I was one of those weirdos that enjoyed school for the learning aspect. With the exception of my roommates, my favorite part about college was time in the classrooms. I loved taking notes, writing stories/essays, and learning new things.
I did NOT love how little time I had for pleasure reading. I’m very grateful to be out of school and free of the obligatory text book reading. Bring on the fun books 🙂
This month I only finished 2 books. We had some crazy travel & work weeks. Linking up for Show Us Your Books with Steph & Jana!
Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey
★★★/5 
Sam & Ian are co-workers, teachers, best friends, and NOT dating. But when all the teachers find out that Ian and Sam are both on the market, their relationship becomes a little more complicated.
Ehh… This was more like a 2.5 star book but I round up. I won’t lie- the END of romance novels are usually the best part. Or at least the last third of the book. It’s where the sparks typically fly & catch everything on fire. I actually enjoyed the first half of this book WAY more than the second half. The romance was weird and almost too friendly-to-lovey. And that’s coming from someone whose own romance went from friends to lovers. Ian wasn’t appealing to me at all. He was moody and touchy (personality-wise, not physically). I didn’t like that. Also, Sam was kind of tough on herself appearance-wise when it came to Ian’s amazing awesome attractiveness. *eyeroll* Girl- if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Don’t worry about being in his sex appeal shadow- move out the shade and soak in that sun. But I digress.
Should you read it? I would say no… It’s not my cup of tea romance-wise. If you’re a HUGE friends-to-lovers fan then maybe.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
★★★★★/5 
Days before Harry enters his third year at Hogwarts, the notorious Sirius Black escapes Azkaban prison. Everyone’s worried that he’s after Harry but Harry just wants to pass his classes and win the Quidditch cup.
This has always been my very favorite HP book. While Jo definitely ties books 1 & 2 into the whole series, I feel like we really start to get into the history and core story with this book. I love the introduction of Sirius and Remus with this book. When you’ve read this story before, I feel like you find a large chunk of the book frustrating. Oh well- deep, strong feelings are what makes the world of HP wonderful. What’s your favorite HP book? I’m really really loving my journey of rereading the illustrated versions as they’re released. They’re SO beautiful!
Should you read it? Duh, but only after you’ve finished the first two books!
*On Thursday I will share my Thoughts While Rereading HP & the PoA!
|5 points| Freebie: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
|10 points| Starts with the letter N: Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen
|10 points| Has a mostly orange color: A Tyranny of Petticoats by various authors
|15 points| A book with an unlikable character: An Act of Villainy by Ashley Weaver*
|20 points| From 100 books PBS calls “The Great American Read”– HP & the Prisoner of Azkaban (illustrated version) by J.K. Rowling
|20 points| Related to water in the title: On A Cold Dark Sea by Elizabeth Blackwell
|25 points| Owned/TBR the longest (GoodReads): The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
|30 points| An emotion word in the title: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
|30 points| Each word in the title begins with the same letter: After Alice by Gregory Maguire
|35 points| A book featuring a character who shares your profession or similar one (i.e. does the same kind of thing as you do day to day): The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
I have 130 points out of 200.
*I changed this selection. It was The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling.
What did you read this month?
It feels weird to post today and not mention September 11th… I think it’s called Patriot Day now. I know exactly where I was 17 years ago when I got the news. Today my thoughts are with the loved ones of the innocent people who died at the hands of hatred and fear, as well as those who mourn the loss of a friend or family member that’s since fought the terror in our world.
Life as Louise 
I keep seeing this is just a MEH one for RS Grey. Bummer. I still have it so I’ll get around to it but glad to know I shouldnt jump on it fast.
You always make me want to re-read my HP books 🙂
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Some people didn’t *totally* despise it, lol. You might like it!
I always recommend rereading HP 😉
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I’m still on the second illustrated HP. I haven’t been reading it regularly though as I’ve had other books to get through, but I hope to finish it soon and then read POA as that’s my favorite HP book. And I love the illustrated versions!!! Sorry your other read was a bit of a dud; I hope September is better for you reading-wise.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I like taking my time with the illustrated HP books. I tend to read them slowly- only a chapter or two per night. They’re so big but I feel like they’re so easy to flu through (and then they’re over 😦 lol!).
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I absolutely love the new illustrated versions of the Harry Potter books! They are so fun to read with children!
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I agree!! I can’t wait until I have future kids that want to read them/want me to read them to them!!
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It feels weird to not mention September 11. It feels weird to mention it too. I always feel weird on this day. I’ve only written about it once.
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Agreed. I don’t know that I’ve ever written about it. And it’s funny to me (not in a ha-ha way) that SO MANY people (kids) that are alive right now weren’t alive when it happened. That’s just nuts.
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oh bummer about the rs grey book! not my favourite of hers.. fingers crossed her next one is better. i’ve been meaning to read HP for a couple years… soon!
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I think RS Grey is super funny- the romance in this one just didn’t flow well for me. *shrug* Oh well!
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Today is a weird day. I never know what to do or say so I really don’t say anything.
I think RS Grey is a pass from me
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Yeah, I don’t blame you. I think it’s super strange for people with vivid memories from the actual day.
I enjoy Grey’s humor- this book’s romance aspect just fell flat for me.
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I love RS Grey, she is hilarious. But I will say, I liked the other two books of hers I read better than this last one.
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I read Arrogant Devil and really liked it. I just couldn’t get on board with the romantic decisions being made in this one. Hahaha.
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9/11 is such a hard day. There are those moments where it’s a normal day and then you remember that it’s no ordinary day.
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is the very, very best HP book and definitely agree that it’s the point where things start to change and become less of a kid’s book. I need to read an R.S. Grey book but this definitely doesn’t sound like the one to choose!
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I agree completely.
HP & the PoA is 110% the best. I love this book (although it’s SUPER frustrating to hear everyone talk about Sirius how they do, sigh)! Arrogant Devil was a good RS Grey in my opinion!
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Ah b summer about not so nice guy. I liked it but knew immediately that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. TFS
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I’m not sure what it was but the romance part didn’t click with me. I really did like where it was going at first, though!! Ha. I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
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Not having any free time for fun reading was my least favorite part of college too! Chris and I dated all throughout college and he totally didn’t realize how much I liked to read until we were married because I didn’t have enough time to read. Those Harry Potter illustrated novels are so beautiful! I can’t wait until the 4th one comes out!
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That’s too funny about Chris not knowing about your reading habits until post-college 🙂 K and I started dating in hs and I DEVOURED books back then. He saw the college slump and now has to deal with me ignoring him for hours at a time when I have my nose in a book 😉
Ughhhh- the wait for book #4 makes me so sad! haha
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LOVE Harry Potter! We own the first series, and will work on buying the illustrated series little by little, they are so amazing!
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I agree!! The last three books have been released in Oct. and my mother-in-law always get them for me for my birthday or Christmas. We’re both sad that #4 isn’t coming out this year.
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is probably my favorite of the series 🙂
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I just love when the characters start making all the connections. And it definitely highlights how dang smart Hermione is in all the books!!
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Yeah for Harry Potter. Those illustrated books are so beautiful!
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I agree completely! I love reading through them 🙂
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HP #3 is my very fave!!
http://ziggylife.com/reading-lately/
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Makes total sense 🙂 5 and 7 closely follow for me!
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UGH GIRL SAME ON NOT SO NICE GUY. Just cannot even. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite. (I just spelled Prisoner, Prizoner… LOL) I need the illustrated versions on my shelf!! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I always try to spell Hogwarts with a “z” at the end. Hahahaha!
I need my romance characters to make me swoon. Ian not so much. SIGH. lol
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I’m planning to write a post about my thoughts after re-reading the entire series, but HP #3 is still my favorite book. I love learning the backstory about Remus and Lupin, who became among my favorite characters. I Love the illustrated versions, too.
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I’d definitely be interested to read your thoughts on rereading the entire series!! Remus and Sirius are two of my favorites, too!!
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