Re-Cap, and surprisingly I managed to finish so many books regardless of my extremely busy schedule. My Spring Break is also about to end, but I’ve certainly recharged with a lot of rest, prayer, and reading these past few days. I hope you enjoy this post, and have a blessed day!

Open If You Dare by Dana Middleton

Continue reading “March Reading Recap!” →

February Reading Re-Cap!

Published on March 4, 2018March 2, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)7 Comments

Hi guys! March is going to be a crazy month for me! I just performed last night in my choir’s Evening with the Madrigals, and I sang and/or played the piano to “Hold Me Now” by Johnny Logan, “Home” from Beauty and the Beast: The Musical, and “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera. Next week is Midterms week, along with my DECA State Convention and the SE-YA Book Fest. And that’s only the first two weeks of March, and there’s much more in store for me. At least last month, I was able to finish 10 books somehow!

Cry of the Sea by D. G. Driver

These Ruthless Deeds by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt

AutoFocus by Lauren Gibaldi

Legends of the Lost Causes by Brad McLellan and Louis Sylvester

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Rook by Sharon Cameron

These Vengeful Souls by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

Love Songs & Other Lies by Jessica Pennington

In Case You Missed This Month’s Posts

Author Interviews

Adrianne Finlay, author of Your One & Only

Mary Weber, author of Reclaiming Shilo Snow

Chelsea Sedoti, author of As You Wish

LILbooKtalks

“Healing through Stories: Two Novels of Uniting Families” with Corabel Shofner and Leslie Hauser

Discussions

The Power of Middle Grade Novels

Reviews

Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay (5 Stars)

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (4 Stars)

Legends of the Lost Causes by Brad McLellan and Louis Sylvester (4 Stars)

The Lairdbalor by Kathleen Kaufman (3 Stars)

Blog Tours and Cover Reveals

Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay (ARC Review)

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce (Review)

Fighting Fate by Shaila Patel (Cover Reveal and Excerpt)

Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber (Scavenger Hunt and Author Interview)

Misc.

January Reading Re-Cap

Blog Update: Re-Organization of Archives

Happy Reading!

+ J.M.J.

~ Kester

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?

Comment below, or find me in one of my social media pages, and let’s chat!

January Reading Re-Cap!

Published on February 4, 2018February 3, 2018 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)11 Comments

Hi guys! January was definitely a crazy month for me. I got off for an entire week due to snow, but I did win first place in DECA regionals! I met and chatted with so many amazing authors over the past few weeks, and I am really excited to see the blog grow even more in 2018. Also, I’m beginning to Bookstagram, which is going to be fun yet a bit challenging. Somehow, I managed to squeeze in 11 books this month, which is a remarkable feat considering my schedule, and I’m hoping to finish many more soon!

The Shadow Queen by C. J. Redwine

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Continue reading “January Reading Re-Cap!” →

My September Reading Re-Cap!

Published on October 8, 2017October 7, 2017 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)1 Comment

Hi guys! I’ve been less active lately last month because school has been super busy, and I mean, super busy. This past week was mid-terms week, which definitely was full of cramming pages and pages (I mean eight 30-page chapters for AP US History) of information from colonial, revolutionary, and republican American history to genetics, organic molecules, and cellular respiration and photosynthesis in AP Biology. I’ve also had an audition, a concert, a festival, and a field trip lined up these past few weeks. Yeah, I’ve been really busy, which is why I haven’t blogged as much in September. BUT, I have read quite a few books last months so I have some great reviews and posts out soon!