Let’s Talk Bookish: Reading YA/Middle Grade as an Adult

Letโ€™s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books and Dani @ Literary Lion. This weekโ€™s topic was suggested by Sam @ River Moose Books and is What Makes You Continue Picking Up YA/Middle Grade? Or Why Don’t You?

As adults some of us leave YA/Middle Grade behind and some of us continue to revel in itโ€ฆbut what separates us as readers? If you still pick up YA/Middle Grade, what draws you to them instead of Adult Fiction?

I am in the camp of someone in their 20s who still reads both young adult and middle grade. I think I still prefer to read them for multiple reasons. Although I read far more young adult than middle grade, I still find myself picking up middle grade from time to time. They’re often series that I loved as a child and want to go back to read more installments that have since been published or just to reread my favorites. I’m always amazed at how much development middle grade has, especially since they tend to be shorter books. I also don’t think books have an age limit. As long as you enjoy it, that’s all that matters!

Firstly, I think I’m drawn to young adult because I relate to the characters more. Although I’m old enough to live on my own, I’ve chosen to remain with my parents and sibling for the time being so I can’t relate to some of the struggles that adult fiction portrays such as dealing with relationship issues with a spouse, taking care of a family or raising a child, running a household, and so on. When I do read adult fiction, I tend to avoid contemporary novels because of the aforementioned themes and prefer to read historical fiction, fantasy, or cozy mysteries.

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Review: Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

it was wrong to justify what sort of hurt mattered and what didn’t. anything that left scars came from hurt. only now was she realizing the scars she bore and had trained herself not to see.

janella angeles

Series: Kingdom of Cards #1

Release Date: August 25th 2020

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Genre: Young Adult Fiction | High Fantasy | Romance | Mystery

Page Count: 464

Source:ย I received an advance reader’s copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!

Goodreads Summary: In a city covered in ice and ruin, a group of magicians face off in a daring game of magical feats to find the next headliner of the Conquering Circus, only to find themselves under the threat of an unseen danger striking behind the scenes. As each act becomes more and more risky and the number of missing magicians piles up, three are forced to reckon with their secrets before the darkness comes for them next.

The Star: Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove sheโ€™s the best no matter the cost

The Master: Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club, and more than one lie told

The Magician: Demarco, the brooding judge with a dark past he can no longer hide

Rating:

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Wrap-Up: April 2021

Hey, everyone! I had a really productive April so I’m not going to waste much time on an introduction (also because I’m eager to jump back into watching Shadow and Bone on Netflix haha). I read 6 books in April along with 2 novellas and I also made some changes to some social media accounts for this blog. I hope you all had a great month and let’s jump right in to the books I read these past few weeks.

Books I Read in April:

After reading so many fantasy books in March, I decided to take a breather and jumped into a fantasy/paranormal mash-up series that I’d received for review. Of the Blood and Of Fire and Water by Cameo Renae are the first two books in her Heir of Blood and Fire trilogy. The books follow a young girl whose life is turned upside down when she finds out her family is part of a generations’ old grudge. She is turned into a vampire by a well-meaning vampire prince in order to save her life, but things get even more complicated when Calla finds out her heritage runs so much deeper than she ever anticipated. And that she might have to fight her own blood in order to save herself. The final book is meant to be released around late June of this year. I have a post with my thoughts on both books already up on the blog, so if you’re curious, you can find it here, but overall I found the premise to be really interesting with some great unique worldbuilding, but disliked some aspects like the way every man fell for the main character instantaneously. If I get a chance to review the third book however, I will definitely read it. Especially because there is now a curse to be dealt with and I’m eager to see what happens with it.

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11 Anticipated Young Adult Releases of May 2021

Hey, everyone! Today I’m sharing my most anticipated young adult releases for May 2021. I was trying to narrow it down to 10 but it became impossible so here are 11 of the books I’m looking forward to releasing in the upcoming month. Hopefully you’ll find a new book or two to add to your to-read list!

1. Sunkissed by Kasie West

Publication: May 4th 2021 by Delacorte Press

A lighthearted and swoony contemporary YA romance by fan-favorite author Kasie West about a girl who finds that a summer spent at a family resort isnโ€™t as bad as she imaginedโ€ฆand that falling in love is filled with heartache, laughter, and surprises!

After being betrayed by her best friend, Avery is hoping for a picture-perfect summer. Too bad her parents have dragged her and her sister to a remote family camp for the entire summer. And thatโ€™s not even the worst part. Avery also has to deal with no internet, a cute but off-limits staff member, and an always-in-her-face sister. But what starts as a disaster turns into a whirlwind summer romance as Avery embarks on an unexpected journey to figure out what she truly wants and who she wants to be.

Note: I am part of the blog tour and have received an ARC of this book so please look forward to my stop and review (+ a book-inspired playlist!) on May 6th 2021!

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Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

“why won’t you leave me alone?” i whispered one night as he hovered behind me while i tried to work at my desk….”because i’d be alone, too,” he said.

leigh bardugo

Series: Shadow and Bone #2

Release Date: June 4th 2013

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Genre: Young Adult Fiction | High Fantasy | Romance | Adventure

Page Count: 432

Source: Purchased

Goodreads Summary: Darkness never dies. Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Rating:

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