June Wrap-Up


Hello Readers! another month has passed & with it comes my typically-late-thus-making-it-right-on-time? Wrap Up smh haha! this time around I excluded my haul simply because Bookcon happened & in one day I managed to haul way too many books & that’s not including my regular books bought for the month. Also, I posted my Bookcon haul last year & that was all fine and well because I was new in the blogosphere & was very excited to share my 1st bookish event. Whelp, 1 year later I was still very excited to attend Bookcon but this time around I’d like to think I was a bit more wiser & aware of all the drama surrounding ARCS. Not to mention that book hauls from these types of conventions tend to generate negative attention & I’m not here for that. So I decided to skip the haul & just speak about the event itself…

The best part of the event was seeing my twin aka bff Gretchen who most of you know has a blog called ChicNerdReads (pictured below in the glasses next to me). My hubby also accompanied us which is always fun since he’s also a reader & I’m his source for new book recommendations. The event seemed to have been dominated by Penguin with giveaways every hour on the hour as well as author signings. This made for extremely long lines, stampedes, and overall madness tbh…

I am honestly surprised to have acquired the ARCS that I did but it wasn’t easy & took a bit of prioritizing. Gretchen & I pre-gamed for this event mapping out which books we were aiming for & I do believe this actually helped as much as we thought otherwise during the event. Overall, the event & it’s lack of organization was terrible for our anxiety. The positive however is that we got to spend the whole weekend surrounded by BOOKS & talking about BOOKS and that’s always a fun time no matter what. Also! we met another Puerto-Rican Bookworm who had flown in for the event. She told us about getting caught in the stampede for Warcross on Saturday & how after hours of standing in line she walked away w/out the ARC. My hubby gave up his ARC to Warcross which we had at home. We shipped it to PR & when it arrived she sent me a very happy text which made my week 🙂

Me (left side) & Gretchen (right side)

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali ★★★★★ (5 Stars)

Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser ★★★★ (4 Stars)

Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios ★★★★ (4 Stars)

Bearly a Lady (Novella) by Cassandra Khaw ★★★★1/2 (4.5 Stars)

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue ★★★★★ 5 Stars

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) *Conclusion to duology w/spoilers for This Savage Song ★★★★★ 5 Stars 

Although for the month of June I only read YA, each book was so different from each other that it honestly felt like I read diversely. I read some books with hard topics like Saints and Misfits and Bad Romance which led me to discovering two amazing authors. I had a ton of fun reading The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue and Bearly a Lady (novella) with many laughs. Started a new Diverse Fantasy with Song of the Current & can’t wait to read the sequel to this du-ology. I also read the conclusion to monsters of Verity…Our Dark Duet broke me yet it is the most satisfying conclusion I’ve ever read. Yea, I was a bit all over the place but my reading reflected my life as a whole in June haha!

My most highly anticipated flick for 2017 DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Wonder Woman had me engaged from the opening scene. I have always been fascinated by the Amazons & Wonder Woman has always been a icon for me…getting her back story on the big screen felt like the best earliest Christmas gift I never thought to ask for LOL! little Diana was lively & eager to learn the ways of the Amazons & seeing her natural born instincts play out gave her a new sparkle in my eyes. My only regret is not reviewing this movie on the blog when my feels were fresh haha. I loved the entire cast, humor, fight scenes, and plot as a whole! my interest in The Justice League sky rocketed after leaving the theater googling for any bit of early news hinting at a sequel to Wonder Woman. For those who didn’t think Wonder Woman deserved her own solo debut…Gal Gadot sure showed you *5 Stars* 😉

My second date night with the hubby (we got lucky in June with sitting) was great & all but Transformers The Last Night was lackluster. I was really rooting for this one more for the hubby’s enjoyment than mine really. I just went to see Markie Mark & Bumble Bee but the irony in that I tell ya smh! So, as a lover of all Mark Whalberg’s movies I can go ahead and say this…In my opinion, he should’ve never accepted the lead role no matter how badly he wanted to realize his childhood dream of playing with life sized Transformers #jussayin. Love me some Markie Mark but that role really needs to go to another younger guy (not shia Labeouf, that ship has sailed). I’m hoping that the history they introduced means we are due a new main character *fingers crossed* I found myself bored & ended up rating this movie *3.5 stars* 😦

Happy reading in July Bookworms!!! Hope you all had a wonderful June month & are enjoying your summer reads. Read or watched any of these? drop a comment down below <3’s!

Author: LairOfBooks

"I didn't choose the Book Life, the Book Life chose me"

45 thoughts on “June Wrap-Up”

    1. Thank you Kristin! it was suuuuuch a fun book! so many laughs & some infuriating moments, easily in my top fave sof 2017. Hope you enjoy when you get around to it 😉

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  3. What a WONDERFUL month! So glad you had fun at BookCon! I didn’t post a YALLWEST haul either. Didn’t want the ARC drama like you said. But yay! So excited you had a great time! Looks like you read some great books as well! And OMG that Wonder Woman movie!!!

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    1. Thank you Krysti! I was curious about your YALLWEST experience but I gathered it was a good one from your IG photos lol. I hope to one day make it to a YALLWEST event *fingers crossed* & yea it honestly sucks that there is so much drama around ARCS & these events that it’s better to just save the energy it would take to write a haul. I had a good time but I’m REALLY looking forward to Comic Con in October since they’re always good to us bookworms 🙂

      Wonder Woman stole my heart & I’m just waiting for the DVD so I can relive that experience, SOoO good & empowering to women! thanks again Krysti 🙂

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      1. YALLWEST is so fun. I love that it’s in Cali. It’s always so fun to visit that state. I do hope you can make it one year. I will definitely go to that one every year. There is way to much drama around ARCs. I’m hoping it starts to calm down. That is awesome that they have BookCon at Comic Con there! I do really want to go to BookCon someday. I’ve been to NYC a few times, but never for that.

        That movie is definitely one I will be buying and watching repeatedly! Can’t wait! 🙂

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  4. Wow you read some amazing books! I’m really excited to read Bad Romance, and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue sounds amazing too. I also read Our Dark Duet recently, though I didn’t love it so much 🙂

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    1. Hi Anushka! I really hope you enjoy The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue as much as I did, it was a ton of fun to read! Bad Romance was a tough book to read because of the mental, emotional, and physical abuse. The author drew from her own personal experience & I was able to relate, def should have something more uplifting to read after though 😉

      So sorry to hear about ODD 😦

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    1. haha! I met Gretchen last year & this is our 2nd convention, we always have such a good time that it’s like double the perks both books & bff time lol. I hope you enjoy the du-ology when you get around to it, it’s easily my top fave. Wishing you a wonderful July 🙂

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  7. I’d love to make it to BookCon one day although I’ll fully admit that everything I hear about the craziness trying to get ARCs already stresses me out, hahaha. That was so nice of you and your husband to send your Warcross ARC to someone! I would’ve been so mad if I were in her position, especially once you start seeing ARCs of it from BookCon on ebay, smh.
    I’m glad to see how much you enjoyed all of these books since all of them are on my TBR. Well, your review of Bearly a Lady is what made that one go on my TBR, haha. Gentleman’s Guide is probably the one I’ll read first if I can get it from the library. Anyway, it looks like you had a great month and I hope July is just as good for you! 🙂

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    1. Thank you Kourtni! it was a pretty eventful month in June, finally settling into July trying to figure out what to read next #thestruggle lol. ARC drama is ridic smh, the lengths some will go baffles me. I can’t complain, I got some really good ones but also missed out on a few (Warbringer) but what can you do? the books will hit the shelves eventually lol. I really dislike the practice of selling arcs on ebay smh, I am not an author but def sympathize with them because they won’t see not a cent from the profit made by these people who don’t deserve anything. It’s like the respect for the relationship btwn blogger, author, and publishing house doesn’t exist in these conventions. Sad but true. Anyways lol, I’m so glad you plan on checking out Bearly a Lady, cute & short but leaves you wanting more. Wishing you an amazing July Kourtni <3!

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      1. I’ve been having the hardest time trying to decide what to read lately, so I feel you, haha. I get so mad with people who sell ARCs on ebay, ugh. They’re literally taking these books away from fans who paid to go to the con and who would actually help promote the book (aka use the ARC for its INTENDED PURPOSE lol) just to be greedy and make money off of something they have no business selling. I could go on forever about how mad it makes me, but I’ll spare you, hahaha.

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      2. lol believe me I completely understand! It’s infuriating considering that Bookcon isn’t what it used to be. Now, BEA is where you can stroll in at your leisure (with the necessary credentials of course) & leave with ALL the arcs. Bookcon which is literally the day after BEA is legit the leftovers. Most publishers packed up and went home so you only have giveaways and contests going for small quantities of arcs. All it led to was pure madness in the showroom floor. My hubby was at the front of the line for Warbringer only to have Penguin about face the line making him the tail end which meant No Warbringer for us. These were the types Of shenanigans taking place alllll wknd so to see people selling them is maddening smh.

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      3. Wow! I had no idea that it had turned into pretty much just leftovers. I wonder if publishers got sick of people from the general public coming just to get ARCs to sell and that’s why they don’t really stick around or do anything special for BookCon. I can’t say I’d blame them, really.

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    1. It was such a good movie Debby! I hope you enjoy it when you get around to see it, you’ll probably walk out of there feeling like you have the strength of 10,000 armies LOL! @ least I know I did smh. I’ll be on the look out for your thoughts on Bad Romance, make sure you have something uplifting to read afterwards cuz it’s a tough one mentally to digest.

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  9. You really had a great month! You’ve read amazing books this month! I loved SOng of the current and Our Dark Duet! I’m currently reading A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice And Virtue and so far, I’m loving it. I loved wonder Woman! I haven’t watched The new transformer’s movie yet but I’m looking forward to it. It’s too bad that it wasn’t up to your expectations.
    Anyways, hope you have an awesome July! 🙂

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  10. Agh you and Gretchen are so beautiful! ❤ Seriosuly, love you two. I love that your hubs reads. It must be so fun to trade recs and talk books. Mine does not. But we are both gamers 😉 Well me not so much right now, but it is a fun common interest. He still fully supports my book hoarding so no complaints haha 😉 You had a fab month and introduced me to several new reads. I may have said it already, but you are my go to for diversity. Muah~ ❤

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    1. Thank you Lauren! ☺️💕& yea June was a good reading month, can’t complain lol. Gahhh! THGTVAV was soOoOo much fun! I miss those characters and I’m really looking forward to the spin-off companion? If that’s even a thing but I hear that it’s Felicitys story so Yay!!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 This Savage Song is a MUST! Especially for a lover of the paranormal 😉

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  12. Oh no, I’d like to see the haul. I have seen peeps respond negatively to those hauls on YouTube but not in the blogosphere.
    It seems that you had a great June though. I debated going to BookCon this year but was so busy, I couldn’t make it. Maybe next year.
    And I also saw Wonder Woman. I didn’t love it as much as everyone though. I preferred the first parts but the huge fight at the end didn’t exactly work for me.

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    1. I’ve actually seen the same behavior that takes place on Booktube, in the blogosphere & travel to twitter 🤦🏻‍♀️sad really. This year I chose not to post but I will be reviewing my arcs obtained at Bookcon, here on LairOfBooks. Soon it’ll be a steady stream since they for most part have Sept/Oct release dates 😃 that’s too bad that WW didn’t fully work for you, I felt this way about Transformers 😩 lol. Thank you for stopping by 🙃💜📚💜🙂

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  13. I didn’t see the Wonder Woman but I am hoping I can get to see it.I loved GGTVAV so much and I am currently reading the song of the current and even this seems like a good read

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  14. It seems like you had an incredible month Lilly, and I’m so glad you enjoyed BookCon as well. One day I am going to make it to New York myself for BookCon because seeing and reading about other people’s experiences just makes me want to go so so badly.
    You reading month seems pretty amazing as well. I have A Gentleman’s Guide and Song of the Current on my to-read list for next week and I can’t wait to get around to both, I hope I enjoy them as much as you did. Also I hope you have a fantastic July! 😀 ❤

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    1. Awesome! I really do hope you make it out to one of these events, though I highly recommend BookExpoAmerica if you can get tickets over Bookcon. I didn’t go for BEA because of the strict guidelines on tickets but I may just give it a shot next year. I heard that it’s way more calm & you actually get all the good arcs there. Bookcon tbh is “survival of the fittest” gotta have a game plan because the copies are extremely limited & it legit feels like The Hunger Games smh. Anyways lol, I can’t wait to hear what you think of these two books! Loved them both and I think you will too 😉 wishing you an AMAZING July! 😊💕

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      1. I’ll definitely keep that advice in mind. I won’t be able to get to BookCon or BEA until 2019 at the earliest so I have plenty of time to get a game plan sorted for finding the best ARCs. 🙂
        I’ve heard amazing things so I’m sure I will, and thanks Lilly! 😀 ❤

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    1. Thanks Rachel! It was an eventful month which is nice to have every once in a while ☺️ & I agree, I pre-games with my bestie for a week straight. It was still very messy and certain things transpired on the showroom floors that left a bad taste in my mouth but we certainly made the best of it 😉

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  16. Sounds like a busy month, but every book you read sounds soooo good! I’m beyond jealous that you went to bookcon, but it seems like you and Gretchen had loads of fun! 😂 I also saw Wonder Woman and thought it was incredible, are you planning on reading Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo? 😃

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    1. Yea the month was very hectic but so worth it lol. Gretchen & I were able to enjoy our haul once we made it farrrrrr away from the actual event 😂 Wonder Woman was AMAZING, I’m def ready to watch it again 🙌🏼 I am most def reading Warbringer, that’s one I’ll be pre-ordering cuz it’s Leigh Bardugo writing about my Icon 😍 lol 💙📚💙

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  17. twin that bookcon *big sigh* beyond grateful that we got to spend the time together and that your husband was there to help out too! cause ooooo like you said, that took a toll on our anxiety. i am happy that we pre-gamed and were ready for it but i really hope it’s more organized next year. at least we snagged some really good arcs!

    as for your reads this month, you had a great diverse month with so many stars! whoop whoop! i hope July goes just as smoothly as June. i still need to watch Wonder Woman but at this rate, i’ll just wait for the movie to come out on DVD to watch it in the comfort of my own home. i was a huge fan of transformers when Shia LaBouf was the MC but ever since Mark took the role, just wasn’t a fan. like you, i love Mark but i definitely agree that i don’t think this was the role for him.

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    1. I am too twin, very grateful and already looking forward to the next one in a couple of mths 😆 hoping for less anxiety and more fun lol. I am thankful that we did score some really good ones and that we met other bookworms to chat with 😃

      July is looking good so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it continues 🤞🏼thanks twin! I am def buying the Wonder Woman DVD on release day. I haven’t bought a DVD in years but it was THAT good! lol I loved it 🙌🏼 and as for transformers I’ve heard some rumors that Mark may be moving on from this role but not sure yet. It would explain though the addition of the Witwickee history & that they mentioned that they’re not all dead so we shall see 🤞🏼lol💕

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  18. girl you had a great month with reading and movies (; I still haven’t made to see wonder woman. I hope to someday attend bookcon maybe next year I just can’t keep up with dates and things like that but maybe next year we shall see.

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    1. Thanks Lourdes! WW is a must see 😉 & Bookcon isn’t what it used to be but I do think every bookworm should experience it at least once. i’m still unsure as to whether I’ll be attending next year, we shall see 😉

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