{"id":5527,"date":"2022-10-04T13:20:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T17:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/?p=5527"},"modified":"2022-10-11T08:26:13","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T12:26:13","slug":"a-summer-of-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/2022\/10\/04\/a-summer-of-books\/","title":{"rendered":"A Summer of Books"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero  \"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks-hero.jpg);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<div class=\"fullwidth\">\n<p>Listen to Tara&#8217;s blog <a href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/uri-inside-rec-blog\/episodes\/A-summer-of-books-e1p3j2l\">here.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With an overly crowded bookshelf and a \u201cto be read\u201d list that never ends, I decided to create a Bookstagram this summer. My account, @taras_littlelibrary, has been a place to praise my current reads, leave honest book reviews, become friends with other booklovers, and express my passion for reading.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reading has always been a special escape for me. Stepping into a character\u2019s shoes and adjusting to new lifestyles is an addictive hobby. I have recommended hundreds of books to my family and friends, something that pushed me to make this account. Instead of reading a novel and letting it collect dust on my shelf, I decided to share my thoughts with the world.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since beginning my account in June of this year, I have read a total of 20 books. Though this is not the most impressive number, it is one that will only grow with time. Bookstagram has allowed me to capture my favorite moments when reading and recommend books that I love.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5528 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"tara reading the house across the lake, poolside with sunnies and a yellow water bottle in the top right corner\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks1-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks1.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rating Criteria (1-5) Stars:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Characters: Are they relatable? Are they developed throughout the story? Are they lovable?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Setting: Is there a connection to the place? Does it make me feel like I am there? Is it somewhere unique?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Did it leave me breathless?: Was there a pit in my stomach after closing the book? Do I wish there was more to read?&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5 Star Reviews:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My latest read, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Court of Thorns and Roses<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by Sarah J. Maas, exceeded my expectations. This adult fantasy series is one that has been a best seller for a long time and one that is talked about daily. Fantasy novels have the ability to transform your world, which is one reason why this genre is my favorite. Maas\u2019 writing and storytelling is incredibly beautiful and the development of her characters is exquisite. Though I am only one book into this nine book series, I am already invested and aching to read more. A magical world is every Fantasy reader\u2019s dream. The story is of a nineteen-year-old Feyre and her journey of being captured by a beast, Tamlin .When reviewing books, one of the most important aspects is to tell if the book left a lasting mark on your mind. Maas\u2019 description of a glen, a narrow valley, did just that. When I close my eyes, I can see the glen whose water is made of starlight. My review for this book, again, is 5 stars.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5529 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks2-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Court of thorbs book leaning up agaisnt wall with black and white art ad a rose in the lower left foreground\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks2-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks2.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The House Across the Lake <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">by Riley Sager was one of the most anticipated reads for the summer. Receiving 5 stars for my little library review, my jaw was on the floor the entire novel. Secrets, plot twists, and dynamic characters all make this book an intense page turner. One of my goals this summer was to read more diverse genres. This novel was the perfect way to incorporate a thriller into my bookshelf. As a widowed actress who has been escaping her grief with alcohol, Casey Fletcher tries to find peace at her family\u2019s lake house in Vermont. However, this is the place her husband tragically died, and Casey finds herself watching her neighbors across the lake to distract herself from harsh memories. As Riley Sagar says, \u201cbe careful what you watch for.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I will let you in on a secret: my favorite author is Brigid Kemmerer. Though, if you glanced at my bookshelf, this would probably be your guess. After reading one of her earlier novels, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Letters to the Lost, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">her books have remained some of my favorites. Therefore, there is no surprise that my new favorite series is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cursebreakers Series. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since I have only completed two of the three books, I cannot rate the series as a whole. However, the two books I have read both deserve 5 stars. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Curse So Dark and Lonely, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">the first book in this series, is an extremely creative twist on the famous fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. This book, like all of Kemmerer\u2019s books, changes POVs every chapter. Personally, this is my favorite tactic an author uses when writing. Changing from the main character\u2019s Harper and Prince Rhen\u2019s POV creates such a deeper storyline for the reader and allows more connections to be made. Harper has cerebral palsy yet continues to surprise herself and others by her strength when making sacrifices. Other characters like Prince Rhen and his guard Grey, play major roles in this story making the reader fall in love with both of these men. In the second book of this series, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Heart so Fierce and Broken, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kemmerer gives us a look into Grey\u2019s POV, something that was alluded to in the earlier book. Grey has made so many sacrifices to protect Prince Rhen, but now he must make even larger ones to protect himself. With the third and final book being next on my reading list, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Vow so Bold and Deadly, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I am so anxious to see what happens next in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cursebreakers Series.&nbsp;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The books mentioned above were just 4 of the 7 books I gave 5 stars to this summer. The other 5 star recipients are listed below:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New to Liberty <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">by Demisty D. Bellinger<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Close Again <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">by Ella Frances Sanders&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Unhoneymooners <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By Christina Lauren<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5531 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks3-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Tara sitting on a fountain reading a book in ny city\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks3-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Summerbooks3.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now, it is time for (extremely) unpopular opinions. At first, I was nervous to share my thoughts on these next books. But, when I posted to my Bookstagram, I realized no one has the same reading experience. Therefore, forming your own opinions, thoughts, and reviews about a book is not something to be ashamed of. Instead, it is something to embrace. So, let\u2019s get right into it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My least favorite read of the summer was a book that was insanely hyped up. I saw it everywhere on social media and in bookstores. The book\u2026 drumroll please\u2026 is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verity <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">by Colleen Hoover. I took this book with me on vacation to Utah in hopes for an exciting, romantic read. Though I did finish it in one day and it kept me on edge, it was definitely not for me. I thought it was a very fast read and one that had creative potential. However, the plot seemed implausible and too predictable. There seemed to be a lack of character development (one of my favorite things about reading) for the protagonist and I wasn\u2019t sure why Colleen Hoover started the book the way she did. Don\u2019t worry, I won&#8217;t spoil anything! I have extremely high expectations for this book but unfortunately was disappointed. My rating for this book is 3 stars.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There you have it! A summer of books. As we are stepping into the autumn air, there are so many spooky books I am adding to my list. I cannot wait to jump into the fall feel of things and review more books.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here is what I am reading next:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Silent Patient <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Alex Michaelides<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A Vow so Bold and Deadly <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brigid Kemmerer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How to Stop Time <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mathew Haig<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All the Light We Cannot See <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anthony Doerr<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are looking to purchase or rent books, check out some local bookstores! Wakefield Books, Rarities Books and Library, Happy Bookday Bookstore, and even our URI library! If you prefer digital copies, check out Kindle and Amazon Audio books as well.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stay tuned for my next blog about going to the gym with a personal trainer!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hi friends! My name is Tara Roumes and I am a junior here at URI. With a double major in journalism and <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5532 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Aboutme-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Tara reading a book on a founain in newyork looking right \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Aboutme-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Aboutme-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Aboutme-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1178\/Tara-Aboutme.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>English, you can always find me writing! When a pen isn\u2019t in my hand, a fresh cup of coffee and a bookoften replace it. My love for books can be found on Instagram, @taras_littlelibrary, where I post reviews and connect with other avid readers. If I am not reading or writing, I am definitely claiming a front-row seat at any athletic event on campus, playing with my two dogs, or listening to Harry Styles. This is my first semester blogging for Inside Rec and I am so excited to share my experiences, thoughts, and opinions with you!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen to Tara&#8217;s blog here.&nbsp; With an overly crowded bookshelf and a \u201cto be read\u201d list that never ends, I decided to create a Bookstagram this summer. My account, @taras_littlelibrary, has been a place to praise my current reads, leave honest book reviews, become friends with other booklovers, and express my passion for reading.&nbsp; &nbsp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4669,"featured_media":5528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fall-2022"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4669"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5527"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5555,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5527\/revisions\/5555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/inside-rec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}