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“Lilies you rule, heads you throw again.” ⚖️ Another picture of the pretty new covers for one of my all-time favorite fantasy series: The Queen’s Thief. When I think of depictions of royalty in books, nothing matches up to the nuance, intrigue, morality, and political machinations of the leaders of Eddis, Sounis, and Attolia. These are characters that are born into leadership, and even though their styles of ruling may vary every single one of them views their position as one of obligation to their country and their people. Question their methods, but never their motives. I love reading about protagonists who are fighting against the odds to do what is right. That’s why I always prefer the hero to the villain. 😇 • • • ❓What is your favorite royalty-related book trope? Secret princess? Arranged marriage? Rebel prince? I definitely love the “heavy the crown” trope, where a ruler sees their position as an obligation and tries to do right by their privilege. • • CHALLENGES! 📚 #decinbooks18 “Favorite fictional royalty” 🤴🏾 • • #thequeenofattolia #thekingofattolia #thequeensthief #meganwhalenturner #bookstack #fantasy #nonfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #bookhaul https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq7wEdGHaQp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f6mdwuqk9rv7

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This cover has the prettiest winter vibe. One of my holiday traditions is watching The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe while I put up my Christmas decorations. 🎄 • • • ❓Do you have any tips for staying low-stress during the holidays? I’m trying to be chill and just enjoy, but it’s hard not to get caught up in all the holiday obligation stress. 🧘🏻‍♀️ • • CHALLENGES! 📚 #allthebooksdec18 “Holiday traditions” 🖊 • • #thechroniclesofnarnia #cslewis #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #bookstack #fantasy #nonfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #bookhaul #map #fantasymap https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq6NCcLH2g0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1en188z4fgd31

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I’m so excited about my TBR this month! I want to finish 2018 with a bang, so I’m going for 5-star prediction! All books that have either come highly recommended or that I personally think I’ll love based on my own tastes. I have a week off in December, so I’m really hoping to get through a bunch of reading! It’s the perfect month for staying inside and snuggling under a blanket. ☕️ • • PS: Swipe for my insane November book haul. Our library had an AMAZING used book sale and I got 14 books for $25! I couldn’t even fit them all into the picture. 😍 • • ❓Have you read any of these books? Are you trying to hit a yearly reading goal this month? I hit my goal for the year, but I still want to get my count higher if I can. I’m a book overachiever, I guess. 😂 • • CHALLENGES! 📚 #allthebooksdec18 “December TBR” 🖊 #decinbooks18 “Anticipated December Reads” ⏳ • • #tbr #fivestarpredictions #achristmascarol #captiveprince #taylorjenkinsreid #lynnflewelling #elizabethalynn #karinlowachee #wenspencer #bookstack #fantasy #scifi #speculativefiction #sciencefiction #nonfiction #queerfiction #lgbtfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #bookhaul https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq2tOXzH3Qm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b7w9tccpgxun

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Red books feel extra festive in December! I’m really looking forward to starting The White Road soon. I absolutely adore this cover (and the companion cover of Shadows Return with the Seregil portrait). Look at Alec! Look how adorable he is! (Swipe for a close-up.)💗 • • • ❓Who are some of your favorite fan artists? Some of my favs on instagram are @zayafeli (she does a lot of OCs but also Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Captive Prince, The Rifter, and other good stuff) @yumenouveau (she does amazing Wolfstar drawings!) @upthehillart (beautiful HP art - I’m obsessed with her Sirius) and @gibslythe.art (super cute Raven Cycle art, especially her Pynch stuff 😍). Honestly there are too many to name. I adore fan art. Give me your favs! 🎨 • • • #nightrunner #thewhiteroad #lynnflewelling #thealchemywars #captiveprince #sixofcrows #halfbad #bookstack #bookspines #fantasy #scifi #speculativefiction #sciencefiction #nonfiction #queerfiction #lgbtfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq0Ei5anyJq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13pb2sc8h25mv

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I finished Warchild by Karin Lowachee this week. Ya’ll, this book is so good! It was without a doubt my favorite sci-fi space opera of the year. If you ever thought to yourself, gee I wish I could read a book like Ender’s Game but with better writing, queer representation, and an author who is actually awesome IRL, then you owe it to yourself to check out Warchild! It’s lovely, it’s sad, it’s epic, it’s dark as hell. Read it! Seriously, go read it and then come back and tell me your feelings! 😍 • • • ❓What were your best reads of November? I’m giving my top pick to Warchild, but honorable mention definitely goes to Now I Rise, because Radu is way too adorable and sweet to be forgotten! 🍩 • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “fav reads of the month” ⚜️ • • #warchild #karinlowachee #nedchristie #nowirise #kierstenwhite #fantasy #scifi #speculativefiction #sciencefiction #nonfiction #queerfiction #lgbtfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqxboXbnIOz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hl4jsjhnbqdv

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Spelling my name with books! S: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller A: And I Darken by Kiersten White R: The Rising by Ian Tregillis A: Authonomous by Annalee Newitz 👸🏻 One of my favorite fall reads has been the Conquerer’s Saga (especially the second book, Now I Rise). Also a few I didn’t get in this photo, like Warchild by Karin Lowachee and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I’ve been reading a lot of good stuff lately! 💗 • • • ❓Do you have any books that you strongly associate with a specific season for no particular reason? Even though I read The Song of Achilles in October I can’t stop thinking of it as a summer read. Maybe it’s because I found that scene of the boats stranded in the stagnant heat at Aulis so vivid! ☀️ • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “spell your name with books” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “fave fall read” 🗓 • • #thesongofachilles #madelinemiller #andidarken #kierstenwhite #thealchemywars #iantregillis #autonomous #annaleenewitz #historicalfiction #fantasy #speculativefiction #sciencefiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #bookstack https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqu5FZ5HA7h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a09rb6g4hao6

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I’ve wanted to read Octavia Butler for a long time now, and I haven’t gotten to her work yet. I’m more interested in reading the Xenogenesis series (which I’ve also seen referred to as Lilith’s Brood) but I found this copy of Parable of the Sower at a used bookstore and I snatched it up. Still on the lookout for a a used copy of Dawn! 🛸 • • • ❓It can be challenging to come up with books that fit in both the categories of “classic” and “written by a POC author” because those voices have traditionally been marginalized within mainstream publishing. Anyone have any recs for fantasy/sci-fi classics that are written by POC authors? I want to add them to my TBR! 📖 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “written by a POC author” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “classic” 🗓 • • #parableofthesower #octaviabutler #scifi #speculativefiction #classicfiction #sciencefiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsQ_Bln9_A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15auklp4ykw2y

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Santa Olivia was recently recc’ed by @ceceewing_ on her booktube channel and I had to immediately add it to my TBR. It sounds so amazing: genetically engineered super-werewolves in a dystopian future! These are all things I love. I’ve never read any Jacqueline Carey before, so I’m really excited to start with this book. 📚 • • • ❓Do you enjoy reading werewolf stories? I generally stay away from them because I think it can sometimes be a genre that comes with a lot of other tropes that I don’t usually enjoy. I’m giving this one a chance though, because it’s got a pretty high Goodreads rating AND it’s genetically modified wolf-ish people: not your traditional werewolves. If you know of any good werewolf stories, rec them to me in the comments! 🐺 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “new on your TBR list” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “book to read before the year ends” 🗓 • • #santaolivia #jacquelinecarey #werewolf #werewolves #queerfiction #lgbtfiction #dystopian #sciencefiction #supernatural #fantasy #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqpsg7ZH013/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ro1uvf4cwz48

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When I think of a super cozy place to hang out when it’s cold outside, I always picture the Gryffindor common room! A giant hearth surrounded by cushy armchairs? Yes, please! Too bad I’m a Hufflepuff, but hey our common room sounds pretty amazing too. Has anyone actually decorated/modeled their house after a Hogwarts common room? If they have, I want to be friends with them! They sound cool. 💕 • • • ❓Any recommendations for how to beat a cold that just won’t go away? So far, my techniques have been lots of tea and reading, but I just don’t think that’s cutting it! Maybe I need to try another book? 😉 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “character who loves books” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “fave fictional family” • • #harrypotter #talesofbeedlethebard #prisonerofazkaban #jkrowling #hp #ya #youngadult #yafantasy #fantasy #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqnTkrmnESm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h4erex7n62g7

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I was so happy to find this at my local library! I read the first book at the beginning of this year (recommended to me by @zayafeli - btw, have you seen her gorgeous fan art of Monty and Percy?? 😍) and I loved it. I’m a little nervous to start this one, because I didn’t like Felicity as much as I completely adored Percy. I don’t think he and Monty are in this one as much? Well, it will probably end up on my December TBR so we’ll see! ☠️ • • • ❓Are you already building your December reading list? I’ve decided that my reading theme for next month is going to be 5-star predictions, because I want to try to get through as many books as possible before the end of the year. So I’m going with my gut and picking things I think I’ll be able to fly through! ✈️ • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “set in another country” ⚜️ • • #theladysguidetopetticoatsandpiracy #thegentlemansguidetoviceandvirtue #mackenzilee #ya #youngadult #historicalfiction #fantasy #lgbtbooks #queerbooks #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqklSOinNhN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dofbgrki8wfj

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I adore this edition of I Capture The Castle, another book that I read and loved as a teenager. It’s such a comfy, cozy book! I’m so ready to put away all the leftovers from yesterday and curl up under a blanket. 🛋 • • • ❓What are your best comfort reads? For me, I go back to books I loved when I was younger: Lloyd Alexander, Harry Potter, and Ella Enchanted. 🎐 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “latest bookish mail” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “latest bookish purchase” 💝 • • #icapturethecastle #dodiesmith #ya #youngadult #historicalfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqibsF6ndzG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ti1p1jkzkjok

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Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who is celebrating! If not, hope you’re having a great Thursday. The Queen’s Thief book series is one that’s been so close to my heart for such a long time. I’m definitely thankful for it, and I’m extra-thankful for this signed copy that @m.w.turner herself gave me when I got to meet her in September this year. Oh yeah, have I mentioned how wildly thankful I am that I got to meet Megan Whalen Turner, an author who I have adored since middle school?! 💕 • • • ❓It’s always good to take time and reflect on the amazing things in your life. What books help you put your life in perspective? For me, historical fiction reminds me of how lucky we are to have modern medicine and indoor plumbing! ⚗️ • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “book you’re thankful for” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “freebie” 💝 • • #thequeensthief #thickasthieves #thekingofattolia #meganwhalenturner #ya #youngadult #yafantasy #historicalfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay #signedbook https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfcTxwHGC6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jf0vsb9ehvwg

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Giveaway Time! 🤩 I’m so excited to be hosting a giveaway to thank everyone who helped me reach the 500 follower milestone. You are all so amazing! I can’t believe how quickly I’ve found a place in this wonderful community. Starting my bookstagram has been so rewarding: it’s helped me rekindle my love of photography, broadened my reading tastes, and brought me so many new friends! Thank you all! 💕 • • Prize: $25 USD for Book Depository - spend it on anything you want! • • How to Enter: 1. Be following me (Please don’t unfollow! I know who does it and it makes me so sad!) 2. Like this post 3. Comment below tagging 3 book-loving friends who you think would like my content • • Bonus Entries! - Like and comment on any of my other posts using the ticket emoji (🎟) for 1 extra entry per comment - Share this post in your story for 24 hours (be sure to tag me so I see it!) for 5 extra entries • • Fine Print: - Open internationally to any place that Book Depository ships - I will need your address to ship to you if you win - Must by 18 or older to enter - I reserve the right to remove you from this or future giveaways if you follow and subsequently unfollow. - Your account should be public, book-related, and not a giveaway-only account - This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or Book Depository - Giveaway will close in 1 week: at 10pm EST on Wednesday the 28th of November. • • That’s it! Good luck to everyone and have fun! And thank you again soooo much! I love you all! 💝 • • #book #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #ilovereading #bookgiveaway #bookishgiveaway #bookdepositorygiveaway https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqdu7-QHS9x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dem5js4ynrre

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Giveaway Time! 🤩 I’m so excited to be hosting a giveaway to thank everyone who helped me reach the 500 follower milestone. You are all so amazing! I can’t believe how quickly I’ve found a place in this wonderful community. Starting my bookstagram has been so rewarding: it’s helped me rekindle my love of photography, broadened my reading tastes, and brought me so many new friends! Thank you all! 💕 • • Prize: $25 USD for Book Depository - spend it on anything you want!• • How to Enter: 1. Be following me (Please don’t unfollow! I know who does it and it makes me so sad!) 2. Like this post 3. Comment below tagging 3 book-loving friends who you think would like my content • • Bonus Entries! - Like and comment on any of my other posts using the ticket emoji (🎟) for 1 extra entry per comment - Share this post in your story for 24 hours (be sure to tag me so I see it!) for 5 extra entries • • Fine Print: - Open internationally to any place that Book Depository ships - I will need your address to ship to you if you win - Must by 18 or older to enter - I reserve the right to remove you from this or future giveaways if you follow and subsequently unfollow. - Your account should be public, book-related, and not a giveaway-only account - This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or Book Depository - Giveaway will close in 1 week: at 10pm EST on Wednesday the 28th of November. 🗓 • • That’s it! Good luck to everyone and have fun! And again, thank you all soooo much! I love you all! 💝 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqdt-lxnWR6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ub2twmxkk915

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This book is really special to me. It takes me back to Italy, where I studied abroad for a semester, like nothing else. The scenes that are set in Rome feel so real and vivid. Mark Helprin is a seriously amazing writer. I’ve actually never finished reading this book because I don’t want it to be over! 🛵 • • • ❓Do you ever get homesick for a place you traveled to? Our family vacations were always at Disney World and I have so many wonderful memories of being there with my whole extended family and having such an amazing time. I miss it! 🧜🏻‍♀️ • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “book with >500 pages” ⚜️ #allthebooksnov18 “book you’re thankful for” 💝 • • #asoldierofthegreatwar #markhelprin #historicalfiction #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqc7K8tHc00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c0o903t02jsb

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Ok so when I finished And I Darken I will admit that I didn’t really see Lada as an anti-hero. But by the end of Bright We Burn? I was so on-board with her anti-hero status. That girl is vicious, cutthroat, determined, and absolutely willing to sacrifice any and everything for what she sees as her destiny: to be the steward of the Wallachian land and people. I respect that, even though I can’t imagine ever making some of the decisions that Lada made. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it! I thought it was pretty unique for YA, in the level of gore and darkness but also in the story structure itself. By book 2 it’s basically two separate stories(Lada’s and Radu’s) that occasionally affect each other but almost never overlap. It made for a pretty interesting reading experience. 🧐 • • • ❓Do you like books that are told from multiple points of view, or do you prefer a single narrator? Games of Thrones was one of the first series I read with the “each chapter is narrated by a single one of the MCs” types of stories. I thought it was absolutely brilliant, because it left you tearing through the book trying to get back to where you left off with each character. Now I’ve seen that style a lot more and maybe I’m kind of over it? I think one or two narrators is probably best for me! 🍄 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “favorite anti-hero/heroine” ⚔️ #allthebooksnov18 “series that ends/ended this year” 🔚 • • #andidarken #nowirise #brightweburn #conquererssaga #kierstenwhite #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #fantasy #ya #yafiction #yafantasy #queerbooks #lgbtqbooks #ilovereading #bookreader #photooftheday #flatlay https://www.instagram.com/p/BqaP6MoH3Gr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yv9ulaqkrrtq

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Let’s be honest: if Ronan Lynch wrote a cookbook it would turn out a lot like the Thug Kitchen series. I think Ronan definitely has a potential vegan vibe to him. He loves animals and nature! 🌾 These books are so much fun, and the recipes are amazing! They make vegan cooking easy, healthy, and not intimidating. Plus, it’s fun to read the recipes and pretend like you’re getting a personalized cooking lesson from everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, car-racing, farmer boy. 👨🏼‍🌾🚜 • • • ❓Do you use cookbooks? I tend to google recipes more often than I reach for a cookbook, but I still buy them because I love the gorgeous photography! 📸 • • • CHALLENGES! 📋📖 #novinbooks18 📚 “book you wish you had” #allthebooksnov18 “food on the cover” #discovermmromance “proud moment” • • #theravencycle #theravenking #maggiestiefvater #book #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #booklover #booknerd #booklove #igreads #bookphotography #fantasy #ya #yafiction #yafantasy #queerbooks #lgbtqbooks #ilovereading #photooftheday #flatlay #thugkitchen #vegan #vegancooking #cookbook https://www.instagram.com/p/BqXr4Cbn6V8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nbtj2r3x8yik