Personalized Vans
Duologies
Hello! Happy Tuesday! I was thinking about what books to recommend, and looking back at all the books I’ve read, I’ve realized it was either contemporary or longer series, but very few duologies. So for today’s post, I decided to list some duologies for those who don’t like series but want another book afterward the first one!
If you’ve read any of these, or think of some other ones, let me know down in the comments! **
Also, if I got any duologies incorrect and actually are series, please let me know as well!
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue & 
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzie Lee
Gentleman: Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
Lady: A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.
Six of Crows & 
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Small Synopsis: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .
Warcross & 
Wildcard by Marie Lu
Small Synopsis: For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.
Strange the Dreamer & 
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Small Synopsis: The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
The Wrath and the Dawn & 
The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh
Small Synopsis: In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad’s dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph’s reign of terror once and for all.
This Savage Song & 
Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
Small Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Flame in the Mist & 
Smoke in the Sun by Renée Ahdieh
Small Synopsis: The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.
Passenger & 
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken
Small Synopsis: In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.
Scythe & 
Thunderhead by Neil Shusterman (As of right now it’s a duology, it might become a trilogy in the future)
Small Synopsis: Thou shalt kill. A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Wintersong & 
Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones
Small Synopsis: All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind and spirit and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesel can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.
** Synopses are from Goodreads
Writing Prompt #8
Prompt: “Just let me have like, three seconds to pretend everything is okay before we go back in there.”
“Just let me have like, three seconds to pretend everything is okay before we go back in there,” I tell Detective Carver. He looks at me with concern but doesn’t say anything right away.
“Fine, but if anything happens, I’ll step in,” He reassured. I nod and turn the knob on the dark grey, steel door. It’s cold to the touch, giving me a shiver down my back before I enter. I take a deep breath.
“Mr. Harrison,” I pause. He looks up at me deadpan. No expression. Nothing that allows me any hints to what he’s thinking. “Where were you on the night of the 26th of June?”
He doesn’t say anything for a few moments and then, “I already told you. I was working. I’m not going to be a broken record because you’re ignorance is blocking your hearing.” He spoke very firmly, no hesitations.
“How late were you working? Did you take any breaks and leave the building?” I ask him. I pull the metal chair out, scraping across the floor as I do so. I sit down to face him, waiting for him to respond.
“I didn’t leave the building until the time I left. I’m a lawyer, I have stacks of paperwork to go through. I don’t have time for a break. I probably left around 10, not entirely sure,” He said.
“You do realize that what you’re being charged for is a serious matter, and what you aren’t saying now, is probably going to affect you later?” I tell him, trying to see how he responds.
“I do realize. I’m not a detective, but I’ve spoken with dozens of clients. I’ve said nearly the same thing to them because it’s my job. I understand that you think I killed my wife, I didn’t because I was working,” He started to raise his voice. This tells me that there’s something bothering him, and it’s not grief. “Detective, let me ask you this, have you ever found your wife lying there, dead? Her pool of blood laying all around her?”
“No, I have not. I’m not married,” I respond. “That doesn’t mean you didn’t kill her.”
“I did not kill her. I loved her so much that I would-” He stopped. I look up at him, he’s getting emotional.
“That you what? Want to end her life?” I say. He goes back to a deadpan face after taking a deep breath.
“I want my lawyer, Detective,” He says.
Cow Words
My Favorite BookTubers
Hello! Happy Tuesday!
I haven’t really talked about what influenced me to start a book blog. Besides the obvious love for books, and wanting to talk about them, I watch BookTube videos. It’s essentially the same thing as blogging, but with videos. I knew I didn’t have enough confidence or determination to make videos but I knew that I was capable of having a blog. I definitely don’t regret starting my blog. It’s still a whole learning process for me, but I’m still enjoying my time writing blog posts about books but also writing and art as well.
In today’s post, I wanted to share with you all some of the BookTubers that I love to watch, and that inspires me to read and start this blog.
Let me know down in the comments what inspired you to make your blog, and if you watch BookTube, who are your favorites! ***
**Links to their YouTube channels are in their name**
InsaneReader: Although he doesn’t post many videos as of recent, I still enjoy watching his videos. Caleb is very passionate about the books he reads, and he has this energy that is totally relatable. He’s also pretty energetic in his videos which makes it more entertaining to watch.
Paperbackdreams: This channel is run by Kat. She’s very awkward and random but very funny and passionate. When she has thoughts about a book, she puts a lot of thought into it, and if she doesn’t like a book, she gives examples of why she doesn’t but also gives credit to the side that might enjoy it.
Emmabooks: This channel is made by Emma. She reads a lot of different types of books, and a lot every month, and has thorough thoughts about each on that she reads. She has a lot of recommendation videos, especially pertaining to mental health.
Kate Pfeil: Kate reads a lot of different books, and usually, it’s books that most of booktube doesn’t talk about or read. It’s refreshing to watch her videos because she reads all different kinds of books, and to get new book ideas.
BooksandLala: Kayla or Lala is a very popular booktuber, and she mostly reads newer books, but she is very honest in her responses to the books she reads. She gives both sides of the book, and the reasons whether she likes books or not. She also does interesting challenges, some to push herself to read the books on her TBR shelf and try new things
Sunset
Chocolate Book Tag
Hello! Happy Tuesday! I am busy studying for finals but I decided to do a fun, quick tag for all of you.
Dark Chocolate — A book that covers a dark topic (abuse, domestic violence, rape, loneliness, bullying, death, etc)
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood. I know I talk about this book a lot, but I love it so much. It handles a lot of difficult topics, like drugs, abuse, a lot of heavy topics, but it’s so raw and it’s amazing. Go read it.
White Chocolate — Your favorite light-hearted/humorous read
I don’t talk about this a lot, but A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman is a very good book. It’s about this old man trying to protect his neighborhood, but he’s a grumpy old man but it’s almost like the cutesy old man type. He develops a relationship with his neighbors after his wife dies and it’s just light-hearted and funny at some times.
Milk Chocolate — A book that has a lot of hype that you’re dying to read
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson. I’ve heard nothing but very good things about this book, and I wanted to pick it up last semester but I kinda pushed it away and never got to it. I hopefully will this summer.
Chocolate with a caramel center — Name a book that made you feel all gooey in the middle while you were reading it
This is probably A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. There were different parts in it that I was getting all giddy about it because it was so cute. There was a part that I didn’t expect to happen and my mouth fell open lol.
Wafer-free Kit-Kat — Name a book that surprised you lately
Water Runs Red by Jenna Clare. I don’t really read poetry books that often because I feel like that they are similar in ways that just make them seem just okay. This poetry book, however, is different than anything I have ever read, and it was really refreshing. It’s about finding yourself, friendships, heartbreaks because of those friendships and life in general. It was something I didn’t know I needed.
Snickers — A book that you are going nuts about
Honestly, probably Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey Mcquiston. This book is definitely worth its hype right now. I pre-ordered a copy after my ARC of it, and I probably will re-read it. Also, it comes out today, so happy book birthday!
Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows — What book would you turn to for a comfort read?
I don’t really know, I’m not the type of person to re-read books that often so I can’t think of anything that would comfort me.
Box of chocolates — What series have you read that you feel has a wide variety and a little something for everyone?
This is a duology but Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It has different types of characters that bring each other together in order to finish out Kaz’s plan. The characters all have backstories and the world building is very complex but it isn’t too hard to understand that you’ll get confused.
My Mother
Books That Have a Male Protagonist
Hello! Happy Tuesday, I hope your week is starting off well!
I notice that a lot of YA books have a lot of focus on female characters, I know that sometimes when it’s a romance, it has both, but even then it usually focuses on the female main character. So, I wanted to pick out of a few books that focus on the male characters for the majority of the book.
As I was looking through the books with a male main character, I noticed that more than half of the novels had taken place in a different setting other than a typical school. They had different worlds or plotlines of dystopian or utopian settings, which I found really interesting. Something that didn’t really surprise me though is that more than half of the authors were male, but I feel like that is fairly common. Authors usually (not all the time) write their main characters using their own gender.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
As most of you know, Harry Potter is based upon his life in a world of wizards. So this is an obvious one, but I thought it would be nice to add it to this list.
Paper Towns by John Green
This book follows Quentin or Q, who is in search of finding his neighbor Margo. He notices that she has left behind clues in order to find where she went. I think this is another book that it’s nice to see a male character, and not only that but Q has male friends, so it’s mostly just a group of guys, which is a nice change as well.
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
This book takes place is Jasper or Jazz’s perspective. This isn’t a typical young adult novel. Jazz’s father has been imprisoned for being a serial killer, which allows Jazz to be motivated to help the local Police Department when a new serial killer comes around. I think this book has a nice twist of character and plot, and it has a male protagonist.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I feel like this book is fairly popular but for those who aren’t familiar, this book has a male main character named Wade. He enters a virtual utopia name OASIS and decides to figure out puzzles in order to win. I think this another example of a well written YA novel with a male lead.
Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
Henry or also Monty sets on a quest called The Grand Tour of Europe where he brings along his friend Percy and sister Felicity. During this trip, Monty’s recklessness brings them trouble along the way. This novel is very fun to read and has LGBT romance within it so I think that it’s something to consider when choosing the next book to read.
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Aaron is trying to find happiness after a tragedy happens. He tries to move on with the help of his girlfriend, Genevieve, and his friend Thomas. But there’s something about Thomas that confuses him about himself and for his future. Aaron is determined to fix it by going to the Leteo Institution. I think this is an interesting novel about diverse themes, like mental health or LGBT views.
Holes by Louis Sachar
This story is about Stanley who is said to be under a curse. He is sent to an all-boys detention center where the warden makes them dig holes all day. It’s an interesting story to read about because it takes place essentially in the middle of nowhere but there’s a lot of character development and has a male main character.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
This book tackles a lot of heavy topics because a good majority of where it takes place is in a psychiatric hospital. This is because Craig, the main character is suicidal, and attempts suicide and is placed inside the hospital to seek. I saw this book as a more positive book for mental health because instead of Craig being miserable and wanting to leave, he takes it as he can change. I think it’s also important in having a male main character in these kinds of situations because men have mental illnesses too.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Although this novel is in dual perspective switching between Eleanor and Park, I think it is more for Park to be the main character especially at the end of the book. This is just kind of realistic expectations of unexpected friends and then to this sort of romance. In this high school sort of scenario, I think it’s important to have a male main character because I feel that most high school novels are written in female perspective most of the time and it’s nice to have a boys perspective of things.
The Novice by Taran Matharu
I think this book is fairly similar to Harry Potter, so there isn’t much for me to elaborate on. Fletcher has learned he can summon demons, and enters a Military Academy in order how to control summoning and other skills. I think that Fletcher adds a nice touch because he’s new to the whole summoning thing but if I remember correctly he knows some things about it or is aware of it. So he learns how to control it but not is completely out of the loop.
Writing Prompt #7
Prompt: Write a story in all dialogue.
“Order Up!”
“Can you cover for me tonight?”
“What is it for this time? Your man needs some loving or whatever?”
“My baby is sick. You know, not everything is about Hunter.”
“Only if it’s for your child. Not that low-life.”
“Here’s your pancakes, sir.”
“More coffee too.”
“You got it.”
“I’m tired of this place anyways, sometimes my baby is my only excuse to get outta here.”
“I got a life too. A loving husband, children.”
“Hah, doubt you’d spend time with them anyway. You’d be too busy playing whatever card game that could land you money.”
“Here’s some more coffee. How’re the pancakes?”
“They’re fine.”
“Oh, honey.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell me you’re gonna have another one.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Another one in there.”
“Oh! Of course not! What makes you think that?”
“Have you seen your ankles? You’re on your feet all day, as am I. But my ankles don’t look like that. That’s what happened when you were having your first one.”
“That’s silly. I haven’t had time to have sex since I’ve been working and the baby.”
“You trying to tell me that you’re boyfriend hasn’t been pleaded you to have sex with him when he shows up drunk, or whatever the hell he’s been on?”
“Rosie, I know you don’t like him but Hunter isn’t a bad guy. I mean we might have had sex a few weeks ago, or whatever. I can’t afford another one right now anyway.”
“Welcome, what can I grab you to drink?
“Water.”
“Water.”
“Root Beer.”
“No, honey, you can’t have that. He’ll take water.”
“I’ll get that for you.”
“Just because you can’t afford another one, doesn’t mean you aren’t pregnant.”
“Once I deliver these drinks, I’m outta here.”
“I’ll take over but you gotta get tested. Molly, you can’t go walking around anymore ignoring it after today. Go to the drugstore and pick up one on your way home.”
“Whatever, I guess I’ll stop.”
“Molly, you know better.”
“Bye, Rosie. Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Crazy ass girl, I tell you.”
