Lola’s Ramblings is a feature on my blog Lola’s Reviews where I ramble on about a book related or a non-book related topic. These are discussion type of posts where I talk about a topic and readers can weigh in on the topic in the comments. Usually these posts are everything that doesn’t fall under any standard header, like tours, cover reveals, memes, challenges, recaps or reviews. Lola’s Ramblings posts are discussions of a certain topic and my point of view on them. The banner for this feature is designed by Michelle from Limabean Designs.
In 2019 I read a total of 139 books. Reading wise it was a great year, not only did I get into audiobooks, I also read more non-fiction books this year. And I read a lot of great books.
Science Fiction
Jumper’s Hope was even better in audiobook format and it got a 5 star rating from me. I love this series and this book is one of my favorites in the series so far. Nicole Poole does an excellent job with the narration and bringing the characters to life.
First Flyght, Broken Flyght, High Flyght and Lost Flyght are the first four books in SJ Pajonas’ new Flyght series. I totally love this series, while book 1 is a bit introductory still it gets even better in the later books when the story progresses and the characters come to live. Pajonas writes a believable reverse harem romance in this series and I love all the guys so far, although Jinzo is definitely my favorite so far. I can’t recommend this series enough!
I love the world of the Telepathic Space Pirates that Carysa Locke created and it’s awesome she has written some of these novella length stories about side characters. Nayla is one of my favorite side characters in the series and I liked getting her story in Pirate Festival and learning more about the killer home world. I can’t wait for part 2.
The Cozies
No big surprises here. All of these are the next books in some of my favorite cozy mystery series. The Daydreamer Detective Finds her Calling is the latest installment in SJ Pajonas’ awesome cozy mystery series. I really liked the mystery in this one and the characters are great too and I love seeing how they change and develop over the course of the series.
The Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series continues to be one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Something Borrowed, Something Mewed was a lot of fun. The characters, both the human and pet characters are great and the mystery was a good one too.
Strangled Eggs and Ham is part of another one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I really like the mix of reading about Robbie’s life and the mystery aspects. The mystery is a good one and I like how Robbie acts smart.
Fantasy/ Paranormal
In Graves Below is a great paranormal romance by Carol Van Natta. I loved reading about these characters and the paranormal aspect was well done. I remember this one fondly as one of the few books that really caught me during a time when I struggled to find what I wanted to read.
I decided to re-read the Lily Singer series by Lydia Sherrer this year in audio format, it’s just as great in audio format and the narration is well done. Love, Lies and Hocus Pocus Revelations still is my favorite book in the series probably with how full of revelations it is and how it reveals the main direction of the series.
I read the last 2 books in the Lion Mistress series and I just love the world and characters the author has created. The Lion Mistress Book 2 is probably my favorite in the series so far. I like seeing the romance progress between the 3 main characters and also seeing the familiar characters from the Horse Mistress books again. If you like fantasy romance books and are okay with polyamory romances, please give this one a try. The whole Eburos series is one of my favorite fantasy romance and polyamory series, I recommend you start with the Horse Mistress.
Spellbound was an amazing historical, paranormal and romance book and the author blends all those elements together so well. I really liked the main characters, there is an awesome slow burn romance and I liked the paranormal and historical aspects as well.
Graveyard Shift is the third book in this awesome paranormal romantic suspense series. I really liked this one. It was some sad moments, but also a lot of great scenes and I liked how the couple is really working as a couple in this one.
I really like the spin-off Guild Codex series and seeing Robin and Zylas their relationship develop in Slaying Monsters for the Feeble. I really like Robin as a main character and Zylas is so well done with how not human he is.
The Carnelian Fox is a Pokémon inspired monster hunting book. I had so much fun reading this one. It’s both nostalgic and refreshing and a lot of fun.
Contemporary Romance
Summer Haikus was one of my re-reads and just like the first time I read it, I gave it a 5 star rating. This is still one of my favorite books by SJ Pajonas. I love how realistic the characters are, how the Japan setting comes to live and how Isa has to figure out what she wants.
I am really enjoying Jordan Ford’s new Forever Love series. It follows a group of teenager after a traumatic event in their life and the mix between their grief and hurt and also the wonderfulness of new love and family is wonderfully done. They are realistic and addictive reads. Outcast Girl vs Pretty Boy is my favorite book in the series so far probably as I really like Bianca.
Non-fiction
Newsletter Ninja is such a great non-fiction read about newsletters. Her approach to newsletter was something that really worked for me and it’s full with great information and tips on how to make your newsletter shine. And it was fun to read as well. Definitely recommend this one.
I grabbed Be Calm on a whim and I am so glad I did as this was a great non-fiction book about anxiety with plenty of techniques how to deal with it. It really helped me and understand anxiety better.
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit is first non-fiction book that got a 5 star rating from me. And Dear Writer, Are in Burnout? was the second one. These books really resonated with me and changed how I viewed certain things. I think it has a lot of good advice and tips, whether you’re an author or not. The focus on individual differences is also something that really worked for me. The burnout book is awesome for understanding the whole burnout process.
Oh yes, I did love Jumper’s Hope on audio just as much. The Jenn Burke was a good one, too. Glad you had a fun reading year and a nice variety with all the non-fiction, too. So many great books out there that I’ll be catching up forever even as we go into another year of book releases. LOL
Sophia Rose recently posted…Interview: Rebecca Raisin, author of The Little Bookshop on the Seine
Jumper’s Hope was awesome in audio format. And I really like that Jenn Burke series. I am glad I got a good amount of non-fiction read this year and even had some that made my favorites post.
My goodness! I’m so honored to be listed so many times in this post! Thank you!! Jinzo (I think you put “Jiro” up above which was my Nogiku Series, but he’s pretty great too!) is one of my favorite characters from the Flyght Series too. Shhhh, don’t tell the other guys. 😉
S. J. Pajonas recently posted…A Look Back At 2019 – What I Accomplished, Set Aside, or Changed
I love your books and I am glad you published so many this year so there are a lot of Pajonas books in this post ;). And I am glad I got to re-read Summer Haikus, it’s still one of my favorite books of yours.
Not sure how I changed his name to Jiro, sorry about that, although their names are pretty similar so maybe that’s how I mixed them up, but I fixed that now so his name is correct. I am glad to hear Jinzo is one of your favorites too. The other guys are great too, but Jinzo is still my favorite. He’s just so sweet and caring and perfect for Vivian.
139 books is great! Congrats on reading that many. Happy New Year! I wish you and your family a wonderful 2020!
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Thanks! I was quite surprised by how many books I read this year. Happy new year to you too!
2019 has been a very difficult year for me, and I haven’t read that much to be honest. But I’ve got so many books that I’d like to read, so I’ll hopefully get to them in 2020.
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I am sorry to hear 2019 was such a difficult year for you. I hope 2020 is a better year and you get to read some of those books you didn’t get to last year.
You did some great reading! This is my first time at your blog and I love everything about it, especially the llamas!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and I am glad to hear you like the llamas.
Glad you found so many great books! Lots of SFF! I loved Spellbound too, I was *this close* to including it in my top books list. I think Hoopla has the audiobooks for the Graveyard Shift series, so I’m thinking of checking those out since clearly they’re good! Sorry I haven’t been around, things have been really tough with headache problems and whatnot, but I hope everything is going well!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight recently posted…Bookish Musings: Top Ten Books/Series I Read in 2019 + Some Non-Bookish Things
It was a great year for SFF books. I hope you give the Graveyard Shift series a try, it’s a great series that only gets better with each book.
I am sorry to hear you’re still dealing with the headache problems and such. I hope 2020 is a better year for you!