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My Top Books Read In 2020

Last post of the year! I started my blog more towards the end of the year so this list isn't going to be very long at all. These books are the ones I've read from the time starting my blog that stood out to me. I would definitely recommend these books, happy reading! 1. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan. This book has brought back many memories from the last time I visited Taiwan. The descriptions of the food and surroundings was just so beautiful. My Taiwanese heart~♡  Review  here   2. All This Time by Mikki Daughtry & Rachael Lippincott. This book was written by two authors and it was blended so nicely together. Also the plot twist for me was so unexpected and I loved the character Marley. I can't wait to read Five Feet Apart, the first book the authors wrote together! Review  here   3. Together, Apart by Erin A. Craig, Auriane Desombre, Erin Hahn, Rachael Lippincott, Bill Konigsberg, Brittney Morris, Sajni Patel, Natasha Preston, & Jennifer Yen. 2

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg & Nell Scovell Book Review

Title:  Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead Authors:  Sheryl Sandberg & Nell Scovell  Publisher:  Knopf  Release Date:  March 11, 2013  Pages:  217  Sheryl Sandberg’s  Lean In  is a massive cultural phenomenon and its title has become an instant catchphrase for empowering women. The book soared to the top of bestseller lists internationally, igniting global conversations about women and ambition. Sandberg packed theatres, dominated opinion pages, appeared on every major television show and on the cover of  Time  magazine, and sparked ferocious debate about women and leadership. Ask most women whether they have the right to equality at work and the answer will be a resounding yes, but ask the same women whether they'd feel confident asking for a raise, a promotion, or equal pay, and some reticence creeps in. The statistics, although an improvement on previous decades, are certainly not in women's favour – of 197 heads of state, only twenty-two are women. Women hold ju

Shine (Shine #1) by Jessica Jung Book Review

Title:  Shine Author:  Jessica Jung Publisher:  Simon Pulse Release Date:  September 29, 2020 Pages:  352 What would you give for a chance to live your dreams? For seventeen-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim, the answer is almost everything. Six years ago, she was recruited by DB Entertainment—one of Seoul’s largest K-pop labels, known for churning out some of the world’s most popular stars. The rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don’t date. Easy right? Not so much. As the dark scandals of an industry bent on controlling and commodifying beautiful girls begin to bubble up, Rachel wonders if she’s strong enough to be a winner, or if she’ll end up crushed… Especially when she begins to develop feelings for K-pop star and DB golden boy Jason Lee. It’s not just that he’s charming, sexy, and ridiculously talented. He’s also the first person who really understands how badly she wants her star to rise.  Buy it on  Barnes & Noble   or  Amazon  

Heiress Apparently (Daughters of the Dynasty #1) by Diana Ma Book Review

Title: Heiress Apparently Author: Diana Ma Publisher:  Amulet Books Release Date:  December 1, 2020 Pages:  304 Gemma Huang is a recent transplant to Los Angeles from Illinois, having abandoned plans for college to pursue a career in acting, much to the dismay of her parents. Now she’s living with three roommates in a two-bedroom hovel, auditioning for bit roles that hardly cover rent. Gemma’s big break comes when she’s asked to play a lead role in an update of  M. Butterfly  filming for the summer in Beijing. When she arrives, she’s stopped by paparazzi at the airport. She quickly realizes she may as well be the twin of one of the most notorious young socialites in Beijing. Thus kicks off a summer of revelations, in which Gemma uncovers a legacy her parents have spent their lives protecting her from—one her mother would conceal from her daughter at any cost.   Buy it on  Barnes & Noble   or  Amazon  

Upcoming December 2020 Book Releases to Look Forward to

The following books are upcoming releases for December. There are many new books being released each month, but these are the top five that caught my eye. They are displayed randomly. Can't wait for them to come out, happy reading! 1.  D: A Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber is releasing December 8, 2020. Synopsis:  It all starts on the morning the letter  D  disappears from language. First, it vanishes from Dhikilo’s parents’ conversation at breakfast, then from the road signs outside and from her school dinners. Soon the local dentist and the neighbor’s dalmatian are missing, and even the Donkey Derby has been called off. Though she doesn’t know why, Dhikilo is summoned to the home of her old history teacher Professor Dodderfield and his faithful  Labrador, Nelly Robinson. And this is where our story begins. Set between England and the wintry land of Liminus, a world enslaved by the monstrous Gamp and populated by fearsome, enchanting creatures,  D (A Tale of Two Worlds)  is told

The Safekeeper by Esther Archer Lakhani Book Review

Title:  The Safekeeper Author:  Esther Archer Lakhani Publisher:  R.R. Bowker Release Date:  October 1, 2020 Pages: 188 Her job is to keep their secrets safe. A secluded Retreat Center full of preternatural clientele. A talking crow who thinks she knows everything. A new boy in town asking a lot of nosy questions. Sound like a lot to handle? Not for fifteen-year-old Macy Steward, who lives at the Center and helps her parents run the highly unusual retreats. For Macy, this is simply normal routine. And it’s all going exactly as expected, that is until the guests become dangerously unpredictable, the talking crow goes suspiciously missing, and the new boy turns out to be so much more than he first appeared. “Here comes trouble.” That’s the last thing the crow says before disappearing. Even though she doesn’t scare easily, Macy has to admit the crow was right. Because soon enough, she finds herself trying to keep a lot more things safe than just secrets... Buy it on Barnes & Noble or

If I Fix You by Abigail Johnson Book Review

Title:  If I Fix You Author:  Abigail Johnson Publisher: Harlequin Teen Release Date:  October 25, 2016 Pages:  320 When sixteen-year-old Jill Whitaker’s mom walks out—with a sticky note as a goodbye—only Jill knows the real reason she’s gone. But how can she tell her father? Jill can hardly believe the truth herself. Suddenly, the girl who likes to fix things—cars, relationships, romances, people—is all broken up. Used to be, her best friend, tall, blond and hot flirt Sean Addison, could make her smile in seconds. But not anymore. They don’t even talk. With nothing making sense, Jill tries to pick up the pieces of her life. But when a new guy moves in next door, intense, seriously cute, but with scars—on the inside and out—that he thinks don’t show, Jill finds herself trying to make things better for Daniel. But over one long, hot Arizona summer, she realizes she can’t fix anyone’s life until she fixes her own. And she knows just where to start . . . Buy it on  Barnes & Noble  or 

Together, Apart by Many Authors Book Review

Title:  Together, Apart Authors:  Erin A. Craig ,  Auriane Desombre ,   Erin Hahn ,  Rachael Lippincott,  Bill Konigsberg , B rittney Morris ,   Sajni Pate l ,   Natasha Preston ,  & Jennifer Yen Publisher:  Delacorte Press Release Date: October 20, 2020 Pages: 288 Erin Craig "delivers" on a story about a new girl in town and the cute pizza delivery boy, Auriane Desombre captures our hearts with teens communicating through window signs, and Bill Konigsberg takes us along on daily walks with every step bringing us closer to love. There's flirting and romance from Rachael Lippincott, a tale of a determined girl with a mask-making business from Erin Hahn, and a music-inspired love connection from Sajni Patel. Brittney Morris turns enemies to lovers with the help of a balcony herb garden, Jennifer Yen writes an unconventional romance that starts outside a hospital, and Natasha Preston's teens discover each other--and their love story--in a storybook oak tree. Romanti

Rebel Rose (The Queen's Council #1) by Emma Theriault Book Review

Title:  Rebel Rose Author: Emma Theriault Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion Release Date: November 10, 2020 Pages:  352 Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic. It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep. Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power. When she stumbles across a ma

Upcoming November 2020 Book Releases to Look Forward to

The following books are upcoming releases for November. There are many new books being released each month, but these are the top five that caught my eye. They are not ranked by number but displayed randomly. Can't wait for them to come out, happy reading! 1. Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer is releasing November 3, 2020. Synopsis : Chronic overachiever Prudence Daniels is always quick to cast judgement on the residents of her coastal town. Her dreams of karmic justice are fulfilled when, after a night out with her friends, she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on those around her. Pru giddily makes use of the power, flexing it on everyone from public vandals to karaoke hecklers. But there is one person on whom her powers consistently backfire: Quint Erickson, her slacker of a lab partner and all-around mortal enemy. Soon, Pru begins to uncover truths about Quint, her peers, and even herself. She discovers how thin the line is between virtue and vanity, generosit

Deep into the Dark: A Mystery (Detective Margaret Nolan #1) by P.J. Tracy Book Review

Title: Deep into the Dark: A Mystery Author: P.J. Tracy Publisher: Minotaur B ooks Release Date:  January 12, 2021 Pages:  352 Sam Easton — a true survivor — is home from Afghanistan, trying to rebuild a life in his hometown of LA. Separated from his wife, bartending and therapy sessions are what occupy his days and nights. When friend and colleague Melody Traeger is beaten by her boyfriend, she turns to Sam for help. When the boyfriend turns up dead the next day, a hard case like Sam is the perfect suspect. But LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan, whose brother recently died serving overseas, is sympathetic to Sam's troubles, and can't quite see him as a killer. She's more interested in the secrets Melody might be keeping and the developments in another murder case on the other side of town. Set in an LA where real people live and work--not the superficial LA of Beverly Hills or the gritty underbelly of the city-- Deep into the Dark  features two really engaging, dynamic main ch

All This Time by Mikki Daughtry & Rachael Lippincott Book Review

Title:  All This Time Authors: Mikki Daughtry & Rachael Lippincott Publisher:  Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers Release Date: September 29, 2020 Pages: 336 Kyle and Kimberly have been the perfect couple all through high school, but when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle’s entire world upends—literally. Their car crashes and when he awakes, he has a brain injury. Kimberly is dead. And no one in his life could possibly understand. Until Marley. Marley is suffering from her own loss, a loss she thinks was her fault. And when their paths cross, Kyle sees in her all the unspoken things he’s feeling. As Kyle and Marley work to heal each other’s wounds, their feelings for each other grow stronger. But Kyle can’t shake the sense that he’s headed for another crashing moment that will blow up his life as soon as he’s started to put it back together. And he’s right.   Buy it on  Barnes & Noble  or  Amazon  

Crystal Mind (Projector War Saga #1) by K.A. Excell Book Review

Title:  Crystal Mind Author:  K.A. Excell Publisher:  Katerina Excell Release Date:  July 15, 2020 Pages:  232 Crystal doesn’t want to hurt anyone ever again—but she can’t seem to stop. Memories of the past haunt her every step as one more reminder that she will never be normal. A normal girl wouldn’t see dangerous secrets when she met someone’s eyes. A normal girl wouldn’t create elaborate technology to escape her boyfriend. A normal girl would go to school without hurting people. When Crystal gets expelled again for fighting, a mysterious family friend sponsors her into a martial arts academy. There, she finds that she may not be the only one whose mind is different, and that those differences may be more powerful than anyone could have imagined.   Buy it on  Barnes & Noble  or  Amazon

Upcoming October 2020 Book Releases to Look Forward to

The following books are upcoming releases for October. There are many new books being released each month, but these are the top ones that caught my eye. They are not ranked by number but displayed randomly. Can't wait for them to come out, happy reading! 1. Magic Dark and Strange by Kelly Powell is releasing October 27, 2020. Synopsis: Catherine Daly has an unusual talent. By day she works for a printer. But by night, she awakens the dead for a few precious moments with loved ones seeking a final goodbye. But this magic comes with a price: for every hour that a ghost is brought back, Catherine loses an hour from her own life. When Catherine is given the unusual task of collecting a timepiece from an old grave, she is sure that the mysterious item must contain some kind of enchantment. So she enlists Guy Nolan, the watchmaker’s son, to help her dig it up. But instead of a timepiece, they find a surprise: the body of a teenage boy. And as they watch, he comes back to life—not as the

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan Book Review

  Title:  The Astonishing Color of After  Author: Emily X.R. Pan Publisher:  Little Brown Books for Young Readers Release Date:  March 20, 2018 Pages:  480 Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. Leigh, who is half Asian and half white, travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. There, she is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her best friend and longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life. Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair,  The Astonishing Color of After  is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love. Buy it on  Barnes & Noble   or  Amazon  

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone #1) by John Grisham Book Review

Title:  Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer Author:  John Grisham Publisher:  Dutton Books for Young Readers Release Date: May 25,  2010 Pages: 288 A perfect murder A faceless witness A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth . . . and he’s only thirteen years old Meet Theodore Boone In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served. Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal

Upcoming September 2020 Book Releases to Look Forward to

These books are upcoming releases coming sometime in September. There are tons and tons of new books being released each month, but these are the top ones that caught my eye. The books are not ranked by number so they are displayed randomly. Can't wait for them to come out, happy reading! 1. Majesty by Katharine McGee was released on September 1, 2020.  Synopsis: "Is America ready for its first queen? Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton. As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at al

Welcome to My Book Reviews and More!

Hey guys! I love books and writing, so I thought why not make a book review blog where I can share my thoughts with everyone. I enjoy reading adventure/action, fantasy, detective, and mystery novels but as long as it's a good book, I'll read it! If there's a good book in my hands, I can do nothing for hours but read until I finish the book. I'd say I'm a pretty fast reader, so I run out of books pretty quickly. If you have any questions directing to me or if you have suggestions on books I should read next, click here   or the Contact Me tab to let me know. I'll be sure to do my best to answer. I  want to know your thoughts too! You can comment them down below but let's be sure to keep them appropriate and polite. But first, be sure to c lick here   or the About Me tab to  know a little more about me.  Keep reading my posts to find out more about my personality and writing style. Thank you guys so much for reading and I'll see you next time! 

About Me

Hey guys and welcome to my blog! I'm Ruei (pronounced Rae), a Taiwanese American teen who loves reading. I also love basically anything pink; it's one of my favorite colors in case you couldn't already tell. I  enjoy reading YA contemporary, fantasy, and mystery books but as long as it's a good book, I'll read it! Some of my favorite authors include Marissa Meyer, Ally Carter, Emily X.R. Pan, Chloe Gong, and of course, Jenny Han.  I love discovering new books, and I can't wait to share them with you guys.  Happy reading! If you would like me to review a book, please check out the Review Guide & Policy page here as well as the Contact Me form here . Thank you! Be friends with me here: Goodreads :  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/120558016-ruei-ruei-s-reading-corner    Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/rueisreadingcorner